The Lamb of God Chronicle August 2013

Transcription

1 The Lamb of God Chronicle August 2013 The Lamb of God Community PO Box Phone [03] Fax [03] Mobile Website: INDEX TO CONTENTS Reflections Page 1-2 Our People Page 2 News and Articles Page 2-9 House Group Resource Page 10 Kairos NZ News Page 11 Web Sites Page Members/Info/Records Page 12 Birthdays/Anniversaries Page National Prayer Watch Page REFLECTIONS Seven Years Later Comes A Phone Call About seven years ago a young married couple moved to from a Sword of the Spirit Community in Mindanao in the Philippines and connected with the Lamb of God. The branch, as its normal response, reached out to them and did everything possible to get them settled, helping with accommodation and furniture and more, and we did all possible to help them get work. However getting the right jobs which would lead to getting NZ Residency just didn t happen and so Jovial and Wyeth Intervencion reluctantly moved 470 kilometres south to Invercargill. Initially we all stayed in contact but as the years rolled by the communication diminished. However a good friend, also a Filipino, told me several years ago that a Filipino never forgets a kindness and that got me thinking about Jovial and Wyeth and wondering how they were going. And then three weeks ago I received a call from Jovial asking if the Lamb of God could help them Yes - the call was to share that they had just taken a group of local Filipinos, mainly men and women working on local dairy farms, through a home based Life in the Spirit Seminar. The seminar went very well and all had now been prayed over, were ready for more - so what next, could we help? And very interestingly the group was established as an ecumenical group already. Of course our response was YES and I visited last week. I noted

2 2 immediately the changes in Jovial and Wyeth, they are certainly fired up for God and the group they have assembled is very good, a good mix of men and women, married and singles, and all seeking more. The worship was Spirit filled and the group already has a strong sense of relationship and community. Indeed God has his timing and his ways. And my friend was correct. Roger Foley: Senior Coordinator OUR PEOPLE With sadness, yet confidence in the Lord, we remember: Dave Taylor [Hawke s Bay], a full covenanted member of the Lamb of God. We also pray for Rae, his wife. See the tribute below. Marisa & Cosmos Misquita [] as Marisa's mother has passed away. [Note to all Branch leaders: Please send your local news/snippets to Roger Foley or Tom Caballes so that we can acknowledge important occasions in the lives of our brothers and sisters and make sure we do not miss any of them.] NEWS AND ARTICLES A TRIBUTE FOR DAVE TAYLOR I am deeply honoured and humbled to pay tribute to my Christian brother. A husband twice over, a father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, fellow parishioner, and a treasured friend. How can anyone, in a short time, talk about his life? I will just be giving my perspective. Fortunately for the family he wrote an autobiography which outlines his life s story. His name will not go down in the history books, but I will paint a small picture, part of a much bigger canvas. Dave was born on 4th December 1933 and grew up in Karori, Wellington and was the third child. Dave left high school in 1950 after finishing School Certificate and went to work for a local electrician. He had a school friend who worked for the Electricity Department. It was at one of their dances that he met Mary. He was 18. Mary was a staunch Catholic and as a result Dave started to explore the Christian faith. After a period of three years, which included a 3 month Compulsory military training at Wigram in, he returned to Wellington and they got engaged. Mary s Dad had died when she was a teenager so they had to pay for the wedding themselves. He records that it cost them 10 shillings per head with 60 invited guests. He was earning 37 shillings (about $37) a week. They were given the boss s car, an Austin A40, for the honeymoon. As was custom in those days Mary stopped work as soon as they were married. Monica was born three years later and due to a sudden change in the electrical firm he worked with, he applied for a job as Maintenance electrician at Rothman s here in

