WELCOME AND NOTICES ~ Board of Managers’ Report

CALL TO WORSHIP:
Jesus, head of the Church,
you have called us into the fellowship of your people;
into communities of love and support.
Jesus, sign of peace in a divided world,
you have called your Church to be a sign of unity,
drawing nations and races together in harmony.
Jesus, you hold out the promise of a new creation,
you have called us to respect all people,
as God’s loved sons and daughters.

HYMN: O Many People of All Lands
O many people of all lands now come to God with praise;
together shall we praise our God, LORD of all culture’s ways.

O varied tongues of humankind, now congregate to sing
with hymns of joy and wonderment, thank off’ring we would bring.

O Fount of Love and Light and Life, we thank you for this day;
we are assured of your supply of grace all through the way.

O Source of hope, desire and dream, just as we are, we come,
inspired by you and your great beam to know more of your home.

From here we all go out to share in offices and homes,
your never-failing love and care in substance, deeds, and forms. © Sound the Bamboo

OPENING PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Alice Shanks
CHILDREN’S SONG: The Church is Wherever
The Church is wherever God’s people are praising,
knowing they’re wanted and loved by their Lord.
The Church is wherever Christ’s followers are trying
to live and to share out the good news of God.

The Church is wherever God’s people are loving,
where all are forgiven and start once again,
where all are accepted, whatever their background,
whatever their past and whatever their pain.

The Church is wherever God’s people are seeking
to reach out and touch folk wherever they are –
conveying the Gospel, its joy and its comfort,
to challenge, refresh, and excite and inspire. © W. Jenkins (CH4)

READINGS: Acts 8: 26-40 Wayne Barton
Matthew 5: 13-16 Joan Macdonald

Faith, Culture and The Church – with John E & Mele

HYMN: The Love of God is Broad (WOV 667)
The love of God is broad like beach and mountain,
wide as the wind, and our eternal home.
God leaves us free to seek him or reject him;
he gives us room to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
The love of God is broad like beach and mountain,
wide as the wind, and our eternal home.

We long for freedom, where our truest being
is given hope and courage to unfold.
We seek in freedom space and scope for dreaming,
and look for ground where trees and plants may grow.

But there are walls that keep us all divided;
we fence each other in with hate and war.
Fear is the bricks-and-mortar of our prison;
our pride of self the prison coat we wear.

O, judge us, Lord, and in your judgment free us,
and set our feet in freedom’s open space;
Take us as far as your compassion wanders
among the children of the human race. © Stainer & Bell (WOV)

THE OFFERING:
God, in your grace you call us on, to never settle for what has always been. You call us to a greater understanding of the rich diversity of people and cultures you have blessed us with.
We bring these gifts for blessing, along with our commitment to work together; that your church might build healthy community, sharing with all the fullness of your love. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN: God Gives Us a Future (Tune: Camberwell WOV 170ii)
God give us a future, daring us to go
into dreams and dangers on a path unknown.
We will face tomorrow in the Spirit’s power,
we will let God change us,
for new life starts now.

We must leave behind us sins of yesterday,
for God’s new beginning is a better way.
Fear and doubt and habit must not hold us back:
God gives hope, and insight,
and the strength we lack.

Holy Spirit, teach us how to read the signs,
how to meet the challenge of our troubled times.
Love us into action, stir us into prayer,
till we choose God’s life,
and find our future there. © Elizabeth Smith (TIS)

THE BLESSING

Winter Combined services at 10.00am continue until 16th August.

NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

Singing Group today at 4pm (note time) in the Church. Bill 338 1651.

NEXT Sunday 28th June: Chris will be leading worship next Sunday and we will take the opportunity to thank her for her years given to St Martin’s at the end of the Service. You are all invited to morning tea in the Lounge.
For those coming to the Cashmere Club (the list is now full), please make your way over by 12.20 – lunch will be served at 12.30. Please pay on your arrival ($30.50) and your name will be crossed off the list. Allison 332 0554.

FIRESIDE: Tuesday 23rd June 7.30pm at Joan’s, 2 Pentonville
Close, Westmorland. Please bring along an old favourite recipe to share and maybe a story as to why it’s a favourite. All women are very welcome.
Joan 338 8700.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 24th June: Meet 9.30am in Richmond (angle park in London St off Stanmore Rd). Coffee at Ma & Pa’s, 319 Stanmore Rd. All are welcome. Sonya 339 7038.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 a session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

CARING AND SHARING: THURSDAY 25th June 2015 at 2pm. Bring your memories of Caring and Sharing in days gone by. Afternoon tea will be provided. Please let anyone know who has been associated with Caring and Sharing over the years. For more information, check with Irene 332 7306.

