Seabrook Avenue
Church of the Nazarene

Feb - March
Newsletter

From the Pastors desk
February was the month that years and years ago someone designed as the time to return to school. Just when the sun is at its best and the water is at it's warmest we drag the school bags out from under the bed. After removing the lunch we didn't eat on December 18th we go looking for shoes and that's quickly followed by train and bus timetables. Before we know it we are full on into a new term of either learning, teaching or we're back at work for another long haul.

At first it feels good. New schedules, stationery, targets and a clear desk. The ache for the beach and morning crossword fades as we're carried into the strong currents of another year. Wouldn't it be great to stay on course all year? To never loose sight of the goal, to hang onto the sense of energy and purpose? Here's a checklist you can keep in your wallet, behind the sunvisor of your car or pinned next to your computer screen. It will help you see when you're veering off course.

 1. Every week has endless interruptions. If we don't set priorites interruptions soon swallow us.
2. Every week I change my mind! If we're not finishing the project we're on and are ever changing our minds we need to revisit our first goal and purpose.
3. Trivial Pursuit: Trivial tasks bring short-term satisfacion but they don't get the job done. Revisit your purpose. Matt 6:33
4. People Pleasing. We can run around trying to keep everyone happy at the cost of doing what the Lord wants us to do. Eph. 5:8-10
5. The mighty dollar. More money and more things crowd God out of our lives faster than almost anything else does. Matt. 6:20
6. "I'lI do it later." Do it now! Procrastinators are always doing yesterdays dishes and last weeks laundry. Maybe they had more fun than the rest of us but one thing's certain, procrastinators always miss God's windows of opportunity.
WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!
Dr and Mrs Neville Bartie proudly announce the engagement of their youngest daughter Susie to Mr. Lewis Varley. A mid winter West Auckland ceremony is being planned.

LADIES COFFEE BREAK
To cater for those who work outside the home, an additional time slot in the evening has been planned.

Tuesdays 10 am at the church.
19th Feb., Bible Study
5th March Bible Study
19th March Craft

Thursdays 7.30 pm
28th Feb. Bible Study at Lynleys
21st March Sharing and Prayer at Maureens

KID'S CLUB IS BACK!
Friday's at 3:30 pm. 90 minutes of games, craft, Bible time and pure fun.

YOUTH EVENT
Circle Sunday March 3rd

FOOD PARCELS
A reminder to keep donations coming to help provide emergency food parcels in our community.

40 HOUR FAMINE
March 15 - 17. Details arriving by mail soon.

CHURCH BOARD
This year's Board of Manager as elected at the AGM is, the Pastor, Lynley Gordon, Bob Gordon, Noel Simon (secretary) and Wayne Wessel (treasurer).

The board has prioritised property improvement projects.
1. Exterior improvements to the ramp and baseboards of the church.
2. Repairs to window frames and removal of dry rot.
3. Interior improvement of the walls and the installation of a notice board.

We are looking for a co-ordinator to help see these projects completed over the next 8 weeks. Can you help?
Phone Bob Gordon 828-7579

THE SERVICE TEAM
Over the past weeks Lynley Gordon has taken an inventory of the church kitchen equipment. The kitchen has been re-organised and re-stocked. The dinners, lunches and cafe events held at the church will be well catered for. Our aim is to provide a standard of quality equal to any local cafe. A team of service staff is required for the times that these events are held. We want to call on these team members to help co-ordinate the kitchen, set up the furniture and re-stack after the event. If you could be available for this would you register your name on the form at the information table.

 MISSION TO PNG
Over the past 5 years our church has been involved in leading two work teams to PNG to the town of Mendi. This year we want once again to reach out to the church in the Southern Highland town. A mid year Missions Offering will be detailed over the next months.

PRAYER TEAM
Bob Gordon will be co-ordinating the prayer ministry of our church this year. Using the early Sunday evening time slot we plan on meeting at various homes for prayer. Is your home available?

The Money I give on Sunday.
So where does it go?
Once I have placed my tithe offering what happens next?

Our church treasurer verifies and signs the offering out with one other board member. He then banks the offering in the church account.

The treasurer (Wayne Wessel) will supply any one that asks, a copy of last years financial report. He may need a couple of day's notice to print it.

Wayne will also supply you with a receipt for your tax record at the end of the financial year. Giving records are confidential and are known only to the treasurer. To qualify for a receipt the treasurer needs to be able to identify your offering. If you use a cheque that is not difficult, but if you place cash in the offering and require a receipt for March 31st please utilise the offering envelopes available at the information table.

This receipt then makes it possible for you to claim a rebate against your giving, in your income tax return. A maximum rebate of $500 is claimable.

The New Lynn Church of the Nazarene is a self-supporting church. We do not receive support or sponsorship from any other group, denominational office or government body. You may also notice that we do not fund raise for the support of the church. It has long since been our policy to give to the Lord from our hearts.

Thank you for your faithfulness!

Music is Ministry.
Did you miss the opportunity to meet with the music ministry team? You're badly needed if you're musical and can sing, play or help organise. Please register your interest with Collean Stott.

Easter Weekend.
A special newsletter will be available from early March detailing the Easter weekend services.

We plan a return to the SUNRISE SERVICE AND BREAKFAST as well as the events of GOOD FRIDAY and EASTER SUNDAY morning.

TRAVELLERS THIS MONTH.
Pastor Glenn will be at conference in Sydney March 4th - 8th