Last Saturday night, we had our final FISH night for 2019. It was our pre-Christmas edition, with a Christmas Quiz, Backwards Charades, Human Christmas Tree and a candy cane hunt.
Last Sunday we started Hot Chocolate Club. This is a group for those in years 6 and up. We meet out in the Reese Room, during Awesome Time and have a chat about the bible, school, family, friends, stuff to cheer about and stuff that bugs us. Oh, and of course, there's hot chocolate. Or, cold chocolate milk when the weather's hot!
We had a game where we had to eat or drink the contents of a cup, to reveal a letter or number at the bottom. When we unscrambled all the letters/numbers, we worked out what the bible verse was.
We chatted about people who were difficult to get along with, times we've been picked on or bullied, and brainstormed ways to deal with problems like that.
Last Sunday we heard the story of Enemy Pie, by Derek Munson. It was going to be the perfect summer... until Jeremy, the bully from school moved into the neighbourhood. Luckily, Dad had the solution: Enemy Pie. We all wondered what would be in the enemy pie... worms, bugs, beetles? But the recipe was secret. The only catch to the Enemy Pie Plan, was that the boy had to spend the whole day with his enemy, before giving him the enemy pie.
After spending some time playing on the trampoline at the enemy's house, then back at his own, up in the treehouse and racing around in the back garden... the boy in the story had got to know Jeremy, the bully, and realised he wasn't actually that bad after all. He wasn't being a very good enemy!
The story reminded us of the story in the bible about the tax collector, Zacchaeus. He climbed a tree to see Jesus. He was a bit of a bully, not well liked by the crowd. Imagine their surprise when Jesus called out to Zacchaeus and invited himself over to his place for a meal.
We talked about not judging people too harshly, giving lots of second chances, and remembering that everyone is capable of change. Above all, that Jesus loves everyone, even the bullies among us.
In Awesome Time we made 'enemy pies' (chocolate crackle cakes with worm and snake lollies - yum!) with Rev Anne.
If you'd like to hear the story of Enemy Pie, you can watch it on the Storyline video here:
Join us this Saturday 9 November at the Chapel Street Centre for FISH!
Our Family Fun Night kicks off at 5pm with tea in the lounge. Bring your own picnic or takeaway tea for your family.
We then move through to the hall for an evening of fun challenges, games and competitions for all ages - this time with a little bit of a Christmas theme!
The evening ends at 7pm with ice-cream and chocolate fish. See you there!
This Sunday we are offering The Hot Chocolate Club, for youth in years 7 and up. Although, if you are in year 6 and you'd like to check it out you are most welcome. We will chat about the bible story, share our views, ask questions, discuss stuff that's important to you, play a game and of course, drink hot chocolate.
In Awesome Time, we will be making some enemy pies! I wonder what disgusting ingredients might be in an enemy pie? Come along and find out with Rev Anne and Monica!
The first Cafe Church in some years was held by Christchurch North Methodist Parish this morning at the Chapel Street Centre.
It was a fabulous inter-generational service of praise, where people of all ages mixed and created music, art and prayer together in thanks to our awesome God. We all sat at tables, cafe style, and had our cup of tea or coffee along with cake or cookies, during the service. The tables were covered with newsprint paper, on which we wrote, drew or painted things we were thankful to God for. It was wonderful to see everyone getting involved, mixing, and getting to know one another better, all the while giving thanks and praise to God.
Smith & Co. led our worship at the beginning, with a beautiful rendition of Yet Not I, But Through Christ in Me, and the Chapel Street Band led the congregation in singing One, Two, Three, Alleluia; Psalm 148- Praise the Lord from the Heavens, and How Much am I Worth?
Thanks to Rev Anne for planning such an inspirational and creative worship service, to Merilyn, Dorothy & Noel and co. who worked hard in the kitchen, and to Dave & Richard and all your helpers for moving furniture!
Our CHYPS team enjoyed a Selfie Scavenger Hunt tonight, where they had to create certain photos and videos - everything from 'Your team in water', to 'Something that will look awesome in slow motion', to 'Kidnap a member from another team and take a photo with them'. The results are compiled in the video above. Enjoy!
Oh, and as for the winning team...
Congratulations to Izak's team, who took it out with 3900 points! (Although we have to give Monica's team special mention for the cool slow motion video using the water balloon and scissors! Great production, team!)
Last week our Awesome Kids heard the story of the ten lepers. In our video below, our intrepid roving reporter, Roslind, interviews some of our Awesome Kids & Youth.
Brought to you by MaTCH (Media and Tech at Chapel Street).
Here are a few photos from our last FISH night - the LEGO EDITION.
It was so good to see all the amazing teamwork going on, and everyone working together on challenges - all ages getting involved. There were some pretty crazy creations by the end of the night - definitely worthy of Grand Designs!
Thanks to all of you who came out to our inaugural FISH: Lego Edition, tonight down at the Chapel Street Centre. What an awesome night!
The teams rose to every challenge, tackling each activity with grim determination, fabulous creativity and engineering skills, and wonderful teamwork.
From the 'Find the Lego' Memory Cup Challenge, to the Colour Tower Challenge, to the Lego Quiz to the penultimate Grand Design Challenge... you were stars.
Click below to watch a short video with some of the highlights. Photos will be coming soon!
Last Sunday our Awesome Kids gave thanks for the special people in our lives who have shown us how to live in God's way. Perhaps they are a family member, friend, teacher, Awesome Time teacher, Youth Group leader, minister, or a special friend at church.