PHONE LIST UPDATE: The phone number for Alice Shanks is 337 1256.

ST MARTIN’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Please ensure Notices in by 9am Thursday each week. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz

STOP PRESS: Fundraising Calendars for sale next Sunday ($20). Bring cash! Rob & Barbara Meier 379 1474.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 23rd Betty; Fri 26th Christine; Sat 27th Gwendoline.

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

Winter Combined services at 10.00am continue until 16th August.

Singing Group today at 3pm (note time) in the Church. Bill 338 1651.

FOOT CLINIC: TOMORROW 1-4pm in the Lounge. More helpers are always welcome. Lyndsey 388 1264.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 17th June: Meet 9.30am by Hawford Rd entrance to Opawa Mall carpark. Coffee at Opawa Bakery & Café. All are welcome.

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ meeting Wednesday 17th June at 7.30pm.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 a session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

Chris is holding a Garage Sale on Saturday 20th June 8am – 12 noon. She is looking for helpers both on the day and the evening before to move heavy stuff. If you make an offer for anything on the Friday, half of the proceeds will be donated to St Martin’s. Let her know if you can help.

Sunday 28th June will be Chris’ final Sunday before her retirement.
She will be leading worship that Sunday and we will take the opportunity to thank her for her years given to St Martin’s at the end of the Service. You are all invited to join for morning tea in the Lounge following the service.
For those who have put their names on the list for the Lunch at the Cashmere Club (the list is now full), please make your way over by 12.20 – lunch will be served at 12.30. Please pay on your arrival and your name will be crossed off the list. Meal price $30.50. Queries? Contact Allison 332 0554.

A very special Caring and Sharing afternoon will be held on THURSDAY 25th June 2015 at 2pm.Bring your memories of Caring and Sharing in days gone by. Afternoon tea will be provided. Please let anyone know who has been associated with Caring and Sharing over the years. For more information, check with Irene 332 7306.

PTO…
Now that you have all enjoyed the fun and frolics of Scottish Country
Dancing (simple form) – or Ceilidh Dancing, do keep it going. At the New Brighton Union Church 10am to 11am every Wednesday ($3.00 with morning tea included) join the enthusiastic group of dancers for some gentle dancing to great music. Everyone is welcome. For more information, check with Irene or give her a phone call – 332 7306

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Please ensure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday each week.
Keep an eye on the website: www.stmartins.org.nz

NEWS FROM MARILYN & DAVID TAIT:
Two days in Israel, berthed at Haifa, and bussed to Jerusalem and Bethlehem the first day. Garden of Gethsemane a highlight. Jerusalem was so busy and full of tourists and we were walked too quickly through the old quarter but did get to the wailing wall (heads covered, no photos), as well as the Church where the tomb of Jesus is supposed to be. There were hundreds waiting in line so we did not get time to wait. We had lunch at a Kibbutz before driving to Bethlehem (in Palestine) past security to view where Jesus was born, now a Church, again very touristy and not the atmosphere we expected. It was interesting that we had a Jewish and a Palestinian guide for both sites, giving us their version of the Bible stories. Yesterday was a much better day when we went to Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake) not so many tourists, and actually stood on the mountain where Jesus preached his sermon on the mount. We went to the River Jordan where he was baptised and also to Caperneum the Town of Fishermen where he lived and worked. These places seemed to bring the Bible stories to life, there was such a lot to take in.
This morning we berthed at Cyprus, took a tour to Nicosia (only divided city in Europe), saw the border to the Turkish side of the island, got a few more details on their politics etc, and visited a wee village up in the hills where they make lovely lace – the ladies sit outside their shops stitching it.
Tomorrow we will be at a Turkish port, these last two days replacing our planned visit to Egypt which was cancelled because of unrest. Next is Crete, Malta, Sicily, and Sardinia, all very different and interesting places to visit.
We are both fine, enjoying every busy minute, lots of exercise on the cobbled streets and uneven steps, having such a wonderful trip.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 14th John; Mon 15th Julian; Fri 19th June, James, Ethan.

GATHERING: from the back Miracles do happen. It might only be a small one:
the tiny flower pushing up through wasteland.
a dandelion dancing, landing on you in the heat of the day,
the intricate pattern of a snowflake, no two the same,
the bursting forth of spring.
Patterns in simplicity;
the miracle of friendship, the warmth of embrace,
the celebration of the dawning of a new day.

Miracles do happen.

