The Lamb of God Chronicle January 2018

Transcription

1 The Lamb of God Chronicle January 2018 The Lamb of God Community PO Box Christchurch 8640 Phone [04] Mobile Website: INDEX TO CONTENTS Reflections Page 1-2 Our People/News/Articles Page 2-6 Challenges Page 7 Kairos NZ News Page 8 Web Sites Page 8 Members/Info/Records Page 9 Birthdays/Anniversaries Page 9-10 National Prayer Watch Page REFLECTIONS: The Return of the King from Middle-Earth As we near the end of the year in some Christian traditions there is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Wikipedia quotes Philip Pfatteicher: since the time of Bernard of Clairvaux, Christians have spoken of the three comings of Christ: in the flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily and in glory at the end of time. Regarding preparing for the return of the King, we are mindful that this will be to enter into judgment and create a new heaven and new earth. For us, it can be a time of taking stock of how ready are we to face the Lord. A time to review if we are on track to reach heaven and if there are things that we want to get right with the Lord on earth. I guess a time of annual review. Interestingly for us Southern Hemisphere folks it is also very much the end of the year. A time to reflect on all that has occurred, and there is value in using the advent time or the quieter time post-christmas to consider what 2017 was to each of us. I encourage you to take time to reflect on all that the year held for you: thanking the Lord for the blessings you particularly recognise, asking forgiveness for things troubling your heart, contemplating the ways He spoke to you and coming to peace with what the year contained. In my family, as I was growing up, the year started with the extended family and friends gathering at my parents house and at the sound of midnight entering into Auld Lang Syne, and then wishing each other a Happy New Year and some talk of New Year s Resolutions. On January 1st we always attended a church service as part of giving the New Year to the Lord. Part of my ancestry is Scottish, so these traditions have been passed through into the culture of my family. They speak of a way of remembering what has gone and welcoming in the new.

2 2 As with a new day and a new week, the new year presents opportunities for us to revisit how we want to live. It is a new start, a time to take on new challenges or opportunities. It is really worth coming before the Lord and asking what do you want of me or for me this year? A time to welcome the Lord into the year in your life and to be open to hearing Him speak to you about the year ahead. In January 2017 I was praying for the year ahead. One area of the prayer was about our house situation and asking the Lord to assist us in purchasing another home. I sensed the Lord saying we would buy a house and it would happen very quickly. In May, we agreed to purchase a house and the discussion with the owners (who are lovely folk) prior to the agreement happened over a very short period. The sensing from earlier in the year helped me remain very peaceful through this time. The house is a real blessing to us, and we thank the Lord daily for His grace to us. As I write this, Christmas is almost here. The time of Jesus Christ entering into the world in the flesh. In Philippians Paul writes, Christ Jesus who, though He was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. (NRSV) The true blessing of Christmas is Jesus Christ. That He would enter into time and place, with the constrictions of humanity, so we could be saved. John 3:16-17: For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (NRSV) Truly we live in an amazing period of human history that many people longed to see - the coming of a Saviour. Jesus Christ by His coming changed the world forever. When I see the way over the times since Jesus, how individuals and peoples have responded to His call and how that has changed the world, I am amazed. Jesus is alive and at work today. I encourage you this Christmas time to continue to respond to Him, and I thank you for the way each of you has and is contributing to the building of His kingdom in New Zealand. Some years ago I wrote a Christmas Carol; the chorus is We welcome You, O King of Kings, We welcome You, into Your world. We welcome You, O Word of Life, we welcome You, into our lives. I pray that the Lord will bless each of you at this time, that He will enter your hearts, minds, and lives in a special way and bring His grace. May you have a very blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Mark C OUR PEOPLE Congratulations! o To Ron and Helen Elliott [Christchurch], who are celebrating their 50 th wedding anniversary on 13 January Congratulations! With sadness, yet confidence in the Lord, we remember: o Dorothy and George Fernandez [Auckland] as Dorothy s mother has died.

