If you are on our database you would have received an email this week about 24/7 prayer. We are so desperate to see the Lord do amazing things in our church, in our neighbourhoods, and in this city, that can only be accomplished by prayer. We want to be people who are more devoted to the Lord and to prayer than we have ever been. From 7th March to 6th April we are setting aside 30 days to pray 24/7. We have set aside a room in the Life Centre in Mount Vic that will be a constant sacred place of prayer for 30 days. We’re so expectant for what the Lord will do in us as we gather as a whole church to pray. So, register your slots now - let’s see if we can fill every slot and begin this year in the way we want to continue.

If you’re still undecided, watch this video from our lead pastors to see if they can persuade you! Watch here

Register here.

I recently had the opportunity to go to France. I love the people and the food, the architecture and the artwork. But there were also niggles too. People can tell you’re not a local just by looking at you. Your phone doesn’t work so well making it hard to find information. And my primitive French is distressing. While I’ve been using an app to learn for the first time since school, apparently ‘le cheval mange une pizza’ is not actually that helpful.

By contrast, there was something truly wonderful about being back in sunny Wellington and feeling deep down in my soul that I was home.

The challenge is that as followers of Jesus, we belong to a different kingdom. This world will never truly be home. The values of our culture mean that we carry a sense that we don’t really fit in.

The risk is that this discomfort can lead us to assume that something is wrong. We can strive to achieve and belong and measure up just like everyone else. We’ll do anything to feel at home even though it never fully satisfies.

In his paraphrase of Romans 12, Eugene Peterson writes, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.”

It’s so true isn’t it? We don’t need to try to fit in, we just do it without thinking.

But I wonder if there’s a way to repurpose the discomfort. To ask God to remind us in those moments that it’s actually ok? What if they became opportunities to look forward to the day when we’ll see Jesus? You see then and only then will your soul fully feel like it’s at home because it’s the place you were made to be. I pray that the wonder of that day may help us deal with the realities of this day.

Much love,
Simon

P.S. If you’re still wondering, it means ‘the horse is eating a pizza’!

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This post is part of the Senior Pastor’s weekly blog. Go to the blog feed >>

Simon has started the Senior Pastor blog back up for the year. His first one for 2023 went live on Friday - you can read it here https://www.thestreet.org.nz/news?tag=SPblog

It’s a great weekly read so why not bookmark the page in your browser and make a date to read it each week over a coffee?

Tom Field (Night Lead Pastor) and Jamie Rodwell (Worship Pastor) have a worship collective called Souvenirs. They have recently released an incredible new album called “A Billion Voices” and it is such a blessing. If you haven’t already checked it out we really encourage you to do so. This is what Souvenirs said on release day; “We pray that these songs would be a blessing to you as you listen and watch. We pray that The Lord would mend broken hearts, call prodigals back to Him, soften hearts and cause worship to rise from His people. Most importantly we pray that Jesus would be glorified and honoured through these songs.”

You can listen to it on all major streaming platforms and you can also find some of the videos on YouTube.

Phil Coates at Gateway Baptist is trying to put together a list of local people who may be willing to help churches in the area with small maintenance jobs for a small fee. It wouldn’t be regular but as things come up a church may reach out to see if you can help. If you’d be keen to serve the local churches in this way please get in touch and we can connect you with Phil Coates.

Jenny and I had the privilege of a longer break this summer. It was a much needed break after last year and I hope and pray that you were able to get time to rest, reflect and replenish.

Since coming back, people keep asking me whether I feel rested and ready to crack into the year. It’s an obvious question but the answer I give is probably not. I feel really rested and I’m looking forward to the year but I don’t feel like charging out of the gate. I don’t feel like I’ve got all the energy in the world or have all the solutions to the challenges we face.

I wonder if you can relate. I’m hearing this sort of thing more and more and I wonder if it’s a bit of a Covid hangover. The last three years have taken their toll and perhaps the things that usually replenish and refresh us just aren’t cutting it anymore.

But with all this in mind, here’s why I’m not worried about the year ahead.

We can replenish here.
We have the privilege of living in one of the most beautiful and condensed cities in the world. It means that whether your thing is walking in the hills, being by the sea, eating good food, spending time with friends, those things are never too far away. The other day, I squeezed in a 10 minute swim in the ocean after work and I suddenly felt a million miles from challenges. I realise I can replenish here.

We know what to do.
Chances are you know the things that refresh you - the things that fill your tank. But when we’re in a particularly challenging season we need to double-down on some of those things. It’s always good to have a think about whether you’re making time for those things in the first place. I know worship fills my tank but I need to make time for sitting at the piano and singing. I also realise that friendship is something I’ve neglected and need to pay attention to. I wonder what you need to pay attention to or may have let slip?

We always need Him
The final reason I’m not worried is the most important. If I was hitting the year at full speed and feeling great, there’s a risk that I’d be struggling by Easter due to self-reliance. The truth is that what we need to accomplish is impossible in our own strength. It means I’m starting day one with an acute awareness that I am in desperate need for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. It means I’m prioritising time for prayer and encountering the Lord more than ever before. Whether long or short, how can you be prioritising time with the Lord as part of your rhythm to ensure we all continue to rely on Him?

Much love,
Simon

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This post is part of the Senior Pastor’s weekly blog. Go to the blog feed >>

In the Waitangi Day video last week, Anna mentioned some resources that would be available on our website. You can find these along with the recording of our Waitangi Day panel from 2022 by following this link.

If you weren’t aware, there is actually another church that uses the Miramar Uniting building after us which means we have to be gone by 12.30. This is why we have morning tea before the service at 9.45 each week rather than after the service. We know getting out of the house can be a struggle on a Sunday morning but if you can make it for 9.45, it’s such a great opportunity to have a quick chat with others before the service gets started. It also gives you time to get your kids checked into Kids Zone if you’ve got kids.

