Issue NINe 2020

Pereh ItaNga IWa

Worship | Whānau | Mission

Loving God | Loving Each Other | Loving One Another

Kia koutou e te whānau,

Kei te pehea koutou/ how is each person doing? Overwhelming, surreal,

stressful, restful – a diversity of experiences I’ve heard from people, and over

the last 6 days I have personally fluctuated between all of these! Wow, a virus

has literally caused the lockdown of the vast majority of the world’s

population, maybe though bringing us to our knees, with the potential of re-

turning us to what is most important, re-setting us even globally towards a

greater expression of Shalom.

Prayer

On that note of prayer and reconciliation, there is a nationally coordinated

and united nine day prayer strategy starting tomorrow that we encourage

you to consider being part of in some way, with a karanga at 5.45am and

then sessions throughout the day, then daily evening prayer sessions. Details

as below.

Pray As One NZ Website ...

Pray As One NZ Facebook Page ...

Finances

We realise that for many these will be challenging times financially. Our

thoughts and prayers are with you, and the reality is that as a church we

share the same challenge! Northcity building rental income has obviously

plummeted, however to a degree this has been offset by accessing the

government wage subsidy for staff. But it still leaves us in a vulnerable state

(yet trusting God), and we appreciate your ongoing financial contribution if

this is still possible, or you feel to make any other contributions that enable

us to help people through this time.

Northcity’s bank account number is 02 0816 0113227 000 - please include

your tithe number when giving by bank transfer.

Arohanui/ much love

Donald

Pastoral Update

Kia ora e te whanau

Our world has changed so radically in the space of a week. For the past week

the Pastoral team has been involved with making connections with as many

people as possible.

Whanaungatanga is a key priority for us this year – it's just not as easy when

we can’t meet face-to-face! Our encouragement for those in our church

community is to try and talk with at least two people each day. One who is

from your close circle of friends, and one who is not – this could be reaching

out to someone you know who is struggling or could do with some support.

Let us be the body of Christ and reach out beyond ourselves.

Connect Groups continue to be the hub of our church community, so if you

are not a member of a group can we encourage you to get in touch with us -

email connect@northcity.co.nz (or a leader if you know them...) and build

stronger relationships within our church community.

Looking ahead... When we come out of lockdown it is likely that we will not be able to meet as

a full church community so these ‘missional communities’ could become the

church. How about connecting now, before this becomes the case?

The long vaunted 500 tournament is still percolating – perhaps you could

connect with friends online and play a virtual game. No banter allowed – just

healthy competition eh Donald? The ‘official’ tournament is scheduled for

Weds 15th April – next week we will let you know how to enter. In the

meantime, how about connecting with others and practicing up? Check out

this link for a way to easily do this: https://www.trickstercards.com/

home/500/

If you are in need of support, a conversation, connection (a beatable

opponent for 500) please reach out – we are all in this together (thanks High

School Musical!).

Arohanui,

Dave – dave@northcity.co.nz

Online Rhythms

With not being able to physically meet we have moved a lot of our connection online. Just so you know some of our planned rhythms they are as follows:

8am daily (excluding Sunday), morning devotional – sometimes video/guided devotion, sometimes text/readings for you to do in your bubble.

8pm daily – Video updates/thoughts from members of the whānau, including the follow-ing two specific rhythms

Thursday 8pm, Communion or similar reflective practice. Sunday 8pm, More in depth ‘sermon’ style post.

Sundays at 10 we will continue to have a service hosted by different members of the whānau. This week the Dickson family welcome you into their whare.

Kids/Families Connection

We have also set up a Facebook Group for Kids/Families to connect and support each

other. We have made it a non-public group so we can post videos/pics of the kids without

making them available to the whole internet. To join, head to Northcity Facebook page,

click on “groups” and then “Northcity Kids (and their families)” and request to join.

