WHILE OUR CHURCH BUILDING IS REPAIRED WE ARE MEETING EACH SUNDAY AT THE MINERAL & LAPIDARY CLUB 11O WALTHAM RD (NEXT TO WALTHAM SCHOOL) AT 10AM.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME YOU.
Sunday 12 March 2017
{Some of the material for this service comes from the book by Marcus Borg ‘The Heart of Christianity’ (2004) chapter 6 Born Again – a New Heart. Some of you will recognise the material, following a study from the book that I facilitated some years ago}
Coming Together as Part of God’s Family
We are not alone. God is with us.
God is with us in the hills and valleys of life
God is with us in each sunrise and sunset.
God as spirit speaks to us through our everyday.
Through the people we meet, be they friends or strangers
Through our busyness or quiet times God is the encouraging spirit in which everything that is, is…
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.
Time with the Children ~ Wayne
Questions for you to ponder:
Rebirth ~ What do you understand by “being born again”?
There are many ways of expressing what we mean when we speak of ‘rebirth’. Here are some. Which one do you think of when talking about ‘rebirth’?
Reconnect with God
Return Home from Exile
See Again
Receive the Gifts of the Spirit
Centre Your Life in God
Live into a New Way of Being
Dying to Old Self
Let Go of What Keeps You from God
Marcus Borg speaks of Four Ways of Born Again Experiences:
A sudden and dramatic moment in your life – a life changing event
A gradual lifetime process that accompanies a deepening trust in God
The shorter rhythms of our lives which may happen several times during a period of major change or transition
The micro-rhythms (each day forgetting then remembering God)
Spirituality: becoming conscious of, and intentional about, a deepening relationship with God.
A Rendition of the Lord’s Prayer by Marcus Borg:
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever. Amen.
PLEASE NOTE: The City2Surf run is on next Sunday 19th March. This may affect the usual way you travel to Church.
Notices:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, Please stay for morning tea after the service. Thanks to Rev Lyndsey McKay for leading today’s service.
Harvest Thanksgiving: Sunday 26th March. Please bring along donations of dried goods, tinned goods and fresh produce for Waltham Cottage.Worship Committee.
Foot Clinic TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist.
SESSION meets this Wednesday 7.30pm at Merchiston.
Would you be prepared to read scriptures in church or lead the Prayers for Others? Please contact the Parish Office 332 6192 if you are interested.
Wednesday Walkers 15th March: Carpool 8.45am to meet at New World Rangiora carpark in Good St. Queries: Sonya 027 2533397
Crafty Crafters Thursdays 10am-12 noon at Beckenham Methodist. $3.Beverley 384 7814. Crafty Crafters’ bus trip to Oxford, Thursday 23rd March.Still some space on the bus! Bring a friend and enjoy a day out in North Canterbury.Cost $15 – please phone Beverley 384 7814 to book.
Please fill out an information form available at worship or from your elder if you are already, or would like to be part of the St Martin’s congregation. Forms can be returned to The Minister, Irene Gray or to the church office.Many thanks to those who have already returned forms!
Euthanasia: A Duty to Die? The Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square, Saturday 1 April, 9.30am to 2.30pm. A one day seminar on one of the controversial topics of today’s society, Co-hosted by the Transitional Cathedral and Theology House, Chaired by Bishop Victoria Matthews and with speakers from both sides of the debate: Bishop Jim White (Assistant Bishop of Auckland), Dr Jack Havill (Immediate Past President of Voluntary Euthanasia Society (End of Life Choice), Renée Joubert (Executive Officer, Euthanasia-Free NZ), Rev Dr Graham O’Brien (Co-Chair InterChurch Bioethics Council). BYO Lunch, tea/coffee provided. Registrations to Jill Short:admin@theologyhouse.ac.nz ph: 03 341 3399 by 5 pm 30th March.