What is God Like?

 Listen to Rev Anne read this beautiful book, 'What is God Like?' by Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner.

https://youtu.be/eq6pojNqzcE

Matariki Stars

 This morning we celebrated Matariki and the start of our service was led by some awesome young people from our parish. What amazing leaders and role models they all were, all spoke so beautifully and confidently in both English and Te Reo Māori.

It isn't easy to be a leader, or to be one of God's people. Even Jesus had a tough time. We heard a story about Jesus, and how when he tried to teach in his own hometown, no one would listen. He had to leave and go to other towns.

People don't always like us... and that is ok. Our job is to be ourselves... to be the person God created us to be. God wants us to use our gifts and talents and live as one of God's people, sharing God's love with others.

Check out this video of this morning's activities, which involved a very complicated Matariki star craft, courtesy of Carol... and don't they look incredible?!

https://youtu.be/7WMjEUZV_qc

Refugee Sunday | Room on our Rock

 We heard the awesome story, 'Room on our Rock' by authors Kate & Jol Temple, illustrated by Terri Rose Baynton. When read from in the usual manner from front to back, the story was about some very selfish seals, who would not share their rock with a newcomer. But, when the story was read in reverse, starting at the back page, it was an entirely different story! The seals welcomed and showed love and friendship to the newcomer. This perfectly illustrated the theme for Refugee Sunday. See below for a link to a reading on YouTube.

Our Awesome Kids also went on a journey in a hurry with Heather and Dave, and out in Awesome Time used a gym ball and paper people to show how we could help make the world a better place, where everyone is cared for.

Storms and bubble paint

Life isn't always "plain sailing". Sometimes the days roll by smooth and calm, without a care in the world, and other days are "stormy" with all sorts of troubles.

We heard a story about a storm... and were reminded that Jesus is with us through all the "storms" of life.

We had fun using the microwave to make bubble paintings... check them out on the video below.

https://youtu.be/Vdt97AMLlag

Matariki stars

 Check out the latest video from MaTCH (Media and Tech at Chapel Street)...

https://youtu.be/7PVUuKE1XeE

Our Awesome Kids made yarn star-themed art to celebrate Matariki... 

It's incredible when we look up at the stars and realise that our awesome God created the heavens... and also created each one of us! And God loves us, and cares for us deeply.

We were reminded that God sees beyond what people look like on the outside, and knows us deep inside. God knows the special skills we each have. We are all chosen by God and God has special plans for each of us. The really awesome part is that we never have to do anything alone... God is always right there with us, loving us always and no matter what.

Pentecost

 Last week we celebrated Pentecost. We talked about how it's a bit like the birthday of the church. It's when a few people shared their faith with others and the church began to grow.

Fire and wind, both symbols of the Holy Spirit, were used in our Awesome Time activities. We made some fire-biscuits... cookies decorated with red and orange flame icing! We used our breath to blow bubbles and make some coloured bubble art. 

You can watch some of the activities here: https://youtu.be/ZrDTPGbgN04

Disciples

 Check out this video: https://youtu.be/xt8gZxZODik

...this is from Awesome Time on 16 May where we learnt about the 12 disciples. Some of our youth were challenged to a bible quiz... with marshmallows and m&ms for correct answers!

Thanks, Mum

 This morning our Awesome Kids made lavender bath salts, cards and flower pen toppers... wow, us mums were very spoilt! 

The lavender scent is to help us relax... and the salt is because we are 'salt of the earth'! ;o)

Watch the work in progress here: https://youtu.be/iIU-mhL-KYo

Stick with Jesus

 Last Sunday, our Awesome Kids created some arty wall hangings from driftwood and wool. Check them out in this video (thanks to Izak!)

We turned dried, dead, bits of driftwood...

and colourful wool...

...into these awesome hangings!

Reminding us that Jesus is the Vine and we are the BRANCHES. 

STICK with JESUS!