On the topic of morning tea, it’s always such a treat if someone has been able to provide some homemade baking! If you would be keen to contribute in this way please get in touch and we can give you access to the sign-up sheet.

Christmas and the summer are often a time when we take stock of our lives and consider what changes we would like to make. Maybe part of that thinking for you has been how you might get involved in serving at church! Our services require lots of amazing people to make them happen each week and I know there will be a way for you to play your part if you’re not already.

All of our teams need people, so have a look and see if something matches your gifts and abilities:

Kids Zone - If you enjoy being with little ones, or you are good at explaining things simply and love having fun this is a great space for you. (Police vetting is required for this role)

Worship - If you love to worship, and enabling the church to glorify Jesus through songs is something that excites you, we’d love you on this team.

Sound and Media - If technology doesn’t scare you and you’d rather be behind the scenes than on the stage, this is perfect for you.

Connections - This team works hard on some more practical tasks each week to create a welcoming environment for us to gather together

Set-up - If you are physically able and can move equipment around this is the team for you

Rostering - Maybe you’ve got some time in the week, are good at connecting with people and enjoy admin this could be for you

Service leading - A great service leader is confident speaking to a room, and is sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is doing

If you’d like to find out more about any of these we’d love to hear from you. Our email address is at the top of the newsletter.

We have been so saddened to see all that has gone on in Auckland with the flooding over the last couple of weeks. We are connected with a church in Auckland that also runs a CAP Debt Centre. They are supporting some of their CAP families through the flooding with groceries and food vouchers. This week, we as The Street gave them a gift of $1000 to support this and we’ll keep in touch with them in case more needs arise.

As a church we have set aside funds in our budget to enable us to be generous in moments like these. We are grateful to all of you who give financially and sacrificially so that we are able to do this.

If you want to know more about giving financially to The Street, you can do so through the church app or at www.thestreet.org.nz/give

Last week at our “Night” location, Themba Clarke was baptised. Baptism is a public declaration of a decision to follow Jesus, so it's super exciting when someone gets baptised.  If you are interested in getting baptised or want to know more about baptism please get in touch (east@thestreet.org.nz)

Simon and Jenny have written an update letter to the church about local services and new locations. This update also contains some important information about the future leadership of East. Jenny has recorded a short message to introduce it and then please make sure you check your emails on Monday. Click here for the message from Jenny.

If you have any questions please reach out to your Life Group leaders and we’ll speak more about it in the new year. Bless you!

New sermon series in Acts called “Empowered” has started.

Acts records some of the most exciting days in human history. Jesus has risen from the dead, the Holy Spirit descends into the lives of ordinary people and a brand new community is born: The Church! Against all the odds, the church grows and thrives and as it does so, every verse of Luke’s retelling seems to carry an important lesson for us. Could it be that as we journey together through these pages, exciting and powerful days might characterise the church again?

There are 2 small paid roles that Miramar Christian School have asked us to circulate. If you are interested in either please email principal@christian.school.co.nz or call Kaye Gillies on 022 080 9613

Miramar Christian School Tagged Teachers Aide Part-time Position - Closing date Monday 30th January

We are seeking a Christian teachers aide who takes initiative is flexible and has great oral

language skills to join our team. Previous ELL work is an advantage but not necessary.

Training available.

The position involves working with English Language Learners (ELL) and a small portion of

time assisting with a speech language development programme. It is 12.5 hours fixed term,

with hours of work in the mornings, Monday to Thursday.

Minute Taker- Miramar Christian School (Closing date 10 February)

 Miramar Christian School is seeking to hire someone who as a consultant will take minutes at our School Board Meetings by doing the following.

·        Attend the Board of Trustee meetings in person for the first meeting then either in person or via zoom, as agreed with the Board.

·        Take notes on the meeting.

·        Clarify anything that is unclear.

·        Write up the minutes using the given format within seven working days of the meeting.

·        Forward the minutes to the Board Chair and principal for checking.

·        Make edits as advised.

·        Forward corrected minutes to Board Chair and principal.

The Consultant will be paid a fee for the services listed at a fixed price/hourly rate of $25.94 (GST exclusive).

You may have seen this newsletter around in the community over the last year or so if you live on the Peninsula.They have reached out asking for content. This is what they say:

If you’ve got some cool stuff in the works, please send in content ASAP! The newsletter will also need a cover art. Some ideas of what to send in as content below, should you need it

• Opinions

• Events

• Group/people profiles or interviews/Q&As

• Art

• Photos

• Creativity

• Music

• Recipes

• Holiday stories, moments

• Creative writing

• History

• Hobbies

• More! (see past issues on our website for more ideas).

• Cover art

Note: We are also taking advertisements. Discuss with me for pricing.

Please email ha@mmcc.org.nz if you have something to submit.

A local opportunity as a part-time school caretaker has arisen in Miramar. Twenty hours per week will be shared between Holy Cross School and Miramar (Central?) School. Please contact one of the schools through the website contact page for more details on requirements, experience and skills, if you are interested.

Leading up to Christmas people from our church community will be sharing some thoughts on the themes of advent: Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.

Follow the rest of the devotionals here.

Leading up to Christmas people from our church community will be sharing some thoughts on the themes of advent: Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.

Follow the rest of the devotionals here.

Leading up to Christmas people from our church community will be sharing some thoughts on the themes of advent: Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.

Follow the rest of the devotionals here.

Leading up to Christmas people from our church community will be sharing some thoughts on the themes of advent: Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.

Follow the rest of the devotionals here.