WELCOME AND NOTICES
• Session Report
CALL TO WORSHIP:
We come to worship God.
We are people of faith, but sometimes
have more questions than answers.
We come seeking God’s strength for life.
Sometimes we run out of energy and fear the future.
We come seeking deeper understanding.
Sometimes we are sure of our call, but unsure of our destination.
We come open to new life in the Spirit;
and so we come just as we are.
HYMN: Praise with Joy the World’s Creator (Tune: Praise My Soul)
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. © WGRG, GIA Publications (VU)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
CHILDREN’S SONG: One More Step Along the World I Go
One more step along the world I go,
one more step a-long the world I go,
from the old things to the new,
keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.
Round the corner of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you’ll be looking at along with me:
And it’s from the old…
As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me travelling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you’ll be telling me the way, I know:
And it’s from the old…
Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough,
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old… © Stainer & Bell Ltd (VU)
MISSION MOMENT: It’s a piece of cake to be a good neighbour
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Genesis 12: 1-4a Bill Lloyd
Nicodemus’ Long, Long Night (John 3: 1-17)
SERMON
HYMN: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness
calling and free.
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
wind, wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters,
you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains
from the valleys of sleep;
and over the ages
you called to each thing,
wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.
You swept through the desert,
you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people
with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded
with their idols and lies,
then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes.
You sang in a stable,
you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence
when the whole world was still;
and down in the city
you called once again,
when you blew through your people in the rush of the wind.
You call from tomorrow,
you break ancient schemes.
From the bondage of sorrow
the captives dream dreams;
our women see visions,
our men clear their eyes
with bold new decisions your people arise. © Jim Manley (NJS)
THE OFFERING (Prayer on the screen)
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: Great and Deep the Spirit’s Purpose (Tune: Austria WOV 577 )
Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose
hidden now in mystery;
nature bursts with joyful promise,
ripe with what is yet to be.
In a wealth of rich invention,
still the work of art unfolds –
barely have we seen, and faintly,
what God’s great salvation holds.
Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose
making Jesus seen and heard.
Every age of God’s creation
grasps new meanings from the Word.
Show us, Holy Spirit, show us
your new work begun today;
eyes and ears and hearts are open,
teach us what to do and say.
Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose
all God’s children brought to birth,
freed from hunger, fear and evil
every corner of the earth.
And a million million voices
speak with joy the Saviour’s name;
every face reflects his image,
never any two the same.
Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose
nothing shall be left to chance.
All that lives will be united
in the everlasting dance.
All fulfilled and all perfected,
each uniquely loved and known,
Christ in glory unimagined
once for all receives his own. © Marnie Barrell (AA)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
THE SESSION HAS CALLED A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING for TODAY following Morning Worship to consider the plans for application to the Presbytery for permission to proceed and uplift the insurance money.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING – CELEBRATING OUR GIFTS NEXT Sunday 30th March.
Please bring a symbol of your gifts/skills for the display.
Our gifts will be given to Waltham Community Cottage. There is a special need for dry goods (packets and tinned) to help with their cooking classes. Pasta and lentils are always acceptable. And think about those wee extras like biscuits, snax, coffee, tea, shampoo (toiletries), sugar, flour, loo paper etc. Also cans of fish, salmon and chicken and tins of hearty beef stews and the like so that they can open a can and put it on toast. Gifts of fresh vegetables and fruit also very welcome. Worship Committee.
The Lenten Study tomorrow at the Manse will look at Nicodemus & Jesus. 10am for morning tea, 10.15am for the study. Chris.
THE FIRESIDE meeting has been postponed from 25th March until Tuesday 1st April. Margaret.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 26th March: Meet 9.30am in Hawford Rd by the carpark entrance to the medical centre. Fay will lead a walk in the area with coffee to follow at Opawa Bakery. If weather is doubtful, please phone Fern 332 4725 to check if walk is “on”.
‘CARING AND SHARING’ – what’s in a name?
Wednesday 26th March – do join us in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge at 2pm.
So – ‘what’s in a name?’ – your chance to come along and find out. Bring yourself, bring a friend. As well as a lot a laughs there will be a fabulous afternoon tea to share after.
We look forward to welcoming everyone. Irene 332 7306.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
KNOWING YOUR NEIGHBOUR IS A PIECE OF CAKE 29th – 30th March.
