CALL TO WORSHIP:
Come, praise God; sing of his great love.
Come, enjoy God in his creation:
Praise him for the wonders of the world.
Praise him for the smallest atom.
Proclaim his glory in the greatest star.
Come, praise God, for the breath of life:
that the Spirit of God flows in each creature.
Let us rejoice that he has made us out of love.
Let us praise our God, sing of his love.
HYMN: All the Wonder That Surrounds Us (Tune: Ar Hyd y Nos)
All the wonder that surrounds us
springs from God’s care:
all that marvels or confounds us,
raw, rich or rare;
touch and texture, sights and voices,
nature’s countless forms and choices:
all for which the heart rejoices
springs from God’s care.
Every creature, every human
lives by God’s grace:
every family, man and woman,
culture and race;
those whom fortune seems to favour,
those exploited for their labour,
those who need to know a neighbour
live by God’s grace.
God has willed that peace and justice
walk hand in hand.
These, with love, shall build foundations
on which we’ll stand:
love for lover, friend and stranger,
love defying death and danger,
love as first born in a manger –
heaven close at hand. © Iona Community WGRG
OPENING PRAYERS (& Jim Cotter’s Prayer – on screen only)
WELCOME AND NOTICES
STORY-TIME
READINGS: 1 Kings 18: 20-26, 30-39 Jenny Brettell
Responsive Psalm – Ps 96 – on screen only
HYMN: Ours is a Singing Faith (Tune: Diademata WOV 163)
Ours is a singing faith! Now here the hymns we raise.
Resounding, strong, the years a long and echoing our praise.
Ours is a singing faith! In confidence we sing:
Creation’s throne is God’s alone, so joyous voices ring.
Ours is a singing faith! Through all the ebb and flow
of youth and age, on history’s page we see saints come and go.
Ours is a singing faith! The melody rolls on,
sustained by those whose voices rose in praise in times long gone.
Ours is a singing faith! Upheld by work and prayer
that justice, peace and hope not cease but flourish everywhere.
Ours is a singing faith! Though grief or pain hold sway,
Christ still shall dwell, Emmanuel! God with us all the way.
Ours is a singing faith! All thanks to God be sung
by people here both far and near in every land and tongue.
Ours is a singing faith! Let psalms and anthems rise
from sun and moon and stars in tune till music fills the skies!
© Jane Parker Huber (ASF)
Luke 7:1-10 Wayne Barton
REFLECTION
A TIME OF QUIET
THE OFFERING: O God, we give thanks that the bread on the table is a gift which goes beyond personal nourishment and speaks of spiritual nourishment; that the wine on the table is a gift which goes beyond refreshment and speaks of love poured out; and these offerings, gifts that will also go beyond this faith community; speaking of our common humanity with all people. AMEN.
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God who created us from nothing
and goes on bringing to birth new things beyond our imagining.
We believe in Jesus Christ who entered our unknown journey
and experienced all our living,
who walked in our earthiness and can still be discovered in our midst.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who calls us on to truth
in light beyond our seeing,
who liberates us from powerlessness, and goes before us
calling us to be the church; to live out the hope of God’s realm.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE
HYMN: I Come With Joy to Meet My Lord (Tune: Kilmarnock WOV 186)
I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved, and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me.
I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread and bids us share
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.
And thus with joy we meet our Lord,
his presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known:
we see, and praise him here.
Together met, together bound,
we’ll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world
we’ll live and speak his praise. © Brian Arthur Wren (WOV)
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
May the Spirit of Christ be with you, And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift our hearts to God.
Let us give thanks to God who is Wisdom and Love.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God of light … we raise our voices in praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God.
Hosanna in the highest …
COMMUNION
PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION
HYMN: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended, O now be extended
the fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of Christ’s teaching, receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, God’s love shall unite us
to work for the kingdom and answer its call.
With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living,
the tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.
With your feast you feed us, with your light now lead us;
unite us one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving
give honour to Christ and the name that we bear.
© World Library Publications (VU)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served after the service.
SUNDAY WORSHIP TIME FOR WINTER:
Beginning on Sunday 16th June, we will be combining with the Methodist congregation at 10am each week, until 4th August
(except for 21st July, which will be 9am).
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 29th May: Contact June 332 8874 for details of this week’s destination.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays from 10am – 12 noon in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.
MEN’S GROUP will meet on Thursday 6th June 6pm at Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd. Bring a plate for a shared tea and come along for a time of fellowship together. What do you know about Sea Camels? Come and hear what the speaker, John Nimmo, is going to tell you. Further details from Tony 332 0554.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 10th June 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Please book through the Parish Office.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon and Friday 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Do pop in to the new location at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd (at the rear of the site near the sandpit) and say hello!
NOTICES need to be received by 9am Thursday please. Anna.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
HUB NEWS: Please see the noticeboard in the foyer for this week’s information.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 2nd Rose; Mon 3rd Joan; Thu 6th Jessie.