Seabrook Avenue
Church of the Nazarene

October
Newsletter

From the Pastors desk
Something to chew over:
Jesus constantly pointed out ways to live in the here and now as vital impacting believers.  He cautions of preoccupation with the things of the world.  He said: Beware of greed, for life does not consist of things possessed.  The sum total of a persons life is more than their financial port-folio.  Then he told a really powerful story.

Luke 12:13 - 21
There was once a man who had an unbroken run of prosperity.  In today's lingo, he had successfully played the Stock Market.  So prosperous did he become that his barns could not hold all of his crops.  His solution was to tear down these barns and build bigger and better barns.  Then, with his financial security in hand, he could sit back and truly enjoy life.  His philosophy was: eat, drink, and be merry.

Truth be told, when we hear this story we find ourselves a tiny bit envious of him. A financially successful man, we see him as savvy and wise.  Yet, Jesus ends the story by saying that this man was a fool.

 The question?
What did he do wrong?

To answer that question we need to understand that this is not a parable about money.  It is a parable about values and what is important in life.  With that in mind, let me suggest four things that this man did that made him a fool.

  1. First, he was a fool because he had full barns, but an empty heart.
  2. Secondly, this man was a fool because he overestimated his own value in the scheme of things.
  3. Third, this man was a fool because he forgot what his real business in life was really all about.
  4. Fourth, this man was a fool because he forgot about the nature of time.

This timeless story can be taken and placed over our own lives today.  A great way to think through the things Jesus says is to place yourself in the centre of the parable.  Does it fit your life entirely, in part or at all?  Take the parable and read it in several translations over the next few weeks and let it speak to your life.
This Month on the Avenue

Re-set your clocks....
Daylight Savings returns this weekend but this is also a gentle reminder that we need to start church at 10:30 am.  Over the winter we let time slip by and before we know it are starting later than we should.  Coffee and Tea will be available before church for those wanting to arrive early for prayer, music prep or fellowship.

Ladies Coffee Breaks
are Tuesdays, October 15th and 29th @ 10 am.  Coffee, good company and great ideas for the home and heart.

Kid's Club
Fridays 3.30 pm
Be ready for an explosive and dynamic last term of games, Bible times and weird and wonderful events.

Prayer Group...
Sunday 6.30 pm at Gordon's on the 6th and Stott's 20th...
We meet, we pray, we see results and we invite you to join us.

Youth Events...
Summer Planning meeting  4pm 13th.

Next Youth Event Sunday 2pm 3rd Nov - "Snapshot"
A 2 hour team event that will require more I.Q. and energy than you realise you have... cost $2  please bring a shared snack.... watch your mail boxes for advertising...

Summer Camps...
Unbeatable and very affordable camps are planned for January.  You can subsidise your fees by working at our Campers Care Centres with the next opportunity being November 30th at The Warehouse, New Lynn 8:45 am.

September's Campers Care Centre workers have already earned an average of 50% of their required camp fees! Well done and thank you Lynley Gordon marketing manager extraordinaire.

Neighbourhood Care Team:
Fresh interest within our community for our care team prompts us to ready ourselves for ministry.  This team volunteer their garden and property care skills to those in our neighbourhood needing a helping hand.  If you are able to give an hour or two once every 8 weeks please sign on at the information table.

Christmas-on-the-Avenue...
This year our church has taken the bold challenge to sponsor and provide 2 special Christmas Dinners, December 22nd and 23rd.  These elegant dinners are for people you know who may be alone at this time of year or just can't quite stretch their budget to celebrate in a special way.  Food items are being donated in great and encouraging quantities.  Thanks for getting behind this so wholeheartedly.  Over the next few weeks invitations will be posted asking for hands-on involvement in the many key areas required to make these nights true ministry.

 Te Arai Point Camp...
With the warmer days and summer holidays we naturally turn our thoughts to camping.  If you have never camped out with the church at Te Arai Point (90 minutes north of Auckland) you have missed one of life's biggest experiences. Open beaches, camp fires, billy tea and burnt sausages are just a small part of the experience.  Fishing swimming and singing around the fire are as much part of the experience as the broken toilets and mozzies.  Are you looking for a couple of nights camping?  This year's camp is over New Year's week (any or all days from Mon 29th Dec to Thurs 2nd Jan)... sign on at the info table.

Food Parcel Ministry...
Over recent weeks two food parcels have been delivered within the community.  These have been so appreciated.  Our coordinator Joyce Armitage is overseas at this time but relief food items are always required or gold coin donations may be given towards this ministry in our community.

A very beautiful baby boy...
Arrived safely and in style making his parents glow like nuclear power plants and his brother and sister smile until it hurts.  While the Thomson family have yet to name their beautiful boy they wish to thank all those who have made suggestions even though many of them were quite ridiculous they were all appreciated.

There has been some suggestion that a prize could be given to the person who can offer the most suitable name but you can be sure that as soon as a name is available, and we can pronounce it, you will all be advised.

Lunch in the Park...
Sunday, October 20th, Craigavon Park, Green Bay
Join us for lunch with a difference... Designer Sandwiches... is a great picnic idea.  Please bring exciting fillings to share.  The bread rolls will be provided... each person can design their own unique sandwich. You'll also need a rug, a drink, and we recommend packing a chocolate in every pocket.

For the children Craigavon Park offers a wonderful play ground. For those not feeling quite so young the Park has beautiful shade trees and walking tracks.  Come and enjoy an hour or two, a sandwich or two and a chance to catch up before your busy week.

Kite Flying brings out the best and worst in all of us.  A prize will be awarded to the most unusual kite and the highest flying kite.

Travellers this month...
Bianca and Vanessa will be snorkelling and swimming for 2 weeks in Vanuatu while Bob and Maureen Gordon will retrace their steps to the South Island.

Internet Interest...
Here's a site you may want to bookmark.... www.griefshare.org
this site offers help and advice for those in grief or for those with close friends grieving.

Church Board meeting...
Sunday, October 13th at 5 pm