The lead up to Christmas Carols, food, lights, food, cards, food, decorations, food, pantomimes, food, family, food, food, food!

F or many of us during the ‘festive season’ this is the mental list that plays on a loop in our minds. The

trimmings and trappings of Christmas, the expectations of the season with its gifts and decorations,

and all the special food required can dominate the cultural mind set. Of course, much of this is great

fun. Finding the perfect present for a loved one can be exhilarating. The vision we have of their face as

they unwrap the gift, when we hand over the cash at the till, might make us laugh in anticipation. Many of

us look forward to particular foods that appear in December, love the relentless carols played on Classic

FM, and relish the moment when the Christmas box comes out of the attic.

The month of December is now defined

by the countdown to Christmas, and the

season of Advent is often overlooked.

Advent marks the start of the church year

and is characterised by expectant waiting

for the nativity of Jesus at Christmas. In

the sacred calendar, Advent is quite

separate from Christmas: one follows the

other. Indeed Christmas doesn’t start

until 24 December – not an idea that

would be welcomed by the retail

industry! There is a sense that our secular

Christmas activities have submerged

Advent, meaning the rhythm of expectant

waiting is lost beneath an extended

period of spending and excess.

The question for Christians is: How

much of Advent can be seen and felt in

our Christmas planning and activities? As the people of God and his kingdom here on earth, we are

privileged to understand the gospel story that stands in the centre of the busy festive fun. Can we turn our

secular activities into something sacred, using the rituals and events as vehicles for reflection and action

that turn us back to waiting expectantly for the incarnation of Christ?

© ROOTS for Churches Ltd 2002-2016. Reproduced with permission. www.rootsontheweb.com

We use this resource for teaching and worship across all ages and services at St Matthews.

If you would like a copy of ‘Countdown to Christmas’ please take one from the back of the church or email

the office.

2

St Matthews Advent – Christmas 2016 Friday 2 December 12.00-2.00pm KFT Christmas lunch 6.00-7.00pm F2P2 – Family Fun Pie and Pudding – Advent theme Sunday 4 December 2.00pm Christmas Parade – watch for time to assemble

Wednesday 7 December 10.00am Twinkletoes Christmas Party

Saturday 10 December

2:30pm A time to remember….(‘Blue Christmas’) Followed by afternoon tea

Sunday 11 December 2.00-4.00pm An Advent Quiet Afternoon (subject to sufficient registrations)

Sunday 18 December 5.00pm Carols and light meal

Christmas Eve Saturday 24 December

5.00pm Children’s Nativity 11.30pm Carols by Candlelight and Communion

Christmas Day Sunday 25 December 9.00am Morning tea followed by All Age Communion and Carols at 9.30am Sunday 1 January 2017 9.00am One Sunday service - and all Sundays in January. Night prayer in the Chapel with Mark (20 minutes) Tuesdays 7.00pm, during Advent using Night Prayer from the Prayer book Advent Study Tuesdays 7.30pm at Ian and Chrissie’s home

LOOKING AHEAD

T his Western Anglican comes as we start a new Church Year, marked by Advent Sunday. Soon we will be thinking about 2017, and planning the year ahead.

The season of Advent marks the start of the Christian year, and is a season of expectation and preparation as the Church looks forward to celebrating the birth of Christ.

We have an expectation in terms of governance of our church community as well, and before we know it, it will be February and we will be looking for nominations for office within our Church.

Our Annual General Meeting date has been set for the 19th March 2017, and this date has been worked out around the electoral Synod, where an Assistant Bishop of the Diocese will be called.

The Diocese has rules about the length of service anyone can hold in one position, and this is set at 6 years. My time is up in March – in fact it was up last year, but dispensation was granted to permit a further year. So over the holidays as you reflect on what your plans are next year, ask yourself if God is calling you to serve as a Warden and be part of the leadership team at St Matthews. Feel free to talk to me – or Rosie, and find out what is involved.

~ David Chapple

3

Bishop’s Letter – November 2016

Posted on 17 November 2016

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or

nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who

loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present

nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to

separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 35, 37-39

There is a myth prevalent in our Western society that we can control our reality. This week this reality has

been brought home to us hard and our deep prayers are ongoing for those affected by Sunday’s

earthquake. Thankfully the damage to our buildings, with the exception of the Cathedral organ, has been

minimal, and most importantly, we are all safe.

