WELCOME & NOTICES
Call to Worship:
In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth.
Christ dwells among us and is one with us.
Highest of all creation, he lives among the least.
He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary.
Come now, all who thirst, and drink the water of life.
Come now, all who hunger, and be filled with good things.
Come now, all who seek, and be warmed by the fire of love.
HYMN: Song of the Wilderness (Tune: Glenross)
When we go into the night, leave behind each friendly light,
when the shadows of the world have gathered round,
may we know there is no place separated from your grace;
for the wilderness can be your holy ground.
You have walked the desert sand, crossed the dry and thirsty land; cloud of fire, to bless and guard, ahead you go.
When we’re weak, for us be strong, when we’re silent, sing our song, lead us, God, through every wilderness we know.
Forty days you watched alone in a world of rock and stone,
while the voices of temptation filled the air.
Be the friend we cannot find, be the guardian of our mind, by our side, O desert Christ, stand ever there.
On your name, O Lord, we call, mighty saviour of us all,
give us courage to confront our every fear.
Christ who walked the desert ways, be companion to our days;
hold us close within the compass of your care. ©Colin Gibson, Hope Publishing
OPENING PRAYER:
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:
Merciful God,
you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you.
We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy.
We have not loved you with a pure heart,
nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.
We have not done justice, loved kindness,
or walked humbly with you, our God.
Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness.
In your great compassion,
cleanse us from our sin.
Create in us a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.
Do not cast us from your presence,
or take your Holy Spirit from us.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation
and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. —based on Psalm 51:10-12
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN: Wayne Barton
HYMN: From the Waiting Comes the Sign (Tune: Signum)
From the waiting comes the sign come, Holy Spirit, come
from the Presence comes the peace come, Holy Spirit, come,
from the silence comes the song, come Holy Spirit, come,
and be to us, in truth, the sign, the peace, the song.
In the burning is the fire come, Holy Spirit, come
in the spending is the gift come, Holy Spirit, come
in the breaking is the life come, Holy Spirit, come
and be to us, in faith, the fire, the gift, the life. ©Shirley Murray, Hope Publishing
READINGS: Exodus 16: 9-35 Catherine Fitchett
John 6:25-40 Peggy Cree
SERMON: Andrew Nicol
HYMN: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (Tune: Cwm Rhondda)
Guide me O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand:
bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain whence the living waters flow;
let the fiery, cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through:
strong deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan bid my anxious fears subside;
death of death, and hell’s destruction, land me safe on Canaan’s side: songs and praises, I will ever give to thee. W Williams (WOV478)
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE: Irene Gray
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
THE OFFERING (Together):
We give in grateful thanksgiving for all that God has given us.
In the upside down world of the gospel,
we measure our wealth not by what we have,
but what we can give away.
Let us give away generously, in this offering,
To bless your church, your people, your creation.
HYMN: Fill Your Hearts with Joy and Gladness (Tune: Regent Square)
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
sing and praise your God and mine!
Great the Lord in love and wisdom, might and majesty divine!
He who framed the starry heavens
knows and names them as they shine.
Praise the Lord for times and season,
cloud and sunshine, wind and rain;
spring to melt the snows of winter till the waters flow again;
grass upon the mountain pastures,
golden valleys thick with grain.
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
peace and plenty crown your days;
love his laws, declare his judgements, walk in all his words and ways;
he the Lord and we his children –
praise the Lord, all people, praise! © Timothy Dudley-Smith (HFTC)
BLESSING
NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea and the Annual Meeting following the service.
Many thanks to our Interim Moderator, Rev Dr Andrew Nicol for leading our worship.
Our service next Sunday will be celebrating Daylight Saving (darkness and light). What do people do with their extra hour? (Remember to alter your clocks!)
FIRESIDE meets this Tuesday 7.30pm at Glennys’ 111 Garlands Rd. All women are very welcome. You are invited to share a highlight from your latest holiday.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 23rd Sept: Meet 9.30am at Crosbie Park, Woodbury St, Avonhead. Coffee at Café Beauvais 186 Yaldhurst Rd (cnr of Nortons Rd). Everyone is very welcome. Judith 332 1577.
PLEASE NOTE: On Sunday 4th October we will be joining St James’ congregation at 10am to celebrate World Communion Sunday.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am -12noon in the Lounge. $3. All Welcome.
ST MARTIN’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices to Anna by 9am each Thursday please.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY Newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
OPERATION SHOEBOX: If you would like to participate, please collect a box from June Service. These need to be returned by Sunday 25th October.
POSITIVE AGING EXPO Monday 28th Sept 9.30am-2.30pm at Papanui High. Free.
VSA QUIZ NIGHT FUNDRAISER: 14th October 7pm at Robbie’s, 201 Clarence St, Riccarton. Phone Rob & Barb 379 1474 after they return on 30 Sept if you are keen.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 22nd Hilary; Wed 23rd Daniel.