The Sunday before Christmas and we hear the full story from Luke 1, the angelic visitations, the miraculous pregnancy of Elizabeth with John the Baptist and of Mary with Jesus. The overflowing into prophecy of Elizabeth, Mary and Zechariah. The in utero recognition of the presence of Jesus by baby John. Here we find the incarnation and its purpose. Here we hear of the place of birth prophesied 700 years before.
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First Sunday back after lock down. Our theme is joy!
Today is the second Sunday in Advent with the theme of Peace. Ian preaches on peace - its source, how we get it, how we allow it to flow through us.
Parents: Here is a resource to help us consider how to have and model Peace in our Homes. On the Children's blog we have two activities for this Sunday and two for the rest of Advent.
Bishop Ross preaches for us today. The general theme for the first Sunday of Advent is "hope." Bishop Ross takes the angle of perseverance needed whenever hope and faith are exercised and needed as we go through this lockdown and the restrictions needed to fight the pandemic.
Parents, there are some children's activities on the children's blog. Three sheets for today but three are for all of Advent: a Jesse Tree, an Advent colouring calendar and a cut-out Nativity. The Jesse tree might be a good daily activity to do with your child(ren). Do watch out for an email about next Sunday's service and how it will be held. Vestry is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the application of the Diocesan policy for how we worship during the Protection Framework or Traffic Light system.
We continue with the series on Ruth today into chapter 3 & 4. Here we find the Redeemer! This is a story of Loving Kindness, Generosity and Redemption.
Once again, our puppeteers portray the story for children of all ages. Then there are some children's activities on Ruth in the Children's Blog.
We continue with the series on Ruth today into chapter 2. Here we find generosity, provision and honour.
Once again, our puppeteers portray the story for children of all ages. Then there are some children's activities on Ruth Chapter 2 in the Children's Blog. 'Traffic Light' Protocols
You may be wondering about what we will do at church once the DHBs achieve a 90% double vaccination target and Auckland moves to the 'Traffic Light' system.
A lot of work is going on at present to draw up good protocols for the Anglican Churches in Auckland Diocese. The Bishop and Diocesan Council have decided that there will be a Diocesan Covid19 Protection Framework for all parishes to follow. They are developing it at present with a thorough process. They have surveyed all clergy and as well as all vestries across the Diocese seeking our views on parish gatherings, services and vaccination status.. Our Vestry had a special meeting last week to answer the questions in the survey. The results of those surveys have been collated and (together with legal and health advice) are being used by the Diocesan Health and Safety Committee to draw up a proposed policy. That policy will then be reviewed by the Bishop and Archdeacons before being presented to the Diocesan Council meeting later this month for final approval. I understand that we will receive the policy at the end of the month and then Vestry is to decide how to implement it in our particular parish setting. Be assured that everyone involved is well aware of the tension between safety (particularly for the immune-compromised) and inclusion.
We start a new series today following the little book of Ruth over three weeks. It is a lovely story of faithfulness and loyalty.
Chapter 1 is told by our puppeteers - watch out for that. Then there are some cool children's activities on Ruth Chapter 1 in the Children's Blog.
Today, Ian brings to a close the series on Psalm 23 as we consider God's name: Yahweh my Portion and my Cup. We find that David had confidence in God for all he needed in this life and an inheritance in the afterlife. In the New Covenant we have the same hope in Christ. As today is All Saints Sunday, the theme from Ps 23 flows into a look at the Communion of Saints and what that means for us.
Parents: There are some children's activities on the Children's blog. Notices:
Hello Everybody, welcome to video church today. The Ng familiy have made a children's video for us which is so good and so helpful for people of all ages that we decided to make it the main talk today. Thank you, Siew Mei, Lucas, Elizabeth and Michael!
Children: Watch the talk in the main service and then on your blog page there are the two videos Mrs Ng suggested you would enjoy. Notices:
Today the Bishop is preaching on the the Gospel reading where Jesus said that Kingdom leadership serves.
The service begins and ends with a prelude and postlude from the Chara and Jed! There are some activities for children on the theme of servant leadership on their blog page here. Remember the Zone Morning tea at 11am each Sunday of lockdown. Below the service there are two notices:
We have been digging down into Psalm 23 in a series. Today, there is another big nugget: the title of God: "The LORD who makes us holy". Helen explores that concept and some of it ramifications.
