WELCOME

SESSION REPORT, NOTICES & BIRTHDAYS

 

HYMN: To God be the Glory

To God be the glory, great things he has done!

So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,

who yielded his life an atonement for sin

and opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,

and give him the glory! great things he has done!

 

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,

to every believer the promise of God!

and every offender who truly believes,

that moment from Jesus a pardon receives…

 

Great things he has taught us, great things he has done,

and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;

but purer, and higher, and greater will be

our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see… (WOV85)

 

OPENING PRAYERS                       Irene Gray

 

READING: Psalm 121                       Irene Gray

 

HYMN: These Hills Where the Hawk Flies Lonely

These hills where the hawk flies lonely,

Beaches where the long surf rolls,

Mountains where the snows reach heaven, these are our care.

Pastures where the sheep graze calmly,

Orchards where the apples grow,

Gardens where the roses cluster, these are our prayer.

 

Forests where the tree ferns tower,

Rivers running strong and clear,

Oceans where the great whales wander, these are our care.

Race meeting race as equals, Justice for age-old wrong,

Worth for every man and woman, these are our prayer.

 

Cities where the young roam restless,

Lives brought to deep despair,

Homeless and powerless people, these are our care.

Places where the Word is spoken,

Hands held in serving love,

Faiths of our many cultures, these are our prayer.

 

All that the old world gave us,

All that the new world brings,

Language, ideas and customs, these are our care.

Life finding joy and value,

Faith seeking truth and light,

God heard and seen in all things, this be our prayer.               ©Colin Gibson

 

READING:                                                                 Fern Wakefield

 

HYMN: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace (please remain seated)

Make me a channel of your peace.

Where there is hatred let me bring your love;

where there is injury, your pardon, Lord;

and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled

as to console; to be understood as to understand;

to be loved, as to love with all my soul.

 

Make me a channel of your peace.

Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;

where there is darkness, only light;

and where there’s sadness, ever joy. Oh Master…

 

Make me a channel of your peace.

It is pardoning that we are pardoned,

in giving of ourselves that we receive;

and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.                 ©S Temple (CH4 528)

 

REFLECTION : Standing Together                        June Service

 

A TIME OF QUIET

 

OFFERING

 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE                                   John Shanks

 

SUNG LORD’S PRAYER

 

HYMN: Thine be the Glory

Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;

endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won;

angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,

kept the folded grave clothes, where thy body lay.

            Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,

            endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won.

 

Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;

Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;

let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing;

for her Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.

 

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;

life is naught without thee: aid us in our strife;

make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:

bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.

© World Student Christian Federation (WOV303)

 

SUNG BENEDICTION (together):

Stand together for what you believe.

Work for what must be done.

Love each other in all that you do, till all my people are one.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Amen.

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation to prepare for worship.

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to some Session members for leading our worship today.

NO Morning tea today.

 

POT LUCK LUNCH TODAY 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian.

 

NEXT SUNDAY we will be welcoming the Terris family as they present Jaydan for baptism.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 25^th May: Meet 9.30am in Stourbridge Street, near Therese Street, for a walk around Spreydon.  Coffee at Oderings Cafe. Janette & Cyril Morris 332 1240 or 021 161 1178

 

NO Fireside meeting this Tuesday.

 

MEN’S GROUP meets on Thursday 2^nd June 6pm at Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd for a shared meal. Lisa Milburn from Pillars will be our speaker. Please bring a grocery item for the giftbox for Pillars. For details, contact Tony 332 0554.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz.Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

 

CONCERT THIS AFTERNOON with our very own Lyndsey McKay at New Brighton Union Church 2pm. Door sales available. A great afternoon of fabulous singing.

 

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 22^nd Jennifer, Judith; Tue 24^th Hadley; Thu 26^th Barbara; Fri 27^th Jim, Gillian.

WELCOME: Tena  Koutou Katoa

NOTICES & BIRTHDAYS

 

PENTECOST CELEBRATION: Happy Birthday Church…..

 

HYMN: On Pentecost They Gathered (Tune: Ellacombe)

On Pentecost they gathered quite early in the day,

a band of Christ’s disciples to worship, sing, and pray.

A mighty wind came blowing, filled all the swirling air,

and tongues of fire a-glowing inspired each person there.

 

The people all around them were startled and amazed

to understand their language, as Christ the Lord they praised.