3 3 Napier and moved up in It was a full on job, seven days a week and 4 nights overtime until 8pm, rewiring the entire factory. It was the infighting he couldn t stand and also wanted to learn more in depth about it all and so after 18 months he left. Jacqueline was born in 1962 and they lost two girls right at childbirth. He got a job with the Ministry of Works and his boss recommended he do a NZ Certificate in Engineering a five year course which he completed in He was doing the wiring part of draughting and gradually became responsible for running entire contracts in Napier, Gisborne and even on one occasion had to work on the airport terminal in Tonga. Dave was a foundation member of this parish and did a lot of the electrical work when the old church was purchased and needed doing up. In the mid 70 s he joined a prayer group and had a life changing experience. Sometime later Mary was also touched by the Holy Spirit in a powerful way. Dave (and Mary) came into our lives in 1982, soon after we moved to Hawkes Bay and were part of the Lamb of God Community. Dave became Uncle Dave to the children and they would attend birthday parties as a special invited guest, even though he was old enough to be their grandfather. When Karen lost her Dad a few years later, Dave became like a father to her. Dave was Mr Bounce. He radiated joy and contentment. He loved songs that were about celebration, hand clapping ones. He played his keyboard in the same way honky tonk entertainment. Coupled with this energy output was the Mr Fix-it man. How many of us have not benefitted from this. He electrified our big brass chandelier. But not just electrical stuff like wiring and appliances, also soldering broken things, helping paint, wallpaper. And yes, both Mary and Rae struggled with his being out all over the place. There was not much he could not fix except computers. They were the bane of his life. Dave was generous with his time and talents. He was also a very caring person and when Mary developed the polycystic kidney his generous boss gave him time off to sort out the dialysis issue and trips to Wellington, but in the end he took early retirement having worked for them for 32 years and ended up doing all the housework and meals and even the dialysis. He never complained. Mary died 15 years ago and Dave was distraught. He had already joined the Kidney Society but then added other things like Out & About club, Wairere Bowling Club, Kiwi seniors (aerobics), Cardiac Companions, and even the Waipawa Bus Club. He joined the Taradale RSA Concert Party and thoroughly enjoyed it and travelled away with them. It was through this that he met Rae and just 10 years ago they were married right here the first couple to be married in the new Church. They have been so good for each other and I especially want to thank Rae s children for the way they accepted Dave into the family and we us having been away in Australia until last night have done a lot of the organising. He and Rae would know every eating place in Napier. They loved dancing and just being together. I remember one time about two years after they were married and Dave told me he had had an argument with Rae and decided to make it up. He went to Countdown to buy her flowers and when he got to the counter there was a lady standing with flowers. It was Rae buying them for him!

4 4 He was a Christian. You could count on one hand the number of Sundays he missed Mass. He played the organ in church and the keyboard at our community gatherings. He read his Bible and prayed. He attended the Community Men s breakfast ( am every Thursday) for the 25 years it was running. He was on the community prayer watch praying his hour as part of the 24 hours a day 7 days a week since He would have done his Monday 9-10am slot, but died two hours earlier. He helped out with retreats, seminars etc. He was a friend. He never said a bad word about anybody. I cannot imagine he had any enemies. He continued his friendship with a work colleague and went to see him at the end of last year just prior to his death from cancer. A friend said that he wanted to leave some money in his will for Dave as he had been such a good friend. That s a sign of true friendship. And so a few months ago he bought his first new car. He loved it such a pity he could not have enjoyed it longer. My painting would not be complete if I did not share the thing that motivated Dave, the spoken and unspoken prayers and hope of his heart for me, his family, fellow parishioners, and the world at large. The secret to a happy and blessed life is how I ve tried to live it. This is the way, walk that path. Dave, my dear brother, may you enjoy all the peace of heaven. We love you. Andre Geelen WELCOME PHILIP QUENSE- OUR FULL TIME YOUTH WORKER We have some great news for the Lamb of God youth and young adults. As well as Annie Taccolini from Ann Arbor [introduced in the Chronicle last month] coming to join us and serve, we can now announce we have a full time Kairos Youth Worker! Philip Quense, from the People of Hope Community, New Jersey, will be arriving early November and will be based mainly in, but will also at times work in our Kairos works in Wellington and. Philip s work will be supervised by Tom Caballes and he will work closely with the New Zealand Service Team. Philip is a young professional and senses a call to give one or two years of service or mission work. He is interested in and inspired by college outreach and youth work, particularly in the Sword of the Spirit Communities. Philip has already done considerable community service as you will see from the following extracts from our communications: Ignite Youth Group Leader People of Hope: Assistant program leader: I have been volunteering the last three years as a small group leader, core team member and assistant program leader. We have a team of 5 of us that organize the youth group. We have about high school students that we work with. Saint Pauls Outreach NJ Member: I have been involved with the young professionals outreach. It is ministry of the People of Hope. I get to live my faith with a community of peers and get built up by talks, prayer and social events. It has been a great connection to my faith the last 3 years since I graduated college Rutgers University Catholic student association - Student missionary: We have a great young Catholic outreach at Rutgers University. I was able to volunteer, participate,

