7 May 2025
Dear Church Family
It is always a joy to welcome visitors to our worship services, including those who are traveling from overseas. Sometimes we get visitors who not only attend our service but also stay on for our morning tea. That’s what happened last Sunday when a couple from the USA stayed on after the 9am service and joined the cuppa in the parish hall. They complimented me for our worship service, saying they enjoyed it. It was great to see them enjoying the fellowship with some of our lovely parishioners.
It's moments like these that reminds us of the universal bond we share in Christ. It doesn’t matter where we come from – if we share a faith in and love for Jesus, we immediately feel a bond, as though we’ve known each other for years.
St Christopher’s is known for being a welcoming church, and I can personally attest to this. I’m sure many of you can too. We give thanks for the spirit of hospitality that has been cultivated in our church, and I pray that we continue to be a friendly, loving and welcoming community.
We were spared the worst of the severe weather that hit last week, and we give thanks for that. While we experienced heavy rain, we avoided the destructive winds and flooding. Let us continue to keep in our prayers the families in the affected regions who have faced significant challenges due to the storms.
Lesley Sheed’s service on Monday was a beautiful tribute to a beloved and faithful woman of God that she was. Although the service was not held in our church, it was heartening to see many of our parishioners in attendance, which is a testament to the love and gratitude we have for her life and service.
I’m also thankful for the success of the Vestry’s Day Retreat last Saturday. I’m grateful to Steve and Lindy Scaife for hosting us in their lovely home. The retreat provided an opportunity for our new Vestry to spend time in fellowship and prayer, reflect on the challenges and needs of our church, and reaffirm our Vision, Mission, and Strategic Goals. It was a fruitful time of open discussion, reinforcing our commitment to making disciples of Jesus – a key focus for us this year.
Our Haere Mai Project is progressing well, now in its third week. As you know, we have five Haere Mai Home Groups meeting weekly for fellowship and study using the Christianity Explored Course. I lead the Filipino group, and our third meeting last Sunday was especially successful, with 10 participants, 6 of whom were newcomers. We had a rich fellowship and a meaningful discussion of Lesson 3, focusing on the subject of sin and the passage from Mark 2:1–12. Please continue to pray for these groups, that the course would be a blessing to all who participate.
Our fundraising for the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) continues and will conclude at the end of this month. The funds raised will go toward cataract surgeries in Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Nepal – areas where many cannot afford the procedure themselves. It’s incredible to think that the cost of one cataract surgery is just NZ$35 in these regions. If you would like to contribute to this project, you can do so online through our church’s bank account or by placing cash in the offering bag during our church service. Please remember to clearly mark your giving as “for CBM.”
Last Sunday, I began a new sermon series on the Book of Acts. I’ve long desired to preach from this remarkable book, and I’m glad to have begun this journey. In my sermon from Acts 1:1–11 we reflected on the mission the Lord gave to his disciples – to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. This was an impossible task for the early disciples, a group of ordinary people. Yet, filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, they boldly preached the good news of Jesus, and the church grew. This mission continues today, and I believe the Spirit is calling us to look to the early church not just as a historical account but as a living picture of who God is calling us to be. For us today Jerusalem represents our family and friends; Judea, our wider community and neighbours; Samaria, those we might find difficult to love, including our enemies; and the ends of the earth, everyone else. At the end of my sermon I posed a simple application question: “Who in your circle of influence do you need supernatural boldness to share your faith with?” I encourage you to take this question seriously and go out with Spirit-given boldness, sharing the love of Christ with those who need it.
At the 11am service last Sunday I had the joy and privilege of praying for the Mahyambe family. Amos, Farisai, Kyle, and Ethan were able to come to church together as a family, which doesn’t always happen due to Farisai’s work commitments. It was wonderful to hear some of the good news they shared, especially the fact that they have recently been granted permanent resident status in New Zealand. Amos is a civil engineer working for a local firm, and Farisai is a caregiver who is also pursuing a nursing degree. Their sons, Kyle and Ethan, attend our Sunday school programme. We give thanks for the Mahyambe family and continue to keep them in our prayers (see their family photo below).
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. I have decided that we will observe this day not in a secular manner but in a uniquely Christian way of celebrating it, focusing on the theme of “Mothering,” which has the same meaning as nurturing or caring. I will be preaching from Exodus 2:1–10 and John 19:25b–27.
We give thanks for the many answers to prayer we’ve seen in our church, including the remarkable progress in the recovery of Mary Griffiths and Christie Rentoul to good health. We continue to keep in our thoughts and prayers parishioners who are unwell – Bob Wilson, Harry Halliday, Stan and Moira Paul, Junitha Samuel, and others. We also remember those in rest homes and those living alone. May they feel the Lord’s comfort in a special way and receive his healing touch.
Here are some important dates to remember:
15th May – First meeting of the Market Morning Committee. For details on time and venue, please contact Viv Peters. Please note that Market Morning this year is scheduled for 15th November.
24th May at 3pm – Monthly Corporate Prayer Meeting in the Church.
25th May – Shared luncheon and fellowship for the 11am Congregation.
26th May, 1pm – Communion Setup Training in the Church. This training is for those interested in learning how to set up for Communion. The training will be led by Pat Bembridge.
15th June, 4-6pm – Messy Church.
29th June – Combined Service at 10.30am, with Rev Richard Drury from Barnabas Aid as our Guest Speaker, followed by a special fundraising luncheon for Barnabas Aid at $10 per person. Pre-registration required. More details to come.
Thank you for your ongoing support and faithfulness. I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday as we gather to worship, reflect on God’s Word, and enjoy fellowship together.
Blessings
Deo
Rev Dr Deo Vistar
Vicar, St Christopher’s Anglican Church
Amos and Farisai with their sons Kyle and Ethan.