A combined churches of Christchurch initiative, supported by the City Council. The idea is to help people know their neighbours and create stronger community connections. If you wish to participate, bake a cake and give it to your neighbours next weekend, or invite them over for afternoon tea. See Lyndsey McKay for more information.
THE COMBINED APW/MWF COMMUNION SERVICE will be held on Wednesday 2nd April at St James Presbyterian Church, Barrington Street. A shared tea will be held at 6 pm and the communion service led by Rev Chris Elliot will commence at 7 pm. All are welcome to attend. Please contact Allison 332 0554 for further details.
NAMETAGS: Please wear your Church nametag. See Sonya if you require a new one.
PARISH FAIR Saturday 12th April 9am until 12 noon. Time to start cleaning out those cupboards! We will be having the following stalls: Cakes, Preserves/Jams, White Elephant, Books, Plants & Produce. Please Note: We are unable to accept TVs, Computers, Stereos etc or household furniture.
CHURCH A5 DIRECTORY WITH PHOTOS: Session seeks permission to print the Church Directory with a photo beside each family/person to help everyone put names with faces. Sonya has undertaken to take photos, so simply tell her if you are not agreeable, or advise Anna.
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Court Theatre Thursday 15th May 6.30pm. $41 each, cash payment to Sue on or before Sunday 13th April please. A great idea for Mothers’ Day presents. We need to sell a minimum of 20 seats – please add your name to the list in the lounge. Phone Sue 960 7657 for more information.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 28th April 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Please phone the Parish Office to book.
ORGAN RECITAL by John Dodgshun on TODAY 2.30pm, St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru. Proceeds to Neil Stocker Memorial Fund. All Welcome.
THE PARISH OFFICE HOURS are Wednesday & Thursday 9am-12noon & Friday 9-11am. 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
HUB NEWS: This week’s Hub Report is on the wall in the Lounge.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 23rd Eian; Mon 24th Maurice, Karlene; Tue 25th Georgia, Oliver; Wed 26th Liam.
Hub Activities for the week 23rd – 30th March 2014
St James Presbyterian Church
Very Important:
Lets get Charlie McLaren to St Louis, USA for life changing surgery. Charlie suffers from Cerebral Palsy and this surgery will enable him to walk. Charlie McLaren is nine years old and lives in Lincoln with his parent’s Mandy and Todd and elder brother George. Charlie attends Addington School and one of his current aspirations is to be a professional tennis player. This surgery will provide him with the opportunity to realise his dreams and potential. Goal = $100,000.00 NZD for the surgery alone. Raised = $1,820.00 NZD Donate online at www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/newlegsforcharlie or see Amanda Wallis and be sure to write in the card for Charlie too.
Tues 25th Mar 9.30am Little Kids music
7.30pm Parish Council meet
Fri 28th Mar 4.30pm Friday Kids meet
Sun 30th Mar 9.00am Service with St Martins at Beckenham Methodist
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 23 March 9am Morning Worship & Congregational Meeting
Wed 26 March 9.30am Walking Group. Phone June 332 8874
2pm Caring & Sharing. Irene 332 7306
Thu 27 March 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3. Beverley 332 7786
Sun 30 March 9am Morning Worship. Harvest Thanksgiving. A Celebration of our Gifts
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mondays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge contact Brian 338 6228
1.30 pm Hoon Hay Halswell Friendship Club –4th Monday of
month in lounge – contact Jean 338 2317
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre programme
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Contact Pat 353 0265
Tuesdays: 10.00 am mainly music @ Hoon Hay contact Eleanor 960 4824
Wednesdays: 10.00 am Craft Group. Linda 322 4437
1.00 pm West Spreydon Ladies Indoor Bowls. Sheila 960 4412
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. Contact David 3227954
7.30 pm Parish Council meets 4th Wednesday in study
Thursdays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge contact Brian 338 6228
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre programme
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Contact Pat 353 0265
Fridays: 7.00 pm LIFT – Youth program in lounge –weekly. Matt 027 389 0000
5.00 pm Messy Church -last Friday of month
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Sun 23 March 11.30am Healing Service
5.30pm Sunday Night Lights
Mon 24 March 9.15am Pre-School Music – contact Jane 965 2425
Wed 26 March 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings. All Welcome
Thurs 27 March 10.30am – 12 noon Prayer Group at 20 Major Aiken Drive