CALL TO WORSHIP – from the back of the church
I am the circling hawk dancing with joy for life.
God, you invite us to join in the dance!
I am the faithful soil nourishing each life I touch.
You invite us to join in the caring.
I am the swift stream singing my thanks for life.
You invite us to join in the song.
I am the blazing star bringing wonder to life.
You invite us to join in the wonder.
I am the voice of creation praising the God who shapes life:
You invite us to join in the praise.

HYMN: For the Beauty of the Earth (Tune: WOV 77)
For the beauty of the earth,
for the beauty of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies,
Christ, our God, to you we raise
this our sacrifice of praise.

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth, and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild: Christ, our God, to you we raise…

For each perfect gift and sign
of your love so freely given,
graces human and divine,
flowers of earth and buds of heaven: Christ, our God, to you we raise…

OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER

WELCOME AND NOTICES

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Elizabeth Penwell

SONG: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got the sun and the rain in His hands,
He’s got the moon and the stars in His hands,
He’s got the wind and the clouds in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got the rivers and the mountains in His hands,
He’s got the oceans and the seas in His hands,
He’s got you and he’s got me in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got everybody here in His hands,
He’s got everybody there in His hands,
He’s got everybody everywhere in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands. C/A

READING: The story of Genesis 1: 1-25 Bob Kayes

REFLECTION: Earth, the fragile green blue planet

AN AFFIRMATION ~ The Rainbow Creed
Brothers and sisters in creation, we covenant this day
with you and with all creation yet to be:
With every living creature and all that contains and sustains you.
With all that is on earth and with the earth itself.
With all that lives in the waters and with the waters themselves;
with all that flies in the skies and with the sky itself.
We establish this covenant that all our powers will be used to prevent your destruction.

We confess that it is our own kind that threaten your very life.
We ask for your trust
and as a symbol of our intention
we mark our covenant with you by the rainbow.

This is a sign of the covenant between ourselves, every living thing that is found on the earth and with the earth itself.
(From the International Consultancy on Religion, Education and Culture)

THE OFFERING & PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE

HYMN: Touch the Earth Lightly (Tune: Bunessan WOV 91)
Touch the earth lightly,
use the earth gently,
nourish the life of the world in our care:
gift of great wonder,
ours to surrender,
trust for the children tomorrow will bear.

Let there be greening,
birth from the burning,
water that blesses and air that is sweet,
health in God’s garden,
hope in God’s children,
regeneration that peace will complete.

God of all living,
God of all loving,
God of the seedling, the snow and the sun,
teach us, deflect us,
Christ re-connect us,
using us gently and making us one. © Shirley Murray (AA)

A GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God is with you. And also with you.
Open your hearts. We open them to God.
Let us give thanks to our Creator.
It is right to join creation in thanking God.
It is right to give you thanks…
we proclaim your presence among us:
Holy, holy, holy God of all life,
earth and sea and sky are full of your presence
and glorify your name…

COMMUNION

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: These Hills Where the Hawk Flies Lonely
These hills where the hawk flies lonely,
beaches where the long surf rolls,
mountains where the snows meet heaven,
these are our care.
Pastures where the sheep graze calmly,
orchards where the apples grow,
gardens where the roses cluster,
these are our prayer.

Forests where the tree ferns tower,
rivers running strong and clear,
oceans where the great whales wander,
these are our care.
Race meeting race as equals,
justice for age-old wrong,
worth for every man and woman,
these are our prayer.

Cities where the young roam restless,
lives brought to deep despair,
homeless and powerless people,
these are our care.
Places where the Word is spoken,
hands held in serving love,
faiths of our many cultures,
these are our prayer.

All that the old world gave us,
all that the new world brings,
language, ideas and customs,
these are our care.
Life finding joy and value,
faith seeking truth and light,
God heard and seen in all things,
this be our prayer. © Colin Gibson (FFS)

THE BLESSING

NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Morning tea will be served after the service.

EMAIL ADDRESSES: Please make sure Anna has your CORRECT email address so we can keep you informed about what is happening.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will take place NEXT Sunday 9th September following morning worship.

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

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 5th Sept. Carpool from St Martin’s 9.10am for St Albans walk, followed by coffee at Ris’tretto at top end of Barbadoes St. Please note it will not rain on Wednesday! Allison 332 0554.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS meets every Thursday 10am – 12 noon. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.

MEN’S GROUP meets on Thursday 6th September at 6pm at Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd (please note change of venue) for a shared tea. The speaker will be Doug Shepherd (a friend of David Beaumont’s) and he has heaps to share with you.
Please bring a plate for the shared tea and come along for the last meeting of the year. Details of the October dinner will be shared on Thursday night. Tony 332 0554.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 10th September 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist – please note change of date. We would love a volunteer to apply nail polish please for our Spring Special! Lyndsey 388 1264.

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

The Opawa Painting Group wishes to advise they now meet in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge from 10am until 12 noon on a Monday. Help is available. Reasonable charges. For more information, phone Peter 332 1501.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 2nd Shirley; Mon 3rd Charlotte; Wed 5th Lyndsey, Anneke.