If you have JESUS as your foundation, then everything's awesome

For over 20 years, our Samoan congregation have prepared monthly family services. Families enjoy the unity and fellowship in organising their best performances for their family service as well as have the opportunity to beautify the house of our Lord for the month.

Here is a clip from the talented families from Manurewa, led by Meauli.

If you have JESUS as your foundation, then everything's awesome!

God Bless!

Green Fertilisers!

This movie is a snippet from our camp concert night. The green team 'Green fertilisers' - lead by their leader Lone - had a few chants and actions to share on the night. Leave the green team a comment!

Faiga Lotu a le Tupulaga Matagaluega i Sasa'e

Today, Sunday the 19th of July, tupulaga - youth of our Matagaluega - lead an entire service in the Samoan language. It was a time that was enjoyed by all. We even had visitors from our PIC family - Ranui and Newton in amidst the congregation.
The congregation listened, laughed, cried and were still at different times throughout the service . The focus of today's service was to remind all that 'God is in us' and He requires us to shine like lamps that have been put on the lamp stand for all to see (Matthew 5:14-16). The message was well received and our minister - Reverend Setefano was moved to tears when sharing his joy at all that was presented today. We hope to bring you further blog posts from our youth that will reflect on the preparations as well as the service. We have put together a short piece that will show you the different parts that made up today's service. If you are interested in a full version then please contact Gary, Meauli or Aloema for a copy.
God bless and keep you all as you shine your light brightly for our Lord. 'O lo'o i ai le Atua ia te oe'.

The King Of Pop - Canaan's tribute to Michael Jackson

In a few hours time millions of people around the world will remember Michael Jackson in a memorial service 2 weeks after his passing. 18,000 people will be in attendance at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles and millions more will be glued to their TV sets and computers with the memorial service being screened live on TV and on the internet.
Michael Jackson was certainly a person that God has blessed with talent both in singing and dancing – he was the ultimate entertainer.
He will also be remembered as one of the most generous with his contributions to charity and humanitarian causes over the years numbering in the millions!
If you have been following this blog you will know that we have many fans of the amazing ‘MJ’ within our Sunday school.
Following is a tribute from one such fan, Canaan.

"Wow, I was shocked when I heard Michael Jackson died. First I didn't believe it, but when everyone started to talk about it - I knew that was it.
I am a huge fan of his. I first got into MJ when I came home one day in 2007, and I turned the TV onto C4 and it said the number 1 song on U Choose 40 - was 'Thriller...Thriller night'.
It was the creepiest video I have ever seen, but was the coolest too.
The scariest part is when he changed into a werewolf at the start of the clip, and his green eyes at the end.
Thriller is the best selling CD in the world.
MJ is my favorite singer and dancer in the world.
I started to get into all his other songs including: Bad, Beat it, Smooth Criminal, Black and White.
I started learning his moves and that was how I first got into MJ.
Me and my brother Xavier dedicate the Smooth Criminal dance we did at Tamaki's got talent to him. It was fun learning the dance routine.

I pray for MJ - He will always be my no.1 singer."

RIP MJ 1958 - 2009.

A night with Lapi Part 2

We were meant to sing with Lapi to close our evening, instead we ended up listening to him, you'll agree that he sounded beautiful solo. Maybe next time we'll have a bit more of a warm up for our vocals and we'll join in.
Thanks again Lapi.(Don't forget to check out part 1 post of this evening)

A Night With Lapi Mariner

Tonight - 29th of June 2009, we were blessed with the presence of our brother Lapi Mariner. Many of you may know him as a professional singer, entertainer - a very humourous young man and much much more. For those of you who don't know - he's now the Worship Pastor for the Hosana World Harvest Church based in Manurewa.
His visit was timely as on this evening we also had a very exciting report from our very own worship team based on their weekend retreat that they had just returned from.
Lapi shared about his life so far...life in the PIC, professional singer at the age of 16, TV appearances, travelling opportunities, his current work as a Prison Warden, Bible College and Worship Pastor.
Watch our short movie, it has some of the gems Lapi shared with us as well as him singing for us before we shared a light supper and a few laughs together. You could leave a comment for Lapi or Bible Class. Lapi will be visiting our blog to check out what we're up to.
Thanks Lapi for taking the time out to come and share with your PIC brothers and sisters. God bless you and your family.
Lots of love - Tamaki Bible Class

Parables of Jesus

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
2 Timothy 2:15 (New Living Translation)
An Approved Worker
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

On Sunday the 21st of June our Sunday School alongside many others across New Zealand took part in the New Zealand Sunday School Union Scripture examinations. We had students from the age of 6 up 21 sit the exams. Also 4 of our teachers sat. This year the exams looked at 6 parables of Jesus.
On Monday evening those in Bible Class had the opportunity to reflect on the preparation that took place for these exams. We came to an agreement that our minds are amazing - thank you Lord! The amount of scripture and application that we trained ourselves to remember was fantastic.
Some think these exams are a thing of the past. We are glad to report that we enjoy taking part in them, in fact for many of us it's a good reminder of how we are very capable of committing God's Word to memory as he wants us to regularly. It's certainly something that we hope to continue being part of. Thanks NZ SSU!

