WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Let us celebrate 200 years since the arrival of the gospel in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy… for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour.
Let us celebrate the friendship of Maori Chief Ruatara and Samuel Marsden, a friendship that paved the way for the words of joy to The People of the Land.
The opening hymn on Christmas Day 1814
HYMN: All People That on Earth Do Dwell
All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
come ye before him and rejoice.
Know that the Lord is God indeed;
without our aid he did us make;
we are his folk, he doth us feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.
O enter then his gates with praise,
approach with joy his courts unto:
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
For why the Lord our God is good,
his mercy is for ever sure;
his truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure. C/A
ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING
(The first two candles are lit.)
We have relit the Candle of Hope: a sign that God is with us, encouraging us along our way.
We have relit the Candle of Peace: a reminder that Jesus
came to share God’s peace with all people.
Today we light the candle of Joy: a sign that God has promised
life in all its fullness.
(The third candle is lit)
Sung Response (seated) © Sandra Dean (VU)
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease:
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
a candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy.
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy lights the ocean, when summer winds blow.
OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 David Beaumont
John 1: 6-14, & v16 Peggy Cree
How The Gospel Arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand
CAROL: Te Harinui © Willow Macky (AA)
Not on a snowy night by star or candle light,
nor by an angel band there came to our dear land,
Te Harinui, Te Harinui, Te Harinui
glad tidings of great joy!
But on a summer day within a quiet bay,
the Maori people heard the great and glorious word,
The people gathered round upon the grassy ground,
and heard the preacher, say “I bring to you this day …”
Now in this blessed land united heart and hand,
we praise the glorious birth, and sing to all the earth,
…and The Gospel Spread
THE OFFERING:
God, on this day of thanksgiving, we bring these gifts to share,
turning the gratitude of our hearts into giving; that the good news
of great joy for all people may continue to resound through our living, and our serving, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Women of the Gospel
HYMN: Pohutukawa Tribute
‘Twas in Bethlehem that the Christ had birth,
that the shepherds learned of God’s gift to earth.
There in rosy dawn angels sang his worth:
And the glory shone all bright around;
heavenly glory shone around.
Full three thousand leagues from the manger bed,
a New Zealand tree decked itself in red.
“Tis to honour him I do this”, it said:
And the glory shone all bright around;
crimson glory shone around.
Called Pohutukawa – its Maori name,
still at every Christmas it does the same:
So that cliff and headland are all aflame:
And the glory shines all bright around;
crimson glory shines around.
Thus New Zealand knows when it’s Christmastide
by the beauty splashed o’er the countryside.
May Pohutukawa long flourish wide,
and the glory shine all bright around;
crimson glory shine around. © H W Hitchcock
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: Spirit God of All Creation (Tune: Cwm Rhondda WOV 478)
Spirit God of all creation, Te Wairua welcome here.
We, your people of the mountains, rivers, forests, and the air;
gather now to sing in honour; in God’s presence make us one;
In God’s presence make us one.
Here we gather in thanksgiving for God-with-us in our lives.
One in joy for all you bring us; one in hope for all the world.
Holy Spirit searching fire, lead us in our song of praise;
Lead us in our song of praise.
Te Wairua, gentle wisdom, you who know the depths of God.
Having guided those before us, lead us now to know the Way.
Make us open to the Gospel, living witness to the Word;
Living witness to the Word.
Holy Trinity we call you; mighty God and source of all.
Here redeemed is your creation, Jesus Christ our saving Lord.
Te Wairua, Holy Spirit, fill us with your loving power;
Fill us with your loving power. Text: Joe Grayland (used with permission)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.
PICNIC AT MERCHISTON TODAY. Everyone welcome. Bring your own lunch and your own ‘camp’ chair. Drinks and icecreams will be provided.
FLIERS: Please take a bundle to deliver this week. Your help is greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU to all those who donated Christmas Gifts for Waltham Cottage.
PLEASE SUPPORT the 69th CWS Christmas Appeal. “Build Hope for Tomorrow”.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 17th December: Meet 10.30am at The Colombo for a stroll around Sydenham, followed by lunch 11.30am at ‘Just Desserts’, 33 Wordsworth St. RSVP to Sue 960 7657 by Tuesday please.
BOARD OF MANAGERS meeting Wednesday 17th December, 7.30pm at McKeans.
OPEN HOUSE at the Manse Sunday 21st December from 2pm. Come for a chat and a cuppa as you are able. All welcome. Chris.
Christmas 2014 and beyond for St Martin’s & Beckenham
CAROL SERVICE & ACT of REMEMBRANCE: Sun 21st Dec10am
CHRISTMAS EVE: Wednesday 24th December 7.30pm & 11.30pm
CHRISTMAS DAY: Thursday 25th December 9.30am
Please note that from Sunday 21st December until 25th January all Sunday services will be at 10am.
JANUARY NOTICES: if you have a notice for 11th or 18th January, please email it to Anna by Wednesday 17th December ?.
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.
NB: The Office will close on Wednesday 24th December and re-open on 22nd January.
THE LAST HUB REPORT for the year is displayed on the wall in the Lounge.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS resumes on Thursday 22nd January 2015. Beverley 332 7786.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 16th Ron; Thu 18th Anne; Sat 20th Sarah Jayne.
Hub Activities for the week 14-21 December2014
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
All events at Beckenham Methodist, 83 Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise stated
Sun 14th Dec 9am Celebrating 200 years of the Gospel in NZ
Noon Picnic at Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd (weather permitting)
Wed 17th Dec 10.30am Walking Group to meet at The Colombo, followed
by lunch at Just Desserts.
7.30pm Board of Managers’ meeting
Sun 21st Dec 10am Carol Service & act of remembrance
Wed 24th Dec 7.30pm Christmas Eve Service
Thu 25th Dec 9.30am Christmas Day celebration
On Sunday 28th December, and for all of January, there will be a combined service with Beckenham Methodist at 10am.
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
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. David 322 7954
Thursdays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi. Brian 338 6228
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 14 Dec 10.00am Christmas Family Service, with BBQ to follow
Mon 15 Dec 9.30am Pre-School Music Group. Emma: 3322965
7.00pm Christchurch South Parents Centre Classes –
contact them through their website:
www.parentscentre.org.nz/christchurch-south/
Wed 17 Dec 3.30pm Youth Choir rehearsals
Thurs 18 Dec 7.00pm Christchurch South Parents Centre Classes –
contact them through their website:
www.parentscentre.org.nz/christchurch-south/
7.00pm Choir Practice
Sun 21 Dec 10.00am A Service of Christmas Music with the Choir
6.00pm Carols on the Green – with sausage sizzle. In the
hall if wet