5 5 speak and learn a lot from retreats, outreach events, faith events. I was a student missionary the four years on campus. We hosted events at our men s house and dorms. The Brotherhood of Hope was responsible for my Men s group and personal formation. People of Hope, NJ College Men s House - Student missionary and House Leader: I lived in a formation outreach Men s house for two years. I co-led the house my second year. This was a great time to grow in friendship and prayer and community with the other 10 men in the house. House life included prayer, dinners, college outreach, and social events. The Brotherhood of Hope was responsible for my Men s group and personal formation. Mission trips [Mexico, Africa and the States]: I lived in Monterrey Mexico with the Servants of the Word for 4 months when I graduated college. We worked with college, high school and grade school youth groups. I was also in Tanzania Africa for 2 weeks with the Catholic student association during my time at Rutgers. We fundraised for the trip. The meditations during the weeks were based on Mother Theresa. We worked with the poor and with students. And in Kentucky I went on CAP (Christian Appalachian Project) for a week with the Catholic student association during my time at Rutgers. We built homes and lived in community with 100 other college students from all over the east coast. Philip- we look forward to welcoming you. Roger and Veronica and the team CHRISTCHURCH UPDATES Of Soups, Buns, Ice-Cream, and Learning Dance Steps A couple of weeks ago we celebrated a Mid-Winter Gathering with a difference. It started with a new squared seating configuration, then a time of worship without a full music team, no sound system set up or song projection. It was back to the basics. Then we quickly set up for fellowship and food as three families had prepared large containers of delicious home-made soups with fresh bread rolls and served to all in large cups! This was followed with fruit for all and ice-cream for the children. Following about an hour of fellowship the music team took the stage and took us through a training run in preparation for our coming 24 August Fun Barn Dance. It was indeed a great time of celebration of our way of life in the midst of the disruptions and stresses of living in the earthquake damaged eastern suburbs. AUCKLAND NEWS - Let s Get Biblical From the days of Father Abraham, through the epic Parting of the Red Sea, and the first miracle, The Wedding Feast at Cana, the Branch had their Hearts on Fire as they spent the evening of June 29 in warm Community fellowship. Creative costumes, Wacky games, Bible quizzes - there was something for everyone to take part in. Visitors and members had a great fun time thanks to the efforts put in by our awesome Service Team. And, the winners of the inaugural Let s Get Biblical Nite were..you guessed right.our Encounter Jesus and Edge Group.

