At the 150th celebration of St Paul's, the Rev Kenneth Prebble (former vicar) was asked what made St Paul's so special. His answer was simply that "St Paul’s is a place where sinners found redemption.” His son, Rev Edward Prebble said that his dad was always rather surprised at the power and effectiveness of his ministry, and always thought that was because of the sovereign grace of God, and not because of any particular abilities of his own.

wed 24 jan | dr sarah williams & rev jonny grant
7pm | st paul's church
What does it mean to be a sexual being? Where do our cultural perceptions of sexuality come from? How can we as Christians live faithful lives in a highly sexualised culture? Join us for a conversation evening with Sarah Williams and Jonny Grant as they share some perspectives on this most important topic.

jan 26 - 29 2018 | mystery creek
Festival One is just around the corner and we are amped with over 200 from St Paul's signed up to attend! It's not too late to join us for the weekend or just one day, and get in on the action. There's a great line-up of awesome artists, and loads of other activities throughout the weekend. Download the app to find out all the finer details, and remember to enter the #STPAULS code when you register.

4 feb | following 10am service | okahu bay
You are all welcome to join us on Sunday 4 February following the 10am combined service for a picnic at Okahu Bay Reserve. Pack your picnic basket or grab some subway or sushi and we'll make the most of the summer sun together. We'll picnic on the grass near the playground and families can have a dip in the ocean after eating. It'd be great to see you there and have a chance to catch up on each other's holiday tales!

We’ve seen some stunning and creative images of what you got up to over the break on Insta and Facebook and we’re keen for more - so for a bit of fun we're running another Summer Photo Competition. Send us your favourite summer snap, we’ll post it on Facebook, and everyone gets to vote on the winner. Get your money shot to us by Thurs 1 Feb and be in to win morning tea with the Vicar!

Have you got skills in music or singing that you’ve been sitting on or holding back? Are you relatively new and haven’t yet gotten involved? Are you one of those people who used to be in a worship team but had a break and could be interested in getting back into it? Now is a great time to get involved with the Worship Team for 2018! Please get in touch with Chris if you’re interested or would like to know more.

It’s the start of the year and we are looking for new recruits to join the AV (Audio & Visual) team to help us operate sound and lyrics, and the worship team. We couldn’t sustain such a vibrant and rich worship & course life at St Paul's without all of the wonderful people who help out and serve in these areas. If you would like to talk to someone about joining the worship team, or if you have any experience with doing sound or lyrics - or you’d like to learn - please get in touch. Training can be provided and it’s a great way to serve and get involved!

It’s the start of the year and we are looking for new recruits to join the AV (Audio & Visual) team to help us operate sound and lyrics. We couldn’t sustain such a vibrant and rich worship & course life at St Paul's without all of the wonderful people who help out and serve in these areas. If you have any experience with doing sound or lyrics - or you’d like to learn - please get in touch. Training can be provided and it’s a great way to serve and get involved!

Every year St Paul's Arts and Media (SPAM) collaborate with a crew of creatives to produce Christmas films with a worldwide reach. SPAM's 14th short film connects a modern audience with ancient Christian spirituality, exploring the prophecies and symbols surrounding the birth of Jesus as revealed through scripture over 1,500 years. It features a number of familiar St Paul's faces. Click here to see the film again, or to share it with friends and family.

Anyone who is a Netflix addict will have experienced the unbearable tension between wanting to be outside in the sun, and needing to get your next "flix fix". We have the solution for you! Check out St Paul's on Soundcloud and have another listen to some of the great talks we have had this year. They're downloadable, so you can head out into the great outdoors while you listen.

St Paul's offices will be closed from Friday 22nd December and will reopen on Monday 8th January 2018. On behalf of the staff team we wish you a wonderful Christmas and relaxing summer break. Our regular Sunday services at 9am, 11am, 3.30pm and 18:30 resume on Sunday 14th January 2018. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you joined us last year at Festival One, you will probably need no persuading to come back in 2018. In fact, you probably bought your ticket at the 2017 Festival! If you did, please let us know and we will send you a very quick survey so we can make sure we allow enough room for you at our site.

sun 10 dec | 6.30 pm & 9 pm | 7.30pm food collective
We are amped for ALT CAROLS this Sunday! Get set for another epic St Paul's alternative Christmas experience, combining the creative elements of music, art and design, and bringing a fresh taste to Christmas. This is a free gift to our city and we’d love you to join us. Stay on (or come early) for food collective eats in the crypt. Who are you going to invite?

We think meeting in small groups is vital and enriching, and over the next few weeks we will be introducing you to a few of the 60+ groups that are sprouting up all over the city. A small group gathers each week in Remuera to pray, with a focus on declarations. Declaring scripture over your life is a powerful way to ignite your hope and joy, and renew your mind with truth. To find out more about our flourishing small groups get in touch with Barb Mcmillan.

mon 11 dec | 10am - 2pm
St Paul's Love Your New Neighbour is once again helping to organise a Christmas party for women with refugee backgrounds. We'd love volunteers for serving, hosting, and set up on the day. If you're keen to help out, find out more, or donate towards the event, please email us at SPLYNN.

St Paul's, you are a hugely generous and caring church community! We have been totally blown away by the incredible response to our recent Angel Food appeal. This care ministry makes such a difference for those needing support in our own church family and beyond. To all those snow angels who have helped load up the Angel Food freezer over the past few weeks, thank you!

sun 17 december | 9am and 11am services
We are on the hunt for amazing volunteers to help with the Christmas Nativity. We're after anyone who can sew, create props, do face painting, would like to take an active role in our rehearsals or help as a stage hand on the day. Does this sound like something your talents could be put towards? We'd love to hear from you. Email Cara.

sat 9 dec | 8.30am - 3.30pm | meet at st paul's
Want to impact the lives of those in need this Christmas? A volunteer team from St Paul's are getting together to help sort donations at Auckland City Mission and you're invited to join us! You need to be over 18 years old. Bring your own lunch and meet at St Paul's at 8.30am sharp. Get in touch with John and Shula and be a part of this amazing team!

sun 3 dec | 2.30pm | holy trinity cathedral
Sunday 3rd of December marks a milestone for women in the Anglican community, celebrating 40 years since the first female ordination in NZ. A liturgy including prayers and songs recognising women who have served in the church will be held at Holy Trinity Cathedral. All welcome!

It's impossible to pray and have nothing happen! We believe in a God of miracles and supernatural breakthrough. Each month at The River we hear encouraging and exciting stories of the healing power of our amazing God. These stories propel us to go after more! If you have a testimony of how God has healed you or transformed your circumstances, we'd love to hear it. Email us today!