NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. We thank the Rev Hugh Perry for leading today’s service. Sheena Dickson will be with us next week.

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

Items are required for the next “Messenger”  ~ please email any contributions to Charlotte & Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz) by Sunday 5^th March. Many thanks.

Wednesday Walkers 1^st March: Meet 9.30am on cnr of Yaldhurst & Nortons Rds. Coffee at Café no. 186, which is on that corner. All welcome. Barbara & Alan 021 142 7668.

A Lenten Challenge:

The forty days of Lent began this week with the celebration of Ash Wednesday.  In last week’s service a challenge was issued to listen more attentively to Jesus in our lives as Christians.  During Lent you are invited to:

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                 

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

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

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

Wednesday 9.30am          Port Hills U3A (whole complex) Joy 337 2393.

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

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

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

Moderator’s Lent message

Sorely Tested 

Jesus was sorely tested through 40 days of mounting pressure brought on by hunger, thirst, and demonic taunting. We too, in these last few years, have experienced the cumulative impact of one test after another. Add up the global financial crisis, Christchurch earthquakes, mosque attack, COVID pandemic, housing crisis, war in Ukraine, impending recession, flooding and now Cyclone Gabrielle, and feel the toll it has taken on us.  

How are you feeling this Lenten season?  

All that has happened in recent years, and is happening now, leaves me feeling weary and wondering what will be next. It makes me feel sorely tested, in a nation that has been sorely tested. It causes me to wonder about where we put our trust and what will sustain us in this time of repeated trial. 

Jesus was sustained by the leading and comforting presence of the Holy Spirit in his time of testing.  

Jesus put his trust in scripture to anchor him at a time when it was easy to lose perspective. And then, when the rush of testing began to subside, there were angels who helped pick up the pieces! And haven’t we seen our share of angels personified in the aftermath of the latest crisis, Cyclone Gabrielle.  

I witnessed this phenomenon in Christchurch after the earthquakes and mosque attack. Lovely acts of ‘random’ kindness from complete strangers. And we see it again and again in the aftermath of this latest storm, these angels in disguise. 

We find ourselves as churches incarnated in our communities, bearers of the Spirit, guided by the scriptures and with our fair share of angelic readiness for action. In this way we can take a leaf out of the Lenten story of Jesus in a nation hungering for hope! 

Rt Rev Hamish Galloway

Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal:

St Andrew’s in Hastings has set up a lending service for people to share generators, water pumps, pressure washers, small excavators etc…

Help is also being accepted in the form of financial donations for fuel, transport and insurance etc. Donations can be made to:  

St Andrews Church   Acc: 03 0642 0034245 000   Ref: Cyclone  

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. We thank the Rev Dugald Wilson for leading today’s service. Hugh Perry will be with us next week.

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

Items are required for the next “Messenger”  ~ please email any contributions to Charlotte & Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz) by Sunday 5^th March. Many thanks.

Wednesday Walkers 22^nd February: Meet 9.30am at bus stop by St Martins Library to catch the Huntsbury bus scheduled to leave at 9.44am. We will bus to the terminus and then walk down the hill to catch the Orbiter near Major Aitken Drive/Centaurus Road, arriving back to starting point for coffee at the cafe at St Martins New World. All are welcome. Joan Macdonald 022 081 4088.

ASH WEDNESDAY 22 February – you are invited to observe Ash Wednesday with our neighbours at St Mark’s Anglican Church, 101 Opawa Rd. 10am or 7.30pm. All are welcome.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS          

Monday 9.30am                Pastoral Care meeting (lounge) Irene 332 7306.                   

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

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

Wednesday 9.30am           Walking Group: Huntsbury Joan 022 081 4088.

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

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

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

From the Parish Council meeting:

• The meeting was chaired by our Interim Moderator – Reverend Dan Yeazel.
• Rev Stephanie Wells, Convenor of our current MSB was also present. She gave an update as to ‘where we were at’. Despite the Congregation approving the Parish Profile recently, and the fact that those Minutes had been confirmed at the Parish Council meeting in December, Presbytery had objected to how it was recorded. Because there were problems in communication and recording during the previous MSB’s tenure, Presbytery appear to be ‘dotting I’s and crossing t’s’ very carefully. Therefore the Parish Profile – along with the Terms of Call and Skill Sets was moved and seconded again. This delay has meant that advertising for a new Minister has not happened, although Stephanie has spoken to several ‘prospective’ candidates. Stephanie was thanked for her report and also her dedication to her role as Convenor.
• The preaching roster of Ministers who will take services at St Martins has been filled through until the end of May. Special thanks to Allison Blackler and the Worship team for their work in this regard.
• To help rectify current problems associated with ‘Zoom’ it was agreed to purchase a new camera.
• Special thanks to Colin Wilmshurst for all the extra work and time he has given sorting some of the technical issues.
• MENZ Shed is booming and there is a possibility that it will be open 4 days a week.
• Hilary Moore, as St Martins Presbyterian Child Protection Officer, will attend a training on Saturday (18/2) with regard to children in church, their safety and wellbeing.
• We are looking to close our Facebook page and bring up to date the current Web site.
• Consideration that St Martins become an A Rocha church. https://www.ecochurch.org.nz/