As followers of Jesus this is the hope that we can offer – that we can be released from our need to be in

control. Paradoxically, admitting our own powerlessness and our reliance on God brings in itself a sense

of power in us – but not our own power, rather the deep knowledge that our future is in the hand of a God

who laughs when we laugh, weeps when we weep, and has a loving future planned for us far greater than

anything we can even imagine. We know that He will

never leave or forsake us.

Whether we find ourselves in an earthquake, receiving bad

health news, suffering relational breakup or any number of

the ways that life challenges us, we know that God of the

whole universe is with us. Jesus experienced suffering;

God the Father watched his Son suffer – nothing we will

experience has not already been dealt with.

While we still do pray for God’s miraculous intervention in

difficult situations, even when we don’t get the outcome we

desire we still know we are never alone.

This is the hope that we can offer our friends, families and neighbours. May God’s blessing be upon you

as you seek to be Christ’s hands in your communities.

Your brother in Christ,

+Justin

AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THOSE LESS FORTUNATE Again this Christmas we have been encouraged to assist the Methodist Social Services appeal to support families in need with a special Christmas treat.

Jars have been filled with sweets, truffles, biscuits. It is still not too late to be a part of this. There are jars at the rear of the church – help yourself to the empty ones (not the full ones!)

Evening fellowship have made and decorated a number of calico bags which they will be filling with the donations made.

How about filling a jar with crackers (not fireworks), jam, spread, tea bags, milo, juice, coffee.

Thank you for your support.

4

T he Food Together Awapuni vege hub is

taking a brief break over Christmas. The last order for 2016 is on Thursday 22 December. Our first order for 2017 will be Thursday 12 January. There is a new online ordering system in place that allows people to set the frequency of their orders to once a week, fortnightly, monthly or just a one off order for that week. Setting up an autopayment to match will save customers from having to remember to order and pay each time. We are happy to send you an email or text reminder. We also welcome cash orders on Thursdays but prepayment is required for the following week. We were excited to receive a very colourful banner to advertise the hub. It flew well in a strong Palmy breeze last week! As summer progresses we are now getting a good mix of summer salad ingredients like lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes as well as new season potatoes and carrots. Summer fruit will not be too far away. If you have any questions or want to know more either see Rosie, pop down and say hullo on Thursdays mornings 11-1 pm or 4.30-5.30 pm or contact us by email at foodtogetherawapuni@gmail.com Thanks

~ Kathriona, Order coordinator

has arrived at St Matthews and the first celebration was held on

Nov 27th, and was themed on Angels around the birth of Christ. Rosie started the evening with a short video about Mary’s encounter with Angel Gabriel, and the activities involved Marshmallow angels, drawing Angels with artist’s pictures of

angels. All this was followed by a shared meal. Thanks to Kathriona, Helen & David and all those who helped to make the evening go so well. So what is Messy Church? Messy Church is genius, wonderful and a gift of the

Spirit’ says Archbishop Justin Welby

It is a style of church for children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality, With

the aim to introduce Jesus and to grow closer to him. So watch out for the next one – and encourage people who may not be part of an established church to come and join in. 5.00pm Sunday 29 January, 2017.

5

The Parish “jam makers” are always on the look out for small jars, with lids, especially the ones that baby food comes in. Could parishioners ask around family, and friends, for these types of jars, either size is fine, the smaller ones are a good size for jam for “gifts”. This is an ongoing request, so please keep asking, They can be dropped off at the Church anytime. Many thanks

Helen

EZZE MEALS

T he last day for shop sales for Ezze Meals is Thursday 22nd December - 11am - 12noon, and the last delivery day will be Friday 23rd December. We will be back in business

again on Tuesday 10th January, with shop sales rom 4pm to 5pm. We still have a range of meals with damaged packaging available for sale at half price. These are perfectly good, but cannot be sold over the counter. If you would like one or two of these to give the cook a break over the holidays, phone Helen or David ANY TIME phone 3574045.

EVENING FELLOWSHIP

Recently we had our Christmas Evening Fellowship, what a fun night and time we had.

Are you able to recognize any of these members?

Evening Fellowship members wish everyone a very joyous Christmas and Happy New Year

6

BOOK REVIEWBOOK REVIEWBOOK REVIEWBOOK REVIEW

I 'm sure many of us have been very disconcerted by reports of ISIS atrocities; the kidnapping of Kenyan schoolgirls by Muslim extremists; and Christians

murdered or forced to flee from their homes in Africa and the Middle East.

In this remarkable book, Tom Doyle relates how Jesus himself is reaching out to Muslims in dreams and visions, and calling them to follow him.

