WELCOME AND NOTICES
GATHERING:
We begin this time of worship with a moment of silence:
for a moment is the least we can do as we come
as a family of God’s people. [pause]
We begin this time with praise and thanksgiving:
as we gather to worship God in word and song.
We begin this time of worship with a moment of remembrance:
remembering the week past, the people we have met,
the times we enjoyed, the work done.
And this week we remember all who have made sacrifices,
that we might have peace, that we may worship without fear.
OPENING PRAYERS
JIM COTTER’S PRAYER
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
loving God, in whom is heaven.
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe.
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world.
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings.
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
Now and forever. Amen.
HYMN: Lord For the Years
Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.
Lord, for that word, the Word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us,
Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise.
Lord, for our land, in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.
Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt him,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign. © Hope Publishing (CH 4)
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Alice Shanks
CHILDREN’S SONG: Give Me Oil in My Lamp (Tune: WOV 115)
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning.
Keep me burning ’til the break of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna!
Sing hosanna to the King of kings
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna! Sing hosanna to the King.
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising.
Give me joy in my heart, I pray.
Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising.
Keep me praising ’til the break of day.
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving.
Give me love in my heart, I pray.
Give me love in my heart, keep me serving.
Keep me serving ’til the break of day.
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting.
Give me peace in my heart, I pray.
Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting.
Keep me resting ’til the break of day. C/A
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Psalm 78: 1-7 Wayne Barton
Matthew 25: 1-13 Jeannette Beaumont
SERMON: Is today’s reading really about end times?
A TIME OF QUIET
THE OFFERING:
The spirit of giving changes, O God, when we are in partnership
with you. Our reluctance becomes generosity; our vision of offering widens to encompass gifts, skills and talents; our focus changes
to include needs beyond our community and city.
Transform our giving, loving God, in the way of Jesus,
in whose name we pray. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
HYMN: In Loving Partnership (Tune: Church Triumphant WOV 1)
In Loving partnership we come,
seeking, O God, your will to do.
Our prayers and actions now receive;
we freely offer them to you.
We are the hands and feet of Christ,
serving by grace each other’s need.
We dare to risk and sacrifice
with truthful word and faithful deed.
Loving community we seek;
your hope and strength within us move.
The poor and rich, the strong and weak
are brought together in your love.
In loving partnership, O God,
help us your future to proclaim.
Justice and peace be our desire,
we humbly pray in Jesus’ name. © Desert Flower Music (VU)
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: To Abraham and Sarah (Tune: Thornbury WOV 389)
To Abraham and Sarah
the call of God was clear:
“go forth and I will show you
a country rich and fair.
You need not fear the journey
for I have pledged my word:
that you shall be my people and I will be your God.”
From Abraham and Sarah
arose a pilgrim race,
dependent for their journey
on God’s abundant grace;
and in their heart was written
by God this saving word:
“that you shall be my people and I will be your God.”
We of this generation
on whom God’s hand is laid,
can journey to the future
secure and unafraid,
rejoicing in God’s goodness
and trusting in this word:
“that you shall be my people and I will be your God.” © Judith Fetter (VU)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.
**REMINDER: NEXT SUNDAY’S SERVICE IS AT 10AM**
COPY DEADLINE FOR ‘MESSENGER’ is this Thursday 13th November. Anneke 328 7459 or email: anneke.howie@gmail.com.
ANNUAL TANZANIAN LUNCH next Sunday 16th November. $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 TODAY if you wish to attend. Lyndsey 388 1264; Barb & Rob 379 1474.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 12th November go looking for Giraffes in the City. Meet near the Bus Depot Lichfield St/Ballantynes carpark 9.30am. Café to be confirmed – Duo’s in Rolleston Ave or C1 Espresso. Sonya 027 253 3397.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
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.
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 adults, $4 children from Ticketek.
GLOBAL VOICES present a capella music from around the world TONIGHT 6pm at Elmwood Theatre. Tickets $20 at the door.
MANY THANKS to all those who supported yesterday’s Clothing Sale.
HORSE MANURE available now – $3 a bag. Lindsay 981 1587.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 9th Chris; Mon 10th Denise; Tue 11th Barbara; Fri 14th Berta, Ruby.
FUNDRAISER – GARAGE SALE
Saturday 22nd November
9am-12 noon
at 259 Centaurus Rd.
So along with plants, seedlings, gardening tools and edible goodies we are asking folk to look out knick-knacks (ie SMALL items) and bring them along ON THE DAY from 8am.
Please no furniture, electronics or electrical items and nothing big!
Donations of items to sell (cakes, jams, lemon honey, sweets, fresh vegetables etc…) will also be required.
Cash donations to purchase sausages and bread would be welcome.
This is a fundraiser for the Link building.
For details, contact Sue 960 7657 or Lindsay 981 1587.