Seabrook Avenue
Church of the Nazarene

June
Newsletter

From the Pastors desk

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE WORD "GO"?
A rapid glance at the 21st Century Church can be a little like walking through an electronics shop. We have at our finger tips every imaginable electronic help known to mankind. These days I can order Bibles and send them anywhere in the world simply from my computer. Few weeks go by when some conference on reaching the world for Christ isn't emailed to me. I have the Bible and 66 other classics on one CD. Web Sites abound for all the greatest, and least, Christian ministries.

But whatever happened to the simple challenge to just "go into all the world.".. like Jesus said? And marvellously we don't have to travel that far from our own front doors to meet people from all the world.

Even with all of the gadgetry, seminars and courses we are not really seeing the challenge of Jesus fulfilled.

 I like the words of two men who never would own a computer, never would attend a modern online theological college and would hardly ever get to attend too many home group Bible Studies. They were stopped one day and asked for help. Their response was this, "such as I have give I thee". Isn't that wonderfully simple?

I know this to be true and it is said best by J. Conrad Lampen,

"The formula for a miracle: Put Jesus where the need is and miracles will happen."

Over the month of June and into July we are going to uphold a magnificent theme SUCH AS I HAVE GIVE I THEE. We are looking at the age-old challenge of missions. We can continue to attend every seminar and class there is on reaching the world for Christ but if we don't return to the tried and true pillars of prayer and financial support of missions we won't even begin to fulfil the challenge Jesus passed on to us.
Welcome Home
Susie Bartle and Lewis Varley arrive from Bangladesh while Neville and Joyce Bartle arrive from Fiji.

Mrs Iva White from Brisbane will also arrive this month to enjoy the great weather!

Click for large imageThey're going to the chapel and they're going to get married...
Saturday June 29th the Varley - Bartle wedding will be celebrated with pomp and circumstance. Well wishers may line Seabrook Avenue to cast rice and flowers as the marriage rickshaw departs the church.

The Alpha Course is currently underway. There is still space available so contact the pastor if you have interest in this really helpful course.

Special Needs exist for new arrivals to Auckland. Basic furnishings, heaters and blankets are in steady demand. Should you have these items and wish to donate them please drop them off at the church.

Food Parcels are requested regularly from the church. This is such a vital ministry to our community. If you can donate gold coins or food items please follow the simple directions available on the information table.

Renovations Complete
After many months of painting and plastering, at last we're finished. To all who came and helped we say thank you!
Please note an easy access toilet facility is now functional.

Prayer Group
We are really finding answers through our prayer group that meets every other Sunday at 6.30 pm. This month we meet at Gordon's June 9th and Polglase's June 23rd.

Youth Events
June 3rd the youth are visiting Youth Town. For times and details contact Steve and Anita Polglase.

Youth Bible Studies are every second Sunday night at 5 pm.

Ladies Coffee Breaks this month are on Tuesday the 11th and 25th June.

What does the Bible say about?
A small box is now sited on the information table. Drop your question into the box and listen carefully for the answer over the next Sunday mornings.

Involve Me Please is a leaflet illustrating the many areas of ministry our church upholds.
Available to you from the second Sunday in June this leaflet will highlight vacancies where you can be further involved and will give you a thumb nail sketch of our outreach.

Mum's In Touch is a special prayer ministry that meets at the church Wednesday mornings 5:30 am. At this time the special needs of local schools and students are prayed for.

 Kid's Club Friday's 3.30 pm
90 minutes of games, stories, crafts and exhaustion.

Visit our Web site soon again
http://seabrook.orcon.net.nz

Spotlight on Susie Bartle
Born in Papua New Guinea, Susie soon got to know her parents and older sister and before long a younger brother and settled in easily to life in a missionary home. With parents from Scotland and New Zealand and family members born in Papau New Guinea life was destined to be a multi-national experience.

Most family photos of Susie depict her as the smaller of the Bartle children and while short in stature she more than compensated for this in creativity. Anyone meeting Susie soon discovers that this young lady while down playing her abilities, is especially gifted.

While not much older than many of the children in her Sunday School class, teaching large groups, in fact throngs of children, became second nature to a young girl who decided early to trust her life to God.

Arriving in New Zealand to train as a teacher Susie took every opportunity there was to befriend and include people on the fringe. Kid's Club waited for her every Friday after a long week of teaching.

God's call is always interesting. Gradually over the years here in New Zealand Susie felt God asking her to take up a special challenge. Now two years on she has completed her assignment in Bangladesh, and returns home this time to walk the aisle where Mr Lewis Varley will be waiting to become her husband and co-worker in the great chapters that are, to us, still unread.

* * * * *

Missions Offering
Sunday July 7th will be a date set aside to contribute to a special mid year missionary offering. This is our way of directly being involved in the overseas mission to Bangladesh. Susie and Lewis will return to Dhaka and it is our great delight to be able to support them not only with love and prayer but with this special offering.

The Middle East is such a volatile part of the world. Do churches still have faith to reach into this needy world area? Have we given up on believing in the power of God to reach people everywhere? Sunday June 16th Murray Peat from MECCO will be our special guest, spot lighting this area of the world.

The Fiji Islands create images of coral reefs and white sandy beaches. There still exists great spiritual needs through out Fiji. Sunday June 23rd Neville and Joyce Bartle will be with us to tell us how better to pray for this near neighbour nation.

Go into all the world
Sunday July 7th Mr and Mrs Varley from Dhaka, Bangladesh, will help walk us through the streets of Dhaka. At this time we will especially pray for Susie and Lewis as they head back to the massive challenges Bangladesh holds.