World Choir Games - Friendship Concert, Thursday 11 July 2024, 11am
Kia ora whanau – friends & neighbours - *whanau*
Did you know that right HERE, right NOW – the “Olympic Games” of the Singing World are STARTING, here, Auckland, NOW 10 July 2024 to 20 July 2024
Opening Ceremony at Spark Areana TONIGHT 10 July 2024
– 11,000 people from 30 different countries –
plus a bunch of kiwi acts (including mine/ours)
a FEAST for the ears (& eyes – and soul) between 10 July 2024 and 20 July 2024
Day Pass Tickets are available - $30 Adult pass for the ENTIRE DAY – roam all over, feast on this, that – maybe a bit of that (I only got hold of the Programme Book last night – 294 pages!!!)
So check it out – bunch of awesomness – FEAST of different sounds, styles, culture, *people* - nau mai, haere mai to our guests, vistors
Now sharing this for YOU all (been asking people, days, weeks, months – “did you know” = NO) – understand there was recent media – the Herald, the Listener – still, I ask "did you know" "have you heard" - "NO"
please don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime experience – FEAST, savour, *enjoy* - started already - RIGHT HERE< RIGHT NOW!
My/our choir – All Together Now – are performing at Auckland Town Hall on Friday night, and at Aotea Centre on Saturday morning, not worried about these –
what I am concerned about is our FRIENDSHIP CONCERT – Tomorrow/Today – depends on *when* you are reading this.
"Friendship concerts take place all over Tāmaki Makaurau! Choirs from around the world share their songs with the local community in some of our iconic cultural institutions, vibrant neighbourhood arts centres, inner city spaces, historic churches, botanic gardens, and even at a beachside art gallery."
"Free*, informal and fun each hour-long concert features three or four choirs singing a diverse range of musical styles in intimate and epic settings. "
These are supposed to be FREE – ours is, well it’s at MOTAT –(NOT the main site – the Aviation Hall, 98 Motions Rd, Western Springs) -
FREE for Seniors/Gold Card - adults, $19 - everyone else - students, children, overseas seniors $10 (this is ENTRY to MOTAT - needed for this venue)
Not much of a “friendly” KIWI greetings to world, to the *people* in these international choirs – FIRST DAY of ‘games’. Their FIRST experience – singing in a – vast, cold EMPTY space…
("who is going to be there" we asked, friends & family, & “whoever will be at MOTAT on the day” – IF they even know about this…. )
So – if you are free tomorrow – we would LOVE to see you –
Super Gold card members – IS FREE – for you –
Adults - $19 – (bargain!) – children/students/overseas seniors - $10
Again – KIWI SENIORS – FREE –
Friendship concert
11am, Thursday 11 July
Aviation Hall
98 Motions Rd
Western Springs
• Parking: on site drop off point and parking. Also along Motions Rd and outside Western Springs College (approx. 5 min walk ). highly recommend public transport.
• We don’t know the order – (singing with OTHER choirs – INTERNATIONAL CHOIRS – who are right here, right now, don’t know who - *people* - visitors – guests – not very friendly warm KIWI greetings – singing in an cold EMPTY space…
We (All Together Now) - are singing - all AWESOME (final dress rehearsal on Tuesday)
• Whakataka te hau
• The Wellerman
• Patapata
• Welcome Home
The venue is cold, suggest bring/wear an extra layer –
Parking may be an issue – highly recommend public transport
There is some on site (pay n display) parking. Also parking along Motions Rd and outside Western Springs College (approx. 5 min walk )
So this is JUST ONE Friendship concert – on this day – on most days – ALL OVER AUCKLAND from 10 July 2024 to 20 July 2024 –
Please don’t miss out in this once in a lifetime experience
"Friendship concerts take place all over Tāmaki Makaurau! Choirs from around the world share their songs with the local community in some of our iconic cultural institutions, vibrant neighbourhood arts centres, inner city spaces, historic churches, botanic gardens, and even at a beachside art gallery. "
"Free*, informal and fun each hour-long concert features three or four choirs singing a diverse range of musical styles in intimate and epic settings."
"Ranging from city institutions to neighbourhood hubs, our partners include New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland War Memorial Museum, MOTAT, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Britomart Precinct, Commercial Bay, New Lynn Community Centre, Mairangi Bay Arts Centre, St George’s Presbyterian Church, Takapuna, All Saints Church, Howick, Te Oro Music and Arts Centre, Māngere Arts Centre, Te Manawa Library, SkyCity, and The Civic.
[(!): *Public entry fees for MOTAT, NZ Maritime Museum & Skytower apply."
www.wcg2024.co.nz...