6 6 Earlier, with great sadness, we said our farewell our dear Uncle Malcolm Coutinho who passed away on 22 June. Uncle Malcolm used to regularly attend meetings at Kelston and was so much a part of Community. His quiet and gentle manner and his kind word to all while he interacted with us at our meetings, will always be remembered. Our sincere sympathies to Aunty Philomena, his children Neville Coutinho and Charmaine Vessaokar and his grandchildren Daniel, Nathan, Joshua and Kimberly. LEADERSHIP PROFILE - MEET ALAN & MARGARET MCKENZIE [This month, we have a couple who are both in the National Council and the Women s Leadership Council Alan and Margaret McKenzie.] Jonathan, Andrew, Alan, Rachel, and Margaret [Alan] I was the eldest of six children, four boys and two girls raised in a Presbyterian Family in the South Canterbury farming district of Cannington. My generation were the fourth in the district and the third to attend the Cannington School. Dad and Mum were very involved members of the Presbyterian Church as long as they were able and being in many leadership roles with Dad being an Elder and Session Clerk for many years. Also they were involved in Full Gospel Businessmen s Association and Women s Aglow. Secondary school was as a boarder at Timaru Boys High School where I left after two years in 1961 to work for Dad on the farm and many of our neighbours especially in shearing sheds, mustering and stock work, fencing plus hay making particularly carting and stacking. Then I started playing Hockey and continued for many years, moving on to coaching and umpiring. After leaving school I played Badminton and won a number of C grade championships. Then I joined the local Young Farmers Club but enjoyed the local Bible Class more including a week spent trimming branches from Pine trees to raise funds to extend the Lindisfarne Camp buildings. I still remember one debate where the question was; can you be a Christian and not belong to or attend a church? Well I certainly know the answer now but probably got it wrong back then. In 1967 I was drawn in the ballot to do national service so spent 14 weeks at Burnham Military Camp which was a nice break from farming and an eye opener as to how others lived. In 1970 we took possession of a neighbouring farm which was initially farmed in partnership with Dad. About this time I meet Margaret and in time this raised the question of where to worship as she was Catholic. After a year of learning and discerning I decided to become a Catholic just before we married in May Interestingly I still had many questions and nowhere to find an answer so we ended up a mixed up marriage for many years rather than mixed. Margaret and I worked together on the farm where ever possible but when I hurt my back in the spring of 1974, Margaret had even more to do around the farm as I was often unable to do anything. In 1982 my back was prayed for and many years later I realised it had been healed, even going on to shear our sheep, something that was impossible earlier.

7 7 [Margaret] I was born second in the family of four boys and two girls. We grew up on a farm at Douglas, South Canterbury and attended the small primary school of Douglas for two years until it closed, with the pupils moving to Waihao Downs School. Dad and Mum were both very involved in church and the local community and Dad being on the Canterbury Education Board for many years. Secondary education was at Mercy College, Timaru, an all-girls Catholic boarding school. Came home to work on the farm as a brother and sister were going to board at secondary school. I enjoyed working for and with my Dad and often with my eldest brother s help who has Down Syndrome although able to do a lot of farm work. Dad insisted that I learn to drive the farm truck so I obtained my Heavy truck and trailer Licence. Relief from work was playing Tennis and Hockey, representing both at a higher level. I was involved with Country Girl s Club and Young Farmers club up to district level and attended national conferences. Catholic Church Youth group and drama club took up more time. After working at home for Dad I spent just over a year working in a Waimate Jewellers shop before marriage. [Alan & Margaret] Our first son Stephen died a few hours after birth; even our parish failed to cope with us as new people. In 1973 we took over the farm bought in 1970 so for the next 20 years we had to cope with Northwest winds, droughts, floods and rising interest rates. As Jonathan started school we looked at Christian education for the boys and who should arrive on our doorstep but Sr. Marie Rita who Margaret knew from Mercy College. She soon talked us into doing the NCRS course [now Walk by Faith ] which we graduated from in 1983 changing our whole faith walk About this time we were invited to a Parish Renewal weekend in a neighbouring parish which bought us into contact with the Charismatic Renewal. In 1982 a community started in Timaru, but because of what had been said to Margaret at a prior meeting, we took no part. However in 1984 we were invited by Terry & Barbara Scott to join the Timaru Group along with Mike & Judy Prendeville which was to become the Followers of the Way. Also in 1984 we were blessed by our daughter, Rachel s arrival, 40 weeks after a LISS and much prayer to keep Toxaemia at bay saw us make Covenant and the Followers of the Way were invited to join the Lamb of God, but did not as there was opposition. Six months later the group was asking to join the Lamb of God. Why God called a Farmer, a Meat Inspector and a Freezing Worker to Community is interesting especially when there was industrial strife, but being centred on Jesus made it happen. January 1987 tragedy for the small group as after a men s meeting Terry Scott was killed in a traffic accident going home from our place Margaret and I along with Mike & Judy were invited by Dad and Mum to hear Ron Parker to teach John Wimber Spiritual Warfare seminar but more importantly Margaret and I were prayed with and it was said we would travel for the Lord. In 1991 we decided to sell the farm and within 6 months it sold so we moved to Pleasant Point where our children were at school. Now started a life of part time work such as gardening, painting, wallpapering, handyman work, many with us working together, some permanent being cleaning, bus driving and school caretaker. The last twenty [L to R] Eliza, Phoebe, Sarah, Aleisha, Charlotte, Danielle

