CALL TO WORSHIP: From the back
Steadfast God, it has been a long journey.
We have been with ancestors in the desert
and sought you in unexpected places.
We have left footprints in the sand
and our souls in the wilderness.
The pilgrimage has been long
but the promise remains within us.
Now the long shadow of the cross
and the footsteps of Jesus find us waiting
at the gates of Jerusalem. We have arrived.
Yet it seems the journey is still not complete;
there is a deeper journey still to make.
This Lenten wandering has been just the beginning.
The greatest story is still to be told.
HYMN: All Glory, Praise and Honour (WOV 250 St Theodulph)
All glory, praise and honour,
to you, redeemer, king,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the king of Israel,
and David’s royal son;
you ride in lowly triumph,
the Lord’s anointed one!
The multitude of pilgrims
with palms before you went;
our praise and prayer and anthems
before you we present.
To you before your passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to you, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.
Their praises you accepted;
accept the prayers we bring,
great author of all goodness,
O good and gracious king! C/A
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
WELCOME AND NOTICES
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
SONG: The Day He Came Riding into Town
(Tune: When Johnny Comes Marching Home)
The day He came riding into town (hurrah! hurrah!)
His people tore the branches down (hurrah! hurrah!)
They cheered his name with voices loud,
and everyone joined the chanting crowd,
“May the king be blessed: he comes in the name of God!”
The day He came riding into town (hurrah! hurrah!)
He threw the sellers’ tables down (hurrah! hurrah!)
“God’s house should be a place of prayer
but you’ve made a haunt of pirates there!”
And he speaks with fire who comes in the name of God!
The day He came riding into town (hurrah! hurrah!)
It caused the men of power to frown (hurrah! hurrah!)
“We have our laws! We have our ways!
We need no king to rule our days!
We denounce his right to come in the name of God!”
The day He came riding into town (hurrah! hurrah!)
He offered love and not a crown (hurrah! hurrah!)
His song of peace could not be heard
for they wanted a throne and not a word.
And the Word was life – new life in the name of God. ? Frederick Styles
READINGS: From Psalm 118: 1-2; 19-29 Elizabeth Penwell
Welcome to Jerusalem based on Luke 19:28–40
~ Judith Mackay and the congregation. Responses on screen.
REFLECTION: Welcome to Jerusalem
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: Ride On, Ride On (Tune: WOV 264 Winchester New)
Ride on, ride on, the time is right:
the roadside crowds scream with delight;
palm branches mark the pilgrim way
where beggars sit and children play.
Ride on, ride on, your critics wait,
intrigue and rumour circulate;
new lies abound in word and jest,
and truth becomes a suspect guest.
Ride on, ride on, while well aware
that those who shout and wave and stare
are mortals who, with common breath,
can crave for life, and lust for death.
Ride on, ride on, though blind with tears,
though voiceless now and deaf to jeers.
Your path is clear, though few can tell
their garments pave the road to hell.
Ride on, ride on, God’s love demands;
justice and peace lie in your hands.
Evil and angel voices rhyme;
this is the man and this the time. ? WGRG, GIA Publications (VU)
THE OFFERING Gifts of the past; clothes strewn in his path; a carpet of palm branches;
token of loyalty; tokens of enthusiasm.
Our gifts; tokens of thanksgiving, symbols of commitment,
instruments of compassion and service.
God, as you blessed Jesus, the anointed one, bless these gifts now,
for they are given in remembrance and in service of Jesus. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: Lift High The Cross (Tune: WOV 271 Crucifer)
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his glorious name!
Come, Christian people, sing your praises, shout!
If we are silent, even stones cry out.
Jesus, you wept to see our human strife,
teach us compassion for each human life.
Peace was your plea and peace your living theme
let peace be our passport, peace a living dream.
Great is the cost of walking on this road,
to follow and suffer with the Son of God.
Worlds to be born and children yet to be
come, take up this song into eternity. © Shirley Murray (AA)
THE BLESSING
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 24th Bob, Maurice (80), Karlene; Mon 25th Georgia, Oliver; Tue 26th Liam.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES 2013
Mon 25th, Tue 26th & Wed 27th March
7pm Holy Week Reflections
Maundy Thursday 28th March
7pm Combined Service with Beckenham Methodist
Good Friday 29th March
10am Combined Service with Beckenham (NOTE TIME)
Sunday 31st March
9am Easter Day Celebration & Communion
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served after the service.
THANK YOU to all those who helped with last weekend’s plant stall at Cashmere’s Fair, which raised $500. Well done!
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
FIRESIDE: Tuesday 26th March – an informal gathering at Joan S’s, with a flexible start time from 7.30pm, as some may wish to attend the Holy Week service first. Supper: Lesley & Allison. Enquiries to Joan 338 8700 or Margaret 366 8936.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 27th March: Meet 9.30am outside Silverbacks Cafe in the Cracroft Shops (please park in Worsleys Rd). Coffee afterwards at Silverbacks. June 332 8874.
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.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICE: Sunday 14th April.
All goods and produce will be given to Waltham Community Cottage. They have a special need for dry goods – packets and tinned – to help with the cooking classes. Pasta, lentils, canned tomatoes and all beans are always acceptable along with any other food that is given. Fresh produce will also be welcome and we ask that you bring your contribution along to this special service. Worship Committee.
PARISH OFFICE hours: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon and Friday 9-11am. Contact Anna on 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz.
The information presented to the parish on 3 March regarding the future of the church buildings is available on the website: www.stmartins.org.nz
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 22nd April 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Enquiries and offers of help to Lyndsey 388 1264.
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)
9.00am – 12 noon
on the St Martin’s Church site
A simple trestle fair this year, but we will need lots of helpers on the day and lots of goods to sell, so start cleaning out your cupboards.
We will be able to accept goods after Easter – please contact a member of the Fair committee to arrange to have the church open.
Remember, we are only having the following stalls/tables:-
White Elephant
Cakes
Preserves/Jam
Books
NO household furniture, TVs, stereos or computers please