Kia ora All Saints

I have found myself thinking back to our time together at Pentecost last Sunday and being reminded of the energy in the room, the worship, prayer, and gathering together to praise God. I'm reminded of the 48 hours of prayer Friday - Sunday last week, those moments of being part of a chain of people praying continuously, and the tangible experience of the Kingdom breaking through in that place. 

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday in our church calendar. A Sunday where usually pastors throw away any sense of bible readings and try and theologically explain the vast cosmic wonder of the trinity in one Sunday! Lots of three-leaf clovers and water, ice, and steam analogy! None of these really help or are accurate. This Sunday, we will stick to our gospel reading, which is John 16:12-15, note that its only four verses!, I encourage you to read these ahead of time and see what you feel like the spirit is saying to you about the father, the son, and their relationship to the spirit. 

If you are in a House Church, I encourage you to get along and unpack this week's discussion and draw on our conversation from last week about being filled with the spirit. Remembering, we talked about when we are filled with the spirit, we are brought into the presence of the Future, the Lord, and the Nations. 

If you are at 9 am I will see you there. 

A reminder that next Friday, 20th June, is our Matariki Working Bee from 2-5pm, with dinner to follow. We are looking forward to seeing you all there. Check out the info in this newsletter and sign up. 

We are also excited next Sunday at both our Central Gatherings to have our good friends Rev James and Julia Coleman from Stokes Valley come and preach to us on some of the practical ways they have seen their prayer life develop; they will bring scripture and practical to us. James and Julia are leading a new church plant in Stokes Valley after being sent from St Mary's Silverstream. James, Julia, and I all served at St Mary's Karori together many years ago. They also have vast experience in preaching, teaching, and writing about prayer and the work of the spirit. It's exciting to have them come join us as we continue to cry out to the spirit of God to breathe life into our community. 

Lastly from me, our young adults have organized a Scottish dance, Ceilidh, as a way of fundraising money for the AED at All Saints; click here for tickets and information; this is a great opportunity to invite your none church friends to a fun event for a great cause. 

Love in Christ

Kia ora All Saints

Today starts our launch into Pentecost for 2025; we have our 48 hours of continuous prayer starting at 10 am (Friday, 6th June) and running through until Sunday at 10 am, when we will all gather for a combined Pentecost gathering.

I often wonder if Pentecost has become for us a little bit like Glad Wrap. Glad Wrap is a brand name, not a product; it's actually cling Wrap, but We know it as Glad Wrap; in America, it's called Saran Wrap, the same thing known by a brand. When we think of Pentecost, maybe we think of an outthere branch of the Church known as Pentecostal.

But let us not forget truly what happened at Pentecost. The Lord was truly faithful to his people. He sent his messenger in the form of the spirit to unite his people. People from all tribes, places, and languages come together. A promise kept to redeem the world. The Kingdom is coming on earth as in heaven.

I am excited for us to gather to pray, calling on the name of the Lord, desiring to see the kingdom breakthrough, and interceding for our friends and family.

One of the beautiful pictures of the Pentecost moment is when Peter stands up and recounts the biblical story. He doesn't stand up and try arguing his point as the world sees it; he simply reminds people of the good news, through Jesus Christ on the cross, by the power of the spirit to bring us back into a relationship with God.

POWER!!

We don't need to make this up. It's all there for us to know, understand, and believe. We are never too mature for the Gospel! Ever! Never! It is always strengthening and maturing us till the day we drop!

Praying with and alongside each of us as we gather. If you aren't in a prayer vigil slot yet, there are still a couple to get into; if you have a friend, house church, or prayer group who has a booking, ring them and ask to join in! It's a time not to be missed.

Sign up here

See you all at 10 am Sunday morning for a joyous celebration of Pentecost - not the Glad wrap version.


Love in Christ