WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
God who first called us to faith, calls us to celebrate our sense of belonging to the Body of Christ, the Church; to accept the joys and challenges that are part of our belonging to a family of God’s people.
At this time God calls us afresh, to live with courage and commitment; to draw wisdom and insight from our faith,
to experience faith itself as a bond which holds us together
in the face of difficulty, displacement and grief.
HYMN: In This Familiar Place
In this familiar place
I know the mystery of your grace.
For the love that I receive, for the truth that I believe,
I praise and thank you for this here and now.
In halting song and word
the music of your voice is heard.
For the love that I receive…
Among these friends of mine
I taste the company divine.
For the love that I receive…
Within this narrow sphere
I learn that you are everywhere.
For the love that I receive… ©Colin Gibson (AA)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Cynthia Cross
SONG: I Am The Church
I am the church! You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
all around the world!
Yes, we’re the church together!
The church is not a building;
the church is not a steeple;
the church is not a resting place;
the church is a people.
We’re many kinds of people,
with many kinds of faces,
all colours and all ages, too
from all times and places.
And when the people gather,
there’s singing and there’s praying;
there’s laughing and there’s crying sometimes,
all of it saying:
At Pentecost some people
received the Holy Spirit
and told the Good News through the world
to all who would hear it. ©Hope Publishing (UMH)
MISSION MOMENT: Operation Christmas Child
READINGS: Genesis 12: 1-9 Beverley Hudson
Psalm 137: 1-6 Bruce Hudson
REFLECTION: Our Sense of Place
A TIME OF SHARING (and The Greeting)
HYMN: Songbook 5 Everyday I Will Offer You
THE OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: God of History, Recent Ancient (Tune: Hyfrydol)
God of history – recent, ancient –
God of every yesterday,
still our God in this day’s moments,
where we go and where we stay:
you have set us in this context,
time, relationship, and place,
hear our praise and glad thanksgiving
for all signs of present grace.
You have called us from division
into unity and hope.
Each and all belong together
in the world’s kaleidoscope.
Help us listen to the voices
daring us to be and do
what you plan for church and people,
loving others, praising you.
How are we, then, called to answer
as we work and as we live,
called to justice, called to mission,
learning to receive and give?
Shall we build a bridge of promise?
Tear down walls that split, divide?
Fling wide doorways, open windows?
Let the Spirit come inside?
God, you point us toward the future
where Christ leads and shows the way.
Here and now, work not yet finished
needs our strength and will today.
Thus we move into tomorrow,
called to live and work and be
reconcilers, pilgrim people,
called by Christ, by Christ set free. ©Jane Parker Huber (ASF)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. For the meantime, our Sunday worship will be at Beckenham Methodist at 9am.
EMAIL ADDRESSES: Please make sure Anna has your email address so we can keep you informed about what is happening.
NEW READERS’ ROSTER is now available. Please check to see if there is a copy for you TODAY. Thank You. Anna.
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will take place on Sunday 9th September following morning worship.
CUPPA & CHAT: 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month & Wednesdays (except the 2nd week of the month) 10am – 12 noon AT BECKENHAM METHODIST. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 22nd August: Meet 9.30am corner Colombo & Wordsworth Streets, Sydenham. Coffee to follow at Just Desserts. June 332 8874.
BOARD OF MANAGERS meets Wednesday 22nd August 7.30pm in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS meets every Thursday 10am – 12 noon AT BECKENHAM METHODIST. New faces are always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Thursday 13th September. Lyndsey 388 1264.
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.
THE PARISH OFFICE is CLOSED. Anna can be contacted as usual on Wed & Thurs 9am – 12 noon & Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz
World Day of Prayer National Committee AGM Saturday 25 August 9.30am at Bishopdale Church of Christ, cnr Greers Rd & Eastling St. Anyone interested is welcome to join us.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sat 25th Irene, Joan & Ken.