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Fuel
Last weekend I went to Bunnings and purchased two small raised garden boxes and vegetable potting mix, so I could plant out the tiny little seedlings that had grown on my window sill from the New World “Little Garden” promotion. As I was paying for my supplies, my mental calculations concluded that it was likely I was spending more money to plant them then it would take to just buy the ripe vegetables from the grocer… which made me think.
In my commitment to GROW, whether that is my little vegetable seedlings, or in other arenas of life like my personal fitness, my knowledge or my friendships; how much am I willing to invest, and what do I measure as acceptable returns?
When I think about the hours of lost sleep to get up early to go to the gym, the expense of buying good quality running shoes, and the pain of sore muscles for days after, sometimes I wonder if it is worth it.
On the other hand, when I receive yet another leadership book in the post, and experience the joy I get from reading it (as my husband, a non-reader rolls his eyes in horror at yet ANOTHER book in the house) I don’t think twice about the cost, in time or dollars.
Growing in my faith and relationship with Jesus also requires me to invest, count the cost and expect a return on my investment. There will be sacrifices to be made, and choices that will require me to let go of opportunities and accept that I have limitations. However unlike my vegetable plants, which will be a labour of love to remember to water daily, and most likely become food for the snails before they grow big enough to feed me… the investment made in my relationship with Jesus is promised to bear fruit in abundance.
“As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you” John 15:5 TPT
And that FRUIT is a heart of compassion enabling us to “serve humanity so they may live as God intended” to impact and influence in our families and communities for God’s kingdom! ADRA in Action!
How are you invited TODAY to invest, count the cost and expect fruit to be demonstrated from your deep and abiding connection with Jesus?
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Keryn McCutcheon
ADRA Director
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Prayer Focus – Me
There are many times that we pray for others – their needs, their growth and their salvation. It is important from time to time to also remember that, as the airlines remind us, we need to put on our own oxygen before we help the others next to us. It is good for us to pray for our own needs, our own growth and our own salvation. Sometimes we need to retreat in prayer for ourselves.
This well known Hymn in our hymnal speaks (or sings) to the fact that prayer for yourself might be just what you need this week.
At first I prayed for light:
Could I but see the way,
How gladly, swiftly would I walk
To everlasting day!
And next I prayed for strength:
That I might tread the road
With firm, unfalt’ring feet, and win
The heav’ns’ serene abode.
And then I prayed for faith:
Could I but trust my God,
I’d live enfolded in His peace,
Though foes were all abroad.
But now I pray for love:
Deep love to God and man;
A living love that will not fail,
However dark His plan.
And light and strength and faith
Are op’ning everywhere!
God waited patiently until
I prayed the larger prayer.
- Lynelle Laws - Prayer Coordinator
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Options for Returning Tithes & Offerings to God
- eGiving website. egiving.org.nz
- eGiving App. Download from the Apple or Android store. Search “eGiving”.
- Transfer funds to Local Church bank account as directed by the local church treasurer.
- Phone Payment. Call NNZC Finance on 09 262 5620.
- Direct bank transfer for tithe NNZC. Bank account: 03-0175-0055484-01.
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Notices, Resources & Events
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Sunset Times
Friday 28 October, Saturday 29 October, Friday 4 November
AUCKLAND | FRI: 7:49 pm | SAT: 7:50 pm | FRI: 7:56 pm
WELLINGTON | FRI: 7:56 pm | SAT: 7:57 pm | FRI: 8:05 pm
Offerings
29 October: Bible Society Offering
5 November: Local Church
Give Online at egiving.org.nz
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Grateful Living Kits
The brand-new Grateful Living resources have been designed to help lead entire congregations to a whole new level of Christ-centred, abundant living. Grateful Living is for every church and every age group, and it’s ready to modify, or just stand and deliver. It’s about the joy of whole-of-life giving. The 8-week Grateful Living Resource Kit includes:
- 8 Sermon PowerPoints & Scripts
- 8 Children’s Activity Sheets: to match the sermon topics
- 8 Children’s Song Videos: with lyric sheets, music scores & backing tracks
- A comprehensive Grateful Living Advertising Kit (posters, brochures, social media tiles & logo graphics)
The full kit is available for churches to download, translate, modify and use free of charge. AU/NZ and Pacific versions available.
