THE GATHERING: From the rear of the church
We gather on this first day of spring to give God thanks and praise.
God of life’s seasons, you are with us in the fickle weather of
spring, in the balmy warmth of summer, in the mellow
days of autumn and in the cold and damp of winter.
You are with us, God, in the enthusiasm of youth and in our reflective
mature years, in the rushed days of productive work and in the
slower pace of retirement.
You are with us, God, in the dark times of pain or disappointment
and in the joy of celebration.
You never leave us, God, and so we gather, a family of your people,
to worship you in Jesus’ name.
HYMN: Fill Your Hearts with Joy (Tune: WOV 84 Regent Square)
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
sing and praise your God and mine!
Great the Lord in love and wisdom,
might and majesty divine!
He who framed the starry heavens
knows and names them as they shine.
Praise the Lord, his people, praise him!
wounded souls his comfort know;
those who fear him find his mercies,
peace for pain and joy for woe;
humble hearts are high exalted,
human pride and power laid low.
Praise the Lord for times and season,
cloud and sunshine, wind and rain;
spring to melt the snows of winter
till the waters flow again;
grass upon the mountain pastures,
golden valleys thick with grain.
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
peace and plenty crown your days;
love his laws, declare his judgements,
walk in all his words and ways;
he the Lord and we his children –
praise the Lord, all people, praise! © Hope Publishing (HFTC)
OPENING PRAYERS
WELCOME AND NOTICES
• Board of Managers’ Report
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Hilary Moore
SONG: Pear and Apples, Wheat and Grapes (Tune: Monkland WOV 11ii)
Pear and apples, wheat and grapes Flashing shoals of silver fish,
many textures, many shapes; every colour you could wish;
greening leaves and blossom drifts, fishing boats, for you and me
thank you, God, for all your gifts. reap the harvest of the sea.
Earth and ocean, plant and beast, Loving Lord, we know you care;
altogether make the feast; let the world your goodness share;
all who long to share your grace save us from our selfish greed,
at your table have their place. finding you in those in need.
© Paul Booth (Admin. CopyCare Ltd) (CH 4)
READINGS: Psalm 81: 1, 10-16 Gwendoline Cleland
Luke 14: 1, 7-14 Martin Cleland
REFLECTION
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (together)
We believe in one God, Author of life, Creator of the universe.
We believe in the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who came into the world
to seek the lost and to redeem the whole creation.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, giver of life, who leads us to all truth; renewing us and enabling us to grow in the likeness of Christ.
We affirm that the Church and all its members have a mission for today; to proclaim Good News, and to work with those who struggle to see justice and freedom won for all in our communities.
We affirm the dignity of all people and the basic right of every person
to develop to their full potential. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the bearer of Truth, whose purposes are fulfilled through God’s people. Amen.
THE OFFERING
God, we are a people of thanksgiving: a people who sing hymns of joy, who listen to your good news and celebrate your presence in our lives
and in our world. Bless these gifts of money and food, that they may be used according to your purposes. Bless, too, this bread and wine that we may be fed by your love and your Word, and go from this place renewed by your Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE
COMMUNION HYMN: For Your Generous Providing (Tune: Blaenwern)
For your generous providing
which sustain us all our days,
for your Spirit here residing,
we proclaim our heartfelt praise.
Through the depths of joy and sorrow;
though the road be smooth or rough,
fearless, we can face tomorrow
for your grace will be enough.
Round your table, through your giving,
show us how to live and pray
till your kingdom’s way of living
is the bread we share each day:
bread for us and for our neighbour,
bread for body, mind, and soul,
bread of heaven and human labour –
broken bread that makes us whole. © Church of Scotland Panel on Worship (CH4)
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks and praise. It is right to give God thanks and praise.
A new season reminds us … we sing this song of praise:
Holy, holy, holy God,
loving and giving creator,
blessed Saviour, eternal presence –
glory to you in the highest …..
THE LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION
PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION
HYMN: Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You
Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you,
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too.
We are pilgrims on a journey,
we are travellers on the road,
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear,
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping,
when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you,
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven,
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we’ve known together
of Christ’s love, and agony.
Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you,
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too. © Scripture in Song (CH4)
THE BLESSING
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 2nd Shirley; Tue 3rd Charlotte; Thu 5th Anneke, Lyndsey.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served following the service.
REMINDER: Sunday Worship is at 9am each week.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Lyndsey 388 1264.
MEN’S GROUP will be visiting the Cardboard Cathedral on TUESDAY 3rd September (please note date). Meet at the Cathedral at 6.15pm. Tony 332 0554.
SHORT TERM DISCUSSION GROUP ON PRAYER: If you would be interested in joining a small group to discuss “Life as Prayer” for four Sunday mornings after worship, please contact John England or Chris.
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 4th September: Meet 9.30am in the Botanic Gardens by the footbridge in carpark off Armagh St. Coffee 10.15am at Robert Harris in YMCA, Hereford St. June 332 8874.