This is an invitation to all our students who took part in the exams this year. Please leave a comment that contains your reflections on how you found the exam and your preparation this year. The class who have the most comments posted by Sunday morning will have a special prize presented to them at the end of our fun day. As well as signing your name please state which class you are in. Check out our voting poll too.

Looking forward to reading all your comments.

TGT featuring Grades 7 & 8

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.
Here is a special clip of the performance by grades 7 & 8 from our Parish Anniversary Ball. We are very blessed in that we have a number of Maori students in our Sunday School. As mentioned in a blogpost earlier for this group (Te Reo @ Tamaki), we have children who come from well known families who are fluent and gifted in the use of Te Reo.

Are you ready? He's coming soon

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Are you ready? He's coming soon, was the theme for this months family service conducted by Grades 1 & 2. The very talented children proclaimed through drama, creative dance and song this very important message that no one knows the day nor the hour when he will return, therefore we must be ready and prepared.

Thank you to all the wonderful children and also our parents for all your commitment and support towards our service for our Lord.
May God bless you abundantly for all your good works.
Soifua,

Finau, Soteria, Mene and Siali'i (Grade 1 & 2 Teachers)

Tamaki's Got Sporting Talent

At Tamaki PIPC, we have many very talented young sportsmen and women. Many of our children are involved in sports either with their schools, or their local sports clubs.
Tala o Tamaki will endeavour to bring you some of the sporting exploits of our budding young stars this year.
This week the spotlight goes on 4 budding young Warriors from our Sunday school - Kane (Grade 6), George & Beau (Grade 5) and Tanielu (Grade 4) in action for their rugby league team - the Mt Wellington Warriors Under 12's.
Tala o Tamaki was on hand to catch some of the action from their match last week against the Richmond Bulldogs.

CamParable Pathfinders

We have a fantastic series of parables that we've studied since the beginning of the year. With the Sunday School Exams drawing near, many of us have been visiting church for some extra coaching classes to help us prepare. If you recall our studies were kicked off well and truly by our CamParable. The parable we used as a base for all we did at camp - was that of the sower. So as you can imagine our groups named themselves accordingly. Red - 'Red Roots', Blue - 'Pathfinders', Green - 'Green Fertilisers' and yellow...can you help me remember please (leave in a comment).

At CamParable we were given the opportunity to complete an item that would be part of the Rally on Saturday evening. These were run by members of our open class(great to see young leadership in action). Four groups in total covered prayers, creative dances, skits and a singing or rap number. We've posted here the rap and song that was created and performed by our blue group - the 'Pathfinders'. You will hear a familiar tune accompanied by some original lyrics and dance moves.

We hope this little movie helps you with your preparations for the upcoming NZ Sunday School Union Scripture examinations.

Hopefully at the time of - Tam talent DVD release - we'll be able to have CamParable ready too.

Don't forget to leave the Pathfinders a comment!
God bless. Be of good soil, good soil, good good....

Tamaki's 29th Anniversary Ball 09 Part II

Tamaki's 29th Anniversary Ball 09 Slideshow Part II

Postcards from the Middle East

Those of you who have family & friends who are travelling or overseas will nod your head in agreement that the conversation, when catching up with your loved ones, will most times lead back to something along the lines of "...how's church/Sunday school/BC...."?

Part of the reason for establishing this Blog page was so that our church members who are living and working abroad can be kept up to date and informed as to whats going on back at their spritual home.

This week Tala o Tamaki caught up with May Salu who's job as an International Claims & Disputes Officer has taken her across the world to live & work in the Middle East regions. Based in Dubai, May recently took advantage of a 2 week break to take in the sights of some places I'm sure you our readers will be familiar with.

Here is May's account along with photos of a spirtual and fulfilling journey which took her to the shores of the Red Sea, the Sinai Peninsula and even saw her ascend the foothills of Mt Sinai itself! Enjoy...!

Hi everybody!

