• If you remain uncomfortable about being in church where masks are no longer required, use @church via Zoom until you feel confident enough to be in church with or without a mask.
• If you’re unwell please stay at home, and use @ Church via Zoom.

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for the BBQ following the service as we farewell Don.

NEXT SUNDAY 27^th November there is a Congregational meeting following the service to approve the Parish Profile. Any apologies to Irene please.

Wednesday Walkers 23^rd November: Contact Sonya 027 2533397 for this week’s destination.

GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: We invite you to bring along Christmas gifts for Waltham Cottage to distribute to people in need. Items must be new, and we require gifts suitable for all ages – men, women, teenagers and children. Please do not wrap them. Donations of wrapping paper also appreciated. Bring any contributions along to church from next Sunday 27 November until 11 December and place under the tree. Thank you.

A message from Sue: Peter has some excess tomato, chilli and capsicum seedlings looking for a home. Anyone who wants them should phone before coming round (960 7657).

Special Christmas ‘Messenger’: please email contributions to Charlotte & Sally by Sunday 27 November (hooty@xtra.co.nz).

From the Moderator – An Advent Message: Is Jesus the help we are looking for? There is a poignant segment in the Advent readings for this year that finds John the Baptist languishing in Herod’s dungeon and doubting whether Jesus is the promised Messiah. Despite his earlier calls to prepare the way for the Messiah, events have turned for the worse. So, he sends his disciples to ask whether Jesus really is the promised Messiah, or should we look elsewhere (see Matthew 11: 2-3).

I am sure that there are many in the world today who share the doubt! Ukrainian Orthodox families experiencing Christmas this year in cramped refugee conditions so far away from home, or worse still, in areas of Ukraine where fear of missile strikes will dominate their ‘festive’ season! And, in a similar vein, homeless families in our country, crammed into temporary accommodation of motel units, struggling to meet rising food costs.

The story of hardship, anguish and suffering is repeated many times over in our world as we approach Christmas this year. So where are you Jesus, in this world with so much suffering? With John the Baptist we may be justified in asking the question, Are you the hope we are looking for? Or should we look elsewhere?

Part of the answer comes for me in asking this question, Where would Jesus be born in 2022? In 2008, the UK Churches Advertising Network asked that question and came up with this answer: a freezing bus shelter. They then made a poster depicting this and had it displayed in over 1,000 bus shelters across the UK.

This was a message of hope: God incarnated help that comes into the places of poverty and despair. Originally it was a baby born in the middle of a winter night, out where the animals were kept. This speaks a message of God’s presence in the most unlikely and despairing places.

In the bus stop posters, some of the bystanders see what is happening and respond with worshipful devotion, while others are too busy checking the bus timetable. May our churches help people to stop and notice the hope that the birth of Jesus brings to our needy world this year.

Right Rev Hamish Galloway, Moderator Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
moderator@presbyterian.org.nz 

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS          

Tuesday 9.30am               South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869.

Tuesday 7.15pm               Meditation Group (church) Dugald 021 161 7007.

Wednesday 9.30am          Walking Group: Sonya 339 7038.

Thursday 10am                 Crafty Crafters (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869.

Thursday 1.30pm              Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065.

Thursday 5.30pm              Familial Trust (whole complex) Vanessa 022 169 6569.

Friday 9.30am                   Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211.

• If you remain uncomfortable about being in church where masks are no longer required, use @church via Zoom until you feel confident enough to be in church with or without a mask.
• If you’re unwell please stay at home, and use @ Church via Zoom.

The Silent Auction raised $200 for parish funds.

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning.

Many thanks to Judith and her team who helped serve morning tea at last Sunday’s service, under trying circumstances.

Wednesday Walkers 16^th November: Meet 9.30am in the carpark at New World Peer Street, Upper Riccarton for a walk to the Ilam Gardens.  Coffee at the New World Cafe.  All welcome Sue 960 7657 or Elizabeth 021 112 5798.

GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: We invite you to bring along Christmas gifts for Waltham Cottage to distribute to people in need. Items must be new, and we require gifts suitable for all ages – men, women, teenagers and children. Please do not wrap them. Donations of wrapping paper also appreciated. Bring any contributions along to church from 27 November until 11 December and place under the tree. Thank you.

Fireside picnic from 12 noon Monday 14^th November at Merchiston. All women are welcome. See Fern for details.

Parish BBQ lunch next Sunday after church – please bring a savoury or sweet dish to share. Meat provided. All are welcome.

Special Christmas ‘Messenger’: please email contributions to Charlotte & Sally by Sunday 27 November (hooty@xtra.co.nz).

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS

Monday 12noon                Fireside Picnic @ Merchiston Fern 332 4725.            

Tuesday 9.30am               South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869.

Tuesday 7.15pm               Meditation Group (church) Dugald 021 161 7007.

Wednesday 9.30am          Walking Group: Ilam Gardens Sue 960 7657.

Thursday 10am                 Crafty Crafters (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869.

Thursday 1.30pm              Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065.

Thursday 5.30pm              Familial Trust (whole complex) Vanessa 022 169 6569.

Friday 9.30am                   Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211.

This Sunday’s worship is at St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru at 10am, combined with the people of Cashmere, Hoon Hay & Halswell for a South Christchurch sector service. Hamish Galloway will preach. If you require transport, please let Don or Irene know asap. The service will not be live-streamed.

There will be Communion next Sunday 13 November.

• If you remain uncomfortable about being in church where masks are no longer required, use @church via Zoom until you feel confident enough to be in church with or without a mask.
• If you’re unwell please stay at home, and use @ Church via Zoom.

Anna will not be in the Office this Friday 11^th November (Show Day).

