WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
God gave us the creation to enjoy,
with rolling landscapes of delight,
with wonders of earth and sea
and endless discoveries of beauty.
God made us in infinite diversity,
with all the vivid colours of our differences,
the marvel of our gifts and skills
to be explored and celebrated.
Let us come in praise and thanksgiving
HYMN: Praise God for the Harvest (Tune: St Denio WOV 80)
Praise God for the harvest of orchard and field,
praise God for the people who gather their yield,
the long hours of labour, the skills of a team,
the patience of science, the power of machine.
Praise God for the harvest that comes from afar,
from market and harbour, the sea and the shore:
foods packed and transported, and gathered and grown
by God-given neighbours, unseen and unknown.
Praise God for the harvest that’s quarried and mined,
then sifted, and smelted, or shaped and refined:
for oil and for iron, for copper and coal,
praise God, who in love has provided them all.
Praise God for the harvest of science and skill,
the urge to discover, create and fulfil:
for dreams and inventions that promise to gain
a future more hopeful, a world more humane.
Praise God for the harvest of mercy and love
from leaders and peoples who struggle and serve
for patience and kindness, that all may be led
to freedom and justice, and all may be fed. © Hope Publishing (CH 4)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Hilary Moore
SONG: We Plough the Fields With Tractors (Tune: WOV 59)
We plough the fields with tractors,
with drills we sow the land;
but growth is still the wondrous gift
of God’s almighty hand.
We add the fertilizers
to help the growing grain,
but for its full fruition
it needs God’s sun and rain
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
for all his love
It is our God who gives us
inventive skills and drive;
which lighten daily labour
and gives us fuller lives!
With many new machines now
we do the work each day,
we reap the fields with combines,
we bale the new mown hay.
Then why are people starving
when we have life so good?
And some in crowded cities
search dustbins for their food.
And even some go hungry
who farm in distant lands;
Lord, help us learn more swiftly
to share with open hands. (Author unknown)
CELEBRATING OUR GIFTS – Martin Cleland
POEM: This Thread I Weave (Shirley Murray, adapted)
CELEBRATING OUR GIFTS – Jill Grierson
READING AND COMMENT: John 6: 1-11 Lindsay Day
The hospitality of one small boy
HYMN: Take My Gifts
Take my gifts and let me love you,
God who first of all loved me,
gave me light and food and shelter,
gave me life and set me free.
Now, because your love has touched me,
I have love to give away;
now the bread of love is rising,
loaves of love to multiply!
Take the fruit that I have gathered
from the tree your Spirit sowed,
harvest of your own compassion,
juice that makes the wine of God;
spiced with humour, laced with laughter-
flavour of the Jesus life,
tang of risk and new adventure,
taste and zest beyond belief.
Take whatever I can offer-
gifts that I have yet to find,
skills that I am slow to sharpen,
talents of the hand and mind,
things made beautiful for others
in the place where I must be:
take my gifts and let me love you,
God who first of all loved me. © Shirley Murray (AA)
OFFERING
O God, your gifts are many, diverse, and so graciously given,
that our hearts are filled with thanksgiving once more
at this season of the harvest.
What we offer in return seems so small, such a simple token;
but we ask you to bless these gifts, and to bless their use,
that those close at hand and those far away
will feel your compassionate and hopeful presence,
in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: With Thankfulness We Offer (Tune: Ellacombe)
With thankfulness we offer
our talents given by you:
the gifts of art and music
crafts, hobbies, writing too,
our keen appreciation
of colours, textures, sounds,
the overwhelming beauty
with which this world abounds.
We bring you from our gardens
the flowers and food we’ve grown,
rejoicing in the pleasure
that all of us have known
of watching what we’ve planted
sprout, flourish and mature,
with gifts of rain and sunshine
that make a harvest sure.
In this green land of plenty
of rivers, bushland, fields,
help us to guard its beauty
and treasure what it yields.
O may we not abuse it
by greed or lack of thought;
may we, like stewards, tend it,
respect it as we ought.
So may we use our talents
to educate, conserve,
that leading by example,
this planet we preserve
from selfish exploitation
of forests, oceans, lands;
the world be healed, replenished
by your restoring hands. ? Jocelyn Marshall Hamilton
THE BLESSING
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tues 1st Aileen; Fri 4th Rosalie.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING TODAY – CELEBRATING OUR GIFTS. A special welcome our friends from St James’ who are worshipping with us this morning.
Thank you to everyone who has brought items for Waltham Community Cottage.
THERE WILL BE A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING on Sunday 6th April following Morning Worship to receive the nominations from Session of David Beaumont, Irene Gray & Anneke Howie for Eldership.
The meeting will also receive an update from the Building Work Group.
LENTEN STUDY tomorrow at the Manse. 10am for morning tea, 10.15am for the study.
THE POSTPONED FIRESIDE meeting will be a social evening at 7.30pm on Tuesday 1st April at Sonya’s 408b Barrington St. Margaret 366 8936.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 2nd April: Meet 9.30am in Hoon Hay Rd near the corner of Cashmere Rd. Sonya will lead a walk in the area followed by coffee at Silverbacks Café. If weather is doubtful please check for an email at 9am.
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: It’s not too late – bake a cake for your neighbours this afternoon!
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.
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.
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Court Theatre Thursday 15th May 6.30pm. $41 each, cash payment in a named envelope to Sue on Sunday 6th April or by 9am on the 13th 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. Sue 960 7657
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 28th April 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist.
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.
REMINDER: Daylight Saving ends next Sunday – put your clocks back an hour!!
Hub Activities for the week 30th March – 6th April 2014
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Sun 30th 9.00 a.mService with St Martins @ Beckenham Methodist. No service at St James!
12.00 noon LA LA LAC’s meet at Oderings for lunch
Tues 1st 9.30 a.m Little Kids Music
Wed 2nd Combined APW/MWF Communion Service. Shared tea at 6pm. Service 7pm led by Rev Chris Elliot. All welcome.
Fri 4th 4.30 pm Friday Kids
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 30th 9am Harvest Thanksgiving
Tues 1st 7.30pm Fireside Women’s Group meeting at Sonya’s 339 7038.
Wed 2nd 9.30am Walking Group. Contact Sonya 339 7038
Thu 3rd 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
Sun 6th 9am Communion & Congregational Meeting
{end of Daylight Saving – remember to change your clocks back!!}
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mondays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge. Brian 338 6228
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre. Vivien 337 2825
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Tuesdays: 10.00 am mainly music @ Hoon Hay. Eleanor 960 4824
Wednesdays: 8.00 – 11.00am Vege Co-op. Shilo 338 3943
9.30 am U3A. Pauline 332 0453
1.00 pm West Spreydon Ladies Indoor Bowls. Sheila 960 4412
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. David 322 7954
Thursdays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge contact Brian 338 6228
7.00 pm Beading Guild. Gayle 322 6073
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre.Vivien 337 2825
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Fridays: 7.00 pm LIFT – Youth program in lounge. Matt 027 389 0000
Saturdays: 9.00am – 12.00pm Ballet Group. Suzie 338 1017
1.30 pm Hoon Hay Indoor Bowls. Brian 338 4488
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Mon 31st 9.15am Pre-School Music. Jane 965 2425
Wed 2nd 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings. All Welcome
Thu 3rd 10.30am – 12 noon Prayer Group at 20 Major Aitken Drive