Weekly Notices - 2nd November 2025
We arrive this week at a great day of Thanksgiving and Praise for the good-heartedness of our parish family and your selfless Giving towards the upkeep of buildings and ministry here at St Aug’s; a celebration of love in action for the work of God.
“Thank You” to each of you! There is a saying that I love – “Kind hearts are the gardens; kind thoughts are the roots.” May we always hold this place close to our hearts as we build and develop our ministry within this community we are called to, and tend the garden in our care.
Giving isn’t about the receiver or the gift but the giver. It’s for the giver. One doesn’t open one’s wallet to improve the world, although it’s nice when that happens; one does it to improve one’s self....
A life of giving—not just money, but time and spirit—repays. It helps us remember that we may be going out broke, but right now we’re doing O.K. Right now we have the power to do great good for others and for ourselves.
Over the last few months, we have journeyed with Jesus as He made his way to Jerusalem. Poignantly, this week also, He finds Himself in that city which sent Him to His death. Through Scripture, we spend a little time with our Lord as he continues to teach and encourage, knowing without a doubt that His death is on the near horizon.
If Jesus could give His life, His all, let us be amazed and join together in sharing the gifts HE gives us.
May God always bless St Aug’s
~Your Friend and Vicar, Kofe.
Vicar Kofe
This Sunday’s Service (2nd November)
Theme: God loves a cheerful giver so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity.
Sentence: ‘Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you in return’ Luke 6:38
Collect:
Heavenly and Gracious Father,
you cut down the unfruitful branch for burning, and prune the fertile to make it bear more fruit. Make us grow like laden olive trees in your domain, firmly rooted in the power and mercy of your Son, so that you may gather from us fruit worthy of eternal life.
Renew our hearts as we give today. May our offerings be used to bring renewal and hope to others
Amen.
Readings: Acts 4: 31 - 37 & Luke 21: 1 - 12
Come and join us on Sunday in our Lay-led 11am service.
There will be a 5-10 minutes open sharing/testimony time, so bring your stories and let’s share them in our God Space!
NEXT WEEKEND: 24-HOUR PRAYER DAY!!!
Friday 7 November 5pm - Saturday 7 November 5pm
Visit the Information Centre over Morning Tea in the Hannan Centre on Sunday to:
· Sign up for the 24-Hour Praying At Home roster. This is now full, but if you want to experience being part of this special Event, then you can still sign up to double up with
another parishioner
· Pick up the Roster for Praying in the Church so you can know what times
especially interest you to come along
· Pick up your Try Praying and Guide to Prayer Booklets
· Pick up your general information sheet telling you all you need to know about the Event
· Talk over any questions you have.
Key Message re Day of Giving from our Treasurer (Russell Stedman).
The overall message is bleak, there is no sugar-coating that fact. Two things have particularly dragged our financial health down this year 1) offertories below budget 2) asbestos remediation. The numbers below assume Day of Giving
receipts of $24K as per budget.
Nb, the figures below do not include cost of guttering and spouting replacement - which is another $7K. So the Outlook is even worse than the figures show.
Reserves (i.e. rainy day funds) are nearly all gone, and we are running a deficit. That is an unsustainable situation.
Messy Church CANCELLED
Due to a number of factors we have regrettably made the decision to cancel the planned Nov 1st Messy Church session.
We are now aiming to run one sometime in Term 1 next year.
See the photos below to see what our previous ‘Messy Church’ session looked like!
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 church is currently being opened to the public each Thursday afternoon between 1 - 3pm.
This is a great opportunity for you or others you may know to walk through our beautiful doors and sit in the quiet holiness of our space.
Everyone is welcome, and we thank Kristine & Mick McKey for this ministry.
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.)
Helpful info
Giving
Groups
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.