CALL TO WORSHIP: From Psalm 98
Sing a new song to the Lord! He has worked miracles,
and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory.
The Lord has shown the nations that he has the power to save
and to bring justice.
God has been faithful in his love for Israel,
and his saving power is seen everywhere on earth.
Tell everyone on this earth to sing happy songs
in praise of the Lord.
Make music for him on harps. Play beautiful melodies!
Sound the trumpets and horns and celebrate with joyful songs
for our Lord and King!
Command the ocean to roar with all of its creatures,
and the earth to shout with all of its people.
Order the rivers to clap their hands, and all of the hills
to sing together. Let them worship the Lord!
HYMN: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You (Henry Van Dyke)
Joyful, joyful, we adore you,
God of glory, God of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before you
opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the dark of doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
All your works with joy surround you,
earth and heaven reflect your rays,
stars and angels sing around you,
centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flowery meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
sound their praise eternally.
You are giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest.
Source of grace and fount of blessing,
let your light upon us shine,
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us,
joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
joyful music leads us sunward
in the triumph song of life. C/A
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN WAYNE BARTON
CHILDREN’S SONG: There’s a Song of Love in My Heart
There’s a song of love in my heart;
love is a gift from Jesus.
There’s a song of love in my heart;
love is a gift from God.
Alleluia! Love in my heart is singing praises.
Alleluia! Love is a gift from God.
There’s a song of hope in my heart;
hope is a gift from Jesus.
There’s a song of hope in my heart;
hope is a gift from God.
Alleluia! Hope in my heart is singing praises.
Alleluia! Hope is a gift from God.
There’s a song of joy in my heart;
joy is a gift from Jesus.
There’s a song of joy in my heart;
joy is a gift from God.
Alleluia! Joy in my heart is singing praises.
Alleluia! Joy is a gift from God.
INTRODUCTION & THE READINGS:
Acts 10: 44 – 48 Judith Mackay
HYMN: 224 Joy to the World (Based on Psalm 98, the Psalm for the day)
John 15: 9 – 17 Warren Pettigrew
SERMON: Is it a new song?
HYMN: I Come With Joy a Child of God (Tune: Kilmarnock WOV 452)
I come with joy, a child of God,
forgiven, loved, and free,
the life of Jesus to recall,
in love 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.
The Spirit of the risen Christ,
unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known,
alive among us here.
Together met, together bound,
by all that God has done,
we’ll go with joy, to give the world
the love that makes us one. ? Stainer & Bell (CH 4)
OFFERING:
God, we joyfully present our gifts:
Through them, may faith counter unbelief,
hope counter despair,
fellowship counter loneliness,
and outreach counter self-serving.
God, bless these gifts for action, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: As a Fire is Meant For Burning
As a fire is meant for burning with a bright and warming flame,
so the church is meant for mission, giving, glory to God’s name.
Not to preach our creeds or customs, but to build a bridge of care,
we join hands across the nations, finding neighbours everywhere.
We are learners, we are teachers, we are pilgrims on the way.
We are seekers, we are givers, we are vessels made of clay.
By our gentle, loving actions, we would show that Christ is light.
In a humble, listening Spirit, we would live to God’s delight.
As a green bud in the springtime is a sign of life renewed,
so may we be signs of oneness mid earth’s peoples, many hued.
As a rainbow lights the heavens when a storm is past and gone,
may our lives reflect the radiance of God’s new and glorious dawn.
? Ruth Duck (VU)
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.
KITES: If you have a kite, please bring it to church NEXT Sunday 20th May so we can prepare for Pentecost. Thank you. Worship Committee.
PENTECOST SUNDAY 27th May 10am – come and join the celebrations!
CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! For details, please contact Aubrey 930 2525. All are welcome.
ST MARTINS MESSENGER: All contributions for the next newsletter need to be emailed to Lyn (l.mck@xtra.co.nz) by this Wednesday at the latest please.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 16th May: Meet 9.30am on the corner of Orbell & Burke Streets for a walk in the Addington area west of Brougham Street. Coffee in The Colombo. June 332 8874.
REMINDER: Session meets Wednesday 16th May 7.30pm.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon. New faces always welcome! Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY is offering a workshop entitled “Is there a New Zealand identity?” St George’s Hall, Gloucester St, Linwood on Saturday 26th May at 2pm. See noticeboard for details. All Welcome.
PROGRESSIVE DINNER with Cashmere, St James & Hoon Hay Churches:
Saturday 16th June starting 4.30pm at St James’. Mark your calendar now. Please sign the sheet in the foyer if you can come. Further details later. Queries to Fern 332 4725 or Judith 332 1577 please.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: The next session is on Thursday 21st June. We are still seeking more volunteers to train up to cut nails, assist with the footspas and massage. This clinic happens every six weeks. Offers of help to Lyndsey please 388 1264.
JARS: URGENTLY REQUIRED – small and medium sized jam jars for Marmalade for Missions – please leave in the church kitchen. Thank you.
Pioneers Bible Study Group is seeking more participants. Please contact Bruce or Beverley Hudson 332 7786.
ST MARTINS THEATRE GROUP: Please phone Lyn 338 0840 if you are interested in Much Ado About Nothing at The Court Monday May 21, 6.30pm.
CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE is seeking expressions of interest of people to join the Trust Board. The information is on the noticeboard.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Wed 16th Kim; Fri 18th Margaret.