“Who you are speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you are saying.”
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)
CALL TO WORSHIP:
From the first days of creation,
God’s presence has been in every action.
May we be open to all things through God,
recognising God in all our achievements.
In our steps together as a community,
and the steps we take where we feel alone,
may we be open to all things through God.
May we follow a path of looking forward;
not dwelling on past actions – great or small.
May we be open to all things through God,
and reveal God, in all that we do.
HYMN: Sing Your Praise to God Eternal (Tune: Hyfrydol WOV 148 ii )
Sing your praise to God eternal, sing your praise to God the Son,
sing your praise to God the Spirit, living and forever One.
God has made us, God has blessed us, God has called us to be true.
God rules over all creation, daily making all things new.
Join the praise of every creature, sing with singing birds at dawn;
when the stars shine forth at nightfall, hear their heavenly antiphon.
Praise God for the light of summer, autumn glories, winter snows,
for the coming of the springtime and the life of all that grows.
Praise God on our days of gladness for the summons to rejoice;
praise God in our times of sadness for the calm, consoling voice.
God our Maker, strong and loving, Christ our Saviour, Leader, Lord,
living God, Creator Spirit, be your holy name adored!
©Emmanuel College, Toronto (VU)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Gillian Cree
CHILDREN’S SONG: 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 and Song (AA)
READINGS: Joshua 3: 7-17 John McKean
Matthew 23: 1-12 Elizabeth Penwell
SERMON: God-Revealing Lives
AN AFFIRMATION
We believe in God whose creativity is not defeated
by concrete or traffic, but shines forth in the centre of our life.
We believe in Jesus Christ who lived as friend and Saviour
to the people of both city and countryside:
who ate and laughed, wept and celebrated
with everyday people like us.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who moves through the city
as truth and moments of love,
who goes between us with threads of community
and never leaves us without hope;
and, we believe in the church which is real
when it stands open to the life of the city
bearing witness to the love and justice of God.
OFFERING & THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (remain seated)
God, as we bring our offering of money, food, and ourselves, may we be mindful in the things that we say, may we be mindful in the actions we do. Help us to recognise you, through, with, and in people.
In remembering, recognising, and mindfulness, we will serve you God, through our words and our actions, in Jesus’ name…
INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE
HYMN: I Come With Joy to Meet My Lord (Tune: Kilmarnock WOV 186)
I come with joy to meet my Lord, I come with Christians far and near
forgiven, loved, and free, to find, as all are fed,
in awe and wonder to recall the new community of love
his life laid down for me. in Christ’s communion bread.
As Christ breaks bread and bids us share
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.
And thus with joy we meet our Lord, Together met, together bound,
his presence, always near, we’ll go our different ways,
is in such friendship better known: and as his people in the world
we see, and praise him here. we’ll live and speak his praise.
© Brian Wren (VU)
A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
May God be with us. God is here among us.
Let us open our hearts to God. We open them to God and one another.
Let us give thanks to God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
God, we come to this table… and selfishness;
We come to this table, gifted, thankful.
We have come to offer back the gifts and skills,
you God have given each of us.
We have come to celebrate the resources of this congregation,
the opportunities for new life and service.
We come to this table… that takes away our burdens;
We have come to this table, searching.
We have come to drink from your cup of blessing,
that breaks open the promise;
that unseals the covenant; that offers its very self.
And so we come to this table with thanksgiving;
free to move out into the world; free to go where you call; free to eat the food of heaven and to share your love in Christ’s name…
PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION
HYMN: For All Christ’s Friends (Sine Nomine WOV 384)
For all Christ’s friends whose lives this world have blessed,
who by their faith and actions Christ confessed,
we praise you Lord, their source of graciousness.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
You were their hope, their comfort, their delight;
you helped them grow in wisdom and in might;
in joy and pain you were their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Like them may we have Christ-like caring ways,
lives lived with wonder, tenderness and praise,
that we may live for others all our days.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O great Communion spanning time and space,
beyond our wealth, our learning or our race,
we can be one in Jesus and his grace.
Alleluia! Alleluia! © Bill Wallace (Something to Sing About)
NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.
