WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
In every age God has called into being a people willing to meet the challenges of life, with the certainty of his presence with them –
a people who lived out his love, even in the midst of change that threatened the warm securities of life; change that called for faithfulness in new and unfamiliar experiences.
In our time the call has come to us, as it came to those who walked the path of faith before us. God beckons us on, to become greater than we have ever dreamed of being, as we respond to the challenges before us.
May our shared life enable us to hear the call; and equip us
with vision and courage to respond with all that we are.
HYMN: Every New Morning (Tune: Bunessan WOV 91)
Every new morning God gives us freely
hearts that are thankful, strength for the task;
people who love us, joy in our service,
all we have need of, if we but ask.
God will be with us in all our thinking,
in all our speaking, in all we do;
and as we praise him by all our actions,
he will be with us, seeing us through.
God in the morning, God in the noontide,
God in the evening, all through the day;
God is within us, and all around us,
God goes before us, all of the way. © Carol Dixon
OPENING PRAYERS
STORY-TIME
SONG: And God Said Yes!
And God said, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Said yes to the world once more,
Said yes with a cosmic roar
Said open that other door
Said, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Friend, Yes!
For God said, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Let’s splash the sky with light,
Let’s float the earth in space,
Let’s dance away the night
Said, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Friend, Yes!
And God said, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Let’s make a people free,
Complete the mystery,
and loving Earth with me
Said, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Friend, Yes!
And God said, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Let Jesus Christ be born!
Let’s find him in the straw!
Let’s blast the shepherd’s horn!
Said, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Friend, Yes! © Norman Habel (SotS)
READINGS: Psalm 27: 1, 4- 9 Bob Kayes
A Day by the Sea (Based on Matthew 4: 12- 23)
SERMON: Gift and Challenge
HYMN: Into These Hills and Valleys (Tune: Song 1 WOV 513)
Into these hills and valleys long ago
came pioneers of faith with vision clear
of farms and towns and neighbours living so
that village, home, and church might flourish here.
God grant such vision now to us, we pray,
to make their dreams our own in this new day.
Today we pray for ministries of caring:
for teaching children gracious words of truth;
for helping all to know the joy of sharing
time talents, all; for work with age and youth;
for worship binding all the church in one;
for deeds and smiles that help God’s will be done.
Move us with confidence toward tomorrow
for which we dare to hope through Christ the Lord,
when peace and joy shall conquer human sorrow
and ploughshares vanquish gun and bomb and sword.
So make us one humanity, and then
teach us to sing a grand and sure “Amen!” © JP Huber (ASF)
THE OFFERING
Gracious God, in gratitude and thanksgiving we bring these gifts.
The gift of ourselves and the gifts of money and produce. May we and they be a part of Christ’s work within our congregation, within our neighbourhood, within our world, at this time. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: All My Hope on God is Founded (Tune: Groeswen)
All my hope on God is founded;
he doth still my trust renew.
Me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown,
he alone
calls my heart to be his own.
Human pride and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray his trust;
what with care and toil he buildeth,
tower and temple, fall to dust.
But God’s power,
hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.
Daily doth the almighty giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.
God’s great goodness ay endureth,
deep his wisdom passing thought:
splendour, light and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
from his store
new-born worlds rise and adore. C/A
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
REMINDER: SUNDAY WORSHIP is at 9am again.
ST MARTIN’S CHURCH FAMILY BBQ TODAY 12 noon at Sue & Peter’s, 106 Southampton Street. Please bring a salad and meat to share (the bbq and chef are provided!) plus a hat, seat/rug, plates and cutlery. Tea & coffee will be available. All are welcome.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 29th January: Catch #28 9.10am bus to Lyttelton from Opawa Rd. Go through tunnel and up hill on Dublin St. Ring bell before Winchester St corner to ensure bus will stop at the first stop. Coffee at SAMO. Anneke 328 7459.
SESSION MEETING Wednesday 29th January 7.30pm in the Church.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. New faces welcome ?. $3 per session. Beverley 332 7786.
THE PARISH OFFICE HOURS are Wednesday & Thursday 9am-12noon & Friday 9-11am. Please ensure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday each week. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz, or pop in to 7 Wilsons Rd.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 27th Nola, Bernie; Fri 31st Bryan, Adrienne; Sat 1st Alice.