HYMN: God Whose Love is Everywhere
God whose love is everywhere
made our earth and all things fair,
ever keeps them in his care;
praise the God of love!
He who hung the stars in space
holds the spinning world in place;
praise the God of love!

Come with thankfulness to sing
of the gifts the seasons bring,
summer, winter, autumn, spring;
praise the God of love!
He who gave us breath and birth
gives us all the fruitful earth;
praise the God of love!

See the sign of love appear,
flame of glory, bright and clear,
light for all the world is here;
praise the God of love!
Gloom and darkness, get you gone!
Christ the Light of life has shone;
praise the God of love! © Hope Publishing (HFTC)

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
WELCOME AND NOTICES

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Wayne Barton

SONG: All Things Bright and Beautiful – NZ Version
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful –
the Lord God made them all.

The wild flowers in their beauty,
the mountain ranges tall,
the deep lakes and the rivers,
and friendly birds that call.

The cold wind in the winter,
the bright life-giving sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden –
he made them every one.

The coloured walls of gorges,
the pine trees green and tall,
the rocks, and pools and palm trees,
the sparkling waterfall.

The many coloured corals,
the creatures of the sea
of forest, field or valley,
on farms or roaming free.

He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. C/A

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: 1 Samuel 16: 1-13 Fern Wakefield
Mark 4: 26-34 Alice Shanks

SERMON

A TIME OF QUIET

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Dorothy McRae -McMahon adapt.)
We believe in God who created us from nothing
and goes on bringing to birth new things beyond our imagining.
We believe in Jesus Christ who entered our unknown journey
and experienced all our living; who walked in our earthiness
and can still be discovered in our midst.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who calls us on to truth
in light beyond our seeing; who stirs within our being
like a melody of new possibilities; who dances on before us
calling us to choose life in all its fullness.

THE OFFERING
God, we bring these offerings, along with the elements of bread and wine, with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all your gifts to us. We ask that you will bless these gifts – this money and this food, that others may know your grace…

INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE

HYMN: Let us Talents and Tongues Employ
Let us talents and tongues employ,
reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the word around: loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one.
at his table he sets the tone,
teaching people to live to bless,
love in word and in deed express.

Jesus calls us in, sends us out
bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share.
God (Immanuel) everywhere! © Stainer & Bell Ltd (CH 4)

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Gracious God … proclaim your goodness and grace:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of love and light,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Above all, we give you thanks … proclaiming the mystery of faith:
On Good Friday he died. On Easter he rose again.
Today he lives forever.

COMMUNION

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

HYMN: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended, O now be extended
the fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of Christ’s teaching, receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, God’s love shall unite us
to work for the kingdom and answer its call.

With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living,
the tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.
With your feast you feed us, with your light now lead us;
unite us one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving
give honour to Christ and the name that we bear ©World Library Publication (VU)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

REMINDER: FROM NEXT SUNDAY 14th JUNE until 16th August we will have our Winter Combined services at 10.00am each week.

Singing Group meets today at 4pm in the Church. Bill 338 1651.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 10th June: Meet 9.30am at the Beckenham Service Centre. Coffee at Red Café there. All are welcome. Judith 332 1577.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 a session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

FIX-IT JOBS: Do you need a hand with any little fix-it jobs around your home or property? Contact the Office – we have people who can help.

SOCIAL HOUSING FORUM: Wednesday 10th June 11am – 12.30pm with Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett. Oxford Terrace Baptist Church Hall, corner Oxford Terrace and Madras Street. An update by the minister describing the roles of various housing ministers, followed by questions and discussion about social housing issues in Canterbury. RSVP required: 379 1122 and leave a message, or email projectsupport@tpa.org.nz. Copies of questions for the minister appreciated before the meeting to allow for detailed responses.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Please ensure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday each week.
Keep an eye on the website: www.stmartins.org.nz

WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
God the Maker: just and creative, strong and loving.
God the Storyteller: joyful and honest, vulnerable and questioning.
God the Holy Spirit: wise and comforting, wild and challenging.
Through our God, Creator, Saviour, Spirit,
we will walk in wonder, justice, wisdom and joy.

HYMN: Praise With Joy (Tune: Praise My Soul WOV 68)
Praise with joy the world’s Creator,
God of justice, love and peace,
source and end of human knowledge,
God whose grace shall never cease.
Celebrate the Maker’s glory,
power to rescue and release.

Praise the Christ who feeds the hungry,
frees the captive, finds the lost,
heals the sick, upsets religion,
fearless both of fate and cost.
Celebrate Christ’s constant presence –
friend and stranger, guest and host.