What universal message, what great good news was here?

That Christ, once dead, is risen to vanquish all our fear.

 

God pours the Holy Spirit on all who would believe,

on women, men, and children who would God’s grace receive.

That Spirit knows no limit, bestowing life and power.

The church, formed and re-forming, responds in every hour.

 

O Spirit, sent among them on that day long ago,

rekindle faith among us in all life’s ebb and flow.

O give us ears to listen and tongues aflame with praise,

so folk of every nation glad songs of joy shall raise.        ©Jane Parker Huber

 

PRAYER:

 

THE MOVEMENT OF THE SPIRIT IN TODAY’S WORLD.

 

WELCOME: Liz Whitehead, Community Development Worker

Focus: Children & Families St Albans Uniting.

 

• Breakfast Church for Children & Families 8.30am each Sunday.
• Video Clip.
• What do you do each Sunday?

 

SONG: I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing

I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says ‘Sing’,

I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says ‘Sing’,

I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says ‘Sing’,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

 

I’m gonna love when the Spirit says ‘Love’,

I’m gonna love when the Spirit says ‘Love’,

I’m gonna love when the Spirit says ‘Love’,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

 

I’m gonna laugh when the Spirit says ‘Laugh’,

I’m gonna laugh when the Spirit says ‘Laugh’,

I’m gonna laugh when the Spirit says ‘Laugh’,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

 

I’m gonna hope when the Spirit says ‘Hope’,

I’m gonna hope when the Spirit says ‘Hope’,

I’m gonna hope when the Spirit says ‘Hope’,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.                                  C/A

 

The children now leave us with Gillian Cree

 

TIME FOR RELECTION ON PENTECOST.   Pentecost……..

 

BIBLE READINGS:

Ezekiel 37: 1-14          God’s life giving breath           Sonya Hodder

Acts 2: 1-21                 God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, with wind and fire

Wayne Barton

 

DIALOGUE RE BREAKFAST CHURCH ~ Liz & Lyndsey

• What got you started?
• People Involvement
• Church/community response

 

PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

OFFERING:

What we have we offer to God and the world which God loves.

Take them as you took the loaves and fishes and transform them into overflowing life. Amen.

 

HYMN: Great and Deep the Spirit’s Purpose

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose, hidden now in mystery,

nature bursts with joyful promise, ripe with what is yet to be.

In a wealth of rich invention, still the work of art unfolds:

barely have we seen, and faintly, what God’s great salvation holds.

 

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose, making Jesus seen and heard. Every age of God’s creation grasps new meaning from the Word. Show us, Holy Spirit, show us your new work begun today:

eyes and ears and hearts are open, teach us what to do and say.

 

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose: all God’s children brought to birth, freed from hunger, fear and evil every corner of the earth,

and a million million voices speak with joy the Saviour’s name;

every face reflects his image, never any two the same.

 

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose, nothing shall be left to chance.

All that lives will be united in the everlasting dance.

All fulfilled and all perfected, each uniquely loved and known,

Christ in glory unimagined once for all receives his own.      ©Marnie Barrell

 

 

BENEDICTION:

Go now in faith and hope to be part of the recreating of the world.

May God surprise you on the way.

 

 

 

SUNG BLESSING: Now As We Go

Now as we go, kind Spirit keep us, in all we see,

Christ be our focus, in all we do, his story shape us,

that we may grow to God’s good purpose.

 

Now as we go, sister and brother, give us good care of the other,

more hope to share, more strength to gather,

more life to know in faith together.                             ©Shirley Murray (AA)

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation to prepare for worship.

 

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Lyndsey McKay for leading our worship today.

PLEASE NOTE: MORNING TEA & birthday cake is at 43 St Martins Rd.

 

ARTICLES etc needed NOW for next ‘Messenger’. Deadline 20^th May. Please send contributions to Anneke (anneke.howie@gmail.com) asap.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 18^th May: Meet 9.30am at South Library. Coffee at Red. All are welcome. Joan 338 8700.

 

SESSION meets this Wednesday 7.30pm at Merchiston.

 

POTLUCK LUNCH for St James’, Hoon Hay, Cashmere & St Martin’s NEXT Sunday 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and enjoy fellowship. Irene.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz.Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

NB: Anna will be in the Office Tuesday (after 10am) this week, instead of Thursday.