8 8 years we have come to depend more on God and realise he is watching over us and providing for us. Now with NZ Super we are less dependent on work such as painting, we get very few enquiries about it now. We were invited on to the community National Councils in 1994 and have enjoyed the time serving the national community. About the same time people in Oamaru made contact so with Mike and Judy we spent a number of years leading and participating in fortnightly meetings there. Then in 2001 a monthly meeting started in Dunedin which continues to this day. Steven & Judy Homes and Richard & Christine May have become very close friends and wonderful support. Over the years we have been members of Marriage Enrichment teams, other outreaches in various places and differing roles in the early years of Summer Oasis. We have come to admire Mike & Judy Prendeville as we have spent many meeting together and travelled many kilometres in our journey with Jesus, our saviour. We have been blest with two lovely daughter in laws, [waiting patiently for a son in law] and six beautiful granddaughters, three of whom are 3rd generation community members, lucky to have their four grandparents in community. Community life has been a blessing to us and our family even as we live in a small centre. Our children benefited from community camps, Encounter Jesus, Singles houses and the input of young people of their own age and many older. Our hobbies and relaxation involve gardening, spinning wool and knitting sewing, time with granddaughters, stamp collecting, [any used stamps welcome] Sudoku and crosswords. QUICK SNAPSHOTS AROUND THE LAMB OF GOD Fiona Woodcock saying "Yes" to Jamie Houstan Men s Retreat in Wellington Wellington Women s Retreat Recent South Island Region Leaders Meeting in

9 9 July - September 2013 WINTER MISSION APPEAL 2013 Our International and National Mission Work Throughout the Sword of the Spirit, the international community of communities to which we belong, individual members of the communities are encouraged to contribute to an Annual Appeal to assist with the high costs of Mission and Community Building work. The Lamb of God has decided to maintain the Winter Appeal as our means to encourage members and friends to be generous in supporting our ability to continue and expand mission work in the Pacific and here in New Zealand. We enjoy a land of plenty, despite what some are calling times of recession. We do have adequate infrastructure, access to clean water, little pollution, and homes full of many modern conveniences. Yet many people worldwide with whom the Sword of the Spirit work struggle for the very basics. But they love the Lord and they are his people as much as are we. As well as throughout New Zealand, the Lamb of God works particularly in the Fiji Islands, Australia and in parts of Asia and our work is growing. You can talk with any of our young people who have participated in our Mission Teams. Mission work does impact and change lives in both ways. We now work with many groups in Fiji and we have established a new community in Nadi. The Fijian economy is under stress and even breakfast cereals we are familiar with can cost as much as F$14-16 a box in a Nadi Supermarket. Most of the people with whom we work in Fiji would earn less than F$4.00 an hour. The environment is challenging. Will you please consider a donation to our work? Enclosed is a prepaid reply envelope. Cheques should be made payable to the Lamb of God. You can also donate online - BNZ Chch Branch, Account Name: Lamb of God; Number , but please inform Tom Caballes, our National Senior Administrator, by phone or [ ; josethomascaballes@gmail.com] regarding the amount and date so it can be traced and receipts given accordingly. The Lamb of God is a Registered Charitable Trust and receipts will be issued to those indicating their name and address in the panel below. With sincere appreciation, [Signed] Roger Foley Senior Coordinator Lamb of God National Council Your name: Address: Amount gifted:

10 CHALLENGES IN LIVING TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY Resource for House Group Discussion by Tom Caballes Wanting and Throwing Away August But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ [Philippians 3:7-8] In life, we tend to accumulate things clothes, gadgets and other items. But we can only own so much that sooner or later we will need to throw things away. I believe this is true in our spiritual life as well. It is easy to be captivated by the world s empty promises including popularity, fame, prestige, wealth and temporal pleasures. Paul could have been a popular, famous, and wealthy man but he chose to count all of those as rubbish for the sake of gaining the one thing he valued most knowing Jesus Christ. Not only that; he also wanted to share in Jesus sufferings [verse 10]. How do we compare with Paul s ideals in life? It is a pretty tall task! So How Can We Grow in Wanting God and Start Throwing Garbage Away? 1. Decide to follow God with all of your life, for the rest of your life! Unless you make this fundamental decision, it would be next to impossible to focus on Jesus and throw away those enticing things. Let Jesus be take the driver s seat in your life. 2. You need to be grounded well in your life with God. Commit to regular prayer and the study and meditation of God s Word. If you want more of God, then you need to spend good amount of time with Him. Eat real spiritual food the Word of God. 3. Check your spiritual closet. What are the things you value most and keep popularity, wealth, fame, etc.? Are you willing to suffer and throw them away? 4. Be realistic if you will want to please God, you cannot aim to please people. It is more important to be respected that to be popular. Decide to throw away your desire for popularity or approval as rubbish; seeks God s approval, not people s approval. Are you willing to suffer disapproval and being misunderstood for the sake of God? 5. Material things can only give a short term satisfaction because they rot, fade away and can be stolen. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [Matthew 6:19-20] 6. If God has blessed you with riches, do not set your heart on it but use it for God s glory. Refer to 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Look for the real fame and riches that matters. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. [1 Peter 5:4] Other Scripture References 1. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. [Matthew 13:44] 2. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [Luke 12:34] 3. Other references: Matt. 22:37-39; Luke 16:1-13; Col. 3:1-4; and Galatians 2:20. For Personal Reflection and Group Sharing: 1. What is in your spiritual closet? What needs to be kept? What needs to be in the rubbish? 2. Are you willing to embrace suffering as part of your daily life for the sake of knowing God?

11 11 KAIROS NEW ZEALAND YOUTH NEWS Kairos New Zealand Schedule of Events for 2013/2014 Jan 7 to 12, 2014 April 19 to 21, 2014 July 11 to 13, 2014 [tbc] Summer Oasis in Kairos Blast in Wellington Winter Oasis in SUM M R T WINTER OASIS PHOTOS More photos can be found here: WEBSITES WORTH NOTING KAIROS South Pacific Web Site HAS BEEN UPDATED with 2012 photos go take a look Check it out at: You can network and chat with other young people by going to this website: We designated every Friday night at 10pm as a time to meet other young people. Go and visit the International Kairos Media website: Our Lamb of God website has been updated please visit Sign up [free] for Youth Culture Newsletter The most recent edition of the Youth Culture Newsletter is now available online. It will no longer be sent to you via the Lamb of God list but you can get it at this link: This is a recommended Sword of the Spirit publication for youth and parents. Living Bulwark Sword of the Spirit Highly Recommended!