In one Middle Eastern country, ten imams are secretly meeting together for prayer and worship. But it is not Mohammed they are following, or Allah they are worshipping. It is Jesus!

One imam had a dream in which Jesus appeared to him 45 nights in a row.

These new believers are risking their lives to follow our Lord, and to convert others to

Christ. In Muslim countries it is against the law to convert a Muslim to Christ, yet those who have seen Jesus in dreams and visions are prepared to die for Him.

Jesus is appearing to Muslims in dreams and visions not in one or two countries, but in countries throughout the Muslim world; even countries where you are not allowed to own a Bible.

Tom Doyle relates in the words of the new believers themselves why they are attracted to Jesus, and why they choose to believe Jesus is the Son of God. This Jesus is a God who has personally singled them out for a relationship. This is not a God to be feared. This is a God who loves them.

~Kathy

"Dreams and Visions -

Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World?" By Tom Doyle 2012

Operation Christmas Child

We had a successful packing day at Longburn Adventist College. The students filled more than 300 shoeboxes with items donated by St Matthews and others. Each box contains Something to wear Something to play with Something for school Something to love

Something special Something for personal hygiene

Boxes are packed for either boys or girls and are appropriate for different ages. The boxes packed in New Zealand are sent to children in the Pacific Islands. It may well be the first present that child has received. The mission is to meet the needs of victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is great to be part of a world-wide mission making a difference.

ACROSS Te Kotahitanga O te Wairua is an Anglican, Catholic and Community Support

service providing social work, counselling and foster care services to families that promote their wellbeing. ACROSS is located in Church Street and offers a number of programmes out of their premises. They can provide help which includes: Communication skills; Parenting plans and individualised parenting strategies; Individual, couple and family counselling; Individual and group work with children; Linking you to other helping services and the Incredible Years Parenting Program. Feel free to contact them directly on 356-7486 or take a look at their website www.across.org.nz or their Facebook page to find out more. The ACROSS AGM was held at St Matthews in October. Rosie is the St Matthew’s Representative on the ACROSS Board and is currently the Chair. In February 2017 Rosie will step down as Chair but will remain a member of the Board.

7

I find it difficult to keep any of the commandments, but this one is a particular struggle. My wife and I work all

week, often there are things to do on Saturday, and it seems that if it weren’t for Sunday, none of the essential jobs would get done. The washing would pile up, the house would disappear under a layer of dirt, the garden would be swallowed by weeds and our home would rapidly become unliveable. Through the ages, people have taken more or less extreme positions on what constitutes work on a Sunday. For example, sometimes people would eat cold food on Sunday to avoid the work of cooking. Jesus was rebuked for not preventing his disciples from gathering ears of wheat on a Sabbath day as they walked through the fields (interestingly enough, this was not seen as stealing —but that is for another time). This incident was important enough to be recorded by three of the gospel writers: (Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-25, Luke 6:1-5). Matthew goes on to describe Jesus asking “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?” in both Mark and Luke, Jesus asks if it is legal to do good or evil on the Sabbath and even their critics have to conclude that it is. Clearly the prohibition on work does not apply to all work. Work necessary to save or preserve life must continue as it would on any other day. Just as Jesus healed the sick on Sabbath days, it would hardly be reasonable if doctors and nurses all took the same day off each week. The fact that doing good involves working should not stop you from doing good on a Sunday. But for all that there are good reasons for setting aside one day. In the parable of the feast (Luke 14:16-24) many people were invited, but made excuses such as ‘I have just bought a plot of land and I need to go and see it’, ‘I have bought a team of oxen and I need to try them out’. Things of this world constantly demand our time and attention and if we are not careful we will use all of our time looking after our material needs and wants, with none left for God. The world today seems so much busier than it was back in the first century, and yet I wonder if that is true. Back in those days, there wasn’t much in the way of artificial light. Anything you used to make light was either food (oil, tallow) or fuel (wood, resinous pine); both were ruinously expensive. Whatever work you had to do, had to be done while the sun was in the sky. I suspect that, then as now, most people worked all the hours available and wished there were more hours. Especially since many of those daylight hours also had to be spent fetching water and gathering fuel to heat and cook with.

