CALL TO WORSHIP:
All that we are is welcomed here: our deepest thoughts and feelings, the parts of ourselves we treasure and that which we do not understand. Everything is accepted and acceptable.
May the Lenten spirit draw us deeper into the circle of God’s love. Let us worship with open hearts.
HYMN: Christ is the World’s Light (Tune: Christe Sanctorum)
Christ is the world’s light, he and no other; born in our darkness,
he became our brother. If we have seen him, we have seen the Father: Glory to God on high.
Christ is the world’s peace, he and no other; no one can serve him
and despise his brother. Who else unites us, one in God the Father? Glory to God on high.
Christ is the world’s life, he and no other; sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother – he, who redeems us, reigns with
God the Father: Glory to God on high.
Give God the glory, God and no other; give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father; give God the glory, God in man my brother:
Glory to God on high. ©F Pratt Green (WOV 191)
GREETING:
May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, with all whom you love, and all whom you pray for here this day.
And may the grace and peace of our Lord be with you also.
OPENING PRAYER:
May we shape a space in our lives to meet you, O God, a space that plays with mystery, opens up justice, seeks peace, and binds us together as community.
May we make alive the Lenten journey of promise, full of expectant hope that the going will come good.
May we travel through dust and ashes, bread and wine, water and hope to find you, the God who travels with us.
Creating God, we live in a world broken by prejudice and greed, violence and abuse, corruption and self serving. Forgive us when we make choices that side with the powerful while ignoring the plight of those trapped by circumstances beyond their control in poverty. May our lives and faith be a reflection of your grace, compassion, truth and justice.
We seek your face, O God. Do not hide your truth or your forgiveness from us, O God of our salvation.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
When absence is at its greatest it is then that grace is most profoundly felt. Like the smallest flicker in the darkest of nights, the holy one becomes known and this presence is enough to sustain us.
We are held. We are loved. Thanks be to God. Amen.
NOTICES
WE PASS THE PEACE OF CHRIST TO EACH OTHER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Gillian Cree
HYMN: I Cannot Tell (Tune: Londonderry Air)
I cannot tell why He, whom angels worship, should set his love upon the sons of men, or why, as Shepherd, He should seek the wanderers, to bring them back, they know not how or when.
But this I know, that He was born of Mary, when Bethlehem’s manger was His only home, and that he lived at Nazareth and labored, and so the Saviour, Saviour of the world is come.
I cannot tell how silently He suffered, as with His peace He graced this place of tears, or how his heart upon the Cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted, and stays our sin,
and claims our lurking fear, and lifts the burden from the heavy laden, for yet the Saviour, Saviour of the world is here.
I cannot tell how He will win the nations, how He will claim His earthly heritage, how satisfy the needs and aspirations of East and West,
of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory, and He shall reap the harvest he has sown, and some glad day His sun shall shine in splendour when He the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is known.
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship, when, at His bidding, every storm is stilled, or who can say how great the jubilation when all the hearts of men with love are filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture, and myriad, myriad human voices sing, and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth,
will answer: at last the Saviour, Saviour of the world is King! W Y Fullerton
INTRODUCTION TO THE BIBLE READINGS:
Genesis 15:1-12 & 17-18 Rob Meier
God shows Abram the stars and promises, “So shall your descendants be.” The story of God and the people shall continue because of the gracious, miraculous intervention of God.
Luke 13:31-35 Barbara Meier
Jesus “sets his face toward Jerusalem” as he laments the fate of the city.
PRAYER BEFORE THE SERMON
SERMON: This family of God!
HYMN: When we Walk with the Lord
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
but his smile quickly drives it away;
not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear,
can abide while we trust and obey…
But we never can prove the delights of his love until all on the altar we lay, for the favour he shows and the joy he bestows
are for those who will trust and obey…
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet, or we’ll walk by his side in the way; what he says we will do, where he sends we will go –
never fear, only trust and obey… ©JH Sammis (WOV 531)
OUR FREEWILL OFFERING to support the mission and church of Jesus Christ will be received. As God gives to us, so let us give to God and to all those who wait for the love of God in so many ways.
DEDICATION OF OFFERING (together):
O God, we pray that what we have given here will be used to cover others with the gentle love of Christ. Guide us as we use these offerings for your work and bless all that we offer through Jesus Christ our Lord who taught us to pray…
SUNG LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYERS FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS
HYMN: Be Thou my Vision
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, naught be all else to me save that thou art; thou my best thought in the day or the night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word; I ever with thee,
and thou with me Lord; thou my great Father: thine own I would be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight; be thou my dignity, thou my delight, thou my soul’s shelter, and thou my high tower;
raise thou me heavenward, O power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor earth’s empty praise, thou mine inheritance, now and always; thou, and thou only, the first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.
High King of Heaven, after victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys,
O bright heaven’s sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. Irish, 8th century (CH4 465)
BENEDICTION & THREEFOLD AMEN
SUNG BLESSING
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 David Coster for leading our worship today.
LENTEN STUDIES: Mele is leading a series for Lent on Wednesdays 24 Feb, 2, 9 & 16 March at 10am in the Church. All of our congregation are welcome to join with them. Please contact Beckenham Methodist Parish Office if you would like to attend. Ph 942 2715 or email: beckmeth@clear.net.nz
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 24th February: Meet 9.30am in Lyttelton. Details available from Anneke 328 7459.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.
FIRESIDE WOMEN’S GROUP: First meeting of the year is on Tuesday 23rd February 7.30pm at Barbara’s. New members and visitors are always welcome. Please bring scissors! To find out more, please speak to Margaret 366 8936.
PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email:stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz. Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.
PLEASE NOTE: The Office will be closed on 2, 3 & 4 March. Any notices for 6th March need to be with Anna by THIS Thursday.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: This year St Martin’s Presbyterian will be leading the service. It will be held on Friday 4th March at St Anne’s Anglican Church, Wilsons Road commencing at 10am. We encourage you all to attend. The service has been written by the women of Cuba. A plate for morning tea following the service would be appreciated. Allison 332 0554.
PRAYER SERVICE FOR CHRISTCHURCH:
You are invited to a service of prayer TODAY at 5pm in the Transitional Cathedral in remembrance of those who died as a result of 22 February 2011; to intercede for those injured that day five years ago; in thanksgiving for the First Responders who risk their lives for others and for all who have worked to rebuild this city; to pray God’s blessing on our city and beyond and to ask God’s blessing for our future.
All are Welcome. PTO…
“BLOOM” Exhibition 1-28 Feb: Visitor Lounge, Canterbury Museum. Free. Poetry, stories, flowers – marking the 5th anniversary of the 22 Feb quake.
BOARD OF MANAGERS’ meeting Wednesday 24th February at 7.30pm.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
FUNDRAISER: Daffodil Bulbs
Fireside are selling bulbs now.
20 beautiful bulbs – 8 or 9 varieties – $10.
If 20 are too many for you, share with a friend.
Have flowers inside during the Winter or outside in Spring.
Wonderful presents [for Easter instead of chocolate?]
Introduce children to gardening.
Fireside members will take orders but we would appreciate payment with the order please.
Barbara 379 1474 Margaret 366 8936
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 22nd Lindsay, Ross; Tue 23rd Bessie; Thu 25th Bill (80); Sat 27th Elizabeth.