Weekly Notices - 10th August 2025
This week, we are reminded to be alert; be prepared. The words we look at in our Gospel this week are all about NOT worrying, but rather, being faithful and looking outward to the kingdom of God.
Faith is the great eternal antidote to fear. So Jesus does not just say: “Do not worry about that; it will all work out in the end.” Instead, He calls His people to be people of faith, and their fear will go away. He says that while faith is present, fear will not bother you anymore. This is because the two cannot co-exist.
We see this truth in our everyday actions. We know this to be true. However, 2000 years after Jesus gave us this piece of encouragement, we panic if we THINK that we will not have enough of the right kind of food, or the right clothes on! Whether it be shoes or eyeshadow, we can worry unnecessarily.
But here’s the twist, the kingdom has already come. Again, all of this is tied together. We just heard Luke’s version of the Lord’s prayer two weeks ago. “Your Kingdom Come.” We are praying for its imminent inbreaking in each and every moment and in the most unexpected places: a teenage mother, a hillside of shepherds, a lakeshore with worn-out fishermen. The Son of Man comes not just at the end of time, but like a thief in the night, breaking in when we least expect it.
This isn’t about staying up all night in anxious vigilance. It’s about cultivating attentiveness to the places where Christ is already showing up: in the hungry, the hurting, the hopeful; in the stranger, the immigrant, the protester, the addict, the person we’ve written off or feared.
May God continue to bless St Aug’s as we watch & wait
~ Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (10th August)
Theme: We are God's chosen people, looking forward in faith and hope to the God of Abraham, Issac and Jocob, and a glorious future.
Sentence: ‘Watch and be ready, for you do not know on what day our Lord is coming.’ Matthew 24:42, 44
Collect:
Almighty and everlasting God,
by your Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified;
hear the prayers we offer
for all your faithful people
that in the ministry to which you have called us
we may serve you in holiness and truth;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Readings: Hebrews 11: 1 – 3, 8 – 13 & Luke 12: 32 – 40
Mayoral Candidate Debate
Thursday 28 August, 7pm, here in the Church (5 Cracroft Tce, Cashmere, ChCh 8022)
Not sure who to vote for in the coming Local Body Elections?
Come and listen to Mayoral Candidates Phil Mauger and Sara Templeton
In the month of September and the 1st Sunday of October, we will be hearing from different people about their respective journeys in recent times, and how they have carried out Mission locally and/or internationally.
This will be in the place of sermons by the Vicar, and to accommodate outside Speakers, we will be having 10am Combined services throughout September and on the 1st Sunday of October.
Please also note that the 31st of August is a “Fifth Sunday” so it too, will be a Combined 10am service led by Russell Stedman & the 11am Band
and the Revs John and Christine de Senna
Tiny Town at St Augs!
On Thursday 17th July we hosted the first session of ‘Tiny Town’ in the Lower Hall.
What is Tiny Town?
Tiny Town is a mobile role-play town, crafted for ages 0-6 to dive into play that’s easy and enriching with a curated setup of wooden toys for beautifully designed areas such as a supermarket, post office, vet clinic and garage. See below for some photos of this very cool/cute concept in action in the Lower Hall at St Augs!
The Tiny Town crew hope to hold another session at St Aug’s later this year. ‘Watch this space!’ To find out more about Tiny Town, visit their website: https://www.tinytown.nz/
Messy Church at St Augs!
On Saturday 28th June, we held a very successful ‘Messy Church’ activity day for Pre-School & Primary aged children in the Hall.
Many grateful thanks from Rowena, Thelma and the team to all those that contributed to the success of this day. We hope to hold another session before the end of the year!
What is ‘Messy Church’? Messy Church is a church for everyone who may not feel comfortable attending a ‘normal’ church service and who don’t yet belong to a church. It typically includes a meal, hands-on activities such as arts, crafts, meeting God in the outdoors, science activities and more, which are suitable for all ages.
Check out the NZ ‘Messy Church’ website! www.messychurch.nz
The first concert in our current Organ Concert Series featuring Sea-am Thompson was a huge hit with a full house (check out the photos below!).
Get in quick for the next one! (Click here for more details about this series.)
Please be warned that with the commencement of our roof repairs we have LOTS of scaffolding around the place to be aware of. In particular this affects parking near the Hannan Centre ramp.
Be careful out there!
(And here are a couple of shots of the team in the skyline recently.)
Please remember to use our Diocesan Prayer for Regeneration: As the kotuku gently rests upon the tree, come and rest upon us Holy Spirit as we pray for the regeneration of our Diocese… Ever living God, through your Spirit you constantly renew the whole creation; bring regeneration to your Diocese of Christchurch, grant us courage to grow disciples of Jesus, give us vision to reach young people and their families, and strengthen us to create vibrant communities of faith. All this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
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It’s easy to connect and get involved with some great social and faith-focused groups that meet regularly across the parish. You can find out about all our regular groups on our Groups page. If you have any questions, just click the contact button to connect with the group’s organiser.
Need prayer?
We’d love to pray for you. See the ‘Prayer Support’ section on the Help & Support page for more information on how we can help with your prayer needs. There are confidential and anonymous options available.