The service ends with a happy dance performed and accompanied by the Ng children. There are some activities for children on the theme of holiness on their blog page here. Remember the Zone Morning tea at 11am each Sunday of lockdown. Below the service there are two notices:
We look at the story of Esther this week. For the children of all ages, Craig & Co. will tell the story in two episodes with puppets and for children of younger ages there is an activity sheet and some optional ideas you can find here.
In the sermon, Peter takes the theme "Faithful God: Courageous People". Don't forget the Zoom morning tea at 11am each Sunday. Next week (3rd Oct) it is St Francis day. So we are having a Pet Blessing at the end of Zoom session (11:30). Wendy also wants to make a collage of photos of our pets past and present. If you would like to contribute send your photos to her at her email address wendyf at the church domain: ststephenswgp.org.nz.
You are the Christ: Last week were considering the names of God. In today's gospel Jesus asks his disciples who they say he is. Peter answers, "The Christ," to which Jesus declares that God the Father has revealed that to Peter and starts to reveal to them that he must suffer and die. His disciples. too, must take up their crosses.
Bishop Ross preaches on that passage and challenges us to consider how we take up our crosses in lockdown. Children: Chara and Jed form a band with their Dad and then Jed does a Lego play of the gospel story. There are two activity sheets for children - see below. Zoom meetings: Remember the Zoom meetings this week - the links are in the email(s) sent to parishioners.
Today our theme is the names of God revealed in Psalm 23. There is much here to provide encouragement, strength and comfort when we may be feeling challenged, afraid or depressed.
Today our theme is the care of the Good Shepherd. In my last two sermons, I explored Psalm 23, on 18/7/21 & 1/8/21. Since then we have gone back into Level 4 lockdown. The remaining portions of the psalm are relevant to this situation offering encouragement, strength and comfort when we may be feeling challenged, afraid or depressed.
Notices![]()
Zoom Sunday Morning Tea 11-11:30am - NEW
For those of you who might be missing your church family, or just feel like you would like to see some friendly faces, we'd like to invite you to a Zoom catchup at 11:00-11:30 after the service on Sunday morning. Bring your favourite cuppa, and round up those in your bubble. We'd love hear how things have been going for you during this time! To join Zoom Meeting click on the link that Alison emailed to all parishioners.
Ian and Helen will teach a practical course in Healing Prayer in the AFFIRM Zoom series on Tuesday evenings in September at 7pm, starting Tuesday 7th September.
You are all encouraged to take part - register at: http://www.bishopdale.ac.nz/affirm-registration .
Cafe Theo Deferred: Due to the current lockdown we had to defer the planned series until we can run it at Level 1.
Here we are back in full lockdown again. Today the Revd Lorraine Lloyd leads our online service while Peter Lloyd preaches. Do join us for the opportunity to worship and learn although we are confined to our homes.
Today Peter preached on the Sheep and the Goats. But there was a fresh insight. We have a video of the sermon here.
This Sunday we welcome the Revd Glen Popata a new member of the parish. Glen is a Priest in Tikanga Maori and has recently taken up an appointment as a Naval Chaplain. Today he preaches on the Parable of the Talents.
It was good to welcome Zoe by baptism. Peter Lloyd preached on the two things parents need to convey to their children as they raise them in the faith.
Service and song words are in the document below. ![]()
If the words of the liturgy and songs are wanted they are in the order of service below.
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It was a good day! Bishop Ross came on a pastoral visit as arranged months ago, it was the first day back at Level 1, he dedicated the Memorial Wall and the Sunday School put on a "Mission Munch" lunch afterwards in support of the Auckland City Mission!
The video of the service is below.
Note on songs Since we were at Level 2, there was no singing but we used videos for the Praise time, the Offertory and the Final song. We encourage you to step through all 7 videos parts which make up the service (4 of our recordings around 3 songs) for a fuller worship experience. The songs are also listed separately below. The sermon text is here.
Video songs:
Praise time at : "I lift my hands" - Chris Tomlin Offertory at : "Is He worthy?" - Andrew Peterson Final song at : "Made me Glad" - Miriam Webster |
Online Services
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Sermon Blog
Each week's sermon is also entered in the sermon blog with the Bible references, a PDF of the sermon and usually the video of the sermon only.
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Wednesday Online Prayers
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June 2024
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