3 NEWS AND ARTICLES 3 AUCKLAND BRANCH NEWS - COME LET US ADORE HIM What better way for the Auckland Branch to end the year than by adoring our Lord and King with the theme Come Let Us Adore Him. At our last gathering on the 10th of December 2017, we vociferously raised our hearts to our Lord for His hand over us right through the year. Harry, who led us in Praise and Worship, reminded us of the Lord s faithfulness in every event organised by the Branch right through 2017: the gatherings, youth camps, and outreaches, men s and women s breakfasts, men s conference, women s day of reflection, and the planning meetings of the Elders and Women s Leaders. A flashback of each of these events opened our eyes to the multitude of blessings magnifying the Lord s presence. We also thanked the Lord for His hand upon other areas of our lives: during the school/college/university exams, through our families, jobs, the different phases of life the Lord was taking us through, for all the good times and not so good times indeed 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord. It was with élan that we presented acts not only to entertain our members but our honoured guests. Our emcee for the evening, Erika Menezes, set the tone with her tongue-in-cheek humour introducing each group and egging everyone to aspire to give off their best. Our YCP/UCO [Young Christian Professionals/University Christian Outreach] youth started the programme belting out O What a Glorious Night followed by Adore. They set the bar high, and you bet the acts that followed stepped up to the challenge. The Women of Faith dressed in Christmas colours of red and green swayed to Let Your Joy Be My Joy and Rise Up and Praise Him. We witnessed many a glazed eye as our Kairos Encounter Jesus Youth with angelic voices sang We Have a Saviour and Born is the King. The halo after the men s retreat was still very much evident with our Men of Fire making our feet tap to Christmas Everyday and the medley It s Christmas. this year. The Lamb of God Auckland branch was privileged to perform at the Breakthrough concert organised by the Charismatic Renewal of the Auckland Diocese earlier It was amazing to see every age group represented in their re-staged

4 performance of God Will Make a Way and Step by Step. The 60+ fittingly concluded the evening by singing In Lamb of God we grow in love and We are blessed by God above. The golden oldies went around giving little treats to the audience serenading them with I think You re Wonderful. We closed the evening with the exchange of the community blessing May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ praying that we continue to prepare our hearts for Jesus second coming. 4 There were hugs and wishes all around as we shared sumptuous Christmas goodies rushing in between to get some fun family, friends and cell group pictures taken at the beautifully decorated photo booth. Heaven would surely have been smiling down seeing us truly showcase the spirit of Christmas. Yvonne D Souza CENTRAL REGIONAL GATHERING Saturday 2 December saw the arrival of what seemed multitudes of family members to Hawkes Bay from the Wellington Branch. It was the Central Regional Gathering and what a blessing for us in the Bay to have our numbers increased. We started with a Lord s Day Meal during which Clarese Caballes shared on the youth event in Fiji and the wonderful joy of seeing God work through them to affect the lives of those who attended. It was not only a great encouragement to the youth present but for each one of us - to be always attentive to what opportunities God presents every day and to make ourselves available to say and do what God calls us to. It was a big day for the Wellington members, who had a long trip followed by a visit to Splash Planet in the hot sun, so the day finished early. Sunday started with church service in Havelock North followed by tea and coffee with the parish folks. Then back to the (basic) camp where the brothers and sisters were staying. Once there we enjoyed an awesome time of worship led by Paul James whose points were most apt and challenging. This was followed by a great talk from Andre on the type of Legacy we will leave. The aim being for us to do God s will during our lives so that we can enter His joy. He ended with the following questions for us to discuss in our groups:

5 o What two things would you like to be remembered for? o Have you seen results in those you hoped you would your baton to? o Do you have a plan/ life goals for how to achieve this? o How should the Lamb of God pass on the baton? 5 The time together as a Christian family was also a blessing. God used it well on top of the planned activities in the general conversations that ensued. Over the two days, God used this sharing to encourage us and to show His plans and directions for the new year. The message was to be always attentive to all that is going on (being shared, discussed or observed) especially when in communication with our Christian family. Terry Greig EPIC SCAVENGER HUNT WELLINGTON YOUTH The Epic Scavenger Hunt on 25 November was the first event of our new YCP/UCO outreach initiative. Our intention was to invite our friends to have fun together and introduce our group; and what an encouraging first event it was! Almost 40 young people attended, and we divided into six groups which ran around Wellington City [in the beautiful sunshine!] completing activities such as serenading strangers, dancing in the middle of Cuba Street and finding various items in Te Papa National Museum. We are all encouraged and excited about what the next year will bring! Please keep us in your prayers! Clarese Caballes

6 6 BOOK FOR SALE THE NEW DAY THAT DAWNED In celebration of the 50 th year of the Charismatic Renewal, The New Zealand Catholic Charismatic Renewal published a Historical Book entitled The New Day That Dawned. The Lamb of God community if part of that history. For price and details the cost is NZ$20 plus 6.50 postage and handling for local shipping. Go to to order or here: margaretpaton@xtra.co.nz

