It’s a psalm in which nothing is hidden from God, and God is found in the midst of the distress as well as in the deliverance from it.

It’s a chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and discuss in a small group. There’s no obligation to say anything and there’s nothing you can’t say.

In 1990, and with the inclusion of the Diocese of Polynesia, the Anglican Church formed a new constitution, Te Pouhere, that would bind us together as one church in Christ, yet living in Three Tikanga or cultural streams.

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the central Christian affirmations about God, the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead - one God existing in three coeternal, consubstantial divine persons.

Christ sends the Holy Spirit who empowers and guides the followers of Jesus after he withdraws from them into heaven, at the Ascension.

After the Resurrection Jesus spent forty days with his disciples and then “ While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:51 NRSV).

How fortunate we are to be part of a vibrant, Christ centred, prayerful worshipping community.

Just imagine how our lives would look with the Spirit of Alleluia unleashed within us.

We also light the Paschal Candle signifying the light of Christ’s resurrection overcoming the darkness of the tomb, Christ defeating death.

Through Lent we focused on the spiritual disciplines of prayer, repentance, almsgiving and fasting.

Over the past 160 years the St Mark’s church has been a place of prayer, worship and community.

The fact that Christ is risen, that the tomb was empty, is central to our faith as disciples of Jesus.

We are confronted by how easy it is to go from the joyful singing of “Hosanna” to the baying for blood in shouting “Crucify”.

During this time the Church’s liturgy is somber and empresses a sorrowful mood as we focus more intently on the coming crucifixion of Christ.

This Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Lent the Gospel reading is that of the Prodigal Son, that great parable that gives us enormous hope and much to ponder.

In early medieval times it was called the “Annunciation of the Lord” or the “Conception of Christ,” indicating its focus as a festival of the Lord.

The church has at its core offered a daily cycle of prayer what is known as the daily office.

If in Christ we have been tempted, in him we overcome the devil. Do you think only of Christ's temptations and fail to think of his victory?

It is to Christ, the focus of our faith and worship, we direct our silence. Therefore an important part of our services is to be silent, as we open ourselves for Christs revelation.

“May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen” (NZPB p52).