Peace Sunday 5 August 2012

CALL TO WORSHIP : from the rear of the church
Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers;
establishing a new concept of peace:
not as a passive state that comes into being
when conflict has run its course,
but as a state of being created and sought out,
through the attitudes towards life
and towards each other that we live out each day.
May we learn to live peace in all that we do.

HYMN: All the Wonder That Surrounds Us
(Tune: All Through the Night)
All the wonder that surrounds us
springs from God’s care:
all that marvels or confounds us, raw, rich or rare;
touch and texture, sights and voices,
nature’s countless forms and choices:
all for which the heart rejoices
springs from God’s care.

Every creature, every human
lives by God’s grace:
every family, man and woman, culture and race;
those whom fortune seems to favour,
those exploited for their labour,
those who need to know a neighbour
live by God’s grace.

How can we revere God’s goodness
meant for all time?
How ensure that each uniqueness keeps in its prime?
How can we revere with pleasure
all God gives for life and leisure,
how reserve each earthly treasure
meant for all time?

God has willed that peace and justice
walk hand in hand.
These, with love, shall build foundations on which we’ll stand:
love for lover, friend and stranger,
love defying death and danger,
love as first born in a manger –
heaven close at hand. © Wild Goose Publications

OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER

LIGHTING OF THE PEACE CANDLE

SONG: Let There Be Peace on Earth
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was meant to be.
With God our Creator we’re one family
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment
in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me. ©Jan-Lee Music (NJS)

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Elizabeth Penwell

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Micah 4: 1-4 Anne Johns
Matthew 5: 1-9 (From The Message) Doug Johns

SERMON

A TIME OF QUIET

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe in God, who trusts us
with the whole creation,
who calls us to honour that trust
by living in fairness, justice, generosity and peace.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
who walked the way of the cross
to honour God’s love for us,
who shared all our struggles and lived our deepest fears.
We believe in the Holy Spirit
who is present in our world today,
stirring us into new ways of being,
calling us to risks of faith. Amen.

HYMN: Christ Has Called Us to New Visions (Tune: Austria WOV 577)
Christ has called us to new visions
here to celebrate and praise,
here confess our old divisions,
here our peace petitions raise.
Come repentant, come forgiving,
come in joy and hope and prayer.
Christ, once crucified, now living,
bids us faith and love to share.

As we listen to each other,
as we speak in joy and pain,
we become as sister, brother,
reconciled, at one again.
Only thus in work and feeling
for our neighbour far or near
can we worship God revealing
gifts of grace among us here.

All creation struggles, yearning
for a time of true shalom.
Are we trying, are we learning
now to make the earth our home?
For the hungry and despairing,
for the poor of all the earth,
make us partners, burdens sharing,
bringing all a sense of worth.
Christ still calls us, young and aging,
men and women, bound and free,
colours, talents, thoughts engaging,
joined in one community.
Christ remoulding, healing, leading,
sins forgiven! Life restored!
Let us live, God’s justice heeding,
strengthened by our risen Lord. © Jane Parker Huber (ASF)

THE OFFERING
God, you are the source of everything we are and everything we have; we offer you these gifts that your love may be known in this community and beyond. We offer you this bread, product of many grains, We offer you this wine, product of many grapes, crushed to bring forth new life.
We give you thanks for all your good gifts, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: Feed Us Now (Tune: WOV 565)
Chorus: Feed us now, O Son of God, as you fed them long ago.
The people came to hear you, the poor, the lame, the blind; they asked for food to save them, and you fed them body and mind…

The ones who did not listen, the rich, the safe, the sure,
they did not think they needed to be offered any cure…

It’s hard for us to listen; we have the food we need,
but millions still have hunger. Save us from selfish greed…
© Stainer & Bell Ltd. (TIS)
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
…`God is 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…
…every time and every place to give you praise and glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
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.

THE COMMUNION

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

HYMN: Songbook 58 Lift High the Cross

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.

Parishioners are invited to place their ideas, dreams and suggestions for the future of St Martin’s Parish in the Suggestion Box in the foyer. Suggestions for the Mission of St Martin’s, for the building of our new Hall and church buildings, how to involve the community in our worship and the activities we can offer, your dreams for our future and any other ideas you may have.
The Session and Board of Managers look forward to receiving your thoughts.

URGENT: Annual Reports are now required. Please email these to the Office IMMEDIATELY. Deadline is 9am Thursday 9th August.?

AUGUST NEWSLETTER: We are planning the next issue to fit in with delivery of annual reports. All sorts of news required – family highlights, holidays, great photographs, your thoughts about life in general – what scope there is, and how I am depending on you!!! Deadline 10th August. Thank you! Lyn 338 0840 or l.mck@xtra.co.nz

CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 8th August: Meet 9.30am cnr Colombo & Wordsworth Streets, Sydenham. Coffee at Just Desserts. June 332 8874.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS meets every Thursday 10am – 12 noon. New faces are always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.

Family Nite – Board Games Sunday 12th August 5.30 – 7.30pm in the lounge. BYO fish n chips or pizza to start the evening. Tea/coffee/cordial provided. Please also bring NAMED board games to play. Koha appreciated. All are welcome!

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Thursday 13th September. Lyndsey 388 1264.

MARMALADE FOR MISSIONS & BOOK EXCHANGE: Please support these fundraisers! Please note that some of the books are now in the Office.
Hornby Presbyterian Church, 27 Amyes Road, is hosting a U2achrist again! A church service to the music of the band U2, TONIGHT at6.30pm. Theme is ‘Surrender’. All welcome.
Is there anyone in our church family who is in need of short or long term accommodation and who would be interested in renting a 2-bedroom flat in a quiet St Martins street? Contact Liz Penwell 337 3460 for details.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS Wed & Thurs 9am – 12 noon & Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz

Please look at the information on the noticeboard to see what the other three parishes in our Hub are doing this week.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Fri 10th Irene