WHY THEY LEAVE … AND HOW WE CAN HELP THEM STAY ⎪ BARRIERS OF THE KINGDOM

Greetings on this Anzac Day. 
Today of course we commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who incredibly gave their lives for the freedom of their people from oppression. I can't help but think of how Jesus sacrificed His life for the freedom from oppression for all people. So how can we respond? Some of us have found meaning in attending a dawn service this morning. Why not end our day also remembering Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, and giving thanks to the resurrected Jesus for being with us by His Spirit, where there is freedom. Thank Him for our beautiful free country, and pray for those currently facing wars and conflict.
If God then is both real and good, do we act like He is? What witness does the Church provide the world, and what witness do we provide our children? This week SVC children's pastor Fraser Craig will conclude our 3-part series Why they leave and how we can help them stay, as he tries to dismantle Kingdom barriers and answer the question "Is the Church good and should we be part of it?". You can catch up on previous messages here.
Before our Pastor Vic Francis and his wife and spiritual director Fran recently set off on their well overdue Sabbatical, Vic mentioned that we would be treated to some guest worship and speakers in their absence. Thus I am delighted that we are having Rob Wiseman from our sister church Central Vineyard lead us in worship this Sunday, together with our very own Anne 0'Hanlon (in the role of worship director, singer and keyboard player)  and fabulous fellow musicians. (Thank you for practising tonight, sacrificing the remainder of your public holiday.)
So join us for Church at 252 this Sunday morning, 10am in person, or 10:30 on Facebook live, to worship together, be inspired, catch up with each other and pray. We are inviting primary and intermediate (Seek) kids to stay in with us up close with their preaching pastor who has been doing a fabulous job juggling keeping both them and us engaged, all the while practising his lolly throwing skills! Children's programmes will go back to their usual format in their dedicated areas with the start of the new school term next week.
Prayer undergirds everything, so let's join one of our faithful prayer warriors Alasdair Boyd (who brilliantly led us in communion last week) for a two-weekly Prayer in the Chapel on a Wednesday night - all welcome. You can find more info on this, and opportunity to join a home group for next term on our Small Groups page on our website. And while you're there, check out some newly posted events on what's-on: Our friends from Central Vineyard are offering a three-session CAP Money course, starting next Wednesday 1 May. (Limited spaces, so please sign up quickly.) Other things coming up are women's "walk, talk & coffee" and Sunday lunch at 252 (all welcome!) in early May, Vineyard Aotearoa Intermediate and Leaders conferences (both in Tāmaki Makaurau this year) in June, and more. 
Please reach out for any pastoral care needs, or email prayer@svc.org.nz for access to our group of faithful intercessors.
I'll leave you with a blessing from A Prayer Companion (TCI) 2014, that reminded me of the Prayer of St Patrick's, dear to many of us at SVC. 
May Peace be within us
May Peace be around us
May Peace beside us
May Peace be between us
May we walk peacefully on our journey
May Peace fill our days and nights
May Peace fill the earth
Amen
Lest we forget,

Paulina