 

COUPLES @ CASHMERE: A series of seminars for stronger relationships. Sun 22^nd May 7.30-9.30pm. $10 per couple (includes supper) at Cashmere Presbyterian Church. Ph 332 7129 to register.

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 16^th Kim.

WELCOME AND NOTICES

 

CALL TO WORSHIP:

 

HYMN: I am the Light of the World

‘I am the light of the world, you people come and follow me!’

If you follow and love you’ll learn the mystery of what you

were meant to do and be.

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,

the work of Christmas is begun:

 

to find the lonely and the lost, to heal their broken souls with love,

to feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,

to feel the earth below, the sky above;

 

to free the prisoners from their chains, to make the powerful care,

to re-build the nations with strength of goodwill,

to be at one with people everywhere.

 

To bring hope to every task you do, to dance at a baby’s new birth, to make music in an old man’s heart, and sing to the colours of the earth.

©Jim Strathdee (WOV669)

 

 

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

 

OFFERING

 

SOMETHING FOR THE YOUNGER AT HEART ~ Wayne Barton

 

 

 

 

CHILDREN’S HYMN:  I’ve Got Peace Like a River

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul, I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul, I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul, I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

 

READINGS:   Psalm 97                     David Beaumont

Acts 16:16-34              Jeannette Beaumont

 

MESSAGE

 

HYMN: Lord Jesus Christ (v1 & 2 only)

Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, you are one with us,

Mary’s son; cleansing our souls from all their sin,

pouring your love and goodness in,

Jesus, our love for you we sing, living Lord.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, now and every day teach us how to pray,

Son of God. You have commanded us to do this,

in remembrance, Lord of you:

into our lives your power breaks through, living Lord.

 

COMMUNION:  (“Free Communion”)

Once was a people enslaved…They were safe: but they were slaves

And God’s purposes were not for safety but for risk

God’s purposes were not for dependence upon someone else’s rules but for self-determination

God’s purposes were for a people who would live justly,

who would love mercy,

who would honour him in their civil service,

their foreign policy, their domestic lives,

their family arrangements, their courts

and their palaces, their temples and homes

And he set them free. And the people remembered that setting free

Every year, they were reminded of what being set free meant

Every year they were reminded of what the cost of freedom was

Every year they were reminded of what they were set free for:

And called to remain faithful to that memory, year by year by year

 

And when Jesus came …slavery in Egypt

Opened it to Roman conquerors, to Zealots, to traitors and to the marginalised, to Greeks and the descendants of ancient enemies, to heretics and children and fishermen and priests and scholars and ultimately to everyone on the earth

Freed to be called children of God, sons and daughters of the Highest God

Freed to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven, the world as it was always intended to be

On the night he was betrayed … Jesus gave us serve as constant reminder to his followers that whatever is happening around us, we are a people freed:

we are a people freed to serve, freed to love, freed to follow in obedience.

May this freedom mark our every thought, word and deed

In the name of him who gave all so that we might be truly free

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

HYMN:  Now Let Us From This Table Rise (CH4 675)

Now let us from this table rise renewed in body, mind and soul;

with Christ we die and rise again, his selfless love has made us whole.

 

With minds alert, upheld by grace, to spread the Word in speech and deed we follow in the steps of Christ, at one with all in hope and need.

 

To fill each human house with love, it is the sacrament of care; the work that Christ began to do we humbly pledge ourselves to share.

 

Then grant us grace, Companion-God, to choose again the pilgrim way and help us to accept with joy the challenge of tomorrow’s day. ©F Kaan

 

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

HYMN: The Journey of Life

The journey of life may be easy, may be hard,

There’ll be danger on the way;

With Christ at my side I’ll do battle as I ride,

‘Gainst the foe that would lead me astray

 

Will you ride, ride, ride with the King of Kings,

Will you follow my leader true; Will you shout Hosanna

To the lowly Son of God, who died for me and you?

 

My burden is light and a song is in my heart

As I travel on life’s way; for Christ is my Lord

And he’s given me his word

that by my side he’ll stay; Will you…

 

I’ll follow my leader wherever he may go,

for Jesus is my friend;

he’ll lead me on to the place where he has gone,

when I come to my journey’s end. Will you…             ©V Collison (WOV 670)

 

 

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation to prepare for worship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Alan Webster for leading our worship today.