Wednesday Walkers 9^th November: Meet 9.30am at Stourbridge Street/Lyttelton Street corner opposite the Shops and Mazway Cafe, for a walk around East Spreydon.  All welcome.  Marilyn 027 363 1642

A message from Sue: all my jams were sold at the St Mark’s Opawa Fair and there won’t be any more until just before Christmas or whenever I have surplus fruit. I have sufficient jars at the moment. Thank you.

Show Day Waltham Community Fun Day Friday 11 November, 11 am – 2pm, Opawa Baptist Church, 285 Wilsons Road. Multiple activities for children and families, including Elgregoe the Magician 12 pm – 1.30 pm and Waltham School Kapa Haka 11 am.

GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: We invite you to bring along Christmas gifts for Waltham Cottage to distribute to people in need. Items must be new, and we require gifts suitable for all ages – men, women, teenagers and children. Please do not wrap them. Donations of wrapping paper also appreciated. Bring any contributions along to church from 27 November until 11 December and place under the tree. Thank you.

FOUND: A teal merino possum jacket. If this is yours, it can be claimed from the Parish Office.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS

Monday 1.30pm                Hillsborough-Heathcote WI (lounge) Jennifer 332 3314.

Tuesday 9.30am               South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869.

Tuesday 7.15pm               Meditation Group (church) Dugald 021 161 7007.

Wednesday 9.30am          Walking Group: East Spreydon Marilyn 027 363 1642.

Thursday 10am                 Crafty Crafters (lounge). Jeannette 332 9869.

Thursday 1.30pm              Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065.

Thursday 5.30pm              Familial Trust (whole complex) Vanessa 022 169 6569.

Friday 9.30am                   NO Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211.

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship

To Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning and especially to Don Lord, Executive Director of Hagar NZ and his colleague Andrea Herbert.

Silent Auction TODAY: Enter your best bid for the paintings from the art masterclass! Pop your name and the amount you wish to bid into the appropriate box.

Anna will not be in the Office this Thursday 3^rd November.

A new Sunday roster for readers and intercessors is available today – please check to see if there is a copy for you.

Sunday 6 November:  NO SERVICE at St Martins next week. We will join with the people of Cashmere, Hoon Hay & Halswell at St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru for a South Christchurch sector service at 10am. Hamish Galloway will preach. Two more morning tea helpers are required – please speak to Judith. Please add your name to the clipboard in the foyer if you would like a ride.

The next Communion Sunday will be on 13^th November.

• If you remain uncomfortable about being in church where masks are no longer required, use @church via Zoom until you feel confident enough to be in church with or without a mask.
• If you’re unwell please stay at home, and use @ Church via Zoom.

Wednesday Walkers 2^nd November: Meet 9.30am in Cobham Street or Lyttelton Street near South West Baptist Church/Living Room Cafe. All welcome. Sonya 027 253 3397.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS

Monday 5.30pm                MenzShed AGM & dinner (lounge)  

Tuesday 9.30am               South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869.

Tuesday 7.15pm               Meditation Group (church) Dugald 021 161 7007.

Wednesday 9.30am          Walking Group: Spreydon Sonya 027 253 3397.

Wednesday 9.30am          Port Hills U3A (whole complex) Malcolm 022 097 9589.

Thursday 10am                 Crafty Crafters Bus Trip. Jeannette 332 9869.

Thursday 1.30pm              Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065.

Thursday 5.30pm              Familial Trust (whole complex) Vanessa 022 169 6569.

Friday 9.30am                   Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211.

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship

To Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning.

NEXT Sunday 30 October: Don Lord, Executive Director of Hagar NZ and his colleague Andrea Herbert will speak at the morning service.

Silent Auction: next Sunday we will sell the paintings from the art masterclass by silent auction.

The next Communion Sunday will be on 13^th November, not 30^th October as previously advertised.

• If you remain uncomfortable about being in church where masks are no longer required, use @church via Zoom until you feel confident enough to be in church with or without a mask.
• If you’re unwell please stay at home, and use @ Church via Zoom.

‘Messenger’ articles are now being sought. Please email contributions to Charlotte & Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz) by Tuesday 25^th October. Thank you.

Wednesday Walkers 26^th October: meet 9.30am the car park for the North Avon Christchurch BMX Club, Pages Rd (look for the Velocity Carts sign) and walk around part of Bexley Park. Coffee at Switch New Brighton entrance off Hawke St. All welcome. Barbara & Alan 021 142 7668.

Sunday 6 November:  NO SERVICE at St Martins on this Sunday. We will join with the people of Cashmere, Hoon Hay & Halswell at St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru for a South Christchurch sector service at 10am. Hamish Galloway will preach. We need four volunteers to serve morning tea – please see Don if you can help. Car pooling will be arranged.

Crafty Crafters’ Spring Bus Trip Thursday 3^rd November 9am-4pm. We are going on a North Canterbury adventure – visiting the Old School Collective at Waikuku, lunch and shopping in Rangiora and home via Cust. Please join us. $25 per person for the bus – please see Jeannette Beaumont to book, or email the Parish Office. Payment must be received by this Thursday 27^th.

Community Market Day Monday 24^th October 10am-1pm at All Saints’ Church, 305 New Brighton Rd.

Parish Council met on Wednesday (19 October) and amongst other things discussed the following matters:

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS

Tuesday 9.30am               South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869.

Tuesday 7.15pm               Meditation Group (church) Dugald 021 161 7007.

Wednesday 9.30am          Walking Group: Bexley. Alan & Barbara 021 142 7668.

Thursday 10am                 Crafty Crafters (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869.

Thursday 1.30pm              Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065.

Thursday 5.30pm              Familial Trust (whole complex) Vanessa 022 169 6569.

Friday 9.30am                   Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211.