Vicars Letter - 25 May 2023

Kai ora All Saints Whānau

Pentecost is upon us! The space in the year where we as a church celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the first disciples! For me (Guy) Pentecost is a funny moment in the church calendar. Let me tell you why it is such a decisive moment in history where we see the fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus to be with us always. We see the power of the Spirit at work throughout history, speaking, moving, healing, comforting, and bringing peace. But each year that Pentecost rolls around, I think to myself, why have we waited till this day to highlight the power of the Spirit? What have we been doing the rest of the time? You can call me a closet Pentecostal haha. But seriously, what's going on? We speak of the wonder and power of the Spirit and the way the Spirit manifests in the lives of those throughout history and today, but Come Lord Jesus! Let us see your Spirit move amongst us, we pray! I think that as we lead up to Pentecost this year may we be so overwhelmed by the power of the Spirit both in the quiet and meek spaces and the powerfully supernatural spaces, and may we not only acknowledge and seek the Spirit at this time of year but all year each day and every day in the hopes of seeing as in heaven on earth!

This week is Thy Kingdom Come, a global call to pray for 5 friends and family to come to know Jesus in a real and powerful way. Who have you been praying for? I have my little bookmark, with 5 of my friends who live in a very close geographical circle around me, positioned on my laptop so that each time I open it up, there are my 5 to pray for. Where do you put yours? I would love to hear your stories. I also note that I see these people often, which is a fun little game to see them and then pray for them. We are praying come Lord Jesus move in their world. 

 This week we have also had our prayer stations set up in the Kākāriki room (Formally the meeting room) for people to pray for their friends, church, selves, community, etc. I would love to point you toward our 24 Prayer Vigil at All Saints this Saturday 27th – Sunday 28th. You can sign up by clicking here.
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We are running a prayer vigil to intercede on behalf of our friends, ourselves, our church, and our community, praying that God would come and move amongst us. It's exciting to gather in this way again after many years of being unable to. It is also a real testimony to the community here at All Saints that there is energy and passion to seek after the heart of God after years of feeling burned out, tired, and lacking motivation. Come, Lord Jesus!

Sign up and get praying. Invite your house church along, bring your partner, friends, and family. When 2 or more are gathered you are there Lord. 

 Following Pentecost, we are launching into our 8-week "Gospel in Life" series. We are digging into what is the Gospel/the good news. Come with the openness to see your hearts renewed by the power of the good news! We will break down this series into bite-size pieces with a chance to dig deeper and let that permeate your hearts. This will lead us to our Go Sunday at the end of July. Our challenge is who from your list of 5 friends you are praying for are you willing to invite to Go Sunday? – Just as a heads up, we have a really exciting opportunity on our next Go Sunday that will look like gathering all together as we engage with others in caring for Gods creation through tree planting (watch this space), so with regards to inviting others, this should be an easier onramp to being missional together.

Acts 2:37-38
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
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This scripture is a powerful statement from Peter to first-century Jews, which I think sticks today! The good news has a way of cutting through all the crud of the world, past all the trauma, the shame, the embarrassment, the toils, failed hopes, and dreams. It cuts so deep that it transforms. So seek the Lord as we come together to dive into our Gospel series, seek the Lord to move and speak to you, seek the Lord that the Good News would renew your lives and that as we share others lives and the lives of their loved ones would be transformed. 
 
 Come Lord Jesus! 
 
 Ngā Mihi Guy