WELCOME AND NOTICES
GATHERING: (Based on the psalm for the day Psalm 133)
God, how important it is for us and how pleasing it must be to you
when your people learn how to live and work together in unity.
It is in the measure that we do this that we begin to resemble you,
and to carry out most effectively your purposes in our disjointed
and discordant world.
Come, let us together praise God’s name,
rejoice in God’s loving concern for us,
declare his worth to all creatures,
and walk in harmony with God’s plan.
It is the same God who made heaven and earth
and all of us who dwell here.
Let us worship and serve God together. (adapted from Leslie Brandt)
HYMN: We Praise You, O God (Tune: Kremser WOV 25)
We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
In grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you, we kneel and adore you;
We bless your holy name, glad praises we sing.
We worship you, God of our mothers and fathers,
through trial and tempest, companion and guide.
When perils o’er-take us, you will not forsake us,
but faithful to your promise, you walk by our side.
With voices united our praises we offer
and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing,
to you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise! C/A
OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Gillian Cree
CHILDREN’S SONG
Thank you for giving me the morning,
thank you for every day that’s new,
thank you for new things in store for me
and for work to do.
Thank you for all my friends and family,
thank you for everyone that lives,
thank you that even greatest enemies
I can forgive.
Thank you for many little sorrows,
thank you for every kindly word,
thank you that in the midst of trouble
sympathy is stirred.
Thank you, I see your word has meaning,
thank you, I know your Spirit here,
thank you, because you love all people,
those both far and near.
Thank you, O Lord, for speaking to us,
thank you for telling us you care,
thank you, O Lord, you came among us
bread and wine to share. © Bosworth & Co Ltd (WOV)
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Genesis 45:1–15 Martin Cleland
Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32 (The Message) Gwendoline Cleland
SERMON
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: For the Healing of the Nations (Tune:Westminster Abbey
For the healing of the nations, WOV 343ii)
God, we pray with one accord;
for a just and equal sharing
of the things that earth affords.
To a life of love in action
help us rise and pledge our word.
Lead us forward into freedom,
from despair your world release;
that, redeemed from war and hatred
all may come and go in peace.
Show us how through care and goodness
fear will die and hope increase.
All that kills abundant living,
let it from the earth be banned:
pride of status, race or schooling,
dogmas that obscure your plan.
In our common quest for justice
may we hallow life’s brief span.
You, Creator God, have written
your great name on humankind,
for our growing in your likeness
bring the life of Christ to mind;
that, by our response and service,
earth its destiny may find. © Fred Kaan (VU)
THE OFFERING
Generous God, you call us to many forms of response in your world,
and so, we give of ourselves in whatever way is possible: through our talents, money, spiritual gifts, compassion, and vision for love’s reign, anew in the world.
We ask that you take these simple gifts,
stitched together with great hope, and patch them together into offerings of love for the world. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: We Sing a Love (Tune: Woodlands WOV 109)
We sing a love that sets all people free,
that blows like wind, that burns like scorching flame,
enfolds like earth, springs up like water clear:
come, living love, live in our hearts today.
We sing a love that seeks another’s good,
that longs to serve and not to count the cost,
a love that, yielding, finds itself made new:
come, caring love, live in our hearts today.
We sing a love, unflinching, unafraid
to be itself, despite another’s wrath,
a love that stands alone and undismayed:
come, strengthening love, live in our hearts today.
We sing a love, that, wandering, will not rest
until it finds its way, its home, its source,
through joy and sadness pressing on refreshed:
come, pilgrim love, live in our hearts today.
We sing a burning, fiery, Holy Ghost
that seeks out shades of ancient bitterness,
transfiguring these, as Christ in every heart:
come joyful love, live in our hearts today. © Stainer & Bell (CH4)
THE BLESSING
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 17th Sam; Mon 18th Andreas, Doug.
NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be held on Sunday 24th August following Morning Worship.
ON SUNDAY 31 AUGUST our Morning Worship service will be at St James’ Presbyterian Church, cnr Bewdley & Barrington Streets at 10am.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 20th August: Meet 9.30am at carpark opposite Cashmere Club (river side). Fern 332 4725.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
SOUND OF MUSIC Sing-a-long and dress up TODAY 2pm at Beckenham Methodist, Gold coin donation. All Welcome.
ON Wednesday 27th August at 2pm, Caring & Sharing will have the pleasure of being entertained by the Neerlandia Choir. We are endeavouring to contact all congregational members in rest homes and further afield in Christchurch who may like to share in the very special afternoon. However we will need drivers. If you are able to help with this, please contact Irene 332 7306 or email irenegray@xtra.co.nz. As always, everyone is very welcome to join us.
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. www.stmartins.org.nz
COURT THEATRE Thursday 25th September: Money to Sue in a NAMED envelope please on or before Sunday 31st August. The tickets are $42 each. Sue 960 7657.
PRE-ELECTION SOCIAL ISSUES SEMINAR SERIES: Venue: Knox Church Centre, 28 Bealey Ave at 5.30pm. Thursday 21st August: “Gross Inequality Hurts Everyone”
Thursday 28th August: “Every Child Counts”. Thursday 4th September: “Rethinking Crime & Punishment”. Entry free – koha appreciated. All are Welcome.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 8th September 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist.
Beckenham Loop Quiz Night Tuesday 23rd September 7.30pm. Book your team in!
THIS WEEK’S HUB REPORT is displayed in the wall in the Lounge.
Hub Activities for the week 17th – 24th August 2014
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Tues 19 Aug 6.00pm Soup and buns at St Marks followed by a talk by
Patricia and Alan Chapman about their trip to U.K. $5.
Thur 21 Aug 7.30pm Women’s Journeying is at 40c Stourbridge Street.
Dorothy will talk about her time in Namibia.
Sun 24 Aug 2.00pm Music Hall Madness concert with afternoon tea,
raffles & lucky ticket number. Addington School: entrance off Simeon St. $10 Door sales available.
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, 83 Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 17 Aug 9am Morning Worship
2pm Sound of Music sing-a-long. All Welcome.
Tue 19 Aug 7.30pm Indoor Bowls. Salvation Army,Southampton St. Bruce 332 7786
Wed 20 Aug 9.30am Walking Group. Fern 332 4725
7.30pm Board of Managers’ meeting
Thu 21 Aug 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3. All welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
5.30pm Social Issues seminar at Knox Centre, Bealey Ave.
Sun 24 Aug 9am Morning Worship
An invitation is extended to everyone to hear the Neerlandia Choir, 2pm Wednesday 27 August at Beckenham Methodist Church. Contact Irene 332 7306 for more information. This is hosted by St Martin’s Caring & Sharing Group.
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mondays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi. 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
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. 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 programme. 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 18 Aug 9.30am Pre-School Music group. Anna 331 6252
Wed 20 Aug 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings. All Welcome.
Thurs 21 Aug 10.30am Prayer Group at 1 Dalefield Drive