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Looking for answers

We live in an age of uncertainty. The future is far from certain. Politics has become increasingly divisive, countries more willing to use force to achieve their goals and an environment that is experiencing enormous change. Even in our own country we face uncertainty with our economy with a government bringing huge change for so many. In a time of uncertainty what do we look to, to help us cope? What do you turn to, to help you cope? Maybe it is the hope of winning lotto, or some form of drug t...

Good, Good News

This week someone won $30 million. I wonder how hard it is for them to not let on to family, friends, and workmates. It’s the sort of news that makes you want to tell someone, maybe even a complete stranger. What do you do with good news? Do you want to share it with others?As Christians we believe that we have Good News, news so good we want to share it with others. News that offers hope and new life to others. We want people to hear that there is a God who loves them and wants the absolute b...

A single focus

There’s an old story about how the Zebra got his stripes. A horse discovered a magic cave which gave whoever entered whatever they asked for. “I wish I was jet black”, the horse whispered and hey presto he was as black as the night. But when he got outside, he wondered if maybe white was a better colour. So back into the cave he went, “I wish I was white”, and he was white and gleaming. But when he got outside, he thought that white wasn’t a very practical colour. Black would be bett...

Where is your treasure?

I wonder if you have in your house a special treasure. Maybe something given to you by a parent or grandparent and so it holds a special place in your life. Maybe you lock it up in a cabinet so that no-one can play with it and break it. This item has become a touchstone, a symbol of safety and security.Or maybe your treasure is treasure and you have spent a lifetime building up a nest egg for your retirement. I wonder if you have noticed that the more we attain the more time we spend protecting ...

Salt and light

Over recent months I have been undergoing chemotherapy and one of the side-effects is a change in how my taste bud’s work. Salt had become very salty, so much so, that I now have to ask for it to be removed from cooking, which is pain for other members of my family. It’s a great reminder of how salt both flavours and preserves the foods we are eating.  Jesus talked about his followers been salt helping to bring the flavour of God and to help preserve the values of the kingdom of God but...

Unplug plug-In

This week we begin a series looking at the sermon on the Mount, a famous message given by Jesus in which he challenged people to a new way of living based on the values of the kingdom of God. This series is appropriate as we head into the season of Lent, as we reflect on our relationship with God heading towards Easter. As part of that preparation, we are encouraging people to unplug and Plugin. Unplug from all the distractions we have in life and plug-in to some activities that will help feed o...

Encounters with God

Sometimes we struggle to see God’s love at work in the world around us. Especially in the face of war and suffering. But the biblical story reminds us that God is looking for ways to meet with those who are looking for him, and sometimes he does this in quite miraculous ways. In Acts 8 God sends a guy called Phillip all the way out into the desert just so he can meet an Ethiopian official in his chariot, who wants to learn more about Jesus. Rather than just been a chance encounter, God sets up...

We're starting up again.

mainly music kicks off again Wednesday 7 February 2024 from 10am. There is a small charge per family. This programme is a fun way for parents and their children to spend quality time together based around music and movement. It is an opportunity for us as a church to connect with and offer something back to the community of which we are a part. It’s also away for us to demonstrate care, concern and support for those with young children....

Changed

Have you ever had a surprise encounter that changed your view of things entirely. Perhaps you met a famous person and discovered that your impression of them was entirely wrong. Instead of been arrogant and stuck-up as you imagined, they were genuinely caring and humble.Saul, a character from the New Testament, had very definite views about Jesus. In fact, he held quite violent views about who Jesus was and what he represented. He was opposed to all Jesus stood for and had made it his mission in...

Advent - Love

This week is the fourth week of Advent, and the theme is Love.  This week is a reminder that God ‘moved into the neighbourhood’, became one of us, to show us just how much he loves us.Sometimes we may think of God as a big schoolmaster waiting for us to make a mistake so he can punish us. Such a view goes against what the Biblical story tells us about God.  John, one of the Apostles, wrote"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why:...

Advent - Joy

This week is the third week of Advent, and the theme is Joy. I wonder what things give you joy. Maybe winning lotto, or maybe the birth of a child or grandchild. I wonder which would bring you the greatest joy.The birth of Jesus 2000 years ago was heralded by angels as an event of great joy, not just for the parents but for all people. This child, born in a stable, was going to cause people to rejoice, to celebrate, to sing. This child, once grown, would herald a new kingdom here on earth, the k...

Advent - Peace

This Sunday is the second week of Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus.   Our theme for this week is Peace.  It seems a pretty far-fetched idea when we look at our world. Countries, nations, families, all at war with each other. How can we talk about peace? How can we dream for peace? Jesus was called the prince of peace and he called those who wanted to be his followers to be peacemakers – those who work for peace in their families and communities. I wonder what it mig...

Make a difference to a young life!