Technology has made our lives easier; the invention of electric light has literally given us more hours in the day. Now water can be had by turning a tap, and warmth with the flick of a switch. Yet despite making our chores far quicker and easier, technology has also given us so many more things with which to fill our hours. In the end, time is limited. No matter how technology advances, we will never have more than seven days in a week or (unless we can find a way to make do with less than 8 hours sleep) 16 waking hours in a day. As anyone knows who has tried to make use of limited time, the key is to set aside time to do what is important —and to defend that time! The things of this world press on our time and it’s very easy to give in or to justify them as ‘essential for life’. Work to earn a living, especially, seems essential, but as Jesus himself said “man does not live by bread alone.” In Luke, Chapter 10, 38-42, we

hear the story of a woman named Martha, who opens her home to Jesus, but then spends all the time preparing food, tidying the house and doing her

chores. It is her sister Mary who sits down at the feet of Jesus and listens to him. When Martha tries to get

Mary to help and asks for Jesus support, He does not rebuke Martha, he understands, but he

gently reminds her that the many things she is concerned with are not actually that

important. I’m sure we all know people who have a tendency to overcomplicate things —in fact

you’ve probably been guilty of it yourself, I know I have. But there are times when Jesus is there ready to talk to us, and we, like Martha, are too busy with all the thousand and one day to day jobs to just sit and listen. We need time to break from the mundane world, put down our burden and regain perspective.

Your partner and family wouldn’t

like it if you spent all your time working and had none left for them. You would commit to spending time with family, why not set aside time to spend with God? No relationship can last unless we are willing to invest our time in it. Keeping the Sabbath holy is essential to keeping a healthy relationship with God. Given the way that e-mail, facebook, twitter and other social media encroach on our time, perhaps Sunday could be a good day to go offline. We all need our Sabbath time, it doesn’t necessarily have to be on Sunday, but it must be a decent allocation of time, not simply what is left after the work is done. Find your Sabbath time, and keep it sacrosanct.

~ Jonathan

Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy

8

WHO TO CONTACT AT ST. MATTHEWS

Vicar Rosie Dell 357 2686

Vicars’ Warden Chrissie McLellan 353 0606

People’s Warden David Chapple 357 4045

Treasurer Bruce Dilks 357 9355

SSSSt. Matthews Anglican Church, 109 College Street, Palmerston North 4412 t. Matthews Anglican Church, 109 College Street, Palmerston North 4412 t. Matthews Anglican Church, 109 College Street, Palmerston North 4412 t. Matthews Anglican Church, 109 College Street, Palmerston North 4412

Phone:Phone:Phone:Phone: 355 2254 EEEE----mail:mail:mail:mail: office@stmatthewspn.org.nz St Matthew’s website: http://stmatthewspn.org.nz

St Matthews Worship 8am with prayer book & hymns - 10am with Children’s Church

Mid-week Communion every Thursday 10am in the Chapel

Prayer every 1st, 3rd & 4th Thursday 6.30-7.00pm in the Chapel

St Matthews CalendarSt Matthews CalendarSt Matthews CalendarSt Matthews Calendar

Other Events at St Matthews

Vestry meets 6.30pm, 2nd Thursday each month

Evening Fellowship meets 7.30pm, 3rd Thursday each month

K.F.T. Lunch 12 noon, 4th Friday each month (enquiries and bookings - Chrissie)

Family Fun Pudding and Pies 6pm 1st Friday each month

Twinkle Toes pre-school music & movement Wednesdays 10am during school term

Ezee Meals Ready prepared meals

Shop hours – Tuesdays 4-5pm; Thursdays 11am-12noon Deliveries – Wednesday and Friday mornings (please order previous day during shop hours – 06 3552254)

Vege Hub Thursdays 8.45—11am vege packing. 11.30—1pm & 4.30—5.30pm vege pickup

Tongan Church Prayer Service– Fridays 6.00-7.00pm

Indian Church uses the premises from 9am 1st Saturday each month

On the lighter side

TOP TEN SIGNS YOU MAY NOT BE READING YOUR BIBLE ENOUGH

10) The preacher announces the sermon is from Genesis . . . and you check the table of contents.

9) You think Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob may have had a few hit songs during the 60s.

8) You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII Savings Bond falls out.

7) Your favourite Old Testament patriarch is Hercules.

6) A small family of woodchucks has taken up residence in the Psalms of your Bible.

5) You become frustrated because Charlton Heston isn't listed in either the Concordance or the Table of Contents.

4) Catching the kids reading the Song of Solomon, you demand: “Who gave you this stuff?”

3) You think the minor prophets worked in the quarries.

2) You keep falling for it every time when the pastor tells you to turn to First Condominiums.

1) The kids keep asking too many questions about your usual bedtime story: “Jonah, the Shepherd Boy, and His Ark

of Many Colours.”