WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP
As God’s people we are called to the building of community,
breaking down barriers that separate people from one another,
in order to create newness of life.
This morning as we gather in worship may we experience the opportunity to be truly in touch with one another:
sharing the joys and hopes, sorrows and pain that are a part of belonging together; that we might go out from here,
in touch with the needs of the world around us, and beyond us.
HYMN: In This Familiar Place
In this familiar place
I know the mystery of your grace.
For the love that we receive, for the truth that we believe,
We praise and thank you for this here and now.
In halting song and word
the music of your voice is heard.
Among these friends of mine
I taste the company divine.
Within this narrow sphere
I learn that you are everywhere. © Colin Gibson (AA)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Gillian Cree
SONG: If I Were a Butterfly
If I were a butterfly,
I’d thank you, Lord, for giving me wings;
and if I were a robin in a tree,
I’d thank you, Lord, that I could sing;
and if I were a fish in the sea,
I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee,
but I just thank you, God, for making me “me”.
For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile,
you gave me Jesus and you made me your child,
and I just thank you, God, for making me “me”.
If I were an elephant,
I’d thank you, Lord, by raising my trunk;
and if I were a kangaroo,
you know I’d hop right up to you;
and if I were an octopus,
I’d thank you, Lord, for my fine looks,
but I just thank you, God, for making me “me”.
If I were a wiggly worm,
I’d thank you, Lord that I could squirm;
and if I were a crocodile,
I’d thank you, Lord, for my big smile;
and if I were a fuzzy-wuzzy bear,
I’d thank you, Lord, for my fuzzy-wuzzy hair,
but I just thank you, God, for making me “me”. ? Brian Howard (NJS)
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Introduction
An Affirmation of Faith (together)
We believe in God:
source of all life, source of all love
ever creating, our past and our future
father and mother of all that is to be.
We believe in God:
Christ of our history, link with eternity,
one with our humanness, revealing life’s hopefulness;
traveller before us, the Sign of the Way.
We believe in God:
Spirit of newness, Spirit of power,
wisdom and wonder, mystery and miracle
moving in freedom, transforming the earth
We believe in the Church:
born amidst struggle, open to changes,
centred in loving and sharing,
moving and growing
heart of community turned to the world.
A Story – Megan
The Baptism
Sung Blessing: The Lord Bless You and Keep You
The Lord bless you, and keep you:
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace. C/A
The Baptismal Vows
Family
Congregation: (congregation stands)
And you, the people of St Martins, representing the world-wide Church, do you receive Isobel in the name of Christ?
Yes, we do.
Will you continue to surround all children in our midst, and their families, with love and support?
Yes, we will. We welcome Isobel into the wider family
of God, and commit ourselves to deeper love and service
for the sake of all people.
Presentation of Isobel to the Congregation
A PRAYER FOR FAMILIES
HYMN: All Things Bright and Beautiful (Megan & Jeremy’s choice)
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings –
he made their glowing colours,
he made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky,
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden –
he made them every one.
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. C/A
READINGS: From Psalm 139 Elizabeth Penwell
From Luke 3 – Jesus’ Baptism Warren Pettigrew
REFLECTION
THE OFFERING:
God’s great love for us is expressed in many ways,
and especially in the gift of Jesus Christ.
Our love for God, and for each other, is expressed in tangible ways,
and so we bring our gifts in response to God’s love for us.
God, accept these gifts and our lives,
the work of care that they represent,
and our hope for a fuller life for others, that all may know
the reality of your great love for us. AMEN.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: Celebrate Each Generation (Tune: Stuttgart WOV 200)
Celebrate each generation
celebrate around the earth!
In this Church make dedication
of the miracle of birth.
Every new-born son and daughter
is the Church’s loving claim,
marked by touch of living water
now to take the Christian name.
Be the Christ in those we christen:
body, spirit, both must thrive.
Be the Christ in us who promise
new-born faith to keep alive.
So another generation
may discover truth and good,
flower within the certain future,
bud of hope within the wood. © Shirley Murray (AA)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
THE SESSION HAS CALLED A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING for Sunday 23 March following Morning Worship to consider the plans for application to the Presbytery for permission to proceed and uplift the insurance money.