CRAFT NEWS: On Thursday 5th September Dorothy Leadbetter will be demonstrating a quilting technique called “Sew ‘n’ Flip”. Beckenham Methodist Lounge 10am. All welcome.
On Sunday 15th September the Craft Group is having a display of work which has been made over our 2 ½ years in the middle lounge. A must see. Beverley 332 7786.
Free Daffodils will be available in the Lounge for you take home either today or next Sunday – please help yourself. Many thanks to Graeme & Lyn for this generous offer.
AN INVITATION: “Spring at Strathfield” Sat 7 & Sun 8 September 12-3pm. 1¼ acres on several levels is still pretty untidy but improving. Bulbs, blossoms and rockeries don’t know about earthquakes! Bring your lunch and a drink. Enter at 74 Aynsley Tce by the river (balloons will mark the entrance). All are welcome. Jill 332 2022.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon and Friday 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Location: St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd (at the rear of the site near the sandpit). Website: www.stmartins.org.nz
Global Voices & Wososi singing a World of A Capella, Sunday 8th September 2.30pm at St Michael’s School Hall, 247 Durham St. Tickets $10 at the door.
PARISH AGM: Sunday 22 September following Morning Worship.
IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN – OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX APPEAL.
Shoeboxes are available at coffee time after church. Shoebox Sunday is September 22nd so start collecting up your gifts now. All the boxes from New Zealand are distributed to disadvantaged children in the Pacific Islands and the South East Asia area.
See also on www.operationchristmaschild.org.nz
It is great fun looking for special items for your chosen age group – girl or boy and they can be for practical purposes or for play. They don’t need to be expensive either and Warehouse Stationery and the $2 shops are fun to explore.
Gift suggestions in the various categories are in the pamphlet with many options. Hair combs should be “robust” – fish-hooks are OK for a 10-14 boy and a sewing kit with blunt end scissors for a 10-14 girl. The children love to share and play together, so an inflatable ball and pump are good, tennis balls etc. They enjoy “fun” masks, spectacles, hats too.
Please do note the list of exclusions too, especially to remove all packaging as they don’t have the rubbish collection system we do. Any instructions can be tied to the object or held by a rubber band. Marbles can go into a draw string bag. Also, all items must be new and not include any which could spill or ooze [toothpaste]. It would be a pity if any of your items have to be discarded because they don’t comply.
If you don’t wish to fill a box but would like to join in, help a friend to do theirs. As each box costs $9 to be delivered, all donations will be gratefully received too.
Then bring your completed boxes, labelled and rubber banded, to church on 22nd September for their blessing and they’ll start their journey to an excited child. We sent 44 last year – let’s try and beat that this year. June.
Hub Activities for the week 1st – 8th September 2013
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Tues 3 Sept 9.30am Little Kidz Music in Hall Lounge. Kay 339 2370
Wed 4 Sept 7.30pm Indoor Bowling in hall. Keith 960 2484
Fri 6 Sept 1-3pm Post-Quake Catch-up for Church Leaders at
Wainoni Methodist Church, 878 Avonside
Drive (best access is Avonside Dr from Wainoni Rd)
4.30pm Friday Kidz. Dorothy 338-5142
Sun 8 Sept 12 noon Shared Lunch.
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Mon 2 Sept 1-4pm Foot Clinic. Lyndsey 388 1264
Tue 3 Sept 10am-12noon Cuppa & Chat. Aubrey 930 2525
6.15pm Men’s Group visit to Cardboard Cathedral. Tony 332 0554
Wed 4 Sept 9.30am Walking Group. Details from June 332 8874
10am-12noon Cuppa & Chat. Aubrey 930 2525
Thu 5 Sept 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. Patchwork demonstration. Beverley 332 7786
Sun 8 Sept 9am Spring Flower Worship Service
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mon 2 Sept 9.30am & 10.40am Tai Chi for seniors in lounge. Brian 338 6228
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Tues 3 Sept 10.00am Mainly Music. Eleanor 960 4824
Weds 4 Sept 9.30 am U3A in lounge. Pauline 332 0453
1.00 pm West Spreydon Ladies Indoor Bowls. Sheila 960 4412
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. David 322 7954
Thurs 5 Sept 9.30am & 10.40am Tai Chi for seniors in lounge. Brian 338 6228
7.00 pm Beading Guild. Gayle 322 6073
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Fri 6 Sept 7.00pm Lift Youth Group. Matt 027 3890000
Sat 7 Sept 1.30pm Hoon Hay Indoor Bowls. Brian 338 4488
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Mon 2 Sept 9.30am Pre-School Music
Tues 3 Sept 7.30pm Elders Meeting
Wed 4 Sep 10.00am Forum – discuss and reflect last week’s readings.
Thurs 5 Sep 10.30am – 12 noon Prayer Group at 20 Major Aiken Drive
Advance Notice:
Sunday 15th September, 2.30pm,
Rustle of Spring concert
With Tim Emerson (Piano), David M?ller-Cajar (French Horn), and featuring a display of Flamenco Dancing.
Door sales only – $14 Adults; $10 unwaged