Download your church’s kit at: stewardship.adventistchurch.com/grateful-living
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World Mission (Unusual Opportunities Offering)
12 November 202
When a massive, but unexpected, mission opportunity presents itself to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we need to be ready to respond rapidly. Whether its 110,000 newly baptised members in Rwanda needing churches, or Adventist schools needing to be built in a previously ‘closed’ country, we want to be ready. Thanks to your sacrificial generosity, the church has been able to say ‘Yes’, and to further expand God’s mission into all the world. Thank you. Please give generously on November 12 to the 2022 Unusual Opportunities Offering. Mark your tithe envelope ‘Unusual Opportunities Offering’ or give via the eGiving website or App. Thank you for opening your hearts.
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Ellen White and Contemporary Adventism
6 November | ONLINE
Seventh-day Adventists have a rich heritage of visionary pioneering people. Ellen White, one of the Church's founders, had a spiritual gift—being a special messenger for God. She wrote many books, letters and spiritual reflections that have been preserved for our benefit today. How do we make the best use of these writings now? The international and scholarly speakers at this symposium will answer this question from many angles that will enrich our understanding and application. For more information: https://adventistchurch.com/ellen-white-symposium/
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Making a Will Now or at Big Camp 2023
Get your Will made free of charge with Trust Services
Making a plan for what happens after you die is the best way to ensure that the people and things you love are looked after. If you would like to make or update a Will, Pr Phil Laws is happy to meet with you via zoom or appointments can be arranged to suit. This service will also be available at Big Camp 2023 (6-11 January).
Book a time by emailing Kim Teao at KimTeao@adventist.org.nz or phone 09 262 5620.
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Current Adventist Vacancies
Adventist School Vacancies
Tui Ridge Vacancies
Current vacancies around the South Pacific Division employment.adventistchurch.com
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What's Coming Up?
Coming up in 2023
1 January – ADRA CTP Submission
6-14 January – Big Camp - Tui Ridge Park
7 January – Day of Fasting and Prayer
11-21 January – 10 Days of Prayer
1 February – ADRA CTP Submission
4-6 February – Pathfinder & Youth Mt Taranaki Challenge
10-12 February – PLA Training Camp - Dickey Flat
12 February – Executive Committee Meeting
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Grow 2 Go – Big Camp
6-14 January 2023 | Tui Ridge Park
Standard price to 21 November. Registrations close 5 December. For more information on guest speakers, attendance fees and accomodation costs visit adventist.org.nz/nnzbc23
Day & Sabbath Visitors
Day Visitors during the week and on Sabbaths MUST register prior to the 5th of December, please. People who turn up to access Tui Ridge Park during Big Camp without registering will most likely face delays in accessing the grounds. For smooth running on the day, please click on the link below to register. Thank you.
Guest Speakers
- Adults: Pr Glenn Townend & Dr Wendy Jackson.
- Youth: Pr Sarah-Jane Riley.
- High School: Mrs Maranatha Fidow.
- Juniors: Miss Michaela (Miki) Truscott.
- Primary: Pr Ama Pahulu
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Fifties Plus Weekend – Under the Sea
18-21 November | Tui Ridge Park
Caravan site $180
Single Dorm $190
Double Cabin $440
Quad Cabin $740
Registrations close 11 November
Download Registration/Posters
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Soccer Tournament
4 December | Riverhills Park, Auckland
$290.00 per team. A discounted fee of $250 is available for any teams from outside of Auckland or a church youth that hasn’t joined our soccer tournament within the last three years.
Registrations close 21 November.
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SPD Youth Congress 2022
13-17 December 2022 | Online Virtual
Acts 29 - Write Your Story
Asking the Holy Spirit to guide and lead our lives is the key to a life of victory and faith in Jesus. This Virtual Congress is your opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit into your life. You will write the 29th chapter of ACTS with your story!
Keynote Speakers: Damian Chandler, Tacyana Nixon.
Plenary Speakers: Busi Khumalo, Gilbert Cangy, Eddie Hypolite
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The Incredible Journey presents:
The Seven Deadliest
What makes our planet unique is that it is teeming with life. As humans, we like to get near these magnificent animals, to watch and admire them in their natural habitat. But many of these animals are not only spectacular but unpredictable and dangerous; they might look cute and cuddly but could kill you in mere seconds. This program takes us on a journey into the Wild in search of the world’s deadliest animals and their message for us today.
Facebook: facebook/TheIncredibleJourneyMinistry
YouTube: youtube/TheIncredibleJourney
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Mission Spotlight
October 29 – A Veil for Protection
There are still areas of the world where it’s difficult and even dangerous to become a Christian—and where it’s difficult and dangerous to share the gospel. So we will put a veil over these places while still telling as much of the story as we can.
Give Online at egiving.org.nz
Download Videos at am.adventistmission.org/mission-spotlight
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