12 12 This Sword of the Spirit on-line 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 can be found at: The current issue of the online magazine can be seen at: SENDING NEWS FOR CHRONICLE PUBLICATION Branches are encouraged to news, photos, happenings and snippets to Tom Caballes at Each issue is closed around the 20th of the month. IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT OUR RECORDS Membership Records and Data: Branch leaders are responsible to keep updated records and then all new attendee additions, deletions, address and phone changes, births, deaths, transfers, etc to Tom Caballes and copy to BIRTHDAY INFORMATION [Day and month, but 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 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 know of others wishing to be added, notify Lamb_of_God@clear.net.nz. Wedding Anniversaries for August - Happy Anniversary! NAMES Greg & Maryanne Hall Jamie & Judith Rodgers David & Kathleen Black Terry & Barbara Ryan Kerry & Angela Fordham DATE BRANCH 02/08 07/08 12/08 27/08 29/08 Blenheim Blenheim Birthdays for August Happy Birthday! NAMES Grace Collins Monica Haughey Theresa Gomes BIRTHDAY 01/08 01/08 02/08 BRANCH

13 13 Charmaine Vessaokar Clarese Caballes Anita Stocks Rosemarie Buladaco Arca Fernandes Judy Carneiro Ashlyn Fernandes Joan Corbett Moira McMahon Mark Challies Christopher Dalgado Mary Jackson Dan D'Sa Vivienne Southby Judith Steele Lionel D'Souza Ethan Collins Rohan D'Souza Lyncia Fernandes Audris Hong Bernadette MacNevin Shayna O'Malley Aselemo Masara Charlotte Lyons Mary McCormick Kimberly Saldanha Bev Cummins Jamie Rodgers David Sison Ana Masara Christine Oliver Renella Carneiro 02/08 03/08 03/08 04/08 05/08 09/08 09/08 11/08 11/08 13/08 15/08 15/08 16/08 18/08 18/08 19/08 22/08 22/08 22/08 23/08 23/08 23/08 25/08 26/08 27/08 27/08 28/08 28/08 29/08 30/08 30/08 31/08 Central Central Ch/Ashburton Ch/Ashburton Blenheim Blenheim Blenheim Central Blenheim Central Central PRAYERWATCH - SOLDIERS OF CHRIST, ARISE Reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The Lord will carry out his purpose Jeremiah 51: 12 NIV Over the last few months I have looked at worship and praise of God our Father and its place in our role as soldiers of Christ. The main reason we worship is because of God s faithfulness to us and in ten years of articles for the Chronicle faithfulness has been missed. Faithfulness is remaining true, loyal, dependable, stable, devoted, obedient, dedicated and steadfast. In the past I have touched on loyalty, perseverance, endurance and commitment, all part of being faithful. The faithfulness of God and his word is a constant theme of the Bible. Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Psalm 119: NIV

14 14 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7: 9 NIV God our Father is faithful and Jesus the son has shown us as he walked this earth that he also is faithful in all he did, even faithful unto death. His death brought about forgiveness of our sins and the promise of eternal life with God our father, the fulfillment of God s faithfulness. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1: 9 NIV Many in the past have shown us how to be faithful, among them Abraham [Nehemiah 9: 7-8], Moses [Hebrews 3: 5], and Paul who had the confidence to write the following: For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8. NIV Faithfulness is important to the Prayerwatch as we take our place as soldiers on the spiritual wall surrounding the Lamb of God community 24/7 and seek protection from the attacks of the evil one. We need faithfulness as we pray for the needs of the community and our brothers and sisters. Faithfulness is a part of living this way of life God has called us to as we attend our many meetings and support each other in various ways. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4: 2 NIV As those in the past struggled to be faithful all the time and so we also fall at times but we can seek forgiveness and rise again to faithfulness as we can continue our journey to eternal life. 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 LAMB OF GOD PRAYERWATCH - PRAYER INTENTIONS SPIRITUAL WARFARE Against strongholds of Apathy, Witchcraft, Confusion and other named spirits. INTERCESSORY PRAYER COMMUNITIES Protect and bless the life and mission of 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]; protect and bless their life and mission.

