WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP: (adapted from David Sparks)
Lead us, O God, as we journey this Lenten season.
Give us the courage of Jesus, who did not hang back
from confronting wrong.
Lead us, O God, as we journey this Lenten season.
Give us the dedication and commitment of Jesus,
Who was not diverted from preaching the Gospel.
Lead us, O God, as we journey this Lenten season.
Give us the compassion of Jesus, who saw
the suffering ones and was moved to help them.
Lead us, O God, as we journey this Lenten season.
Give us the faithfulness of Jesus, who knew
what was in front of him but did not turn back.
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.
Among these friends of mine
I taste the company divine.
Within this narrow sphere
I learn that you are everywhere. © Colin Gibson (AA)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Alice Shanks
SONG: Wide, Wide as the Ocean
Wide, wide as the ocean
High as the heavens above,
Deep, deep as the deepest sea
Is my Saviour’s love.
I, in my youthfulness,
Now am a child of his care.
For his word teaches me
That his love reaches me,
Everywhere.
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Martin Cleland
Dramatic Reading Luke 15: 1-10 ~ Audrey Dunnachie & Bill Lloyd
HYMN: The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The King of Love my Shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine for ever.
Where streams of living water flow
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow
with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed;
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home rejoicing brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and O what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever! C/A
SERMON: God in blue sneakers?
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: O God, You Search Me and You Know Me
O God, you search me and you know me.
All my thoughts lie open to your gaze.
When I walk or lie down you are before me:
ever the maker and keeper of my days.
You know my resting and my rising.
You discern my purpose from afar,
and with love everlasting you besiege me:
in every moment of life, or death, you are.
Before a word is on my tongue , Lord,
you have known its meaning through and through.
You are with me beyond my understanding:
God of my present, my past and future too.
Although your Spirit is upon me,
still I search for shelter from your light.
There is nowhere on earth I can escape you:
even the darkness is radiant in your sight.
For you created me and shaped me,
gave me life within my mother’s womb.
For the wonder of who I am, I praise you:
safe in your hands, all creation is made new. © Bernadette Farrell (CH4)
OFFERING
God, you call us to live lives of grace and generosity.
Open our hands and our hearts so that our gifts for your church become blessings to we who give, and to all who will receive, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: Great Creator God You Call Us (Tune: Regent Square)
Great Creator God, you call us
through the church to do your will.
Stewards of both past and promise,
may we each our work fulfil,
building up in faith and nurture
Christ’s own mission, lively still.
Out of all our varied stories
may we weave a single tale,
here confessing sin and discord,
times we stumble, times we fail.
Yet forgiven, cleansed, refashioned,
in Christ’s strength shall we prevail.
Christ still calls to peace and justice,
health and wholeness, love and grace.
We are partners in that mission
for this time and in this place.
O God, grant us sense and courage
in the daily tasks we face.
Without vision, people perish,
without challenge, drift and die.
Give us then the tools of daring
and the clarity of eye
for creating in the present
visions far and wide and high. © JP Huber (ASF)
THE BLESSING
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 25th Bill; Wed 27th Elizabeth; Sat 2nd Marilyn.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served after the service.
NEXT SUNDAY 3rd MARCH: After morning tea, there will be a congregational discussion about the way ahead with our church buildings.
THE LENTEN STUDY series begins tomorrow, 25th February.
FIRESIDE Tuesday 26th February 7.30pm . Lyn has invited us to meet at her home for a ‘catch-up’ after the holidays. Enquiries to Lyn 332 0865 or Margaret 366 8936.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 27th February. Meet 9.30am at South Library (river end of carpark). Coffee at ‘Red’ 10.30am. Others are welcome to join us then. Margaret 366 8936.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 1st March 10am
St Anne’s Anglican Church, cnr Centaurus & Wilsons Roads.
St Martin’s are hosting the service for the Opawa/St Martins area and we invite you all to attend this ecumenical service written this year by the women of France. We would appreciate it if you could please bring a plate for morning tea – something with a French theme if you are feeling adventurous!
We look forward to seeing you at the service. Invite your friends and neighbours to join you. This service is for everyone, not just women.
HELP! Does anyone have a French flag we can borrow? Please contact Margaret 366 8936 or Allison 332 0554 if you can help.
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS meets every Thursday from 10am – 12 noon in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 11th March 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. More volunteers desperately required please! Enquiries and offers of help to Lyndsey 388 1264.
GARDENERS UNITE and divide your perennials. We will be having a garden stall at Cashmere Presbyterian Church’s Fair on 16th March. More details later regarding transport of plants to Cashmere. If you would like to help on the day, with setting up, pricing, selling – even for a short time – please let Anna know 332 6192. Mission Resource Committee.
PARISH OFFICE hours: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon and Friday 9-11am. Contact Anna on 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
HUB NEWS: Please see the noticeboard in the foyer for this week’s information.
Fair Weather – Trestle Fair
Saturday 13th April (if wet Saturday 20th April)
We will be having a Fair Weather – Trestle Fair on the Church site on Saturday 13th April 2013, (if wet Saturday 20th April) so start cleaning out your cupboards.
We will let you know in good time where to deliver your goods or would you like them to be collected?
We are only having the following stalls/tables:-
White Elephant
Cakes
Preserves/Jam
Books
We do not want large electrical items, such as TVs, Computers,Stereos No household furniture please.
We look forward to everyone helping to make this event a success.