 

MORNING TEA this morning is at 43 St Martins Rd.

 

PENTECOST NEXT SUNDAY 15^th May 9am. Liz Whitehead from St Albans Uniting will share with us about their Family Breakfast Church each Sunday at 8.30am. Do come and hear her. Lyndsey McKay.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 11^th May: Meet 9.30am on the cnr Kilmore St & Fitzgerald Ave for a stroll around the Avon Loop. Coffee at Little Pom’s Café. All are welcome. Barbara & Alan 337 6202.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.

 

POTLUCK LUNCH for St James’, Hoon Hay, Cashmere & St Martin’s on Sunday 22^nd May 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and enjoy fellowship. Irene.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz.Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

 

COURT THEATRE “Educating Rita”. Payment ($45) in NAMED envelope to Sue by NEXT SUNDAY 15^th May at the very latest please.

 

ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER: TOMORROW St James’ Church Hall Lounge at 7:00 pm. Doug Roberts visited Belgium in 2010. “ANZAC on the Western Front” See photos inside the Arras Tunnels and craters of some of the largest mine explosions. All men welcome.

Roger Allen (gr.allen46@gmail.com).

 

PTO…

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 10^th Jill.

 

 

 

 

 

KEEP HOPE ALIVE FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES

 

Christian World Service is looking for 100 people who want to help Syrian refugees. The first ever Operation Refugee will take place from 16-20 June. Participants commit to live on the same rations as a Syrian refugee for five days and raise funds for people living in Jordan and Lebanon. On registering for the challenge, CWS will send a box of rations including lentils, chickpeas, flour, fish, vegetable, oil and salt.  Participants supply their own rice.

CWS is fundraising for longstanding partner the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), a programme of the Middle East Council of Churches with whom it has worked since 1949. Funds raised will provide food, education, medical care and comfort for more than two million refugees.

 

People can register and set up a personal fundraising page at cws.org.nz. Those who want to support the challenge can sponsor individual participants or donate to Operation Refugee.

 

For more information call 0800 74 73 72

WELCOME AND NOTICES

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (together):

In the beginning God created all things declaring them to be good.

When God created women and men they were given charge over all creation.

As God’s days of creation ceased, ours began.

The God given gifts are to be used to continue God’s creative work.

In worship we come to give thanks and share in this task.

 

HYMN: Morning Has Broken (Tune: Bunessan)

Morning has broken like the first morning,

blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning,

praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

 

Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,

like the first dewfall on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,

sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

 

Mine is the sunlight; mine is the morning,

born of the one light Eden saw play!

Praise with elation, praise every morning,

God’s re-creation of the new day!                  ©Eleanor Farjeon (WOV91)

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

TIME WITH THOSE YOUNG AT HEART  

 

 

HYMN: He Came Singing Love

He came singing love and he lived singing love; he died, singing love. He arose in silence. For the love to go on we must make it our song: you and I be the singers.

 

He came singing faith…

 

He came singing hope…

 

He came singing peace…                                           ©Colin Gibson (WOV636)

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS:

Acts 16: 9-15               Hilary Moore

Psalm 67                     Barry Moore

 

MESSAGE: Subdue and Replenish

 

HYMN: Lead Us, Heavenly Father (Tune: Mannheim)

 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us o’er the world’s tempestuous sea; guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, for we have no help but thee;

yet possessing every blessing if our God our Father be.

 

Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us; all our weakness thou dost know; thou didst tread this earth before us, thou didst feel its keenest woe: lone and dreary, faint and weary, through the desert though didst go.

 

Spirit of our God, descending, fill our hearts with heavenly joy, love with every passion blending, pleasure that can never cloy:

thus provided, pardoned, guided, nothing can our peace destroy.                                                ©J Edmeston (WOV492)

 

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE

 

SUNG LORD’S PRAYER 

 

THE OFFERING (together):

We dedicate these gifts freely given and gratefully received

To the work of the congregation

Building honest caring relationships across all lines of difference

Promoting religious freedom, practising compassion and working for justice

May these gifts and the work of our hands and hearts

Give power to all we stand for as a community of faith

 

GREET AND BLESS ONE ANOTHER

 

HYMN: In Heavenly Love Abiding

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear;

and safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here:

the storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid;

but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

 

Wherever he may guide me no want shall turn me back,

my shepherd is beside me and nothing can I lack:

his wisdom ever waketh, his sight is never dim,

he knows the way he taketh and I will walk with him.