15 15 FAMILY : Yvonne D'Souza, Peter & Margaret Stoddard, Desmond & Charmaine Vessaokar, Christopher & Carol Fernandes, Tili Leatitagaloa, Blanche Fernandes, Sequeria s & Saldanha s Families, Neville & Karyn Coutinho, Caedmon & Nicky Rebello, Ivan & Hilary Carvalho, Central: Jun & Angie Briguera, Henri & Cutie Zalamea, Rose Buladaco, Joel & Tiza Sison, Robert & Ethel Caballes, Tom & Mhel Caballes, Blenheim: Jamie & Judith Rodgers, Mark & Mary Jackson, Mike & Cheryl Garrett, : Roger & Veronica Foley, Robert & Karin Van Doorn, Darren & Julie Humphries, Tai & De Stirling, Bruce & Bronwyn Harborne, Niul & Coila Kay, Lyn Keane, Pauline Marsden, John & Monica Haughey, Annette Sargisson, Toni May, Chris & Maureen Lyons, Joan Corbett, Southern: John & Janet MacManus, Richard & Christine May, Mike & Judy Prendeville, PREGNANCY : Jessie [Prasad] De Zoysa, HEALING CANCER Blenheim: Carol Cullimore, David Aberhart, : Mary Anngow, Robin Corbett, HEALING HEART : Isabel Morais, Central: Paul Oliver, Blenheim: Chris Fredericks, : Dorelle Ham, Undine Cavanagh, Philip Middlemiss, HEALING : Annette Carvalho, Winona D'Costa, Olivia Fernandes, Lucy Misquita, Blanche & Denis Hollingsworth, Cheryl Donald, Mira D'Souza, Jemima Rebello, Peter D'Souza, Delia D'Mello, Fr John Rea, Elizabeth Locke, Maria dos Anjos D'Souza, Bruce Donald, Rosana Kuresa, Thomas Hong, Vimath Sequeira, Karyn Coutinho, Manuel Lobo family, Michelle Amaral, Margaret Stoddard, Alwin D Souza, Eddie, Cynthia, Clyde D'Souza, Central: Stephanie O Connell, Sharon Powick, Michael Powick, Jacob Muollo, Henri Zalamea, Aly Fernandes, Rae Taylor, Blenheim: Peter Greig, Josiah Grieg, Grace Weston, Mike Garrett, Micah Rodgers, Anita Fredericks, Jamie & Judith Rodgers, Barbara Ryan, Val Synott, : Lisa Borkus, Karin Van Doorn, Chris Aston Grieve, Veronica Foley, Siobhan Forster, Andrew Black, Bernie Black, John Murray, Chris Lyons, Monica Haughey, Joan Corbett, Andre a Forster, Mikyla Challies, Bruce & Bronwyn Harborne, Southern: Fr Merv McGettigan, Daniel MacManus, Steven & Judy Homes & Family, Pat Forster, Michael Quigley, Rhoda Woodfield, Christine May, BEREAVEMENT : Neville & Karyn Coutinho, Desmond & Charmaine Vessaokar, Central: Rae Taylor & Family, : Bruce & Mary Joslen, John & Monica Haughey, OTHERS NEEDS : Mark & Elizabeth Stolten, Bob Misst, Allen & Judy Carneiro, Gillian Puch, Joseph Gomes, Allan Carvalho, Blanche Fernandes, COVERING PRAYER National Council, Kairos Ministries, Branch Life, Lamb of God Centre, Branch Visits, Clustering in, Ministry of Fr John Rea, Employment of Members, Light of Christ Special Ministry, Wellington branch [sickness among extended family], and Ashburton Group in. I have made you a Watchman Ezekiel 33: 7