CALL TO WORSHIP: from the back
It is the Christ, in the dawning;
in the renewal, in the arrival, in the new day.
It is the Christ, risen and returned,
alive for evermore, giving us new life,
saving us in strife.
It is the Christ. For Christ is risen, risen indeed.
HYMN: Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!
Hymns of joy then let us sing Alleluia!
praising Christ, our heavenly king, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!
But the anguish he endured Alleluia!
our salvation has procured; Alleluia!
now exalted he is king, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing: Alleluia! C/A
OPENING PRAYERS
STORY-TIME
READINGS: Isaiah 65: 17-25 Barbara Meier
A new heaven and a new earth; the wolf and the lamb together
Luke 24: 1-12 Rob Meier
The women report that the tomb is empty
SERMON: Good Friday really happened, BUT…
HYMN: Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing (Tune: Truro )
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring;
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time.
In every insult, rift and war,
where colour, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.
Women and men, in age and youth
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love and praise. © Stainer & Bell (CH4)
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in a world meant for everyone to live together happily in. We believe in living a life of love, sharing with friend and neighbour alike. We believe this is the way of Jesus, who enables us to see and acknowledge our faults, and to experience new beginnings.
We believe he died for us and rose again for us, and for the whole world; and calls us to join with the people who follow him now.
And, I believe he can use even me to carry on his work in the world.
OFFERING
Loving God, our Creator, who gives us life and meaning,
our Saviour, who gives us wholeness and hope,
our Comforter, who gives us peace and joy, use us, and our gifts, to your glory, we pray, in the name of Jesus, the Christ. AMEN.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION AND THE PEACE
COMMUNION HYMN: Lord Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have come to us,
you are one with us, Mary’s son;
cleansing our souls from all their sin,
pouring your love and goodness in,
Jesus, our love for you we sing,
living Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ,
now and every day
teach us how to pray, Son of God.
You have commanded us to do
this, in remembrance, Lord, of you:
into our lives your power breaks through
living Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you have come to us,
born as one of us, Mary’s son;
led out to die on Calvary,
risen from death to set us free,
living Lord Jesus, help us see
you are Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ,
I would come to you,
live my life for you, Son of God.
All your commands I know are true,
your many gifts will make me new,
into my life your power breaks through,
living Lord. © Josef Weinberger Ltd (WOV)
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING – incl The Prayers of the People
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Jesus – companion and Saviour…we proclaim with joy,
Holy, holy, holy God of new and transforming life
heaven and earth are full of your glory
hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in your name,
hosanna in the highest… as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
On Good Friday he died.
On Easter he rose again.
Today he lives forever. ..
COMMUNION
PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION
HYMN: Christ is Alive
Christ is alive, and the universe must celebrate,
and the stars and the suns shout on this Easter Day!
Christ is alive, and his family must celebrate
in a great alleluia,
a great alleluia
to praise the power that made the stone roll away.
Here is our hope: in the mystery of suffering
is the heartbeat of Love, Love that will not let go,
here is our hope, that in God we are not separate,
and we sing alleluia,
we sing alleluia
to praise the power that made the stone roll away.
Christ Spirit, dance through the dullness of humanity
to the music of God, God who has set us free!
You are the pulse of the new creation’s energy;
with a great alleluia,
a great alleluia
we praise the power that made the stone roll away.
? Shirley Murray (AA)
THE BLESSING
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 1st Aileen, Grace; Thu 4th Rosalie.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served after the service.
Chris will be away from Tuesday this week. Bruce will lead the service on 7 April.
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 3rd April: Carpool from St Martin’s church 9.10am or meet at 101 Rannoch Drive 9.30am for a walk around Kintyre Estate and Delamain subdivisions. (Travel west along motorway, R along Curletts Rd, L into Yaldhurst Rd, L into Masham Rd, 2nd R onto Kintyre Drive, go to the end then L onto Rannoch Drive. We are 1st house on R which is corner of Glen Kerran Close. Our house is cream and grey.) Look forward to seeing you! Rosalie 332 5489.
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