 

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen;

Bright skies will soon be o’er me where the dark clouds have been:

my hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free;

my Saviour has my treasure, and he will walk with me.

©Anna Laetitia Waring (WOV504)

 

BLESSING (together):

May God lead us in all our days

May Christ shield us in all our ways

May the Spirit bring us healing and peace

 

THREEFOLD AMEN

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation

 to prepare for worship.

 

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 1^st Margaret; Sat 7^th Lucy.

 

 

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea. Many thanks to David Beaumont for leading our worship today.

 

WORKING BEE 43 St Martins Rd, NEXT Saturday 7^th May 9.30am – 12noon (weather permitting). Please bring your gardening tools to help tidy up the church grounds.

 

PENTECOST SUNDAY 15^th May 9am. Liz Whitehead from St Albans Uniting will share with us about their Family Breakfast Church each Sunday at 8.30am. Do come and hear her. Lyndsey McKay.

 

FOOT CLINIC: TOMORROW 1-4pm. New helpers always very welcome. Contact Lyndsey 388 1264 for information.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 4^th May: Meet 9.30am by bridge in Botanic Gardens. Coffee at Lux Espresso in COCA Gallery, Gloucester St. All welcome. Sonya 027 253 3397.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.

 

POTLUCK LUNCH for St James’, Hoon Hay, Cashmere & St Martin’s on Sunday 22^nd May 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and enjoy fellowship. Irene.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz.Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

 

COURT THEATRE “Educating Rita” Thursday 16^th June 6.30pm. $45. Payment in NAMED envelope to Sue by NEXT SUNDAY 8^th May please. We still need a few more people to come – invite your friends, family, neighbours.

 

ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER: Monday 9th May St James’ Church Hall Lounge at 7:00 pm. Doug Roberts visited Belgium in 2010. “ANZAC on the Western Front” See photos inside the Arras Tunnels and craters of some of the largest mine explosions. All men welcome.

Roger Allen (gr.allen46@gmail.com).

CALL TO WORSHIP:

This is one world and we are one people.

There is one God and we are all God’s people.

There is one life, and we are called to live it together.

There is one hope and we share it with one another.

With one voice, one joy, one faith, one love we worship God together.

 

HYMN: God of Nations

E Ihoa Atua, o nga Iwi Matoura, ata whaka rongonga;

me aroha noa.

Kia hua ko te pai; kia tau to atawhai;

manaakitia mai Aotearoa.

 

God of nations, at thy feet, in the bonds of love we meet;

hear our voices we entreat, God defend our free land!

Guard Pacific’s triple star from the shafts of strife and war,

make her praises heard afar; God defend New Zealand!

 

Men of every creed and race gather here before thy face,

asking thee to bless this place; God defend our free land!

From dissension, envy, hate and corruption guard our state;

make our country good and great, God defend  New Zealand!

 

Let our love for thee increase, may thy blessings never cease,

give us plenty, give us peace; God defend our free land!

From dishonour and from shame guard our country’s spotless name; crown her with immortal fame, God defend New Zealand!

 

May our mountains ever be freedom’s ramparts on the sea;

make us faithful unto thee, God defend our free land!

Guide her in the nations’ van, preaching love and truth to man,

working out thy glorious plan; God defend New Zealand!          ©T Bracken

 

GREETING:

May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, with all whom you love, and all whom you pray for here this day.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord be with you also.

 

PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND CONFESSION:

Almighty God, you spoke light into the darkness:

light to dispel the gloom, light to form the day, light to reveal creation’s vivid, colourful palette.

 

You came as light of the world:

Light to shine in the shadows, light to point out the path, light to pierce the hearts of humans, caught in division, disharmony that failed to see uniqueness and unity.

 

You call us to be light in a dark world:

light to lead people home, light to challenge injustice,

light to weave a pattern, that blends and shapes humanity together.

 

The house of God is our home: a place of comfort, familiarity, of easily held opinions, common causes, shared values. Here our faith and kingdom values are affirmed.

 

Here also we see heaven opened. What seems unclean is precious to God. What looks ungodly is counted worthy. Sinners made saints, outsiders pulled in to be warmed at the hearth – the walls of this community pushed out to make room.

