Sunday 1st March 2015 – International Children’s Day 9am

Treasure our Children ~ Honour our Young People
WELCOME AND NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP: Led by Daniel Mackay
Come, celebrate the joy of children –
their playfulness and their zest for life.
Come, celebrate the promise of young people –
their growth and achievements.
Come, celebrate this International Children’s Day –
let us treasure our children and honour our young people.

A CANDLE IS LIT TO CELEBRATE THIS DAY

OPENING PRAYER

SONG: He’s got the Whole World in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got my brothers and my sisters in His hands,
He’s got my brothers and my sisters in His hands,
He’s got my brothers and my sisters in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got the sun and the rain in His hands,
He’s got the moon and the stars in His hands,
He’s got the wind and the clouds in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got all of the children, in His hands.
He’s got all the young people, in His hands.
He’s got all of us everywhere, in His hands.
He’s got the whole world in His hands. (© unknown)

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN – Alice Shanks

READING: Let Me Be A Child (Author unknown) – Led by Ethan Doughty

HYMN: With a Hoot and a Toot
With a hoot and a toot
on a pipe or a flute
we will praise, we will worship God;
with a hum or a thrum,
with a roll on a drum,
we will make him a joyful noise.
Bow a cello that is mellow,
sound a trumpet call,
blow a horn and a deep bassoon;
every instrument is playing,
with our voices we are saying
we rejoice, we are glad in God.

With a flat or a sharp,
with a chord on a harp,
we will praise, we will worship God;
with a ping on a string,
with a choir that can sing,
we will make him a joyful noise.

With the clap of a hand,
or the sound of a band,
we will praise, we will worship God;
with a paper and comb,
on an old trombone,
we will make him a joyful noise.

With a peal on a bell,
with a cheer or a yell,
we will praise, we will worship God;
with a bong on a gong,
through the words of this song,
we will make him a joyful noise. © Colin Gibson (AA)

We Hear From Our Young People

~ Samantha Rose, William Penwell, Liam Robb, Jessie Robb

READING: From Ecclesiastes 11: 7 – 12:1 (The Message)
– Gilly Penwell

People Who Support and Encourage ~ Wayne and Gillian

HYMN: One More Step Along the World I Go
One more step along the world I go,
one more step a-long the world I go,
from the old things to the new,
keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

Round the corner of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you’ll be looking at along with me:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me travelling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you’ll be telling me the way, I know:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you.

Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough,
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me travelling along with you. © Stainer and Bell Ltd (CH 4)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE OFFERING: Aided by Adam & Jack Barton

PRAYER: Led by Ellen Doughty

INVITATION TO COMMUNION AND THE PEACE

COMMUNION HYMN: Fill The Cup and Share The Bread
Long ago and far away,
Jesus lived and worked and prayed.
Healed the sick and the fearful and lonely.
Lived his life to show us God’s way.
Stretched his arms out as he said
Fill the cup and share the bread
Remember me in love and joy and blessing

Jesus gathered the children around him.
Spoke of love and the joy to be found.
Told them stories of wisdom and wonder.
God’s creation in all that’s around.

Jesus called all his friends to be with him.
Share the bread and the cup once again.
Life to you I will offer it gladly.
Love will be with you right to the end. © Pat Mayberry(Seasons of the Spirit)

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 to one another.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Loving God, we thank you for all the gifts of creation:
for trees and forests, plants and flowers,
for animals that are furry, or slimy, or small,
that walk, slither or jump,
for people who are short or tall, round or thin.
For all we have, we thank you:
for food and warmth and safety,
for the love and care that surrounds us,
whether we live with others, or by ourselves.

For all you give us we thank you.
For the love we share in the Church;
for the Bible that tells of your love for us
and for people long ago;
for the songs that sing of your love;
for Jesus who was born for us, lived for us,
and gave his life for us: Jesus who lives for us today.

And so we join with all people everywhere, saying:

Holy, holy, holy God, power of life and love!
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna through the ages!
Blest is he who comes to bring justice and peace to earth!

Here on this table are bread and wine… Most special of all
on the night of his arrest Jesus took bread, said thanks to God,
broke the bread and shared it with his friends.
he took the cup and gave it to them:
“Do this,” he said, “to remember me.” ….

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

THE BLESSING followed by May the Lord, Mighty God
May the Lord, mighty God, (Tune: Edelweiss)
bless and keep you for ever;
grant you peace, perfect peace,
courage in every endeavour.

Lift up your eyes and see his face
and his grace for ever;
may the Lord, mighty God,
bless and keep you for ever. (author unknown)

NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

REMINDER: Monday Lent study group begins tomorrow. Coffee at 10am for a 10.15am start. Chris.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 3rd March: Meet 9.30am at 2 Pentonville Cl, Westmorland. Joan will also host coffee/tea as a fundraiser for St Martin’s Building Fund. Everyone welcome. Joan 338 8700.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER THIS Friday 6th March 7.30pm at Beckenham Methodist Church.

COURT THEATRE “Le Sud”: Payment required TODAY please. Sue 960 7657.

SUPER GARAGE SALE Saturday 14th March 10am at 43 St Martins Rd. Donations of baking, jams, pickles, preserves, plants and produce very welcome.

FOOT CLINIC: Next Session Monday 16th March 1-4pm. Lyndsey 388 1264.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING SUNDAY 22ND MARCH: This year we will once again be stocking the Pantry at Waltham Community Cottage. All the usual – canned food, vegetables, fruit, preserves , breakfast cereals, pasta, sugar, flour etc.
HOWEVER, Don’t forget to harvest your potato and bring the rewards of all your hard work along. These wonderful little gems will also be given to the Cottage. There will be brown paper bags available on Sunday 15th for you to put them in. Worship Committee.

UPDATED PARISH PHONE LIST now available. Paper copies can be collected from the Office (7 Wilsons Rd at rear of section by sandpit) on Wednesday or Thursday mornings.

DO YOU HAVE any little fix-it jobs around your property which need attention? We have people who can help. Now’s the time to check those smoke alarm batteries! Contact the Office 332 6192 for more information.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon; Fri 9-11am. Pop in and visit at 7 Wilsons Rd. Phone 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Anna must have any notices by 9am Thursday please.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Fri 6th Errol.