Sunday 15th March 2015 Lent 4 9am

WELCOME AND NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP:
In this season of Lent we remember Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem.
We follow him. We follow the stories of Mark and John.
We remember our call to listen, to reflect, to pray and to grow.
We follow with open hearts and minds.
We remember the newness of life Jesus came to bring.
We follow, committing to live in the Way of Jesus.

HYMN: Fill Your Hearts with Joy and Gladness
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
sing and praise your God and mine!
Great the Lord in love and wisdom,
might and majesty divine!
He who framed the starry heavens
knows and names them as they shine.

Praise the Lord, his people, praise him!
wounded souls his comfort know;
those who fear him find his mercies,
peace for pain and joy for woe;
humble hearts are high exalted,
human pride and power laid low.

Praise the Lord for times and season,
cloud and sunshine, wind and rain;
spring to melt the snows of winter
till the waters flow again;
grass upon the mountain pastures,
golden valleys thick with grain.

Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
peace and plenty crown your days;
love his laws, declare his judgements,
walk in all his words and ways;
he the Lord and we his children –
praise the Lord, all people, praise! © Hope Publishing (HFTC)

OPENING PRAYER & SUNG LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Wayne Barton

SONG: He Came Singing Love
He came singing love and he lived singing love;
he died, singing love. He arose in silence.
For the love to go on we must make it our song:
you and I be the singers.

He came singing faith and he lived singing faith;
he died, singing faith. He arose in silence.
For the faith to go on we must make it our song:
you and I be the singers.

He came singing hope and he lived singing hope;
he died, singing hope. He arose in silence.
For the hope to go on we must make it our song:
you and I be the singers.

He came singing peace and he lived singing peace;
he died, singing peace. He arose in silence.
For the peace to go on we must make it our song:
you and I be the singers. © Colin Gibson (AA)

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22 Elizabeth Penwell
John 3: 14-21 Judith Mackay

SERMON: Jesus and God and the World

A TIME OF QUIET

OFFERING
For the gospel of new life and transformation,
for the company of supportive family and friends,
for satisfaction of work well done,
for love which has its source in you,
and for every good gift of the earth, we give thanks, O God.
Accept these offerings, as a sign of our gratitude,
and of our commitment to serve you in your world. AMEN.

HYMN: Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind (Tune: Skye Boat Song)
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove,
teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour’s love.
You spoke to us long, long ago,
gave us the written word;
we read it still, needing its truth,
through it God’s voice is heard.

Without your help we fail our Lord,
we cannot live his way;
we need your power, we need your strength,
following Christ each day. © Scripture Union (CH4)

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: Autumn Comes in all its Fullness (Tune: Hyfrydol 148ii)
Autumn comes in all its fullness
harvest of the land and heart.
Autumn has its birth in winter
in the stillness where life starts.
Every death brings hope of birthing,
every birthing heralds death,
for the patterns framed by nature
form the seasons of our hearts.

Autumn calls for deep reflection
on the choices that bear fruit –
how we sow and how we nurture
all our just and vain pursuits.

Buried in autumnal endings
lies the greening of the tomb,
for the letting go in autumn
gives the entry to life’s womb.

God of March and April Autumn,
God of Northern Autumn too,
May Christ’s life and nature’s seasons
be as one instead of two. © Bill Wallace (STC)

THE BLESSING

HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES 2015

Sunday 29th March 10am Combined Palm Sunday Service

Monday 30th March 7pm Holy Week Meditation

Tuesday 31st March 7pm Holy Week Meditation

Wednesday 1st April 7pm Holy Week Meditation

Thursday 2nd April 7.30pm Combined Maundy Thursday Service

Friday 3rd April 10am Combined Good Friday Service

Sunday 5th April 7.30am Easter Sunrise Service followed by breakfast
9am Easter Day Communion

All are welcome

PALM SUNDAY DEVOTION: The Risingholme Singers are presenting Part 2 of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday 29th March in St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru, 2.30 pm. Brilliant soloists, string accompaniment, and a choir gaining in confidence! Tickets $15 from John Shanks or at the door.

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

MANY THANKS to everyone who helped with yesterday’s Garage Sale.

FOOT CLINIC: Next Session TOMORROW 1-4pm. Lyndsey 388 1264.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 18th March: Meet 9.30am at Halswell Quarry carpark, Cashmere Rd (near Kennedys Bush Rd). Coffee at Stevies, 3 Kennedys Bush Rd. Janette & Cyril 332 1240 or Sonya 339 7038.

SESSION Meeting Wednesday 18th March 7.30pm.

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

HARVEST THANKSGIVING NEXT SUNDAY 22ND MARCH: There is now an urgent need to Harvest your Potato in a Bucket. Bill has paper bags for the magnificent harvest and we ask you to bring them to Church next Sunday.
We will also be stocking the Pantry at Waltham Cottage so all donations of produce, and pantry goods will be most welcome – baking products, tinned food and pasta etc. Worship Committee.
NB: Plan your trip to church carefully. Road closures are in place for City2Surf!

PALM SUNDAY 29th March: The service will be at 10am.

NEW READERS’ ROSTER available – please collect yours today. Anna.

SHARING YOUR FAITH WORKSHOP: How can we share our faith?
What can we say when? How can we avoid:Christian cringe?
Come and hear some ideas, share your own and be inspired
to begin making a difference. Tuesday 24 March, 7.30 –
9.30pm at St Mark’s Methodist Church, corner Somerfield and Barrington. $10 per person, $20 per parish group. Diane Claughton 332 2889.

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. Notices to Anna by 9am Thursday please.
NB: Anna will be at Beckenham Methodist this Thursday 19th from 10am.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 17th Marie; Thu 19th Rosalie S (90).