WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Jesus of the Emmaus Road,
Come as we walk the lonely path, and be our companion.
Come when life mystifies and perplexes.
Come into our disappointments and unease.
Come at the table where we share bread and hope;
and in coming, open our eyes to recognise you with us.
HYMN: Come Walk This Lonely Road (Tune: Winscott)
Come walk this lonely road with me,
dust on your feet, with weary eyes;
come share the stones as we trudge along,
we have to leave, the dream has died.
Come talk with me of things unseen,
visions of old, and kingdoms new;
hear what I’ve done and where I’ve been;
how can it all be so untrue?
Come break the bread with me tonight.
The road is long and night is near.
Stranger, come in, our tables bless;
We’ll eat and laugh and shed a tear.
O Lord, how slow I am to see.
How dull my ears that could not hear.
You’ve walked my road and wept with me,
you’ve come and gone, and now you’re near!
Burn in my heart, thou living fire.
Kindle your kingdom spark in me.
Teach me to watch as I walk along
your face in every face to see! © D. Norris (source unknown)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
STORY-TIME
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Aubrey McLeod
At Emmaus (The story of Luke 24: 13-35) Marilyn Tait
HYMN: We Are an Easter People
We are an Easter people,
ours is an Easter faith,
the yeast is rising in our hearts,
our wine has vintage taste.
Christ is risen,
Christ is risen,
risen in our lives.
We are an Easter people,
ours is an Easter faith,
our tears are freed to flow and heal
our shattered hopes and hearts
We are an Easter people,
ours is an Easter faith,
our fears have died, we rise to dream,
to love, to dance, to live. © Bill Wallace (AA)
SERMON: Musings on the Journey to Emmaus
OFFERING
A presence in the midst of doubt.
A familiar action at a shared meal.
A familiar figure on a distant shore.
O risen Christ, you come to surprise us and delight us.
God of our journey, empower us to be a community of invitation, of welcome, and of hospitality. May we be a people of generosity of heart giving to ensure, that that your work in the world around us may both continue and flourish, in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
HYMN: Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You
Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you,
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too.
We are pilgrims on a journey,
we are travellers on the road,
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear,
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping,
when you laugh, I’ll laugh with you,
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven,
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we’ve known together
of Christ’s love, and agony.
Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you,
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too. © Scripture in Song
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: These Hills Where the Hawk Flies Lonely
These hills where the hawk flies lonely,
beaches where the long surf rolls,
mountains where the snows meet heaven,
these are our care.
Pastures where the sheep graze calmly,
orchards where the apples grow,
gardens where the roses cluster,
these are our prayer.
Forests where the tree ferns tower,
rivers running strong and clear,
oceans where the great whales wander,
these are our care.
Race meeting race as equals,
justice for age-old wrong,
worth for every man and woman,
these are our prayer.
Cities where the young roam restless,
lives brought to deep despair,
homeless and powerless people,
these are our care.
Places where the Word is spoken,
hands held in serving love,
faiths of our many cultures,
these are our prayer.
All that the old world gave us,
all that the new world brings,
language, ideas and customs,
these are our care.
Life finding joy and value,
faith seeking truth and light,
God heard and seen in all things,
this be our prayer. © Hope Publishing (SFRP)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea and the Congregational meeting after the service.
ADVANCE NOTICE: The Induction & Ordination of the three new Elders will be held on Sunday 25th May.
COPY IS NOW REQUIRED FOR THE NEXT “MESSENGER”. Please send all contributions to Anneke at 5 Simeon Quay Lyttelton or email: anneke.howie@gmail.com. Deadline is 18th May.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 7th May: Meet 9.30am at the Beckenham Service Centre, Colombo St for a stroll around Beckenham through the autumn leaves. Coffee at Red Café. Judith 332 1577.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
MEN’S GROUP: Thursday 8th May at Merchiston. Commences with a shared finger food tea at 6pm, followed by a speaker “Adventures on the High Seas”. All Welcome. Tony 332 0554.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 9th June 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.
FIX-IT JOBS: If you need help with any small jobs around the home or garden, please contact the Office.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
THIS WEEK’S HUB REPORT is displayed in the wall in the Lounge.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Wed 7th Lucy; Sat 10th Jill.