WELCOME AND NOTICES
• Session Report ~ Fern Wakefield
CALL TO WORSHIP:
The Season of Lent is a time for self-examination:
A time for taking the measure of ourselves against the faithfulness of Jesus, for recognising the challenge to grow to be more than we are, for preparing ourselves to participate in the experience of the Easter event. May our worship this day enable that preparation to continue within us, that the real meaning of Easter may take life in us.
HYMN: 115 Let us sing to the God of Salvation
OPENING PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Alice Shanks
SONG: Songbook 2 Christians Are All Kinds of People
O.T.READING: Jeremiah 31: 31-34 Hilary Moore
PSALM: From Psalm 51: 1-12 (Nan Merrill)
Have mercy on me … guide my steps on paths of peace.
Teach me, that I may know my weaknesses, the shortcomings that bind me, the unloving ways that separate me from recognising your life in me. For, I keep company with fear, and dwell in the house of ignorance. Yet I was brought forth in love, and love is my birthright
You have placed your truth … but on the aspirations of my heart
Create in me a clean heart, O Gracious God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Enfold me in the arms of Love, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Restore in me the joy of your saving grace,
and encourage me with a new spirit.
HYMN: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (remain seated)
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness
calling and free.
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
wind, wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters,
you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains
from the valleys of sleep;
and over the ages you called to each thing,
wake from your slumbers
and rise on your wings.
You swept through the desert,
you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people
with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded
with their idols and lies,
then you spoke through your prophets
to open their eyes.
You sang in a stable,
you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence
when the whole world was still;
and down in the city
you called once again,
when you blew through your people
in the rush of the wind.
You call from tomorrow,
you break ancient schemes.
From the bondage of sorrow
the captives dream dreams;
our women see visions,
our men clear their eyes
with bold new decisions
your people arise. © Jim Manley (NJS)
N.T.READING: John 12: 20-26 Barry Moore
SERMON: Deal, or no deal?
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: Songbook 28 Will You Come and Follow Me
OFFERING
Although these are our gifts that we bring for blessing ~
Generous God, they were first your gifts.
With gratitude we return a portion of what we enjoy.
If these gifts bring comfort, if they bring friendship,
if they bring hope, then Jesus’ example will have been followed,
and your name honoured. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE ….
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 that 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. © Jim Cotter
HYMN: 478 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
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.
A Congregational Meeting has been called for Sunday 1st April following morning worship regarding insurance maters. Bruce Hudson, Session Clerk.
CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! For details, please contact Aubrey 930 2525.
Women are invited to come to an informal meeting of the Fireside group at 7.30pm on Tuesday 27th March in the church lounge. “The mother of the bride” will report on THE wedding, and others are welcome to share reminiscences or photos of family weddings. Also there will be planning for next month’s meeting. Enquiries: Margaret 366 8936.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 28th March: Meet 9.30am at Hastings Street entrance of Waltham School for a walk around the area. Coffee at coffee shop in Waltham Rd. Allison 332 0554.
CARING & SHARING meets on Wednesday 28th March at 2pm. Entertainment provided by the Pearly King & Queen. Please contact Margaret 324 3825 if you require transport. All are welcome.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am until 12 noon. Newcomers welcome. Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: The next session this Thursday is fully booked. Queries to Lyndsey 388 1264.
MARMALADE FOR MISSIONS ~ please support this fundraiser!
READERS are required for Palm Sunday, the Holy Week Reflections and Good Friday. Please sign the clipboard in the foyer if you can help. Chris.
WALTHAM COTTAGE requires two volunteers to assist with a monthly Seniors Group on the 1st Tuesday of each month 2.00-3.30pm at the Cottage. You will need to make sandwiches, assist with transport to and from the meeting and stay for the duration.
Please contact Lyndsey 388 1264 if you are interested.
Pioneers Bible Study Group is seeking more participants. Please contact Bruce or Beverley Hudson 332 7786.
PLEASE NOTE: City Care has advised that the wastewater main replacement work in a section of Wilsons Rd Sth & St Martins Rd is progressing as planned with completion still scheduled for mid-April. The final part of the job will be connecting to a manhole at the intersection of these two roads. While this takes place, they plan to have the roundabout completely controlled by traffic controllers. If you can avoid this intersection at this time, then please find an alternative route. Any questions? Please contact City Care on 0800 632 889.
THE OFFERING – you will be aware that the tax year ends on 31st March. After this date annual receipts will be issued to those of you who contribute through the envelope system or have set up automatic payments to St Martin’s Church. If there is anyone in the congregation who would like to be part of either of these systems for the new tax year, contacts are as follows:
Envelope System Lyn 332 0865
Automatic Payments Joan 337 1648
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 25th Georgia & Oliver; Mon 26th Liam.