Sunday 11 November 2012

WELCOME AND NOTICES

GATHERING:
Come! This is a church of the open door; all are welcome.
Jesus touched a leper and, breaking the taboo of misunderstood illness, widened the circle of community.
He spoke to a woman alone and, shattering the myth of superiority, healed the pain of gender prejudice.
Jesus welcomed children and, leaping the divide of age, acknowledged the faith of young believers.
He praised Samaritans, Romans and, defying iron curtains, built a roadway into every nation.
What next?
What next through us, who come in thanksgiving and praise?

HYMN: Tell Out My Soul
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
His mercy sure, from age to age the same;
His holy Name – the Lord, the Mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and for evermore! © Timothy Dudley-Smith (HFTC)
OPENING PRAYERS

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Elizabeth Penwell

CHILDREN’S HYMN: How Much Am I worth?
How much am I worth? What value’s in me?
Do I count if I stand or I fall?
If I’m weak or I’m strong, if I win or I lose,
am I someone or no one at all?
I am worth everything, everything, everything,
I am worth everything in the eyes of God.
You are worth everything, everything, everything,
we are worth everything in the eyes of God.

I am that bird that dropped to the ground,
the tiniest bird of them all,
and nobody knew, and nobody cared,
but our Father who cares for us all.

How much am I worth? Do I matter at all?
When I’m thinking it through may I see
that I’m worth all the love of the Son of God,
who laid down his life just for me. © Hope Publishing (SRP)

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Ruth 3: 1-5; 4: 13-17 Cynthia Cross
Mark 12: 38-44 John McKean

SERMON: Stranger…Danger?
OFFERING
God, you call us to encourage each other, to build up this faith community. You call us to serve those who are in need,
those who are ill, those who grieve. You call us to widen our ideas of church; you call us to serve the community.
May this offering enable your work to be continued, and for us to grow in faith and commitment, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

HYMN: For All Christ’s Friends (Tune: Sine Nomine WOV 384)
For all Christ’s friends whose lives this world have blessed,
who by their faith and actions Christ confessed,
we praise you Lord, their source of graciousness.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Like them may we have Christ-like caring ways,
lives lived with wonder, tenderness and praise,
that we may live for others all our days. Alleluia! Alleluia!

O great Communion spanning time and space,
beyond our wealth, our learning or our race,
we can be one in Jesus and his grace. Alleluia! Alleluia!

They shall be one who value people’s worth,
one when they work for justice on the earth,
one when they love the Lord of all new birth, Alleluia! Alleluia! ? Bill Wallace (STC)

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN: Go Forth and Tell (Tune: Woodlands WOV 109)
Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake!
God’s saving news to all the nations take;
proclaim Christ Jesus, saviour, Lord, and king,
that all the world his worthy praise may sing.

Go forth and tell! God’s love embraces all;
he will in grace respond to all who call:
how shall they call if they have never heard
the gracious invitation of his word?

Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide:
share God’s good gifts – let no one be denied;
live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,
your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.

Go forth and tell! O church of God, arise!
go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies;
go till all nations his great name adore
and serve him, Lord and king for evermore. ? M. Seddon (HFTC)

THE BLESSING

NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea.

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

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 14th November: Meet 9.30am at Opawa Mall in Hawford Rd. Coffee to follow 10.30am at Opawa Bakery & Café. Margaret 366 8936.

Christchurch APW will meet on Wednesday 14th November 9.45am at Beckenham Methodist. This is our final meeting for the year, and we will be having a Christmas service, followed by the blessing of the Gift Hampers for Pillars and morning tea. See you there. Allison 332 0554.

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

A TANZANIAN LUNCH Sunday 18th November 12 noon.
Cost $5 per person. Under 12s free. Please pay on the day.
For those unable to attend, there will be an opportunity to make a donation during the Sunday service.
The lunch will be served in four homes – places are limited to 12 at each venue.
Please put your name down TODAY. Directions are available from Barbara Meier.
Thanks to hosts Barbara & Rob Meier, Sonya & David Hodder, Rachel & Aubrey McLeod and Lyndsey McKay.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: The next session is on Monday 10th December. Please phone Anna 332 6192 to book.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am – 12 noon & Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 11th Barbara; Wed 14th Berta, Ruby; Fri 16th Olwen.

HUB NOTICES for this week:
St James Spreydon

Mon 12 7.00pm Craft Group in Church Lounge
7.00pm Men’s Muster in Church Hall
7.00-9.00pm Church Leaders’ Health Post-Quake Workshop. Free at Burwood Christian Centre, 54 Bassett St.
Tues 13 9.30am Little Kidz Music in Hall Lounge (Contact Kay 339-2370
Wed 14 9.45am Discussion Group in Church office “Giving and Getting” (4wks)
Deadline for contributions to ‘Connect’ to Dorothy Ph. 338-5142 or Dorothyh1@xtra.co.nz
Fri 16 NO Friday Kids due to holiday

Cashmere

Mon 12 9.15am Pre School Music in the Lounge – contact Heidi 3328460
Wed 13 10.00am Forum – a group to discuss the previous Sunday’s readingst and Sermon.

Thurs 14 10.45am-12 noon (approx) Prayer Group at 20 Major Aitken Drive

Relief Cleaner wanted: Our regular cleaner will be taking 2 weeks leave towards the end of ember. The person who usually covers for her is not available, so we are looking for someone else to do the cleaning whilst she is away. If you are able to help, or can recommend someone, please contact Gail in the Church Office (332 7129)

Hoon Hay

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