Vicars Letter - 28 April 2023

Kia ora All Saints whānau
 
Welcome to the third week of Easter! Isnt this fun? Im ploughing through my chocolate over here. I am also aware of important it is for us not to lose sight of the Cross and Resurrection. Especially as we make our way out and about this week as part of our Go Sunday rhythm. That’s right this week is our first official Go Sunday of the year. A time in our rhythm of being family where we take a break from doing in the room together and looking each other in the eye at House Church together and we push out of our comfort zone into our community with the mandate to “GO” and make disciples.

The beauty of doing Go Sunday in the midst of Easter is that like I said at the beginning let us not take our eyes of the pain and miracles of Easter as we go out, why? Let us be aware of the pain that still exists amidst us, the struggle, the wrestle and the toil of our communities, both for those with a lot as they try to control things themselves and or live with the anxieties of providing more and more or living up to standards, and for those who have nothing, the struggles and toils of making ends meet and living day to day. May we also be reminded of the hope of the resurrection, that against all the powers and principalities Jesus rose again as the ultimate example of peace, love and sacrifice. There is that scripture that gets rolled out each year around this time in reference to those who went to war John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. I struggle to see another piece of scripture that has been distorted and twisted from its original meaning than this one. This is a prime example of society using scripture for its own gain. This was one that points us toward loving a god who ultimately loves us! That love that captivates us because the love we see in return. As Jesus went towards the cross to take on the weight and might of the word for us! (not that we might recruit for an imperial machine)

So whether you are, cleaning the kindy, turning sausages in Miramar, helping at food for thought, weeding and planting in Mt Vic or knitting together for Gods creation, may you keep your eyes completely fixed on the power of the Easter story as you Go. Invite your friends who don’t know Jesus to help serve alongside you.

I have noticed within our young families group the ease at which we are able to invite normally resistant families to come alongside us. “Hey we have shut down services at all saints this weekend as we go into our community, we are cleaning up at the kindy would you like to come with us.” The response as been powerful!
Who are you thinking of? A workmate? A family member? A neighbour? Someone you walk past everyday on the street?

May you be filled with the courage and zeal of the Lord as you go out this weekend with your groups! May you see and hear things you didn’t think were possible!

As we continue to reup on why we do what we do, God is with us as we gather at large, as we gather in our smaller groups, and as we gather with our community! Church is cancelled or stopped! Its gone out – where it belongs!

I am so proud of each and every one of you all! I am praying for you as you gather this week. Praying for God to move in a real and powerful way.

Ngā mihi
Guy