Garden City Fellowship on a mission to make disciples
Church holds a very special place in God’s heart. God desires churches to be the theatre of His grace. “Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His supreme regard. It is the theatre of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts.” The Acts of the Apostles, p. 12.
Realising such sacred calling that God has placed upon a church, Garden City Fellowship ventured upon a journey of discipleship. It’s a journey of life based on practice. Tara Vincross in Adventist World magazine writes, “the truth is simple to see, but more difficult to put into practice. Following Jesus is not just about belief—it’s about practice. It’s practising our faith that puts our beliefs into action.” Adventist World, Issue Sept 3, 2022, p. 13.
As an attempt to put our belief into practice, Garden City Fellowship church prayerfully considered following a Thrive Disciple-shift Cycle. This discipleship cycle offered clarity and direction for the month. As a church GCF decided that:
- Every first week of the month we will invite friends, colleagues, and family members to join the church for the community breakfast that is held every second sabbath of the month. In the afternoon of the first sabbath of the month, the church chose to do literature evangelism.
- Every second week of the month, members spend time visiting other church members in the sabbath afternoon and also have a breakfast on sabbath with the people from the community. Church members also have an opportunity to extend an invitation to the visitors to join the church for a fellowship lunch that happens every third sabbath of the month.
- Every third sabbath of the week is a time of fellowship, celebration and acknowledgement. It’s also a time of realigning and sharpening our focus as a church. On this sabbath, church members extend an invitation to the visitors to come to a church social that happens every fourth Saturday night of the month.
On 17th September, as it was the third sabbath of the month, GCF celebrated the life and the presence of our senior members of the church through a special lunch and certificates of appreciation. It was very well received and we plan to do the same at Aranui Seventh-day Adventist church also on the 24th of September.
Many of our elderly people are on our church rolls but are not much involved in the church life as some are housebound or are at the residential care centres. And even those who are attending the church are often not engaged or involved in church life. Statistically speaking, many old people in New Zealand feel lonely, insecure and depressed. God is calling children, youth, men, women and elderly people to share the gospel message with others. We are never too young or too old to serve the Lord. God is calling each one of us to rise and serve him in growing His kingdom and sharing the life-giving love of Jesus. Are we ready to accept his call?
- Pr Younis Masih, Minister of Garden City Fellowship and Aranui Churches
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October - ADRA Appeal Month
More than anything, Hana wants a friend. Born blind and living in poverty, Hana lacked access to basic health facilities and independence, leaving her feeling isolated.
October is ADRA’s Appeal month. Make a difference this month by providing people like Hana with the facilities and social support needed to access health and dignity.
Share Hana’s story with your church by downloading our appeal video today: www.adra.org.nz/resources
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Life Everlasting: On Death, Dying, and the Future Hope
Adult Sabbath School Lessons and Bible Study Guide (October to December 2022)
This quarter we will explore the painful subject of death, but through the lens of the hope offered us through Jesus.
Explore weekly insights into the 4th quarter 2022 Sabbath School Bible Study Guide. Resources include lessons guides and Discovery Bible Readings guides.
Other Sabbath School Resources
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Daylight Saving Begins
This Sunday, 25 September, daylight saving begins. Remember to move your clocks forward by 1 hour.
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Adsafe Competition
The poster below outlines the details of a poster competition for 7-14 year olds being conducted by Adsafe during the month of September. Encourage the children in your church to enter the competition, with winners to receive a great prize and have their work published on the Adsafe website.
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Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP)
Is diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, being overweight or any other lifestyle disease not allowing you to live your best life?
Upcoming Online CHIP Program starts Thu 29th Sep at 7pm (Sydney time, AEST) and concludes Thu 1st Dec 2022.
For further details and registration links email ask@chiphealth.com.au or check out our website www.chiphealth.com.au/chip-online-information/.
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Sabbath of Prayer and Fasting
Sabbath, 1 October
We invite you to join God’s people around the world in celebrating the quarterly Day of Prayer. No matter how great your challenges may be, our God is greater! Download resources at www.revivalandreformation.org
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Current Adventist Vacancies in NZ
Adventist School Vacancies
Tui Ridge Vacancies
Current vacancies around the South Pacific Division:
employment.adventistchurch.com
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21-23 October - Marriage Retreat
21-24 October - Pathfinder Camporee
6 November - Adventurer Fair Day
8-14 January 2023 - Big Camp
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School Holiday Textile Workshops
4-5 October | St Martins Church
St Martins SDA church would like to invite children aged 8 -12 to attend a FREE textile weaving workshop with master guild weaver, Ian Butcher. Each class has 10 spaces only, there are 3 different times available for the textile weaving workshop. For enrolment, go to the St Martins SDA church website. https://www.stmartinssdachurch.com
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Marriage Retreat
21-23 October, Hanmer Springs
Take time out with your spouse in the natural beauty of Hanmer Springs! Enjoy beautiful accommodation, delicious food, plenty of quality time together, fun activities, and enriching time with our guest speakers and other couples.
More info & register REGO CLOSES SOON
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Youth Congress
13-17 December | Online only
The SPD Youth Congress this year is a virtual event. Come and write the 29th chapter of ACTS with your story!
More info and register
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SNZ Big Camp 2023
8-14 January 2023 (Check-in from 10:00am on Sunday 8 January, check out by 12:00pm on Sunday 15 January)
Big Camp is a bi-annual event designed to help us grow in our faith and connect with other believers from around South New Zealand. There are activities every day for each age group, and the ability to either camp onsite or visit during the days/evenings. We will be joined by Pr John Bradshaw as our guest speaker in the Big Tent.
Venue: Pascoe Park, 20 Farrells Road, Ouruhia, Christchurch 8083
Meals: BYO, or buy from the Camp Cafe
Earlybird Discount: Will finish on Friday 30th September 2022 at midnight
Registrations Close: Sunday 4th December 2022 at midnight
-- Register Now for Big Camp 2023 --
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Sunset Times
Fri 23 / Sat 24 / Fri 30 September 2022
NELSON - Fri 6:24 pm / Sat 6:25 pm / Fri 7:31 pm
CHRISTCHURCH - Fri 6:27 pm / Sat 6:28 pm / Fri 7:35 pm
INVERCARGILL - Fri 6:44 pm / Sat 6:46 pm / Fri 7:53 pm
Upcoming Offerings
24 September: Local
1 October: Local
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House to House
House to House has been developed by SNZC to resource and support life groups and home church groups.
The main features of House to House are:
- A weekly newsletter with study prompts and resources each week
- A monthly video hosting your group
- Physical resources mailed out to groups
To sign yourself or your group up to House to House, fill out this form.
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Hope Channel Schedule
Hope Channel has a great line-up every Sabbath, and uplifting content throughout the week! Click here to see the schedule.
Freeview 27 | Sky 204 | Watch live: www.hopechannel.nz/watch
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