Help to make a difference this Kirihimete!We’re currently collecting new baby items to help support local families. These donations will go to The Nest Collective who work alongside social workers and other community partners to provide baby packs for free to families in need. You can drop new baby items (up to age one) to us till Sunday 17 December @ 77 Ruapehu St. NB Building is not always staffed sorry. Contact 04 2987766Thank you for helping us support babies and families this Christmas!...

Advent - Hope

This coming Sunday marks the beginning of Advent the time in the church calendar when we begin to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.Our theme for this week is Hope. Hope can be a bit of a nebulous thing – we hope in some abstract way that life will get better. I wonder what it is you are hoping for? Maybe with a new Government you hope that life will be better for you and your family. But hope in a Christian sense is based on the belief that God can and does step into our ...

Christ the King

This coming Sunday marks the official end of the church calendar year. The next Sunday will be the beginning of Advent, the start of the church year and the period of time when we prepare for the coming of the Christ, born as a baby in Bethlehem.  But back to this Sunday which is known as Christ the King Sunday.This Sunday as we finish the church year, we are reminded that Jesus is the King, We’re not really into kings much today especially here in Aotearoa/New Zealand. We like to be our ...

Learning to Lament

When we look around our world it is easy to see events that seem so terrible that we often are unsure how to express the way we feel.  And when we add in our own personal crisis’s sometimes, we struggle to find ways to put into words just how we feel. What language do we use? What words would help? Who do we express our frustrations and anger about it all to?The Psalms in the Bible have some particular ways of expressing such things. Called Psalms of Lament they became the community’s l...

We need each other

I have spent the last week in bed with Covid. Finally, after 4 years the dreaded bug caught up with me. Isolating at home and feeling terrible while you do it is not the best way to pass the time. Fortunately for our house we are part of a caring church community who have dropped off delicious meals and treats and made an effort to care for our wellbeing. It has reminded me how much we need each other and how easy it can be to take it for granted. Not everyone is so fortunate, there hundreds of ...

What defines your life?

I wonder what it is that defines your life. Maybe a desire for justice? Maybe concern for the vulnerable? Maybe a desire to be wealthy? Maybe wanting to have fame and fortune?  All of us have something that defines who we are, and which others see in us. A man of his word, someone light fingered, a dirty old man are all expressions used by others to define someone. So, when others look at you, what would they use to define you?Joseph is one of the few characters in the Old Testament whose c...

Who wants to change?

Jim Rohn said, ‘For things to change, you have to change.’  And Henry Ford said, ‘If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got’. And yet so many of us resist change. We like things the way they are, and we like ourselves the way we are. Often, we will only change when no other option is available.Despite our resistance to change all of us need to be transformed and renewed. None of us is perfect and it is our flaws that need to be faced up...

Have you forgiven me?

Forgiveness is a difficult thing. Sometimes even when we have been forgiven, we wonder if the other person really has forgiven us for what we did? There’s nothing worse than having someone remind us of our failures.There's a story I once heard about a priest in the Philippines. A woman in his church told him she used to hear Jesus speak to her through visions.  The priest called her in to talk with her.  The priest was a bit sceptical about her claims so he said to her, “The next t...

Reconciliation

ReconciliationWe often talk about forgiveness as if it were an end in itself when it is one step on the road to reconciliation. A dictionary states: reconciliation is the renewal of friendship after disagreement or enmity. It is closely linked to the Jewish concept of shalom – when everything is in harmony. It is often messy and hard work.Joseph shows us how we can work toward reconciliation with others, even those who wished us harm. And the story of Jesus is a reminder that he came to reconc...

Are we there yet?

Ever heard or uttered those words dreaded by parents everywhere. Are we there yet? It’s the sound of a person who is so over the trip you are taking. Are we there yet? It’s the cry of those who have been waiting and waiting to arrive at the destination. Are we there yet?Many of us struggle with the concept of waiting.We live in an instant society  that says we can have anything and everything now especially if you have the right amount of money. No longer do we have to wait for the righ...

A voters prayer

As we head towards the election the following prayer was used in church last Sunday.Prayer for our Political leaders Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today seeking your guidance in the whole area of politics. We acknowledge that you are the ultimate authority, and we recognize the significance of leaders who govern our nations and communities. Lord, we pray for our political leaders, both elected officials and those aspiring to serve in public office. Grant them wisdom, integri...

Power and privilege

What would you do if you won lotto?  When the big draw was won recently here in Paraparaumu conversation centred around the question of ‘who had won?’ Followed quickly by ‘I wonder what they will do with the money?’ Will they buy a new house, a boat, go on a world trip, splash out on friends and family?Wealth and often the newfound power that comes with it can have the effect of changing people. Some will use it to get what they want.  Others may use it to serve the community a...

Who are you?

Someone once wrote a book titled ‘Who are when no one is watching?’ Is our behaviour guided by something deep within us or is it dependant on the circumstances we are in or people we find ourselves with? A bit like a child who knows not to swear at home but happily swears at school or with their friends.Many of us are good when there are others making sure we obey the rules, but would we be as good if we knew that our actions would go unknown and unpunished. Are we good in the way we treat o...