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 5th March. Many thanks.
Wednesday Walkers 1st 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