chnewsletter18

From the Pastor:
A warm welcome to all who are worshiping with us this morning. Today is Churches Education Commission Sunday, a day when we focus on the work of teaching the Bible in our local schools. There are currently over 4,500 volunteer teachers and 150 chaplains in our school system throughout New Zealand. Here in North Otago Fleur Martin co-ordinates a large team reaching into our local schools. Please remember this important work in your prayers. We will also be continuing to pray for one Baptist church in our area throughout the month of September. Tonight we will meet at 7 p.m. to pray for the life and work of this fellowship at Shirley Nind�s place. You are most welcome to join us for this most important time.

There is a copy of the Transformation 2 video available to be borrowed. This is an important and inspiring video as it shares how communities are being transformed by the power of God in vastly different areas of the world. It gives us fresh hope that God is able to transform our society here in North Otago. See Janet Calder if you or your group would like to see it. We also have a copy of Transformation 1 which is very similar and just as inspirational. See Sharyn Walker if you would like to see this.

Janet Calder, Alec Clarke, Janice Thorpe and myself will be attending the Purpose Driven Church Conference in Dunedin on Monday September 24-26. Please remember us in your prayers.

Don�t miss this - Combined churches prayer and praise gathering. Elim Church, Friday September 28, 7.30 p.m. Join us in praying for Oamaru and North Otago.

On Saturday September 29 we will be having our Annual Missionary Fundraising Sale in the church. This is crucial for funding our commitment to overseas missions. If you have goods you don�t know what to do with - why not donate them to the sale so we can turn them into cash. We will also need cakes and biscuits to see on the day. Many hands make light work - if you are able to help on the day please let one of the committee know - Audrey Couper, Nan Sargent, Joyce Cayford, Graeme Wilson, Lorna Beattie, Stan & Lorna Ridley, Graeme and Mary-Anne Clarke, Alister Calder, Bruce or Gill Dalloway.

Gaynor, myself and the boys will be in Christchurch for a family reunion from Friday 28th - Sunday 30th September. Janet Calder will be preaching on Sunday 30th. There will also be a Combined churches hymn and chorus sing-a-long at 2 p.m. at the Union Church. There will be a love offering taken up for Alan and Jan Smith.

We will be holding our church camp the weekend of October 5-7 at Camp Iona. This will be a great opportunity to relax together, have some fun and get to know one another a little better. Registrations need to be to Steve Cousins TODAY. If for some reason you haven�t handed your registration in and plan to come, give Steve a ring and let him know. If you plan to come during the day but not stay the night you also need to fill out a registration form as we will be billed for each person who comes.

During the school holidays there will be no Sunday School. Sunday School will recommence on Sunday October 14.

Please regularly check the rosters for cleaning and welcoming folk on the door. Some have missed their turn and others had to fill in for them.

Please remember the following people in your prayers who aren�t able to get to services at the moment:
� Phil Sargent
� Ethel Baker
� Noel Cleverley
� Stan Ridley
� John Bundie

Coming Soon - A Network Course to help you find out what your spiritual gifts are, and how you can best use them. See Janet Calder if interested.

We are currently looking for someone who is able to put together some MDF shelving and cubby holes for the creche. The church will supply the materials. If you can help with this project call Steve Cousins 437 2769.

COMING EVENTS
REMEMBER: COMMUNION SUNDAY IS OUR COMMUNITY SUNDAY.
YOUTH NOTICES
Thursday night youth group: We meet 7 p.m. sharp at the church and finish at 8.30 pm. The night consists of games, Bible study and food. We do not meet during the holidays. Next Thursday will be our last for this term - remember it�s a POT LUCK SUPPER! See Sean for more info.

Tuesday night cell group: Meeting at Sean and Katie�s place, 7.30 p.m. finishing at 9 p.m. every second Tuesday apart from holidays when we meet weekly for more details se Sean or call on 4342182.

ATTENTION: all gardeners in the church. As a youth group we are doing some serious fund raising for Easter Camp so we have to sell bagged horse manure at $1.50 per bag which I believe to be very cheap. This is �A� grade horse droppings so be in quick. See Sean for your orders - phone 4342182.

                    SERVING THE LORD
Week of         23.9.01             30.9.01
Cleaning         Sharpe Family    Bradley Family
Hostess          D Moir              D Moir
Door              J & J Thorpe     D Moir & D                                                         Carrington
                        Small Groups

Senior Study/Fellowship Group:
Tuesdays fortnightly, 10 a.m. at   All welcome. Further details - Janice Thorpe Phone: 4347514.
Gary Shirley�s:   Tuesdays, 26 Stuart Street.
Contact Gary/Trish 4349903 for the time.
Women�s Morning Fellowship: Tuesdays,
10 a.m. Venue - Debbie Moir, 8 Nen Street.
Janet�s: Tuesday�s 7.30 p.m. 6 Fleet Street.

Anyone wanting to join a group please contact the leaders or Janet Calder at 4349435.
                      ****************
CRAFT GROUP: meet on 19th September at 9.30 a.m. in the church hall, thereafter fortnightly. Everyone welcome. Bring your craft and share a morning of fellowship.

                   *********************
MUSIC PRACTICE: Please contact Worship leader.

Louis Cabral, an Evangelist from Auckland, will be holding meetings at the Elim Church, September 21-23. See notice board for details. You may have a friend you would like to take.