7 CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY Resource for Reflection or House Group Discussion by Tom Caballes Holy Discontent January Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit [Matthew 28:19 ESV] It is right and proper to be grateful for what God has done for us. Everything that we have comes from God - our lives entirely depend on Him. But it should not stop there; our lives should also be characterized by holy discontent. We should not be too comfortable and slack as we wait for our salvation; God has a task at hand. Bob Pierce, the World Vision Founder, said: "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." What matters to God? His heart s desire is for all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. [1 Timothy 2:3-4] One reason why God brought us to His Kingdom is so that we can bring as many as we can there. So, as we joyfully walk through this life knowing we have eternal life with God on hand, our hearts should be passionate to share Jesus with others. It is like we have a sweet but aching feeling or burden in our hearts. Do you experience that intense pain and longing to share the gospel, or are you too cozy? So How Do We Live Our Lives With Holy Discontent? 1. Strive to grow in holiness. We should not be satisfied with our old life of sin; we should change to become holier day by day, knowing it is a lifetime task. By growing in holiness, we also become effective vessels of the gospel, and our message becomes more authentic and believable rather than just a hypocritical lip service. 2. Grow to have the desire to share Jesus with others. 1 Peter 2:9 says that the reason why we became a chosen race is so that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. In a way, this is our purpose for the remainder of our earthly lives: to share the gospel with others. 3. Make the most out of all your opportunities to share the gospel with others. Be purposeful in your relationships - aim to share Jesus with them. Have a plan or strategy for your neighbours, friends, families, and acquaintances so that they can know Christ personally. Intercede for them daily, that they will be open to the gospel when you share it with them. Know that all the people around you have only two possible eternal destinies. Strive to make the best influence on them in love and gentleness so that they choose to be in heaven. There is urgency because life is short! We will never know when is our or their due time! 4 But in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. [1 Peter 3:15 ESV] You should be ready to answer anyone at any time why do you believe in God and why are you a Christian. How can you best explain, for example, God s existence and the validity of the Christian faith compared to others? 5. Know how to share the basic gospel message and your personal testimony. You need to learn how to present the gospel in a way that people can understand, and you need to practice how to deliver your testimony. Research on how to best share both the gospel message and your testimony. Practice makes perfect. 6. Grow in boldness and courage to share the gospel with others. This step is easier said than done but begin by just being friendly and learning how to start conversations with others. Try to start a chat about anything first. Once you are more confident in talking with people, try to steer the dialogue about faith and God. 7. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 was Jesus last command to all of His disciples. It is a matter of infinite importance to Him. Whatever you do, whether you heed God s call to share the good news or not, you can be a great influence as to where the people around you will spend eternity. Doing nothing makes a difference in a negative way. Know that God wants to use you as His instrument of salvation to all the people around you! Scripture References: 1. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [Romans 10:14 ESV] 2. Other References: Matthew 9:37-38; John 3:16; Romans 1:16; and Isaiah 6:8. For Personal Reflection or Group Sharing: * Can you dare make this prayer daily? "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." * How can you grow in your holy discontent? How can you be more equipped to share the gospel?

8 SUMMIT 8 KAIROS NEW ZEALAND YOUTH NEWS Kairos New Zealand and Singles Schedule of Events / to 11 January 2018 Summer Oasis 2018 [for high schoolers and up] WEBSITES WORTH NOTING KAIROS South Pacific Web Site check it out at You can network and chat with other young people by going to this website: We designated every Friday night at 10 pm as a time to meet other young people. Go and visit the International Kairos Media website: We updated our Lamb of God website We also have two new domain names which point to the same website: and Try them! The Sword of the Spirit website is This website is where we can know more what is happening in our communities around the globe. The Lamb of God is a community of the Sword of the Spirit. Sign up [free] for Youth Culture Newsletter The most recent edition of the Youth Culture Newsletter is now available online. Please visit the website below: This link is a recommended Sword of the Spirit publication for youth and parents. Living Bulwark Sword of the Spirit Highly Recommended! This Sword of the Spirit online publication has received more than 43,000 visits (an average of 135 visits each day) in its first year. All back issues for the past 12 months are available at To view the current issue of the online magazine, go to SENDING NEWS FOR CHRONICLE PUBLICATION Branches are encouraged to news, photos, happenings and snippets to Tom Caballes at office.lambofgodnz@gmail.com. We close on the 20 th of the previous month.