Only an HOUR out of your day – please come WELCOME our overseas guests –
AND enjoy an hour of Friendship, music – nau mai, haere mai
Entry point to games.. here - www.wcg2024.co.nz...
Ha – “feast” – as well
"More than 11,000 singers from over 30 countries have arrived in Auckland 10 to 20 July for the World Choir Games, the largest choral competition and festival on the planet.
Taking part in competition, workshops, ceremonies, evening performances and free daytime concerts, the participating choirs will serve audiences a sumptuous two-week feast of music!"
(sorry message so LONG & reaching you so late – been sick/am sick – why I not at Opening Ceremony – as either Participant (singer) or Volunteer ) – got upper respiratory infection (not covid – tested this am) = on antibiotics so can SING )
Friendship Concert - Thursday 11 July 2024.docx Download View
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Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.2% Human-centred experience and communication
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15% Critical thinking
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29.9% Resilience and adaptability
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2.9% Other - I will share below!
The Gospel’s Relevance Today**
The Gospel, meaning ‘good news’, is the cornerstone of the message contained in the Bible’s first four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While these records were written approximately 2,000 years ago, a natural question arises: why is this Gospel still relevant and vital for us today? This analysis seeks to explore what the Bible itself defines as the Gospel and to understand its enduring significance.
**Defining the Gospel: Core Biblical References**
The Gospel is not a vague concept; Scripture provides clear descriptions of its content and focus.
* **The Gospel of the Kingdom:** In Matthew 4:23, as Jesus begins his ministry, he is described as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” This immediately establishes that the good news is centrally about a kingdom—the Kingdom of God. His accompanying miracles served to validate the authority of this message.
* **The Gospel of Jesus Christ:** Mark 1:1 opens with, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Here, “Christ” is a title meaning ‘anointed one’. Thus, the good news is intrinsically about Jesus: his identity as the Anointed One and his unique status as the Son of God.
* **The Gospel of God’s Grace:** In Acts 20:24, the Apostle Paul speaks of his mission to “testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Grace signifies an undeserved gift. This reveals that the Gospel involves a gift from God, offered not because it is merited, but out of His benevolence.
* **The Gospel of Salvation and Peace:** Romans 1:16 declares the Gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,” breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Greek). Furthermore, Romans 10:15 calls it the “gospel of peace,” pointing to a future state of peace brought about by this message.
* **The Gospel Summarised:** 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 provides a foundational summary. Paul reminds believers of the gospel he preached, “by which also you are saved.” He then states its core historical facts: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Gospel is therefore rooted in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus.
In synthesis, the Gospel is the good news of **salvation and future peace in the Kingdom of God**, made possible by **the grace of God** and **the obedient sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ**, and offered to all who believe.
**Old Testament Foundations: The Gospel Preached to Abraham**
A crucial question is whether the Gospel is confined to the New Testament. Scripture shows its foundations were laid much earlier. Galatians 3:8 states explicitly that “the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’”
This reference points back to Genesis 12:1-3, where God made profound promises to Abraham: to make him a great nation, to bless those who blessed him, and that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” These promises—later reaffirmed to Isaac and Jacob—form the bedrock of the Gospel hope. The good news of salvation through Christ is the fulfillment of how **all nations** would be blessed through Abraham’s “seed.”
**The Gospel’s Personal Relevance: Good News for You Today**
How does this ancient message become “good news for you” today? The application is clearly outlined in Galatians 3.
* **Access through Faith in Christ:** Galatians 3:26 declares, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The promise made to Abraham is now extended to anyone with faith in Jesus.
* **The Role of Baptism:** Verse 27 explains, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Baptism is the God-appointed act of faith that identifies a believer with Christ’s death and resurrection.
* **Unity and Inheritance:** Verses 28-29 reveal the glorious outcome: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Through the Gospel, all barriers are removed; believers become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs to the promises of the Kingdom.
This Gospel was once a mystery hidden in God’s purpose (Ephesians 3:3-9). Now, it has been revealed: the unsearchable riches of Christ, offering salvation to all who heed the call, believe the message, and are baptised into him.
**Conclusion: An Enduring and Open Invitation**
The Gospel is far more than a historical account; it is the living, powerful good news of God’s plan for salvation. It is rooted in promises to Abraham, accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and open to all people without distinction. It offers a tangible hope—the hope of resurrection, peace, and an inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God. This is why the Gospel remains profoundly relevant. It is an invitation to listen, believe, and stand firm in this hope, linking our lives today to the eternal purpose of God.
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