Welcome to Cavy

Over the last few weeks I have been sharing ideas about what it means to be Baptist. Last week I talked about the goal ‘to walk together’ and how that fits in with church membership. The next two goals are ’to seek God together’ and ‘to worship together’.

The goal to seek God together comes from our belief that when we gather together, Jesus is present in our midst. This makes members meetings “the place where we can expect the Spirit of Christ to reveal the mind of Christ…This vision of congregational discernment does not have to degenerate into bitter formal debates decided by a majority vote. The church is not a democracy. It’s a Christocracy. The goal when we gather together is not to win a vote and impose our will, but to listen to the voice of Christ, and submit to His will. This means framing our meetings with shared reflection on Scripture and prayer. It means bringing issues for discussion and discernment, not just motions for decision and voting.” It requires us to let all voices be heard and be open to being surprised by the Spirit in what He may say through others.

The goal to worship together is based on our belief that “the risen Jesus addresses his people through preaching that is rooted in the Bible. The whole movement of every worship service can be seen as three phases: (a) approaching the word of God, (b) receiving the word of God, and (c) responding to the word of God… Because we believe that Christ speaks through all the members of His body… we encourage broad participation in worship. Early Baptists made sure that a range of people were given the opportunity to speak during worship… Baptist worship has also been marked by a deep concern for freedom. We believe that the risen Christ by his Spirit leads his people when they gather to worship. Consequently, the members of his body must be free to respond to the Spirit’s direction. We value spontaneity, flexibility, variety and creativity in our worship.”

Wow, that’s enough to ponder this week! Next week I’ll talk about the last two goals! Blessings Sandra Gordon

December

Kids Offering 8th VJ & Elsie 15th Chelsea & Rebekah 22nd Hannah & Laura Morning Tea 8th Roly & Trudy Scott 15th Alister, Elaine & Family 22nd Norman & Carleen Sparrow Door Duty 8th Mike & Christine South 15th Barry & Sharon Tipler 22nd Ken & Jocelyn Clark Welcoming Team 8th Ian & Toula 15th Toula & Annette 22nd Annette & Penny Service Coordinator/Community Time 8th Heidi Mawhinney 15th Karene Scott 22nd Robyn Bazsika Please advise Heidi Mawhinney if there are any changes to the rosters. Newsletter Items should be sent to Heidi Mawhinney at newsletter@cavy.net.nz by lunch time on Thursday.

Senior Pastor Murray Gordon Mobile 021 100 7464 Email murray@cavy.net.nz (Day off Monday) Senior Pastor’s PA Heidi Mawhinney Mobile 027 504 8743 or 487 6060 Email alanheidi@xtra.co.nz Youth Ministry Erin Winder Mobile 027 677 9023 Email erin@cavy.net.nz Children’s Ministry Julie Hessian 021 377 876 Outreach Ministry Julian Doorey Mobile 022 098 5296 Email j.c.doorey@gmail.com Pastoral Care Contact Sandra Gordon Mobile 021 255 9844 Email gordon.kharis@gmail.com Prayer Chain Contact Trevor Johnstone - tranjo@snap.net.nz Elders Mathew Hessian (Chair) 027 201 3710 Robyn Boyd 027 612 9199 Sandra Copeland 021 297 5299 Peter Duncan 021 023 82084 Trevor Johnstone 022 635 0245 Alan Mawhinney 027 779 0581 Mike South 487 7681 Barry Tipler 027 557 5893 Edith Wylie 027 423 9533 Secretary Heidi Mawhinney 487 6060/027 504 8743 Treasurer Amy McFadzien 027 222 2870 Assistant Treasurer Julie Hessian 021 377 876 Caretaker David Martin-Chambers 027 273 9051 Building Bookings & Newsletter Editor Heidi Mawhinney 487 6060/027 504 8743

Please join us for a ‘cuppa’ and a chat, in the hall, after our gathering this morning.

Office Details Phone 455 8566

Email admin@cavy.net.nz

Sunday 8th December 2019

Tithes & Offerings For those who wish to tithe or make an offering online, the church account details are: Bank: BNZ Account No: 02-0900 0513805-00 Acc. Name: Caversham Baptist Church Particulars: your name Reference: your offering number To obtain an offering number, please see Karene Scott - 027 355 2501

For Visitors It’s great to have you here with us

today. We hope you’ll feel welcome and enjoy your time at Cavy.

The toilets and Little Explorers Crèche

(for kids under five) can be reached through the door to the left of the

stage.

The Quiet Room, on the left hand side of the auditorium, is for parents who would like to listen to the message while they are feeding their babies.

The hall is at the back of the building

and can be reached via the doors either side of the stage.

Cavy Kids @ 10:45am

Little Explorers Crèche 0-4yrs w Grace Trailblazers

Yr1-6 w Karene & Julie

Quest (Yrs 7 - 9)

8th Dec - Narnia Prac 15th Dec - Christian Ed Break up

Bravo (Yrs 10 -13) Next Session - TODAY

Youth Group will resume on Friday 7th February. Please check your texts/emails

for details closer to the time.

Tearfund - Joy to the World - Christmas Appeal 2019 Our church is supporting the Tearfund 'Joy to the World' Christmas appeal. Joy was born amongst the poor as Jesus, a baby in a manger. Joy is born amongst the poor again, through you and me. Let's help Tearfund to bring joy where it is most needed... A woman rescued from slavery... A farmer freed from poverty... A family helped after disaster... A child given a child hood. Join our collective church response, giving your offering or pledge on Sunday 22 December. Include your Cavy giving number to receive a tax credit. Thank you. Enquiries to Julian.

Wanting to know if anyone has jars they would love to give away? Not big ones, just the 250/280 gram size. Please would you give them to Trudy or bring them into the church to be passed on to her.

Photo Cards Available On the counter at Veggie Boys; Columbus Coffee @ Mitre 10; Musselburgh or MacAndrew Bay Pharmacies. For private orders phone Elizabeth 021 203 9448. Proceeds to the Building Fund

If you would like prayer after the service today, please ask our pastor, Murray, or one of our elders.

Please pray for the people we know about having a birthday this week

Saturday 14th December 4-6pm in the Church Auditorium Trailblazers final rehearsal followed by

Christmas Break-up Party

Playgroup Ministry are looking for someone from the church to lead the Friday Playgroup from Term 1 next year. Playgroup is a well established and rewarding community ministry. Please contact Sian Munro on 027 4505 819 or email sian_scott@hotmail.com to find out more information.

BMF (BAPTIST MISSION FOCUS) Thursday 12th Dec. 1.30 - 3pm Meet in the downstairs lounge. Update from Asia, followed by prayer. Afternoon tea to conclude Enquiries :- Elizabeth J or Judith Smith

Lesson The Wise Men worship Jesus.

Central Truth

The Magi understood that Jesus is the Messiah.

Memory Verse

A star shall come out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel.

Numbers 24:17

TODAY Last Breakfast @ Cavy 15th Dec Christian Ed Break Up Service, 10:15am Christmas Reflection Service, 7pm with communion 17th Dec South City Carol Service @ St Patricks Basilica, 6.30pm 22nd Dec S4E - The Christmas Star, 10:15am TEAR Fund Appeal 24th Dec Community Candlelight Celebration - ‘Christmas Spirit’ @ 7pm followed by Supper 25th Dec Christmas Day Service @ Coastal Unity Parish, 10am