CALL TO WORSHIP: From the back
Faith calls us to journey along a Way that stretches into unseen distances:
to hold to a Truth that is great beyond our fullest understanding, and to embrace a Life that calls us to maturity.
Faith calls us to follow Jesus: who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
HYMN: This is God’s House
This is God’s house, let us worship together,
meeting in friendship and learning from all;
this is God’s song, let us praise him together,
singing a hymn of the love of our Lord.
This is God’s book, let us hold it together,
looking and reading and hearing it said;
this is God’s word, let’s explore it together,
seeking the Lord’s way as our thoughts are led.
This shows God’s love as we sup here together,
seeing before us the Lord’s Table spread;
this was God’s son, let’s remember together,
tasting the symbols of wine and of bread.
This is God’s path, let us travel together,
sharing the journey and spreading the word;
this is God’s world, let us serve him together,
telling his story and praying it’s heard.
We are God’s church, let us all pray together,
watching our faith grow and moving ahead;
as we’re God’s flock let’s go onward together,
showing the whole world that he is our Lord.
June Service (A Joyful Noise)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
WELCOME AND NOTICES
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Cynthia Cross
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Psalm 130 Sue Saunders
The Valley of Dry Bones ~ David Beaumont & John Shanks
SERMON: Can these bones live?
HYMN: Lord of the Dance
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon and the starts and the sun;
and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
at Bethlehem I had my birth:
Dance then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he;
and I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
but they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me.
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John
they came with me and the dance went on:
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame:
the holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
and they left me there on a cross to die:
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone;
but I am the dance and I still go on:
They cut me down and I leap up high,
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me:
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he:
THE OFFERING
God of life, you invite us to share life.
We offer these gifts of food and money,
and pray that they may bring life and hope,
as we work to serve you in the world, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
We believe in God,
who trusts us with the whole creation,
who calls us to honour that trust
by living in fairness, justice
generosity and grace.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
who walked the way of the cross
to honour God’s love for us,
who shared all our struggles
and lived our deepest fears.
We believe in the Holy Spirit
who is present in our inner longings,
stirring us into new things,
calling us to the risks of faith.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE
HYMN: For Your Generous Providing (Blaenwern WOV 165ii)
For your generous providing
which sustains 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
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
COMMUNION
HYMN: God Who Sets us on a Journey (Hyfrydol WOV 148ii)
God who sets us on a journey
to discover, dream and grow,
lead us as you led your people
in the desert long ago;
journey inward, journey outward,
stir the spirit, stretch the mind,
love for God and self and neighbour
marks the way that Christ defined.
Exploration brings new insights,
changes, choices we must face;
give us wisdom in deciding,
mindful always of your grace;
should we stumble, lose our bearings,
find it hard to know what’s right,
we regain our true direction
focused on the Jesus light.
End our longing for the old days,
grant the vision that we lack –
once we’ve started on this journey
there can be no turning back.
Let us travel light, discarding
excess baggage from our past,
cherish only what’s essential,
choosing treasure that will last.
When we set up camp and settle
to avoid love’s risk and pain,
you disturb complacent comfort,
pull the tent pegs up again;
keep us travelling in the knowledge
you are always at our side;
give us courage for the journey,
Christ our goal and Christ our guide. © Joy Dine (FFS)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
THERE WILL BE A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TODAY 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. We will be discussing Easter Day. Chris.
READERS are required for Holy Week Reflections and the Maundy Thursday service. Please sign the clipboard in the foyer if you are available. Anna.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 9th April: Meet 9.30am at the far end of Bellevue Ave off Papanui Rd. Coffee at McCafe Merivale. June 332 8874.
CHRISTCHURCH APW meets on Wednesday 9th April 9.45am at St James’ Presbyterian Church, Barrington St. The speaker will be from St John Ambulance about personal alarms. There will be a special Sales Table with the proceeds going to the music programme at the Champion Centre, Burwood Hospital. Allison 332 0554.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
PARISH FAIR NEXT Saturday 12th April 9am until 12 noon. 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. If you have items which require collecting, please phone Rob 379 1474.
PALM SUNDAY 13th April – If you wish to take part in the Palm Sunday parade from carpark to carpark, please be in the Martin Ave carpark by 8.55am. If you’re not participating, please either be seated in the church at 9.10am or standing by the Malcolm Ave doors.
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Court Theatre Thursday 15th May 6.30pm. $41 each, cash payment to Sue in a named envelope by 9am next Sunday at the very latest. Phone Sue 960 7657 for more information.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 28th April 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist.
Part Two of Handel’s Messiah will be performed by the Risingholme Singers as an Easter devotion on Sunday 13 April at St Andrew’s Church at Rangi Ruru at 2.30 pm. This part covers the death, resurrection and triumph of the Messiah and is very dramatic. The music will include choir and soloists, with orchestra and real pipe organ accompaniment! Tickets from John Shanks – $10, or at the church door for $12.
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH replacing smoke alarm batteries, changing light bulbs or tap washers, fixing doors that stick, gardening, small carpentry jobs?? Members of our congregation have offered their services to help with these jobs at no cost for parish folk only. If you require assistance with the above, please phone Anna in the Office 332 6192 Wednesday – Friday mornings.
WALTHAM COTTAGE – If you want to make a donation, brochures are available in the Church foyer. Have you made a response to Waltham Cottage’s projects? Phone Adrienne 942 2173 if you can help.
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.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES 2014:
Monday 14th, Tuesday 15th & Wednesday 16th April
7pm Holy Week Meditations
Maundy Thursday 17th April 7pm Combined Service led by Chris
Good Friday 18th April 10am Combined Service led by Mele
Easter Day 20th April 7.30am Sunrise Service followed by breakfast
9.00am Easter Communion
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 7th Rosemary; Wed 9th Samantha-Rose
Hub Activities for the week 6th – 13th April 2014
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Sun 6 Apr 2.00 pm We have been invited to attend the Lighthouse
Baptist church service to be held here at St
James this afternoon. This will be followed by a
BBQ and should finish about 5.00 p.m.
Tues 8 Apr 9.30 am Little Kids Music
Wed 9 Apr 9.45 am APW meet at St James. The speaker from St
Johns will be talking about personal alarms.
Fri 11 Apr 4.30 pm Friday Kids
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 6 Apr 9am Communion & Congregational meeting
Tue 8 Apr 7.30pm Indoor Bowls Salvation Army Hall, Southampton St. Bruce 332 7786
Wed 9 Apr 9.30am Walking Group. Bellevue Ave, Papanui, then McCafe Merivale.
Thu 10 Apr 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786
Sat 12 Apr 9am-12noon Monster Garage Sale @ 43 St Martins Rd. Ph 332 6192 for info
Sun 13 Apri 9am Palm Sunday Service
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 in hall. Pat 353 0265
Tuesdays: 10.00 am mainly music @ Hoon Hay. Eleanor 960 4824
Wednesday: 8.00 – 11.00am Vege Co-op. Shilo 338 3943
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. David 322 7954
Thursdays: 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
Fridays: 7.00 pm LIFT – Youth program in lounge. Matt 027 389 0000
Saturdays: 9.00am – 12.00pm Ballet Group in lounge. Suzie 338 1017
1.30 pm Hoon Hay Indoor Bowls. Brian 338 4488
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Mon 7 Apr 9.15am Pre-School Music. Jane 965 2425
1.45pm Cashmere Garden Club
Tues 8 Apr 7.00pm Cashmere Residents Association Vision & Values meeting
Wed 9 Apr 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings. All Welcome
Thu 10 Apr 10.30am – 12 noon Prayer Group at 20 Major Aiken Drive