Tena Katou Katoa.
Talova Lava.
Greetings to you all.
May God’s grace and peace be with you.
And also with you.
Let us extend the hand of friendship to those around you.
WELCOME, NOTICES & BIRTHDAYS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
Come, let us live the covenant of God’s people united in love.
We come as covenant people, receivers and givers of the unfailing love, aware of our responsibilities under the covenant.
We seek to be a compassionate people, who strive for God’s justice.
HYMN: Your Hand O God Has Guided (WOV 389)
Your hand O God has guided your flock from age to age;
The wondrous tale is written full clear on every page;
Our fathers owned your goodness, and we their deeds record;
And both of this bear witness, one Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Your heralds brought glad tidings to greatest as to least;
They bade them rise and hasten to share the great King’s feast;
And this was all their teaching, in every deed and word,
To all alike proclaiming, one Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Through many a day of darkness, through many a scene of strife,
The faithful few fought bravely to guard the nation’s life.
Their gospel of redemption, sin pardoned, folk restored,
Was all in this enfolded, one Church, one Faith, one Lord.
Your mercy will not fail us, nor leave your work undone;
With your right hand to help us, the victory shall be won;
And then by all and angels, you name shall be adored,
And this shall be our anthem, one Church, one Faith, one Lord.
SILENCE:
Be still, be silent before God.
Ask nothing, say nothing.
Be still, be silent.
Leave space for God to be God.
God loves you.
God is there beside you in the stillness,
in the silence.
Let God be God.
Give space, be silent, be still.
CHRISTIANS ARE ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE – let’s explore!
SONG: Christians are all kinds of people (please remain seated)
Christians are all kinds of people,
They’re average, they’re short, and they’re tall,
From all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of outlooks,
Our gracious God uses them all.
Christians are all kinds of people, Not even especially good,
But God’s love is mighty, and that is what counts,
With mercy as wide as the sea;
It reaches to you and to me.
Christians are all kinds of people.
They’re smilers, they’re grouchers, they’re clowns.
In all kinds of weather, wherever they gather,
You’ll find every kind of them round.
Christians are all kinds of people,
And sometimes all kinds are in me.
God uses all kinds of people,
The black, and the pale and the tan,
New Born and the aged, the fit and disabled,
They all have a part in the plan.
God uses all kinds of people,
With problems, with hang-ups, with scars. ©Stan and Pauline Stewart.
BIBLE READINGS:
2 Samuel 7: 1-14a God makes an everlasting covenant with David
Allison Blackler
Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56 (modern translation by Dr James Veitch, Wellington)
The return of the disciples having been sent out.
The popularity of Jesus.
Audrey Dunnachie
I’M NOT ONE TO GOSSIP – BUT!
REFLECTION:
HYMN: Will You Come and Follow Me © WGRG, The Iona Community (VU)
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same?
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
this I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
OFFERING:
Gracious God, we bring the gift of money and produce to be used in your service as a sign of our love.
We offer ourselves; our time, energy and giftedness in service to you as we go about our daily lives, in the hope that we might make a difference within the world. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR OTHER PEOPLE
SUNG LORD’S PRAYER (WOV 676)
HYMN: He Came Singing Love (WOV 636)
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…
He came singing hope…
He came singing peace… ©Colin Gibson.
BENEDICTION:
God is a God who takes infinite risks with people like us.
Go in faith and hope sharing God’s love with those who you meet, be it on the streets, in your home, at work and play.
Offer the Grace to one another ~
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
******
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service. Our thanks to Rev. Lyndsey McKay for leading our
worship today.
Winter Combined services at 10.00am continue until 16th August.
ST MARTIN’S NOTICES 19th JULY 2015:
ANNUAL REPORTS NOW DUE: If you convene a Parish Group or committee, please submit an Annual Report to the Office by THURSDAY. Thank to those people who have already done so!
SOME GOOD NEWS: ‘At a recent joint meeting of Session and the Board of Managers, John McKean gave a full update on progress regarding the strengthening of the Church in St Martins Road, the land, and the proposed changes and alterations to kitchen, toilet facilities etc – e.g. the new Link building.
The financial implications re all of this work were discussed in full. Whilst it is recognised that some fundraising will be required, we are waiting confirmation of ‘a gift’ that will add substantially to the monies currently available for the project and will enable the plans to proceed. We’ll keep you posted regarding this.
In the meantime, we wait; we give thanks to the Beckenham Methodist folk who have graciously shared their spiritual home with us, and we especially thank John and his team who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our return to St Martins Road comes as soon as is possible and with all the legal and council requirements fulfilled.’ Irene Gray, Session Clerk.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 22nd July: Meet 9.30am near Westpac ATM in eastern carpark of Barrington Mall. Coffee at Café Mosaic. All are welcome. Sue 960 7657.
NO CRAFTY CRAFTERS this week.
ST MARTIN’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices to Anna by 9am each Thursday please.
St Martin’s 2016 Calendars $20 each. See Rob & Barbara Meier 379 1474.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY Newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
AFTERNOON FUNDRAISING CONCERT for Beckenham Methodist on Sunday 23rd August at 2pm in the Church. $10.00; children under 10 free. Bring family and friends and enjoy our musical talents. If you are interested in performing an item, contact Jean Morris 332 1814.
OPAWA ANGLICAN PARISH Fundraiser at Winnie Bagoes Ferrymead Sunday 26th July 5pm. Tickets $25. Contact Anna 332 6192 for details.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Fri 24th Aubrey.