ART EXTRAVAGANZA

 Before the holidays, we had a huge cleanout of our art and craft cupboards. All our crafty resources were available to our Awesome Kids, and they unleashed their creativity and imagination at our Art Extravaganza Sunday! 

It might have looked chaotic and messy... but being able to potter, to explore different ideas, and express ourselves through art was very therapeutic. A little bit of art therapy does wonders. 

Here's a little video Izak put together showing the creatives in action.

https://youtu.be/pKbzOUlInOo

The stressful part was for our Awesome Leaders.... cleaning up afterwards! But here's a photo to prove we were able to put everything back in order afterwards!

Art Therapy

On Sunday we talked about how sometimes our stomachs feel like they are tied up in knots. It might be because we are anxious, worried, scared or sad... but we heard a story about Jesus's friends, the disciples, and how when they were feeling all tied up in knots, Jesus came and breathed on them, and said, Peace be with you.

Knowing Jesus's love and peace is with us, helps unravel those knotty feelings and gives us a sense of calm and peace. Jesus wants us to share that love and peace with others through our kindness and caring.

In the Awesome Kids' room, we took a deep breath and delved into the art and craft cupboards... spreading all the amazing supplies out on the tables. It was a very happy, peaceful time for everyone, fossicking through all the resources and creating whatever we felt like. It was wonderful to see the young people expressing themselves through their art.

Some took bags of crafty resources home to make things during the holidays. Beth has got a head start, and her Mum shared this beautiful photo with us, of Beth's amazing artwork. Great job, Beth!

We look forward to seeing what everyone else makes!

 

The Empty Tomb

 

On Easter Sunday, our Awesome Kids made empty tombs, to celebrate the fact that Jesus is Risen!

Palm Sunday Procession

 Check out the Palm Sunday video, made by Izak | a MaTCh Production.

As well as being Palm Sunday, we also celebrated Harvest Festival. People brought gifts of produce and other food from their gardens and pantries, to be donated to other families.

In Awesome Time, we made edible 'gardens' with Sue. Those candy mushrooms were delicious!

CHYPS | Youth Group

 CHYPS Youth Group is for all those youth in school years 7 through to 13. We meet at the Chapel Street Centre from 6.30pm to 8pm this Saturday night, for a mix of games and activities, followed by a short 'God-Time' devotion and supper. All welcome!

Other upcoming dates:

MAY 15

JUN 12

JUL 3

AUG 7

SEP 4

OCT 30

NOV 20

Follow the CHYPS blog HERE

THE GREAT FISH QUIZ NIGHT

Join us this Saturday 27 March 

5pm to 7pm

at the Chapel Street Centre

for 

the GREAT FISH QUIZ NIGHT

All ages

All welcome

 

UPCOMING FISH DATES for 2021:

APRIL - none

MAY - 22

JUNE - 19

JULY - none

AUGUST - 21

SEPTEMBER - 18

OCTOBER - 23

NOVEMBER - 27

CAMP SERVICE | this Sunday 21 March | 10am | CHAPEL STREET CENTRE

 

CHYPS | Youth Group | this Saturday night!

 

Stop Motion Videos

This morning our Awesome Kids created creatures from modelling clay to celebrate all the weird and wonderful things God has made in our world.

Livvie led us in prayer, asking God to help us remember to be thankful when we see a raindrop on a blade of grass, a ladybug crawling along a leaf, all the stars in the sky, or a beautiful sunset or sunrise.

We also talked about the Ten Commandments... guidelines God has given us to help us live in God's loving ways. Sometimes rules can feel boring and tiresome, but when we gave our 'robot' (Izak) the right commands to follow, he was able to make his way to the prize (a chocolate). Following instructions or rules can actually bring us joy and help us to live in love and happiness :o)

Izak and Callum made a stop-motion video to illustrate how we should live by God's laws, showing kindness and care for one another.