Praise the Spirit sent among us,
liberating truth from pride,
forging bonds where race or gender,
age or nation dare divide.
Celebrate the Spirit’s treasure –
foolishness none dare deride.

Praise the Maker, Christ and Spirit,
one God in community,
calling Christians to embody
oneness and diversity.
Thus the world shall yet believe,
when shown Christ’s vibrant unity. © Iona Community (VU)

OPENING PRAYER & Jim Cotter’s Prayer
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all, loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and forever. Amen.

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Isaiah 6: 1-8 Audrey Dunnachie
John 3: 1-17 John McKean

HYMN: I The Lord of Sea and Sky
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord; is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night;
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain;
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word of them.
Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame;
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts are satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send? © Daniel Schutte & New Dawn Music (VU)

SERMON: God in Relationship

OFFERING: God, you call us to be care-givers of this earth; you call us to care for all people, in the way of Jesus; you call us to find your Spirit at work in the world. God, we bring these gifts of money and produce, along with the offering of ourselves so that we may fulfil our calling, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

HYMN: Source and Sovereign (Tune: St George’s Windsor WOV 290i)
Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud,
Fortress, Fountain, Shelter, Light,
Judge, Defender, Mercy, Might,
Life whose life all life endowed:
May the Church at prayer recall
that no single holy name
but the truth that feeds them all
is the God whom we proclaim.

Word and Wisdom, Root and Vine,
Shepherd, Saviour, Servant, Lamb,
Well and Water, Bread and Wine,
Way who leads us to I AM. May the Church at prayer recall…

Storm and Stillness, Breath and Dove,
Thunder, Tempest, Whirlwind, Fire,
Comfort, Counsellor, Presence, Love,
Energies that never tire: May the Church at prayer recall…
© Oxford University Press (CH 4)
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: God of Unexplored Tomorrows (Tune: Marching WOV 110)
God of unexplored tomorrows,
of today and yesterday,
God of rock and flowing river,
be our refuge, be our way.

Guardian rock above, before us,
strong foundation where we build,
landmark through the haze of doubting,
shelter where our fears are stilled.

Be the cleansing, quenching water,
irrigate, disturb and move,
stir us from our easy shallows,
current of refreshing love.

God of rock and flowing river
now and ever with us stand,
to transform our land of promise
into each one’s promised land. © Beverley Jones (FFS)

THE BLESSING

NEXT SUNDAY: 9.00am St Martin’s & 10.30am Beckenham.
PLEASE NOTE: FROM SUNDAY 14th JUNE until 16th August we will have our Winter Combined services at 10.00am each week.

NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

CEILIDH: NEXT Saturday 6th June
St Martins School Hall 7.00 – 10.30pm.
Everyone is welcome. Spread the word. Bring your family and friends, and cash to purchase jams and pickles for your pantry.
A fundraiser for the Link Building. Tickets $15 each or $40 a family.
See Anneke or Irene TODAY.

NO Singing Group today. Next rehearsal Sunday 7th June at 4pm in the Church. Bill 338 1651.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 3rd June: Meet 9.30am in the Air Force Museum carpark, Harvard Ave, for a walk around some of the new housing area. Coffee at Air Force Museum Café. All welcome. Judith 332 1577.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 a session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

MEN’S GROUP: Thursday 4th June 6pm Merchiston. Rev Chris Elliot will be sharing some thoughts about her time at St Martin’s. Tony 332 0554.
Beckenham Methodist is hosting a Red Cross Essential First Aid course on Saturday 13th June 8.30am-5.30pm. Cost $85 (usually $150). Please contact Stephen Gregory 337 2296 to book asap.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Please ensure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday each week.
Keep an eye on the website: www.stmartins.org.nz

ST MARTIN’S BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 1st Madg; Tue 2nd Rose; Wed 3rd Joan; Sat 6th Jessie.

WELCOME AND NOTICES: * Session Report

SONG: This is the Day
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.

This is the day, this is the day
when he rose again, when he rose again;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day when he rose again;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day when he rose again.

This is the day, this is the day
when the Spirit came, when the Spirit came;
we will rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it, and be glad in it.
This is the day when the Spirit came;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day, this is the day when the Spirit came. © Les Garrett (SiS)

CALL TO WORSHIP: Ethan and Ellen Doughty
We are not just once in a while friends.
We are the family of God.
We are not just a cosy club.
We are the body of Christ.
We are not just strangers meeting.
We are temples of the Holy Spirit.
We are not here by accident.
Our God has called us to worship.
We are not just passing time.
Jesus wants us to know him better.
We are not just doing the same old thing.
The Holy Spirit has some special words for us.