WOVEN TOGETHER THROUGH

PRAYER Korōria ki te Atua Honour and glory to God

Maungārongo ki te whenua Peace on Earth

Whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa Goodwill to all people

Praying together:

Protection over our city and region from sickness, especially COVID-19,

that the virus would ‘passover’ during this month of lock down

That in the midst of uncertainty and challenge people would turn

towards the Lord, hearts would be restored, reconciliation released

across our families and communities in all areas of life

That we would love one another, love our neighbour, intentionally

connecting in ways appropriate in the midst of lockdown

For those with job uncertainty and business challenges, that we would

trust that our God of provision, Jehovah Jireh, would be leading and

providing at this time, and into the future

For the Shalom/Peace/Rangimarie of our city and nation

Prayer Rhythms and Scripture Readings:

Why not take a regular time each day to develop a Scripture reading and

prayer rhythm, where you find a quiet place, take a moment of silence to still

and open your heart to the Lord and His Presence. Sit for a while, receiving

His love, His grace and peace, trusting His goodness even in the midst of our

current challenge.

Consider reading the scriptures that follow, sit with them, listen for the

Spirit’s voice with His Word, respond in prayer however the Lord leads,

consider journaling what you sense the Lord saying, what is going on for you

within. Share the honesty and vulnerability of your heart with the Lord at this

time, acknowledge and release any anxiety, fear or other emotions you are

experiencing.

WOVEN TOGETHER THROUGH

We can take confidence that there will be people right across our city, nation

and beyond, seeking God, reading Scripture, praying together for Gods

protection at this time. God is faithful, God is love. Trust His faithfulness and

goodness at this time.

March

Wed 25th Romans 8:35-39 Psalm 23

Thurs 26th James 1:2-5 Isaiah 40:28-31

Friday 27th Romans 5:1-11 Psalm 46

Sat 28th Philippians 4:6-9 Psalm 91

Sunday 29th Ephesians 1:3-14 Psalm 131

Mon 30th Ephesians 2:4–10 2 Chronicles 7:13-16

Tues 31st Ephesians 2:14-22 Eccl 3:1-8

April

Wed 1st Ephesians 3:14-21 Psalm 61

Thurs 2nd Ephesians 6:10-20 Jeremiah 29:7-13

Friday 3rd 2 Cor 5:14–21 Psalm 133

Saturday 4th 2 Cor12:7-10 Psalm 139:13-16

Suggested Readings For Easter Week

Sun 5th (Palm Sunday) Luke 19:28-40; Psalm 118:19-29; Philippians 2:5-11

Mon 6th Isaiah 42:1-9; John 12:1-11; Hebrews 9:11-15

Tues 7th Isaiah 49:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:20-36

Wed 8th Isaiah 50:4-9; Hebrews 12:1-3; John 13:1-17

Thurs 9th Mark 14:12-72; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Fri 10th (Good Friday) Mark 15:1-41; Isaiah 52:13-53

Sat 11th Mark 15:42-47

Sun 12th (Easter Sunday) Mark 16:1-8; Psalm 62:5-8

Northcity TV

Giving at Northcity

Thank you to all who give koha generously to Northcity. Please email welcome@northcity.co.nz for a tithe number if you do not have one - this

allows you to claim back a third of everything you donate at the end of each tax year. Tithe envelopes can be found by the EFTPOS machine in the

auditorium. Northcity’s bank account number is 02 0816 0113227 000 - please include your tithe number when giving.

Want to join a connect group at Northcity

Email Connect@northcity.co.nz

Community Notices Community Notices

500 Tournament 15th April Entries open next week

NEED HELP with FINANCIAL

APPLICATIONs | If you need financial help

and are having trouble with WINZ application

forms or can not get through to WINZ or just

have questions as to what you are entitled

too please call Raewyn so she can help you

through the process. Raewyn 0276296668 or

email Raewyn@northgatetrust.co.nz

Glossary We want to encourage the use and understanding of te reo Māori in New Zealand and within Northcity. Here is a small glossary of Te

Reo words and phrases used throughout our newsletters.

If you would like to contribute to this glossary or we have made an error, please let us know by emailing voice@northcity.co.nz

Korōria Glory

Maungārongo Peace

Tāngata People

Whenua Land