They are the people who get to know us, who care about us, listen to us, show us understanding and love. They might be someone who prayer for us, or tells us stories from the Bible, or someone who brings us to church. It might be someone who talks about their faith with us, someone we can go to when we have a curly question that needs answering, or just someone who takes the time to be with us. But in all this, they are someone who teaches us about God's love by the way they love us and by the way they love others.
You'll have to watch the video by MaTCH to find out the answer to the riddle, how is faith like WIFI?
Bring your own dinner for you and your family. Ice-cream and chocolate fish provided afterwards. Enjoy all-age games and challenges, with the inaugural FISH - Lego Edition!
(No previous Lego experience necessary. All welcome - all ages!)
On Sunday our youth and young adults led our worship service, to which all animals were invited. We celebrated God's wonderful creation, all creatures great and small, weird and wonderful, bright and beautiful.
Rev Anne led the Blessing of the Animals. The youth led the music, readings, prayers and reflections. We had a drama based on the fable of the Lion and the Mouse. We were reminded that we are each unique and perfectly planned and created by God, and no matter how small we are, we can do great things... sharing the love of God with others.
Today was Storm Sunday and we celebrated that through all life's storms, big and little, God is right here with us - giving us love, care, shelter and strength.
We performed a skit, based on the book 'Underneath a Cow' by Carol Ann Martin.
The rain came down, lightning flashed, thunder roared (and thanks to percussionists Izak and Jack, we had all the awesome sound effects!) and the animals ran to find shelter. Maude, the brave and kind cow, offered a dry, safe place to shelter, underneath her. So, all the animals squished in to shelter from the storm.
At the end of the story Maude said, 'It's good to be in a safe place, but sometimes we have to bea safe place.' We thought that this was a bit like God asking us to show hospitality to others, and share kindness, caring and love to help others through the storms in their lives.
Our ukulele group, AbsolUKE (together with help from percussionists) led the congregation in singing Tūtira mai ngā iwi, which talks about standing together, in love.
I particularly like this translation, from the Ministry of Education website, which has the words let us enfold each other.
Stand together people, in unity
Stand together people, in unity
Seek out the clearest vision and our love so strong
O our people, let us enfold each other
That we may all be one
It makes me think of Madge the cow, with all the other animals in her warm, loving care, sheltering from the storm. It reminds me of the way God embraces us with loving arms, holding us up and helping us through our troubles.
Last Saturday night at FISH, we enjoyed some of our old favouries, such as GIANT PICTIONARY, If You Love Me Honey Smile, a puzzle race and an interesting version of Hockey.
A new game was GOBLIN, where one person was the tagger and chased everyone all around the complex. Spencer was our speedy goblin, and we had to be quick and clever to evade him. If he tagged someone, they had to freeze and could only be unfrozen by two people and a zippy sound effect.
The only way to defeat the goblin, was to locate the pieces of a torch, which were hidden all around the building, assemble the torch and shine it onto Spencer. It took a lot of teamwork, but eventually Peatalisa 'saved' everyone from the cackling Spencer with the torch. A lot of fun!
Today was Spring Flower Sunday. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers, and as we were also celebrating animals, some of our children had brought soft toy animals along to add to the display too.
Peatalisa, Angie, Sophia and Bella helped Rev Anne in leading our Call to Worship, with a dramatic reading about the plants and animals.
In Awesome Time. Richard and Jillian organised a BIG game in the hall, with a giant dice, and a playing board large enough to have people as the playing pieces. We talked about looking after our plants, animals and environment - by not wasting water, not littering and remembering to turn that bedroom light off in the morning!
This morning Smith & Co. led our worship once again, with Yet Not I, But Through Christ in Me. Enzro on guitar and vocals, Roslind on vocals, Monica on keys, Ruard on percussion and Dave on trumpet. Awesome! What a beautiful start to our worship service this morning.
Last Sunday was the first Sunday in our Season of Creation. Our Awesome Kids, and in fact the whole congregation, celebrated Ocean Sunday. We followed the fish into church, through the waves, and sang Julie Wylie's beautiful song, Listen to the Waves, Jesus is Lord.
In Awesome Time the young people made pearl and shell necklaces for someone special, and some goodie bags filled with delicious treats to give to a Dad, grandad, uncle, or caregiver, or another someone special on Father's Day:
Popcorn - because you are my 'Pop'
Pretzels - because you love me and teach me through all life's twists and turns
Raisins - because you are 'raisin' me to love God
Kisses - because you give me the best kisses
Carol told a great story in church...
Have you noticed that when you walk along the beach you find things that have been washed up, after rolling around deep in the ocean? Seashells are often washed up and the crashing of the waves sometimes leaves these seashells broken, chipped, or less than perfect.
Life can take all sorts of twists and turns, and ups and downs, and we might feel a bit like we are a seashell crashing about in a storm on the sea. The winds are violent around us, the waves crashing and bashing and it might feel like we may drown. But then, just like the waves of the sea are calmed, God steps in and calms our own storm.
When we put our trust in God, we can see that even in the murky waters of trouble, God is with us. Like the seashell that washes up on the shore, that has withstood the violet waves, so shall we. The treasure that we see in that lovely seashell is also how God sees you and me... a treasure that is beautiful and worthy to hold on to!
And, no two shells are exactly alike, just like no two people are exactly the same. Each shell has its own individual markings and identity. Just like us - we all have our own unique beauty..
So, when you see a seashell, let it be a reminder to you that you are special and unique and that God is faithful, even in the storms of life.
