Seabrook Avenue
Church of the Nazarene

July
Newsletter

From the Pastor's Desk

The Farewell....
Friendship in fellowship is one of the richest legacy's of being part of the family of God.

In life friends can be made quite easily but friendship is another story  - it takes weeks, months and years to develop.

In some ways real friendship is like an art work.   Careful, sometimes painful hours take the basics of life and reproduce them as something incredibly unique.

The friendship Jesus had with the disciples was incredibly unique.  He travelled with them, sailed with them, enjoyed beach BBQ's with them and yet there was a very special servant-master-friend relationship.  That same relationship is what we enjoy as we day after day put our trust in God.

 It has  been just this  way with the Polglase family who for the past 9 years have become friends to us all.  With their move to the Bay of Islands we have a silent and nagging worry that we might being losing friends of many years.  But in my experience it is never that way.  True friendship with brothers and sisters in Christ is never weakened by distance and if any thing it is made all the stronger.

We are sad to see our friends move away and it will take a lot of adjusting, especially on a Sunday when we have grown so used to having time to chat about the past week, laugh at its challenges and hope for its new progress.

Sunday July 6th has been set aside as a service to say goodbye to Anita, Steve, Michal and Trevor. A special lunch and presentation follows the morning service.
This month on the Avenue...

Thanks to all who housed and helped out with the Youth in Mission Team.  What a fantastic week that was!  They worked so hard and did such a great job. Their week in the West saw them in school, hospital, with the young adults, with the youth, at Piha, in church and out delivering 4000 leaflets in the West Auckland weather.

Congratulations...
The Lorenzen Family welcome a beautiful baby grand daughter and neice... little Holly is much adored and will be much loved by her grandmother and uncle, that's for sure.

Designer Sandwiches
Bring your most preferred sandwich filling to 'Designer Sandwiches' on Sunday July 6th, right after Church.  This is a farewell lunch and a great way to do it.  Breads of all kinds will be available - you fill in the gaps.

Sunday @ 5...
Sunday July 6th and 20th, we meet at 5 pm for The Word for every Age Group.

There are groups for:

  • 12 years and under...  Knowing the ways of the Lord
  • 13 and over...  Video  "Am I an emotional teenager?"
  • 18 to infinite...  The Holy Spirit and my life.

These have been great times. Light refreshments are available.

Missions: Beyond the Borders of West Auckland
Sunday July 20th 10:30 am
Always one of the most exciting, inspiring and challenging Sundays of the year.

On this Sunday we welcome home Lewis and Susie Varley missionaries to Bangladesh.  What a privilege to have them with us for one Sunday in our 10:30 am service.

There has never been a visit from these people that has not left us a  better, stronger more committed church.

Missions Offering:
Sunday July 20th
Each year we put great effort into a special missions offering. Missions Offering Envelopes are available on the information table.

Please pray about how the Lord would have you respond to supporting our missionaries.  It is a great opportunity to give sacrificially to a cause that is so absolutely vital.

Youth Blast
Saturday July 26th
Joining of youth and the Youth in Mission team on Saturday July 26th for YOUTH BLAST... this is a combined youth groups event to be held at Youthtown.

Brochures are available on the information table...

Ladies Coffee Group
Meet with us on July 22nd 10 am.
Great coffee available!

Kids Klub
takes a well earned break over the school holidays.

Prayer Group...
Sunday 13th and 27th at 5 pm.
Our prayer group has been a powerful team this year.  Be encouraged to mark these opportunities on your calendars.

Church Board
Sunday 27th 2pm
Venue - Church

Youth Congress Update...
Youth Congress is attracting young people from all over the South Pacific, Australia and Papua New Guinea.  Held in the hinterland of Queensland's Sunshine Coast the camp will cost each teenager around $1000.  That sounds a lot but includes fares and camp fees and an experience you'll never forget.

See the information table for an application.

Wanted Houses to Rent in West Auckland...
Hardly a week exists when we are not looking for a suitable rental for someone.  If you know of a suitable rental from a room to a flat to a 3 or 4 bedroom house please let us know.

Thought for the Day...
Give God what's right - not what's left.