WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
In calling the Church into being, God had a vision of a body
to give expression to the life the disciples had seen in Jesus.
This Body of Christ, the Church, is created with the mandate
to make real the love of God in tangible ways, for a world
where that love is the greatest challenge and the greatest hope.
Let us respond to God’s call, and open ourselves to the Spirit,
that we may reach beyond our own capacities,
to be all that God intended the Church to be.
HYMN: Praise With Joy (Tune: Praise My Soul WOV 68)
Praise with joy the world’s Creator,
God of justice, love and peace,
source and end of human knowledge,
force of greatness without cease.
Celebrate the Maker’s glory,
power to rescue and release.
Praise the Son who feeds the hungry,
frees the captive, finds the lost,
heals the sick, upsets religion,
fearless both of fate and cost.
Celebrate Christ’s constant presence –
Friend and Stranger, Guest and Host.
Praise the Spirit sent among us,
liberating truth from pride,
forging bonds where race or gender,
age or nation dare divide.
Celebrate the Spirit’s treasure –
foolishness none dare deride.
Praise the Maker, Son and Spirit,
one God in community,
calling Christians to embody
oneness and diversity.
Thus the world shall yet believe,
when shown Christ’s vibrant unity. © Wild Goose (VU)
OPENING PRAYERS:
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Wayne Barton
HYMN: He Came Singing Love (WOV 636)
He came singing love and he lived singing love;
he died, singing love. He arose in silence.
For the love to go on we must make it our song:
you and I be the singers.
He came singing faith and he lived singing faith;
he died, singing faith. He arose in silence.
For the faith to go on we must make it our song:
you and I be the singers.
He came singing hope and he lived singing hope;
he died, singing hope. He arose in silence.
For the hope to go on we must make it our song:
you and I be the singers.
He came singing peace and he lived singing peace;
he died, singing peace. He arose in silence.
For the peace to go on we must make it our song:
you and I be the singers. © Colin Gibson (WOV)
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Psalm 119: 33-40 from The Message Warren Pettigrew
Matthew 5:38-48 Judith Mackay
SERMON
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: Diverse in Culture, Nation, Race (Tune:ChurchTriumphant WOV 1)
Diverse in culture, nation, race,
we come together by your grace.
God, let us be a meeting ground
where hope and healing love are found.
God, let us be a bridge of care
connecting people everywhere.
Help us confront all fear and hate
and lust for power that separate.
When chasms widen, storms arise,
O Holy Spirit, make us wise.
Let our resolve, like steel, be strong
to stand with those who suffer wrong.
God, let us be a table spread
with gifts of love and broken bread,
where all find welcome, grace attends,
and enemies arise as friends. © Ruth Duck (DTU)
THE OFFERING:
Lord with our gifts today we bring ourselves as an offering.
Take us and use us in the week ahead.
Use our feet to go places for you.
Use our hands to serve you.
Use our mouths to speak for you
that your reign may come on earth. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: Be Thou My Vision (Tune: Slane WOV 455)
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art,
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, my calm in all strife;
I ever with thee, and thou in my life;
thou loving parent, thine own I would be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou, and thou only, the first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.
Great God of heaven, after victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O ruler of all. C/A
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea.
LENTEN STUDIES: Anyone interested in a four week study course please speak to Chris.
FIRESIDE meets on Tuesday 25th February 7.30pm at 43 St Martins Rd. While we catch up with each other after the holidays, we plan to pack up the contents of the church kitchen. Enquiries: Allison 332 0554 or Margaret 366 8936.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 26th February: Meet 9.30am in Port Hills Rd by Martindales Rd roundabout, Heathcote Valley. Afterwards, car pool to Castle Rock Café, Mary Muller Drive (off Chapmans Rd). June 332 8874.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: On Thursday 6th March from 10.45 – 11.45am Jo Giles is coming to share her expertise on skincare and makeup. Cost $6 per person, including morning tea. Everyone is very welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
GUESS WHO IS COMING TO LUNCH? Sunday 16th March 12.30pm
Lists are in the foyer. Guests pay $5 to the Host to cover expenses. Hosts are asked to provide a simple lunch and can indicate how many Guests they would like. Feel free to put your name on both the Host and the Guest list if you are happy to be either. Guests will be handed an envelope with directions to their Host’s home at the morning service on 16 March. St James’ congregation has also been invited to participate. Sonya 339 7038.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 10th March 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Please phone the Parish Office 332 6192 to book.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday & Thursday 9am-12noon & Friday 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz, or pop in to 7 Wilsons Rd.
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Court Theatre Thursday 15th May 6.30pm. $41 each, cash payment to Sue on or before Sunday 13th April please. We have seats in the front two rows pencilled in – please add your name to the list on the clipboard on the table in the Lounge. “Sherlock Holmes goes barking mad! Three actors tackle murder, madness and a monster marauding on the moors in this gloriously funny makeover of the classic British mystery”. Phone Sue 960 7657 for more information.
NEW SUNDAY READERS’ ROSTER OUT TODAY – please check to see if there’s one for you.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 23rd Bessie; Tue 25th Bill; Thu 27th Elizabeth.
Hub Activities for the week 23rd February – 2nd March 2014
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Tue 25 Feb 9.30am Little Kidz Music in Hall Lounge
7.30pm Parish Council meets
Fri 28 Feb 4.30pm Fri Kidz
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 23 Feb 9am Morning Worship
Tue 25 Feb 7.30pm Fireside. 43 St Martins Rd. Margaret 366 8936.
Wed 26 Feb 9.30am Walking Group. June 332 8874.
Thurs 27 Feb 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3. Beverley 332 7786.
Sun 2 Mar 9am Children’s Day Service
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mondays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge. Brian 338 6228
1.30 pm Hoon Hay Halswell Friendship Club. Jean 338 2317
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre programme
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Tuesdays: 10.00 am mainly music @ Hoon Hay. Eleanor 960 4824
Wednesdays: 10.00 am Craft Group. Linda 322 4437
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. David 3227954
7.30 pm Parish Council meets in study
Thursdays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge. Brian 338 6228
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre programme
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Fridays: 7.00 pm LIFT – Youth program in lounge. Matt 027 389 0000
5.00 pm Messy Church -last Friday of month.
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Sun 23 Feb 11.30am Healing Service
5.30pm Sunday Night Lights
Mon 24 Feb 9.15am Pre-School Music. Jane 965 2425
Wed 25 Feb 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings. All Welcome
Thurs 26 Feb 10.30am – 12 noon Prayer Group at 20 Major Aiken Drive