9 9 IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR RECORDS Membership Records and Data: Branch leaders are responsible for keeping updated records and then ing all new attendee additions, deletions, address, phone changes, births, deaths, transfers, etc. to: Tom Caballes BIRTHDAY INFORMATION [Day and month, but the year is optional.] Branch leaders are asked to keep updated records and all new attendee additions to: Tom Caballes GETTING CHRONICLE & OTHER NEWS BY [1] If you are receiving The Chronicle as an electronic edition, we just need to hear if and when you change your address. Notify [2] If you are receiving this by hard copy but you have an address, please send your address to [3] The Chronicle has a national and international mailing schedule. If you want to add an address we can send the Chronicle, please notify office.lambofgodnz@gmail.com. Wedding Anniversaries - Happy Anniversary! NAMES DATE BRANCH Michael & Rita O'Callaghan 02/01 Auckland Ashlyn & Felecia Fernandes 03/01 Auckland Brian & Ruby Lowe 05/01 Auckland Howell & Sheen Tungol 08/01 Central Ian & Pārbati Hamilton 09/01 Christchurch Peter & Maria dos Anjos D'Souza 10/01 Auckland Desmond & Charmaine Vessaokar 10/01 Auckland Harry & Maureen Lowe 11/01 Auckland Ron & Helen Elliott 13/01 Christchurch Brian & Aakaanksha Nazareth 13/01 Auckland Alwin & Mira D'Souza 14/01 Auckland Andre & Karen Geelen 22/01 Central John & Wendy Lamont 22/01 Blenheim Peter & Stephanie O'Connell 24/01 Nelson Lionel & Carol D'Souza 31/01 Auckland Elias & Priscilla Martis 31/01 Auckland

10 10 Birthdays for This Month - Happy Birthday! NAMES BIRTHDAY BRANCH Dan Gueco 02/01 Central Michael O'Callaghan 02/01 Auckland Allen Carneiro 03/01 Auckland Pam D'Souza 03/01 Auckland Barbara Summerfield 03/01 Ch/Ashburton Isabel Morais 06/01 Auckland Carol D'Souza 07/01 Auckland Vitus Fernandes 09/01 Auckland Natalie Tan 10/01 Auckland Andre'a Forster 12/01 Christchurch Meryl Saldanha 13/01 Auckland Rita O'Callaghan 14/01 Auckland Paul Oliver 14/01 Central Johanna Coxon 16/01 Christchurch Allan Carvalho 17/01 Auckland Sheila D'Souza 17/01 Auckland Anthony Philips 18/01 Auckland Jessie De Zoysa 19/01 Auckland Jaison Mariposa 19/01 Central Angie Briguera 21/01 Central Glynis Fernandes 22/01 Auckland Jenny McElhinney 25/01 Blenheim Irma Shennon 26/01 Christchurch Delia D'Mello 28/01 Auckland Sharmila Carvalho 28/01 Auckland Thomas Hong 30/01 Auckland Andre Carvalho 31/01 Auckland Annette Sargisson 31/01 Ch/Ashburton Ella Jalandoni 31/01 Central PRAYERWATCH JANUARY YEARS OF DEDICATION SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE Fight the good fight. Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The Lord will carry out his purpose. Jeremiah 51: 12 NIV As another year has flown by and as we look back at our lives, we need to realize the importance of Jesus in our lives and how he is guiding and protecting us from evil. Looking at what is happening in the world, we see Satan is alive and deceiving many people to turn their backs on God s way of life or doing things that are unacceptable.

11 11 As we approach the celebration of the birth of our Saviour and Redeemer in a world that has sidetracked us from the true meaning of the season. The one who we join ourselves to as we live this call on our lives as a community of disciples on mission. This time of the year can be a busy time as we prepare to celebrate and also prepare for the summer holidays so it is timely to reflect on how Satan will see this period as a time to attack us. This year at our Gatherings over the past few months we have seen a steady stream of Prophetic word encouraging us to do spiritual warfare and to fight the good fight using the weapons God has given us and to go forth in his strength and armour. January is a time when our young people gather in Christchurch for teaching, formation, worship, and recreation. We need to pray that our young people will be blessed as they gather for Summer Oasis and the Men s and Woman s Households. That all leaders and teachers will be well prepared and all serving in any way will have an enjoyable and blessed time. As this is a time of the year we spend time with family and friends, are away from home and traveling more and perhaps are more relaxed our prayer life and time on the Watch can be interrupted. It is important to keep up our commitment to God and our brothers and sisters in the Lamb of God Community as Satan will not be on holiday but looking for an opportunity to attack. 1 Peter 5: 8-9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. Some things to remember especially if we are away from home is to let those before and after us on the Watch know we will not be making contact or we can organize to pass the Watch by text message. Our hour on the Watch may be interrupted by what is happening around us, so I urge you to keep up the commitment at a more suitable time or at least use the Gap Dedication prayer on the sheet. It is important to keep up the Covering prayer especially to protect our homes and to ensure our travel is safe and without problems. We need to be careful we are not giving the enemy an opening to affect our own life or our life in the Lamb Of God, as we are counting on each other to keep up the spiritual wall that protects our way of life. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Saviour, let us ponder the revelation of God s intervention in our lives with his saving grace and the power of the Holy Spirit as we live our lives radically for Jesus, our Commander, and leader of this mighty Army. Soldiers of Christ, Arise, and put your armour on, strong in the strength which God supplies, through His eternal Son. If you have any comments or questions concerning the Prayerwatch, then please send them to me or give them to one of your branch leaders to send to me. God bless and watch over you all. Alan McKenzie - National Coordinator, Prayerwatch