Watch Izak & Callum's video here:

Here's a short video by Angie, Sophia and Livvie, celebrating ocean life:

Here are the boys hard at work:

After church, Monica led our ukulele group, AbsolUKE for another jam:

God Loves You!

 Carol & Jill together with the help of some of our Awesome Kids, made this wee video to let you know, "God loves you!"

AbsolUKE strummed off to a good start

 Last Sunday, our ukulele group, AbsolUKE started for 2021, with Monica as the patient and enthusiastic tutor. 

The "ukuleleists" picked things up super fast, learning three chords in the first lesson! They also learnt the right way to hold a ukulele, how to strum, and some simple percussion. Lots of fun! If you'd like to give ukulele a go, you're more than welcome to join... everyone from beginners to experienced can be part of AbsolUKE.

Blessing of the Backpacks

 Last Sunday, we had our Blessing of the Backpacks. All our young people were invited to bring along their backpack and receive a special blessing as they begin the school year. All our Awesome Leaders and our CHYPS Youth Leader were there to show their support.

Angie and Corban were presented with bibles, as is our tradition for those youth who are beginning secondary school.

Angie (jnr), Angie (snr) & Corban

Some of our CHYPS youth tried out a new game... 'Stuff Happens'. They had to rank various incidents on the 'Misery Index', which led to lots of debate! Just where on the 'Lane of Pain' would your phone falling into the toilet be? Or how about getting a tooth knocked out, or falling down stairs, or your swimming togs falling off in public?

Although we had to agree to disagree on where things were ranked on the scale, the one thing we can all agree on is that no matter what 'stuff' happens, God loves us and is with us always, giving us strength and helping us to get through it.

Free Ukulele Lessons!

 

Join Monica after church on Sundays for a FREE ukulele lesson. All ages, from beginners to experienced.

Blessing of the Backpacks this Sunday!

 

Join us at the Chapel Street Centre this Sunday at 10am for our Blessing of the Backpacks and the return of Awesome Time!

Bring your school bag or backpack along.

See you Sunday!

Parish Camp!

 

Save the date!

Parish Family Camp

12-14 February 2021

UPcoming EVENTS @ ChCh North

 

SUNDAY 20 DEC | 5PM

Christmas Carols @ St Paul's

THURSDAY 24 DEC | 5.30PM

Christmas Eve Service @ Chapel Street

FRIDAY 25 DEC | 9AM

Christmas Day Service @ Chapel Street

SUNDAY 31 JAN | 10AM

Blessing of the Backpacks @ Chapel Street

FRI 12 to SUN 14 FEB

Parish Family Camp @ Waipara

SATURDAY 27 FEB | 6.30PM

CHYPS Youth Group @ Chapel Street

Nativity Service 2020

On Sunday 13 December, worship at the Chapel Street Centre was led entirely by the young people. The children and youth from Christchurch North Methodist Parish and community shared the story of the nativity.

There were dazzling angels, sleepy shepherds, wise star-watchers and even a cranky donkey - (a puppet operated expertly by nine year old ventriloquist, Lily). Mary and Joseph were doting ‘parents’ to a very bonny ‘baby Jesus’ and as the photos show, Joseph was a very ‘hands-on’ Dad.

The theme was ‘Counting on Christmas’, and there was a lot of counting throughout the story. Mary counted the time until the birth of her baby. The miles to Bethlehem were counted, as were the donkey’s footsteps and the twinkling stars. The angelic narrators reminded everyone that in the countdown to Christmas we know through Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection, we know we can count on God. So we celebrated the miracle and mystery of the gift of God’s own Son, who brings us light, love, joy, hope and peace. 

The service ended with an upbeat Christmas song, led by the Chapel Street Band, bubbles and balloons.

The Christmas 2020 Movie, created by the children and youth was premiered. You can watch it at the following link: https://youtu.be/CwZpFW3bTHc

Christmas Movie

https://youtu.be/CwZpFW3bTHc