Seabrook Avenue
Church of the Nazarene

September
Newsletter

From the Pastors desk

Father's Day for you may mean sending a card, calling a parent or flipping through an old family album. For Dad's it can mean so many other things. One thing that never escapes notice for every Dad is the ever present question, "How am I doing as a father?"

There are so many answers to that small question but behind it is the big scary issue of "Am I leading them closer to the Lord?" There is no one sentence answer to that question but here's some 5 good sign posts worth re-considering:
  1. Never forget you model the pathway to Christ for them.
  2. Show them the greatness of God in the lives of their ancestors. Expose them to their heritage through the Bible stories of lives like Abraham, Jacob, Joshua and David.
  3. Show them how they fit into the gospel story. Their career choices are influential but their eternal choices are all important.
  4. Don't let them lose sight of their own spiritual history, their dedication, baptism and their role in the church. These are a unique and a special part of God's hand in their lives.
  5. Encourage them in all they do in the church. Their input to Kid's Club, Youth Group and helping around the church. Send them to Christian camps and surround them with the excitement of being a believer in the 21st Century.
  6. Remember, you are not alone in this but your involvement carries a powerful influence.
Bangladesh News
Susie and Lewis Varley write that life has taken on new routines since their return from Auckland to Dhaka. Susie is learning to cook Bengali food and speak as much Bengali as she can. Their weeks are made up of much travel through the crowded streets and markets. They are immersed in learning and teaching and their home is open to many visitors who come to see these strange foreigners and how they live. Every week is a succession of touching lives and offering the unique and life changing love of Jesus Christ.

You can write to them, update them and keep them ever aware of your love and support for them:

L. and S. Varley,     House 78 (B),
Gulshan 1,               Dhaka 1212,
Bangladesh.

News From Fiji
Neville and Joyce Bartle write that their days are full as they meet and train young pastors. There is a move amongst the young people as they feel God's call into full time Christian service. Special teaching classes through September on the Book of Philippians by Dr Alex Deasley will help in the training and discipleship of these young people. Drop them a line they would love to hear from you.

c/- The Church of the Nazarene
P. O Box 16973, Suva, Fiji.

Wedding Bells
We are just delighted to announce that Robyn and Chaz will marry on Sunday September 1st. If you missed the card signing you can drop them a quick message to...

23a Foreshore Road,
Ninety Mile Beach.

Masses of Candles...
cover the birthday cake of Alice Colcord who reached her 92nd birthday on August 25th. She celebrated in style with many visitors and well wishers.

Farewell The Manda Family...
we will miss them so much! Samuel's jokes and Ellen's singing are being relocated to Leeds, England. Kid's Club will not be the same without the enthusiasm of Ruth and the questions of Patson.

To say farewell we are asking you all to bring a shared lunch on Sunday September 8th. This will follow the morning service and will be the last Sunday the Mandas will be with us.

Celebrating 70...
Most wouldn't know this but Willie Lang is about to turn 70. A special celebration is being planned by those masters of surprise Paul and Sharon Thomson. Saturday September 14th at 2:30 pm

Let's talk about Christmas...
Christmas on the Avenue this year is to take a different shape than all other years. Our plan is to operate two evenings of a first class dining experience for friends without family or finance.

This is a huge undertaking and one we launch into with a zero budget but believe we not only can do this but we should. What better way is there to show people the love of God than by inviting them to a great Christmas Dinner.

The two evenings are December 22nd and 23rd.

We need help in every imaginable way. A "TO DO LIST" is on the information table and you can sign on to an area where you can best serve.

Due to room restrictions we have limited seats. Remember this is not a dinner for the church but for friends without family or finance. People who you know are new to the area or alone over Christmas.

Not only are we calling as loudly as we can for helpers but we need donations of food and all kinds of other things. Please stop at the information table and discover how you can be part of touching lives with God's love.

Ladies Coffee Groups...
Tuesday 3rd at 10 am
Tuesday 17th at 7.30 pm

Youth Events...
youth study group is Sunday 1st, 15th and 29th

Special youth event is:
The Great Huia Burger Challenge...
Saturday 28th at 1 pm
Come and face the challenges of your skills and abilities as we compete once again.

Kid's Club...
Fridays at 3.30 pm
This is Sunday School on a Friday.

Alpha Course...
the final two sessions in this series are Wednesday 4th and 11th Sept. at 6.30 pm.

Prayer Group...
Sunday 8th at Gordons, and
Sunday 22nd at Stotts, 6.30 pm.