St. Ephraim the Syrian

(AD 306-373) The feast day of your birth resembles You, Lord, Because it brings joy to all humanity. Old people and infants alike enjoy your day. Your day is celebrated From generation to generation. Kings and emperors may pass away, And the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse. But your festival Will be remembered until the end of time. Your day is a means and a pledge of peace. At your birth heaven and earth were reconciled, Since you came from heaven to earth on that day. You forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt. You gave us so many gifts on the day of your birth; A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick; Spiritual light for the blind; The cup of salvation for the thirsty; The bread of life for the hungry. In the winter when trees are bare, You give us the most succulent spiritual fruit. In the frost when the earth is barren, You bring new hope to our souls. In winter when seeds are hidden in the soil, The staff of life springs forth from the virgin womb.

Essential Christmas Prayers

No Limits Young Adults Group: Sundays at 7:30pm

Girls’ Brigade: Wednesdays at 6:00pm Boys’ Brigade: Anchor Boys: Fridays at 6:00pm

Team Section: Fridays at 6:45pm Company Section: Fridays at 7:00pm

Beckenham Methodist Church 83 Malcolm Ave, PO Box 12127, Christchurch beckenham.methodist@gmail.com www.beckenham.methodist.org.nz www.facebook.com/beckmeth Ministry Team: The congregation in its life & work Presbyter: Rev. Melema’u Molitika Church 942 2715 Home 967 1352 Parish Stewards: Ros Jackson 981 7629 Murray Gibson 027 328 8538 Maria Webster 027 488 1445 Venue Hire and Bookings: Leah Williams-Partington 359 0129 bookingswithbmc@gmail.com Pastoral Care Contact: Lorraine Goffin 337 4942 Bank Account (BNZ): 02 0800 0765087 00

BMC creates church by offering our place, our people, and our passions with a Christ focus to our congregation and to people of our local community. We exist to be the hands and feet of God in our community, under the intuitive prompting of the Holy Spirit.

2nd December 2018

Drop in Games night is Thursday night from 5.30—7.30 pm. Come along and enjoy board or physical games in the hall or meeting room. Everyone is welcome.

Mon 3 Bible Study 7.30 pm

Tues 4 Bible Study 1.30 pm

Wed 5 Gratitude Space Health and Safety

10.00 am 8.00 pm

Thurs 6 Conversations at the Well Drop in Games night Bible Study

10.30 am 5.30 pm 7.00 pm

Fri 6 Loopy Tunes 9.00 am

Sat 7

Sun 2 Church 10.00 am

“Conversations at the Well" Coffee Group will be on Thursday at 10.30am there will be morning tea prepared at the Hall, for anyone who would like to gather and be with your brothers and sisters. There is a special invitation to those who are not able to be at church on Sunday morning. It is the 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month. Transport is available. Please feel free to let Tafoki know if you would like to come and need transport. Phone 022 695 8648

All bookings must be referred to Leah, phone 359 0129

Gratitude Space: a people- friendly space, created to provide a cuppa and a place to share our gratitude. If you want a morning outing or you need someone to share your joy with, or a friendly chat with your Minister, this is the space for you. 1st Wednesday of the month, 10am-11am @ Sydenham Lounge. All welcome. Contact Mele for more information

Joan Beaumont, Deb Beardsley, Lynda Bush, Brian Jones, Jenny Young, Carol Gregory, Osker Valistark, Scott Bernard Elvidge , June Allen, Rachel Paterson

Prayer list

December 2

Advent 1

December 9

Advent 2 Café Church

December 16

Advent 3

Service time 10.00 am 10.00 am 10.00 am

Ministering Mele Molitika Loopy Church Ros Jackson

Ali Cable

Music Barbara Beardsley Young Adults Dianne Watson

Scripture readings Mark 13:24-37

Reader Leah Williams_Partington Craig Richardson

PowerPoint Darren Webster Kelvin Aird Darren Webster

AV control Darren Webster Kelvin Aird Darren Webster

Flowers Helen Buxton Joan Beaumont Helen Buxton

Morning Tea Helen and Neville No Limits Helen and Neville

Door Hostess Bev Penney Ros Jackson Bev Penney

Door Stewards Tini Richardson's team Graham McHarg's team Tini Richardson's team

Loopy Church Christine, Kirsty, Aimee Christine, Kirsty, Aimee

Notices

Ministers Steward Ros Jackson Ros Jackson Ros Jackson

This year we are supporting two Methodist Mission families providing gift boxes for Christmas Day. The first family has a Mum, a Dad and teenage daughter, the second a Mum, two boys and a daughter. Please take a ‘tree gift card’ from under the Christmas tree and the boxes will be delivered on 16 December.

Lectionary Readings next week: Baruch 5:1 - 9 Malachi 3:1 - 4 Luke 1: 68 - 79 Philippians 1:3 - 11 Luke 3: 1 - 6

Coming Events

Methodist Conference affirmed God’s love for the whole of creation and the support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 Climate Action. For Advent one today we think about Climate Change and the increasing intense storms world-wide. Some of the Christian World Service Christmas Appeal will support the Tongan Women – Ama Takiloa – a life line group repairing rain water harvesting systems and replanting community gardens.

The December ‘Touchstone’ is available today. Take yours and one for a neighbour or friend. We need to update the number to be distributed next year. If you would rather read this publication “on line” please ring Graham C 33 22889.

Massey Snr’s Birthday—Massey is turning 60yrs young, and he would like to invite you all to join him in celebrating his big day. When: 1pm Saturday 22nd December Where: 72 Isleworth Rd, Bishopdale. Come join us for a good ‘ol backyard kiwi bbq. RSVP to Leah 0220275447

Girls Brigade News: This year we have celebrated the 125th Anniversary of Girls Life Brigade beginning in Ireland and 90 years beginning in Dunedin, New Zealand. We take our place as the oldest and strongest Christian organisation focussing on girl child issues. We learn to be good stewards of God's creation. Each week groups offer girls and young women challenges, new friendships, new skills and strengthened faith while having fun. We have sisters in 59 countries world wide with opportunities for international camps, conferences and training courses. Next year's theme is "Fruitful and Overflowing, Live Joyfully". We will continue to empower our girls to succeed in tomorrow's world seeking, serving and following Christ. All will find enrichment of life through faith, self control, reverence and a sense of responsibility. Thank you for all your prayers for the leaders, girls and families again this year.