Forgive us Lord the narrow-mindedness that excludes; forgive us the tendency to disapprove and judge, and open our hearts and arms to the life you promised. Open our doors to make room for those you would welcome.

 

WORDS OF ASSURANCE:

Though we wander from the path, though we step out of the light,

though we embroider truth, though we deny fullness of life –

Despite all this you come bearing life, light, truth, and new life to us all and by this we are made whole through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

 

NOTICES

 

WE PASS THE PEACE OF CHRIST TO EACH OTHER.

 

HYMN: Honour the Dead, our Country’s Fighting Brave

Honour the dead, our country’s fighting brave, honour our children

left in foreign grave, where poppies blow and sorrow seeds her flowers, honour the crosses marked forever ours.

 

Weep for the places ravaged with our blood, weep for the

young bones buried in the mud, weep for the powers of violence

and greed, weep for the deals done in the name of need.

 

Honour the brave whose conscience was their call, answered no bugle, went against the wall, suffered in prisons of contempt

and shame, branded as cowards, in our country’s name.

 

Weep for the waste of all that might have been, weep for the

cost that war has made obscene, weep for the homes that ache

with human pain, weep that we ever sanction war again.

 

Honour the dream for which our nation bled, held now in trust

to justify the dead, honour their vision on this solemn day:

peace known in freedom, peace the only way.          ©Shirley Murray (NZHBT)

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS:

Revelation 21:1-6: The Revelation to John concludes with a vision of “a new heaven and a new earth” in which the pain and tragedies of earth are healed by the one who is the “Alpha and Omega.”         John Shanks

 

John 13:31-35: Christ gives his followers a commandment: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”                                           Margaret Shanks

 

PRAYER BEFORE SERMON

 

SERMON: Heavenly Vision!

 

HYMN: God of the Ages, by Whose Hand (Tune: Hereford)

God of the ages, by whose hand through years long past

our lives were led, give us new courage now to stand,

new faith to find the paths ahead.

 

You are the thought beyond all thought,

the gift beyond our utmost prayer; no farthest reach where you are not, no height but we may find you there.

 

Lift up our hearts, and set us free from wild alarms and trembling fears; in your strong hand eternally rests the unfolding of the years.

 

Though there be dark unchartered space, with worlds on worlds beyond our sight, still may we trust your love and grace,

and wait your word, ‘Let there be light’.                      ©EH Burrowes (WOV662)

 

OUR FREEWILL OFFERING

to support the mission and Church of Jesus Christ will be received.

As God gives to us, so let us give to God and to all those who wait for the love of God in so many ways.

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Risen Lord Jesus, what can we bring,
but what we have already received from you;

love, life and the substance of our world and work?
Grant us, by your companion Spirit, the love to use our lives and our gifts to the glory of your name., Our Father…(sung WOV 676)

 

OUR PRAYERS FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS

 

 

 

 

HYMN: How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the works Thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my saviour God to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art,

Then sings my soul, my saviour God to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

 

When through the woods and bushclad hills I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the creek and feel the gentle breeze:

 

And when I think that God, his son not sparing,

Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin;

 

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart,

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art.                  C/A

 

BENEDICTION         

 

THREEFOLD AMEN

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation to prepare for worship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service. Many thanks to Rev David Coster for leading our worship today.

 

ANZAC DAY SERVICE: TOMORROW 10am at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd. All are welcome.

 

WORKING BEE 43 St Martins Rd, Saturday 7^th May 9.30am – 12noon (weather permitting). Please bring your gardening tools to help tidy up the church grounds.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 27^th April: Meet 9.30am on the steps of New Brighton Library, Marine Parade. Coffee at Salt on the Pier café. All welcome. Sue 960 7657.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.

 

POTLUCK LUNCH for St James’, Hoon Hay, Cashmere & St Martin’s on Sunday 22^nd May 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and enjoy fellowship. Irene.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. 7 Wilsons Rd South (at the rear of the section).

Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz.

Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

 

COURT THEATRE “Educating Rita” Thursday 16^th June 6.30pm. $45. Sign the clipboard if you would like to go. Payment in NAMED envelope to Sue by 8^th May please. We still need a few more people to come – invite your friends, family, neighbours.

 

FOR SALE: Homemade jams, sauces, pickles. Please support this fundraising venture for St Martin’s – much better than buying from  the supermarket!

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 26^th Rob; Thu 28^th Joan.