LENTEN STUDIES: Monday mornings March 17th, 24th, 31st and April 7th, at the Manse. Come at 10.00 am if you’d like to share in morning tea. Study 10.15 – 11.45 (at the latest). These will be based on Sunday sermon topics. 17th March – Genesis 3, Temptation in the Garden of Eden; 24th March – John 3:1-17, Nicodemus visits Jesus.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 19th March: Meet 9.30am in St Andrews Square off Normans Rd by the entrance to Elmwood Park, at the back of St Andrew’s College. Then by car to Merivale Mall and coffee at McCafe. June 332 8874.
SESSION meets this Wednesday 19th March at 7.30pm.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
CHURCH A5 DIRECTORY WITH PHOTOS: Session seeks permission to print the Church Directory with a photo beside each family/person to help everyone put names with faces. Sonya has undertaken to take photos, so simply tell her if you are not agreeable, or advise Anna.
‘CARING AND SHARING’ – what’s in a name?
Wednesday 26th March – do join us in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge at 2pm.
So – ‘what’s in a name?’ – your chance to come along and find out. Bring yourself, bring a friend. As well as a lot a laughs there will be a fabulous afternoon tea to share after.
We look forward to welcoming everyone. Irene 332 7306.
NAMETAGS: Please wear your Church nametag. See Sonya if you require a new one.
PARISH FAIR Saturday 12th April. Time to start cleaning out those cupboards! We will be having the following stalls: Cakes, Preserves/Jams, White Elephant, Books, Plants & Produce. Please Note: We are unable to accept TVs, Computers, Stereos etc or household furniture. More details next week.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING – CELEBRATING OUR GIFTS Sunday 30th March. Our gifts will be given to Waltham Community Cottage. There is a special need for dry goods (packets and tinned) to help with their cooking classes. Pasta, lentils and canned goods are always acceptable. Gifts of fresh vegetables and fruit also very welcome. Worship Committee.
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Court Theatre Thursday 15th May 6.30pm. $41 each, cash payment to Sue on or before Sunday 13th April please. A great idea for Mothers’ Day presents. We need to sell a minimum of 20 seats – please add your name to the list in the lounge. Phone Sue 960 7657 for more information.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 28th April 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Please phone the Parish Office to book.
ORGAN RECITAL by John Dodgshun on Sunday 23rd March 2.30pm, St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru. Proceeds to Neil Stocker Memorial Fund. All Welcome.
THE PARISH OFFICE HOURS are Wednesday & Thursday 9am-12noon & Friday 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz, or pop in to 7 Wilsons Rd.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
HUB NEWS: This week’s Hub Report is on the wall in the Lounge.
BECKENHAM METHODIST is having its Fun Day / Fair on Saturday 22nd March from 9am. We would be very grateful for donations of baking, preserves, plants, books, or white elephant items. We can collect any donated item during the week; alternatively it can be left at the church on Friday 21st. Any help on the day would be much appreciated.
For any offers, please phone Kirsty on 337 9784. Thank you so much!
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 17th Marie; Wed 19th Rosalie; Sat 22nd Audrey.
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Tues 18 March 9.30am Little Kids music
Thurs 20 March 7.30pm Women’s Journeying at Marilyn’s home
Fri 21 March 4.30pm Friday Kids
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 16 March 9am Morning Worship & Baptism
12.30pm Guess Who’s Coming to Lunch?
Wed 19 March 9.30am Walking Group.
7.30pm Session meeting
Thu 20 March 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3. New faces welcome
Sun 23 March 9am Morning Worship followed by Congregational Meeting
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mondays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge. Brian 338 6228
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre programme
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Contact Pat 353 0265
Tuesdays: 10.00 am mainly music @ Hoon Hay. Eleanor 960 4824
Wednesdays: 1.00 pm West Spreydon Ladies Indoor Bowls. Sheila 960 4412
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. David 322 7954
Thursdays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge contact Brian 338 6228
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre programme
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Fridays: 7.00 pm LIFT – Youth program in lounge. Matt 027 389 0000
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Mon 17 March 9.15am Pre-School Music. Jane 965 2425
1.00pm Cashmere Garden Club Workshop
Tues 18 March 9.30am Foot Clinic
Wed 19 March 10.00am Forum – discuss and reflect last Sunday’s readings
2.00pm Cashmere APW
Thurs 20 March 10.30am – 12 noon Prayer Group at 20 Major Aiken Drive