Celebrating Daylight Saving – Darkness & Light
Tena Kotou, Katoa.
Greetings to you in the name of Christ. And also to you.
WELCOME
NOTICES & BIRTHDAYS
We begin in darkness ~
BIBLE READING: Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning… Lyndsey McKay
HYMN: As Earth Turns Toward Light (Tune: Hanover)
As earth turns toward light, as flowers face the sun,
from morning till night we yearn toward the One: designer and Maker of creatures and sod, of calm sea and breaker, our life giving God!
You call us to care for justice and peace, for new ways to dare to work and not cease, till there comes a dawning that ends the dark night of apathy’s yawning and sin’s gripping fright.
Unite us in prayer on this day of days, and teach us to share in un-numbered ways. Our skills, strengths, and voices no project need shirk, when each heart rejoices in worship and work.
O come and rejoice together in prayer. Praise God in one voice,
good news to declare, for Christ is victorious in conquering fear.
The future is glorious! Salvation is here! ©Jane Parker Huber
PRAYER:
In the stillness of the morning; as night separates from day;
dawn silently comes, bringing forth a world of awe and wonder.
A new day has begun. So we gather before you gracious God.
To give you praise and thanks.
In the stillness of the night you are there,
In the busyness of the day you break through
surprising us in so many ways.
Gracious God you have created all things.
You have created humankind and provided for us.
Gracious God we give you thanks and praise. Amen.
Darkness and light….
NATURAL LIGHT: Sun moon and stars
Sunrise and sunset
Northern and Southern lights
STARS GIVING (an adaptation of the poem from the book Reaching for Rainbows by Ann Weems)
Humans were restless to lighten the darkness and thus created – firelight, candles, lanterns, lightbulbs…
Humans continued in their search for light to lengthen the day…….
BEHOLD Daylight Saving…
What do people do with that extra hour?
Let us create a symbol representing how people spend that one hour…
AFFIRMATION – JESUS LIGHT OF THE WORLD
The Christ candle is lit.
BIBLE READINGS: Martin Cleland
Isaiah 9:2b & 6 the people have seen a great light…
John 3: 16, 19-21 God so loved the world…
John 8:12 Jesus said ‘I am the light of the world’
HYMN: I am the Light of the World
‘I am the light of the world. You people come and follow me!’
If you follow and love you’ll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be
.
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,
the work of Christmas is begun:
to find the lonely and the lost, to heal the broken souls with love,
to feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,
to feel the earth below the sky above;
to free the prisoners from their chains, to make the powerful care,
to re-build the nations with strength of goodwill,
to be at one with people everywhere.
To bring hope to every task you do, to dance at a baby’s new birth,
to make music in an old person’s heart,
and sing to the colours of the earth. ©Jim Strathdee (WOV669)
Let your light shine…
Darkness and Light (an adaptation from the book The Other Side of Silence by Morton Kelsey)
BIBLE READING: Matthew 5:14-16 Let your light shine
Gwendoline Cleland
HYMN: This Little Light of Mine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine x3
Let it shine, let it shine. Let it shine.
This light that shines is the light of love,
lights the darkness from above
It shines on me and it shines on you,
and shows what the power of love can do.
I’m gonna shine my light both far and near,
I’m gonna to shine my light both bright and clear.
Where there’s a dark corner in this land
I’m gonna to let my little light shine… ©Galliard Ltd 1967
OFFERING (together): Light of all light, we come to offer the gift of money and produce to be used in your service. May our light shine where there is darkness within the world. May it be that we follow in the steps of Jesus, light of the world. Amen.
TIME TO GREET ONE ANOTHER
PRAYERS FOR OTHER PEOPLE Joan Scott
THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: Lord Your Almighty Word (Tune: Moscow)
Lord, your almighty word chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight: hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel day sheds not its glorious ray, let there be light.
Saviour, who came to give those who in darkness live
healing and sight, health to the sick in mind, sight to the inly blind,
O now to humankind let there be light.
Spirit of truth and love, life-giving holy dove, speed forth your flight; move on the waters’ face, bearing the lamp of grace,
and in earth’s darkest place let there be light.
Holy and blessed Three, glorious Trinity, Wisdom, Love, Might, boundless as ocean’s tide rolling in fullest pride,
through the earth far and wide, let there be light. John Marriott (WOV61)
BENEDICTION
NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.
Many thanks to Rev Lyndsey McKay for leading our worship today.
PLEASE NOTE: NEXT Sunday 4th October we will be joining St James’ congregation at 10am to celebrate World Communion Sunday.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 30th Sept: Meet 9.30amat Crosbie Park, Woodbury St, Avonhead. Coffee at Café Beauvais 186 Yaldhurst Rd (cnr of Nortons Rd). Everyone is very welcome. Judith 332 1577.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am -12noon in the Lounge. $3. All Welcome.
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.
UPDATED PARISH PHONE LIST now available. If you require a printed copy, please contact Anna at the Parish Office 332 6192.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY Newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: If you would like to participate, please collect a box from June Service. These need to be returned by Sunday 25th October.
POSITIVE AGING EXPO TOMORROW 9.30am-2.30pm at Papanui High. Free admission.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 28th Hannah; Thu 1st Ken; Fri 2nd Jeremy; Sat 3rd Lyn.
PTO…
OCTOBER EVENTS THAT MAY INTEREST YOU:
“THE POWER OF SONG” The Newcastle People’s Chorus present songs of protest, peace and working life at Knox Church Hall, cnr Bealey Ave & Victoria St on Friday 2nd October at 7pm.
ORGAN CONCERT by John Dodgshun. Sunday 4th October 2.30pm, St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru. $5.
2015 QUAKER LECTURE Saturday 10th October 7.30pm at the Transitional Cathedral. Bryan Bruce, internationally acclaimed documentary maker, will speak on issues of poverty, inequality and ethical decision making in this year’s lecture entitled “What we know, what we say and what we do”. Contact Peg Norris 337 1424 for more information. All are welcome.
PRESBYTERY RESOURCING NIGHT Tuesday 13th October 7.30 – 9.15pm. All are welcome. Venue to be advised. Please RSVP to Darryl Tempero 03 420 1400 or email presbytery.resource@gmail.com
CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE invite you to hear Rod Oram speak about “How small change can make big change”. Tuesday 13th October 6.30pm at the Transitional Cathedral. RSVP: cws@cws.org.nz by 9/10.
VSA QUIZ NIGHT FUNDRAISER: 14th October 7pm at Robbie’s, 201 Clarence St, Riccarton. Phone Rob & Barb 379 1474 after they return on 30 Sept if you are keen.
ST MARK’S ANGLICAN CHURCH FAIR Saturday 17th October 9am – 1pm onsite at 101 Opawa Rd. Rain or shine. Everyone Welcome.