He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
    and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does upright and just is he.

Ko te Kamaka, tika tonu tana mahi; he whakarite tikanga nei hoki ona huarahi katoa: he Atua pono, kahore ona he, he tika, he tapatahi ia..

Deuteronomy 32:4

This week’s sermon can be listened to here.

A Message from Chris

Kia ora dear St Peter’s of the Rock people,

I do hope this finds you going well this week. I want to note two things in the email today.

Firstly, as you will have noted if you’ve been hearing our sermons in the last couple of weeks, Malachi is full of challenging and direct challenges! This Sunday is no exception, as we come to a passage which deals with marriage and divorce (2:10-16). As I prepare I am aware how sensitive these issues can be, and how complex! Your prayers are welcome for me in preparation, and for all of us as we hear the Lord speak to us in these areas. 

With regards divorce, there is a lot more to be said than we will have time to go into on Sunday, notably around the key passages in the New Testament. So for those interested, I wrote a paper a few years ago for the Latimer Fellowship which summarised and synthesised the key New Testament passages on divorce and remarriage. This was written in the context of difficulties that were happening in the Anglican Church at that time. This paper will give you a picture of how I see Jesus and the Apostle Paul speaking to questions about divorce. You can get the paper here,[go to online notices, SPOTR website, for link] and pages 2-7 are particularly relevant as informing our thinking about our passage on Sunday. Even then, though, there is more to say than is covered here. I do want to note this: there is no pressure to read this, and you don’t have to read it in order to engage with Sunday’s sermon. But it is there if you think it will be helpful. 

Secondly, you will be aware of how many hot button issues there are in our society today. The recent decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn the landmark Roe vs Wade decision on abortion has brought this polarisation to the fore again. If you have ever wondered how a Christian can respond both faithfully and compassionately in the face of issues like this, I would commend Rebecca McLaughlin’s fantastic little book  The Secular Creed. Rebecca is an incredibly articulate and intelligent woman with clear biblical understanding and courage, as well as deep empathy for those who she differs with (some of which comes from her own personal struggles in some of the areas that are debated so often today). Above all, she addresses things with the gospel of Jesus Christ front and center. It just so happens that an e-book version of this work is being given away by the Gospel Coalition website at the moment. You can access it here (you do have to give your email address, and may get a few other emails from them sometimes, but can always unsubscribe if you’d rather). If you prefer to read a paper copy, I do have the book myself and would be happy to lend it (though someone is reading it right now!). 

That is plenty from me this week, I hope to see you on Thursday night at the prayer meeting!

Yours in Christ who loves us so,

Chris

Tono Karakia/Prayer Requests

Please pray for:

• Those in our community who may be struggling with Covid.
• Let’s pray for unity and strength at SPOTR as we go through this difficult time together
• Some of the senior members of the church family who are struggling to get to the services.

For those who regularly attend SPOTR, more personal prayer requests are included in the weekly email. If you would like to be added to the email list, please contact Chris.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Other Bits and Piece

SPOTR runs a number of growth groups. To join one please contact Chris. Details of groups below:

– Tuesday and Wednesday night mixed groups

– Wednesday daytime seniors’ group

– Wednesday night women’s group

Preschool Children and Parents Room – We now have a video feed of the sermon playing in the parents’ room. If you want to take your young child out during the service, this is the place to go. Please note, this is an unsupervised room: parents/caregivers need to stay with their children.

There are also toys available in the main church room if you would prefer to stay in the service. Please do not worry if your children are acting like children: we are glad to have them (and you) with us on Sundays.

Church Directory – If you want your details adding to our directory, please email support@stpetersoftherock.church with your email/phone. This page is password protected. Only those who are in the directory have the password.



Giving – You may have noticed we do not take a collection during our services. If you would like to contribute financially to SPOTR please contact Trent (our treasurer) for details, use the box at the back of church or use this link (scroll to bottom of page when you are transferred). please note: for anyone who gives to the church by standing order, our bank account number is 03 0674 0274 673 000 Thank you.

SPOTR IRD Number: 134-501-266  The Treasurer has asked for this to be included here as it may be needed for dealing with tax donation claims. 

                                                     

Word search answers notices 19/06/22