CALL TO WORSHIP (from the back of the church)
We have come to praise God, who has done wonderful things among us.
In Jesus, the Christ, God has shown us love, giving light for our darkness, and strength for all our days.
Let us sing praise to God’s name and come before God with open hearts and minds.
HYMN: 28 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (omit verse 4)
OPENING PRAYERS and THE LORD’S PRAYER
WELCOME AND NOTICES
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
SONG: Songbook 17 One More Step Along the World I Go
READINGS: Isaiah 40.21-31 Herb
Mark 1.29-39 Lyn
SERMON: The Whole Town at the Door
A TIME OF QUIET
THE OFFERING
These are gifts of love that we bring to you, O God:
gifts to grow in compassion, that those who are ill, those who are bereaved will find comfort and the wholeness they need;
gifts to uncover injustice, that the oppressed may be freed and the refugee find a home.
Bless them, that they may be gifts that offer your newness and life,
in the name of Jesus Christ, who was your perfect gift of love. AMEN.
A PRAYER FOR WAITANGI WEEKEND
INVITATION TO COMMUNION and THE PEACE
COMMUNION HYMN: I Come With Joy (Tune: Kilmarnock, WOV 186)
I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved, and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread and bids us share
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.
And thus with joy we meet our Lord,
his presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known:
we see, and praise him here.
Together met, together bound,
we’ll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world
we’ll live and speak his praise. © Hope Publishing (TIS)
A GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
May God 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 our thanks and praise.
From the rising of the sun … your people past as well as present saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might;
heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in your name.
Hosanna in the highest….
COMMUNION
PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION
Generous giver of life, you supply us with all good things.
May this bread and wine be the nourishment we seek, and may it transform us into disciples who serve your creation and your people.
in Christ’s name. AMEN.
HYMN: God Who Carved This Timeless Landscape
God who carved this timeless landscape, (Tune:Hyfrydol WOV 148)
Snow-clad ridge to valley plain,
power of surging race and river,
limestone crag and scarred terrain;
Maker still of earth, fire, water,
artistry of sight and sound,
Southern lights and sunset splendour,
raise our eyes and you are found.
Calendar of nature’s balance,
rhythms of the farming year,
shearing, milking, ploughing, pruning,
Manger setting ever near!
Lonely struggles in the byways,
nor’west dust or snow and flood,
fellowship of tears and laughter:
Lord, with you, we’re understood.
Giving thanks for those before us,
village life and tussock track,
as we turn to face the future,
history’s wind upon our back;
scattered are our congregations,
each now shares in ministry,
bonding strength of work together:
spirit of community. © Doug Grierson (FFS)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee in the lounge after the service.
THE NEW READERS’ ROSTER is available – please check to see if there is a copy for you in the foyer. Thank you. Anna.
CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! For details, please contact Aubrey 930 2525.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 8th February ~ please check the noticeboard in the lounge for details. Judith 332 1577.
APW meets this Wednesday 8th February at St Martin’s 9.45am. The speaker is Linda Cowen, Youth Worker at St Stephen’s Parish for a number of years. There will be a Sales Table and all are welcome. Allison 332 0554.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am until 12 noon. Newcomers welcome. Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: The next session on Thursday 16th February is fully booked. For more information about the clinic, please contact Lyndsey 388 1264.
NEIGHBOURHOOD BBQ Sunday 26th February 5.00 – 7.00pm. Please note this date in your diaries. More details soon. Enquiries to Sonya 339 7038.
NEW CONTACT DETAILS for Bruce & Beverley Hudson: their new address is 2-174 Wilsons Rd. Phone 332 7786. Email hudsonba@actrix.co.nz. Please update your phone lists.
THE HALL is out of bounds and no access is permitted at this stage. We are awaiting a detailed engineers’ report and will update the parish when the information is available. John McKean.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 6th Rob; Tue 7th Jean, Kim; Sat 11th William.