A Lenten Challenge…

The forty days of Lent begin this week with the celebration of Ash Wednesday.  In today’s service a challenge was issued  to listen more attentively to Jesus in our lives as Christians.  During Lent you are invited to:

1. Read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5-7 – a core summary of Jesus’ teaching
2. Ask more often WWJD – What Would Jesus Do?  – talk about this with others and be bold in your actions
3. Ask each day, “where did I meet Jesus?”  or “where did I feel most alive?”  Jesus came to bring life so when we encounter the presence of Jesus (in others, or within ourselves we will feel more alive)

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. We thank the Rev Alan Webster for leading today’s service.

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

We give thanks for the long life of Rob McLean and we pray for Margaret and the family as they mourn.

Items are required for the next “Messenger”  ~ please email any contributions to Charlotte & Sally (hooty@xtra.co.nz) by Sunday 5^th March. Many thanks.

Wednesday Walkers 15^th February: Meet 9.30am at the Sumner Surf Club carpark for a walk around Sumner. Coffee at On the Beach café. All are welcome. Judith 027 6881861.

ASH WEDNESDAY 22 February – you are invited to observe Ash Wednesday with our neighbours at St Mark’s Anglican Church, 101 Opawa Rd. 10am or 7.30pm. All are welcome.

CaraMayan Fitness Aotearoa NZ Tour Christchurch Training Day 2 March C3 Church South City Youth Hall 510 Colombo St. Register your interest: cdfanz@gmail.com or contact Robyn 021 2695465 for more information.

Food for thought – Committed and connected:

‘In Christ we, though many, form one body.’ Romans 12:5 NIV The Bible describes the Christian life in war terms: fight, conquer, strive, battle, overcome, victory. You’re in a spiritual battle whether you realise it or not, and you need support and backup. As a Christian, you’re a member of God’s army. Imagine you go to a recruiting office to join the army. They say, ‘Wonderful, sign here.’ You say: ‘Wait! I have one stipulation. I don’t want to be committed to any particular platoon. I want to be able to float around. I’ll be part of the army, but I don’t want to be committed to a certain group of soldiers. If the battle gets too hot in one area, I’ll move to another area and join another platoon. And if I dislike one platoon’s leadership, I’ll join another.’ Would you want a person like that fighting by your side? Of course you wouldn’t! But that’s how many Christians today relate to God’s army. They float around from church to church with little or no commitment to any particular group of Christians – so while the battle is being fought, they are AWOL. There is no such thing as a free-floating believer in the Bible. The difference between just attending church and becoming a member is like the difference between just living together and getting married. The distinction is commitment. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia, which means being committed to one another. Jesus said, ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’ (John 13:35 NIV). And you can’t love in absentia. So, be committed and connected. (from The Word for Today)

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 (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007.

Wednesday 9.30am           Walking Group: Sumner. Judith 027 688 1861.

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

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

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

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. We thank the Rev Chris Elliot for leading today’s service.

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

It’s time to drop in and see us! South Library is beloved by its community, and on Wednesday 8^th February 2-4pm or 5-7pm in the Beckenham Service Centre Boardroom at South Library we’re engaging with customers and staff about what they want to see in the facility when we rebuild.

To register, email southlibraryproject@ccc.govt.nz

Here’s your chance to meet the designers – your feedback will shape the design, feel and functionality as we prepare the initial concept design. The building will keep the same floor area and remain on its riverside site.

Wednesday Walkers 8^th February: Meet 9.30am near 62 Frankleigh St, where we will return to for coffee. All welcome. Janette 332 1240.

Linwood Avenue Union Church Jubilee Market Saturday 11^th February 1.30-4.00pm, cnr Linwood Ave & Tilford St. Cash & eftpos. All welcome.

CaraMayan Fitness Aotearoa NZ Tour Christchurch Training Day 2 March C3 Church South City Youth Hall 510 Colombo St. Register your interest: cdfanz@gmail.com or contact Robyn 021 2695465 for more information.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS          

Monday                            Waitangi Day         

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

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

Wednesday 9.30am           Walking Group: Spreydon. Janette 021 075 6780.

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

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

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