So much has happened since I left Auckland after Christmas, and well...firstly it’s been awesome to know, and see what our Sunday school and church has been up to, through the Blog page this past week. I really enjoyed browsing, and seeing photos of the ball, the talent show and the services and lessons.

When first asked by Tala o Tamaki to contribute a post to the blog a month or so ago, I was just into the final leg of my Tour de Egypt. This was my 2nd visit to Egypt. After returning in April from Nice in the south of France where I had been based for work since January, I flew home to Dubai where I live, and was glad to be back, to feel the heat of the desert. I took the next plane to Egypt, after a few hours rest.

Egypt is one of the most incredible countries I have visited, and I have visited many, but none has compared to the inspiring Holy Lands in the Middle East. I spent 12 nights in Egypt, and travelled from Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, sailed to Aswan (Abu Simbel), and travelling via faluka (sail boat) across the River Nile, my last 3 nights were to be the best, and the final destination of my Tour.

Faluka - (Egyptian sail-boat)

I flew to Sharm El Sheik the port of entry to The Red Sea and Sinai. When I arrived at my hotel on the Red Sea, it was all peaceful; there were many tourists, but not much noise, just the sound of the sea. Just being there, and knowing that this is where the 'Miracle Parting' occurred was unbelievable! Imagining the story in the Bible and experiencing its trueness being their physically was awe inspiring. I had travelled to Egypt alone, but not once did it feel like I was alone or even scared. The number of tourists there were from all over the world coming to one place was in itself amazing. Everywhere I went and everywhere I travelled there were bus loads, and not 30 buses but more on every site I visited. I have never seen so many tourists ever in one place at any one time.

I travelled with my guides throughout my trip, they were of course Egyptian - Arabic / English speaking, though I couldn’t understand much of their English, but with my little spoken Arabic, and their little spoken English it was enough for me to understand all the remarkable stories they had to tell of the Holy Lands.

I was very interested to hear what they knew about Moses, given they were Egyptian and living in the Holy Lands. They knew enough to be able to tell me the stories of Manna in the desert, the burning bush, and the plagues that hit Egypt. Later that evening we travelled to Sinai which is a 3 hour drive from the Red Sea. We left at around 11pm and arrived at the bottom of Sinai at just before 2am.

St Catherines Monastery (bottom of Mt Sinai)

The ascend was hard having climbed over 3000 steps, it was cold, the air starts to thin out, breathing gets a little hard, and my legs started to feel the pain, there were camels available to take you to the top, but there were also people in the 50’s and 60’s walking, if they could get to the top at that age then I could too. Waiting with many other believers to see the sunrise from the summit, is an experience not to be forgotten, to be able to stand where Moses received the 10 Commandments, was unbelievably real!

Sunrise on Mt Sinai

There is so much to tell and so much more to write but having taught lessons on Miracles in Sunday school one year, knowing the Word of God, and having stood, being there physically, to hear, feel and encounter God and his mighty power is truly one memorable, and life changing experience.

Til next time...

May.

Sinai Peninsula

Te Reo @ Tamaki

Our preparation... Even though everyone was very busy throughout the week - we all still managed to come together as a combined class and create an item for the talent night. Two short practices and we were rearing to go. Kia kaha! Talent Night Highlights Participation - awesome to see parents taking part and fully dressing up for the ocassion! Fun and exciting performances by all classes and family acts. Our favourites for the night were the video clip (open class), troopers, high school musical, Canaan and Xavier. A night fully enjoyed by the teachers and students of grade 7 - 100%
Students of Grade 7

Practices...
-Practices were really long
-we knew that it would have a good outcome
-it was great doing something different and serious
-the performance on the night was awesome!
-it was good to see everyone getting involved and going hard out.
"Kia kaha, kia mana, kia manuia"
Te Reo Karanga Crew, Grade 8

Open Class Edition - Cool It Now

Our talented students of the Open Class, ranging from 17 years to 24 worked quietly around church one Sunday, recording this MTV. New Edition - one of our favourite groups of the past inspired us to make this. It was hoped that our on camera grooving and singing would bring laughter and joy to those who would be watching the 'Tamaki's got talent'.

Great news - it did - there was a loud laughter while watching these lads strut their stuff. Congratulations Open Class - you looked like the real thing (well almost!). Looking forward to hearing what our parish enjoyed about your item. Share the love and leave the Open Class a comment!

Showcasing our talent shows the true spirit of Christ working through us. Something that really stood out for me was the turn out of people. The support of the parents and just the talents showcased on the night was brilliant!
As with our own performance, we ALL had fun making the video!!
Lonetona, 19 years
Open Class