**ADVANCE NOTICE: The service on Sunday 16th November is at 10am**
COPY FOR NEXT ‘MESSENGER’ is now required. Email: anneke.howie@gmail.com The deadline is Thursday 13th November. Anneke 328 7459.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 5th November: Meet 9.30am cnr Mona Vale Ave & Kilmarnock St for a walk around Mona Vale area. Non walkers welcome to join us for coffee at Dux Dine, Riccarton Rd 10.30am. Joan 338 8700.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
Quality Used Clothing Rummage Sale THIS Saturday 8th November 9am-1pm at St Anne’s Hall, 7 Wilsons Rd. As well, we will also be selling jams and chutneys. Contributions of marmalade, jam, lemon honey etc… required please. Many thanks to those who have offered to help. Everyone is encouraged to come along and support this fundraising venture! Lyn 332 0865.
FUNDRAISER: Saturday 22nd November 9am-12 noon at 259 Centaurus Rd. We will be selling plants, seedlings, gardening tools and edible goodies! Donations of items to sell (cakes, jams sweets, fresh vegetables etc…) will be required. Cash donations to purchase sausages and bread would be welcome. For details, contact Sue 960 7657 or Lindsay 981 1587.
GROW A POTATO FOR HARVEST THANKSGIVING: Seed potatoes available today.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon & Fri 9-11am. 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz, or pop in to 7 Wilsons Rd. www.stmartins.org.nz.
THIS WEEK’S HUB REPORT is displayed on the wall in the Lounge.
NEW READERS’ ROSTER available today – please check to see if there’s a copy for you.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 8th December 1-4pm.
FESTIVAL 200 Sunday 7th December 6pm in the Horncastle Arena. Christians from all over the city are gathering to worship and give thanks for the 200th anniversary of the gospel in our nation. Tickets $6. Contact the Office for details.
FIX-IT JOBS: If you require assistance with small jobs around your house or property, we can help. Contact the Office 332 6192 for further information.
GLOBAL VOICES present a capella music from around the world. Sunday 9th November 6pm at Elmwood Theatre. Tickets $20. Contact Anna for details.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 4th Ethan; Fri 7th Audrey; Sat 8th Sonya.
Annual Tanzanian Lunch
Sunday 16th November (Show Weekend)
Cost $5 per person
Money raised supports “Your Sisters” Orphanage in Tanzania.
This is a mission outreach project of this parish.
If you are unable to attend, donations are very welcome – place money in an envelope marked “Your Sisters” and pop it in the offertory plate.
Please sign the list in the Lounge if you wish to attend.
For more information, please contact Lyndsey 388 1264 or Barb & Rob 379 1474
Hub Activities for the week 2nd – 9th November 2014
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
All events at Beckenham Methodist, 83 Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise stated
Sun 2 Nov 9am Communion
Wed 5 Nov 9.30am Walking Group. Meet cnr Mona Vale Ave & Kilmarnock St. Coffee at Dux Dine, Riccarton Rd. Joan 338 8700
Thu 6 Nov 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3. All welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
Sat 8 Nov 9am-1pm Used Clothing, Plants,Jams Sale. St Anne’s Hall, 7 Wilsons Rd.
Sun 9 Nov 9am Morning Worship.
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Tue 4th Nov Little Kids music in Hall Lounge
Fri 7th Nov Friday Kids
Sun 9th Nov 5.00 pm Ecumenical Service at Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church.
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mondays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi. Brian 338 6228
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
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. David322 7954
Thursdays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi. Brian 338 6228
7.00 pm Beading Guild. Gayle 322 6073
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
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Sun 2 Nov 10.00am Family Service
Mon 3 Nov 9.30am Pre-School Music Group – Emma: 332 2965
1.45pm Cashmere Garden Club
7.00pm Christchurch South Parents Centre Classes –
contact them through their website:
www.parentscentre.org.nz/christchurch-south/
Tues 4 Nov 7.00pm Elders Meeting
Wed 5 Nov 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings. All Welcome
Thurs 6 Nov 10.30am Prayer Group – contact Barbara 332 8668
7.00pm Christchurch South Parents Centre Classes –
contact them through their website:
www.parentscentre.org.nz/christchurch-south/
7.00pm Choir Practice for Service of Christmas Music – in the Church