Vicars Letter - 21 April 2023

Kia ora All Saints,

This week as I sat and listened to the twins cry - it struck me that they cry out to Emily or I to help them, to intervene and to give them some peace. It is pasionate and it is unrelenting. Is this a picture for God's people?

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
- Psalm 130:1

I found it interesting because often in prayer I want to pray once aand then figure that God heard me - so he will intervene if its his will. That is not the picture the Psalmist above gives. There is a pleading an unrelenting nature, much like those cries in the middles of the night. The passion here for God to intervene into their situation is immense, if you read on further in the Psalm you can see that it involves the whole of the person. Do we get this passionate about seeing God transform our situation? How many of us are pleading with Jesus to change our community, passionately asking God to intervene?

As we lean into prayer this week and then head into giving month in May - my prayer is that we all (including me) are again choosing to give our whole life to Jesus and God's Kingdom. A reliance on God and a passion to see this world transformed by the gospel will lead us again to plead and passionately intercede on behalf of our people, our friends and our community. Let us cry out to God!

This week we are back for Central Gatherings, a great part of our rhythm where we can get in the room together and celebrate and worship together. Coming up next week we have another great part of our rhythm, Go Sunday, where we look to impact the lives of those around us. This is a great chance to go serve but also to invite your friends to come along. Often church services or small groups can be places where it is "too Christian" to first introduce people to God, but when you are out weeding, serving others food, cleaning a kindy or knitting for the SPCA, there is a greater chance to just build relationship and show that your faith is real and practical. So invite that colleague along who showed an interest in what you do outside of work or that uni friend who just mentioned what church was like. It is these opportunities where they can come and see that we are not weird or crazy, but rather full of faith!

Also coming up in two weekends time is Regional Training Day with the Diocese. You can find out more information here. The lineup is looking great and the workshops well worth attending! Grab a car load and head on out to Tawa on the 6th May.

Bless you all!
Andy Spence