12 LAMB OF GOD PRAYERWATCH - PRAYER INTENTIONS 12 SPIRITUAL WARFARE Against strongholds of Apathy, Witchcraft, Confusion and other named spirits. INTERCESSORY PRAYER COMMUNITIES Protect and bless the life and mission of The Sword of the Spirit, Patmos & Cornerstone Lamb of God [Fiji], Families for Christ [Melbourne], Vanuatu Group, Light of Christ [Nelson], The Covenanted Community For Christ, [Penang & Taiping], FAMILY Auckland: Ashlyn & Felecia Fernandes, Neville & Karyn Coutinho, Martin & Hazel Patrao, Valerie Menzies, Anora D'Costa, Teresa Soares, Central: Jun & Angie Briguera, Henri & Cutie Zalamea, Robert & Ethel Caballes, Tom & Mhel Caballes, Peter & Stephanie O Connell, Blenheim: Mark & Mary Jackson, Mike & Cheryl Garrett, Christchurch: Roger & Veronica Foley, Robert & Karin Van Doorn, Darren & Julie Humphries, Tai & De Stirling, Niul Kay, Lyn Keane, Pauline Marsden, John & Monica Haughey, Annette Sargisson, Chris & Maureen Lyons, Ian & Pārbati Hamilton, Trevor Wall, Joan Corbett, Steven & Maria Sequeira, Southern: John & Janet MacManus, Mike & Judy Prendeville, OTHER NEEDS Auckland: Clifton & Anora D'Costa, Southern: Florence & Susan Quigley, HEALING CANCER Auckland: Central: Ron Blackwell, Rosemarie Buladaco, Blenheim: Carol Cullimore, David Aberhart, Christchurch: Mary Anngow, Robin Corbett, Trevor Wall, Bev Cummins, Southern: Christine May, HEALING HEART Auckland: Collin Sequeira, Maryanne Hall, Central: Paul Oliver, Blenheim: Chris Fredericks, Philip Middlemiss, Christchurch: Dorelle Ham, Undine Cavanagh, Niul Kay, Andre a Forster, HEALING Auckland: Winona D'Costa, Mira D'Souza, Peter D'Souza, Maria dos Anjos D'Souza, Thomas Hong, Vimath Sequeira, Alwin D Souza, Joan Lobo, Alfred Saldanha, Shalini Saldanha, Allan D Souza, Simone D'Mello, Karyn Coutinho, Cheryl Lobo, Harry Lowe, Anthony Philippupillai, Christopher Dalgado, Olivia Fernandes, Central: Stephanie O Connell, Jacob Muollo, Henri Zalamea, Aly Fernandes, Jojo and Ellamae Jalandoni, Cutie Zalamea, Blenheim: Peter Greig, Josiah Grieg, Grace Weston, Mike Garrett, Anita Fredericks, Judith Rodgers, Barbara Ryan, Jamie Rodgers, Micah Rodgers, Chris Fredericks, Christchurch: Lisa Borkus, Karin Van Doorn, Chris Aston Grieve, Veronica Foley, Siobhan Forster, Bernie Black, John Murray, Chris Lyons, Monica Haughey,

13 13 Bronwyn Harborne, Pauline Marsden, Ian Hamilton, David Black, Fr John Rea, Joan Corbett, Southern: Fr Merv McGettigan, Daniel MacManus, Steven & Judy Homes & Family, Rhoda Woodfield, Alan McKenzie, Judy Prendeville, Richard May, Others: Julianne Masilomani, John Keating, BEREAVEMENT Auckland: Anthony Philippupillai, Dorothy & George Fernandez, Central: Robert & Ethel Caballes, Blenheim: Kerry & Christine O Neil, Christchurch: Lisa & Tony Borkus, Darren & Julie Humphries, Fiji: Timoci & Salaseini Tuivita, COVERING PRAYER National Council, Kairos Ministries, Branch Life, Lamb of God Centre, Branch Visits, Clustering in Auckland, Ministry of Fr John Rea, Employment of Members, Light of Christ Special Ministry, Wellington branch [sickness among extended family], and the Ashburton Group in Christchurch. I have made you a Watchman Ezekiel 33: 7