READING: From Acts 2:1-21 Gilly Penwell & Alexandria Connell

OPENING PRAYER: The Barton ‘Boys’

SONG: I’ve Got a Rhythm for Jesus
I’ve got a rhythm for Jesus, I’ve got a rhythm for him.
I’ve got a rhythm for Jesus, I’ve got a rhythm for him
Sweet Spirit make my life to shine with the glory of the Lord.
O Spirit, make my face to glow with the joy that I feel,
for I know that he’s real.
I’ve got a rhythm for Jesus, I’ve got a rhythm for him
I’ve got a rhythm for Jesus, I’ve got a rhythm for him
I’ve got a rhythm for him, I’ve got a rhythm for him! © Heather Camp-bell

Images of the Spirit: With Gillian and the children

SONG: Loving Spirit
Loving Spirit, loving Spirit,
you have chosen me to be,
you have drawn me to your wonder,
you have set your sign on me.

Like a mother, you enfold me,
hold my life within your own,
feed me with your very body,
form me of your flesh and bone

Like a father, you protect me,
teach me the discerning eye,
hoist me up upon your shoulder,
let me see the world from high

Friend and lover, in your closeness,
I am known and held and blessed:
in your promise is my comfort,
in your presence I may rest.

Loving Spirit, loving Spirit,
you have chosen me to be,
you have drawn me to your wonder,
you have set your sign on me. © Shirley Murray (AA)

REFLECTION: A Pentecost Image : The Pentecost Icon

OFFERING: Bless these gifts, O God, and bless us as we offer ourselves to serve you in different ways and to praise you in many voices. Send your Spirit upon us, so that when we speak the words of your love, people may hear and understand as on that Pentecost day so long ago. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONG: There’s a Spirit in the Air (Tune: Lauds)
There’s a Spirit in the air,
telling Christians everywhere:
“Praise the love that Christ revealed,
living, working in our world.”

Lose your shyness, find your tongue
tell the world what God has done:
God in Christ has come to stay.
Live tomorrow’s life today!

When believers break the bread,
when a hungry child is fed,
praise the love that Christ revealed,
living, working in our world.

Still the Spirit gives us light,
seeing wrong and setting right:
God in Christ has come to stay.
Live tomorrow’s life today.

When a stranger’s not alone,
where the homeless find a home,
praise the love that Christ revealed,
living, working in our world.

May the Spirit fill our praise,
guide our thoughts and change our ways.
God in Christ has come to stay,
live tomorrow’s life today! © Brian Wren (CH 4)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN: Great and Deep the Spirit’s Purpose (Tune: Austria WOV 577 )
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 meanings 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. © Marnie Barrell (AA)
BENEDICTION
May you tread gently with the Spirit when you are confident;
may you walk humbly with the Spirit when you are successful;
may you rise grace-fully with the Spirit when you fall badly;
may you rest gratefully with the Spirit when you are weary;
and may you trust simply the Spirit, when you feel all alone …
NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

***NEXT SUNDAY: There is a combined service at 10am ***

REMINDER: Singing Group is meeting today at 4pm in the Church.Bill 338 1651.

‘MESSENGER’ is available today – please collect yours and deliver promptly.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 27th May: Meet in the main Riccarton Bush car park which is off Kahu Road at 9.30am. Coffee at Riccarton House. If you have any queries please phone Barbara and Alan 337 6202.

CARING & SHARING: Wednesday 27th May 2pm, Beckenham Methodist Lounge. Please contact Irene 332 7306 for more information.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 a session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

CEILIDH: Saturday 6th June 2015 St Martins School Hall 7 – 10.30pm.
Everyone is welcome. It will be a great night of fun, dance etc. Spread the word. Bring your family and friends, and cash to purchase jams and pickles
for your pantry.
A fundraiser for the Link Building. Tickets $15 each or $40 a family.
See Anneke or Irene.
Beckenham Methodist is hosting a Red Cross Essential First Aid course on Saturday 13th June 8.30am-5.30pm. Cost $85 (usually $150). Bring a plate of cold finger food to share for lunch. They have offered St Martin’s up to four places. Please contact Stephen Gregory 337 2296 or 0274 371 565 for more information or to book asap.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Please ensure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday each week. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 24th Hadley; Tue 26th Barbara; Wed 27th Jim, Gillian; Fri 29th Margaret; Sat 30th Keith.