CALL TO WORSHIP:
We have encountered the Word, calling us into communion with God and with one another;
calling us into discipleship to use our gifts to carry on
Christ’s work in our world.
So we come together here, joining hearts and hands in the great quest:
to worship God, to love one another, and to serve God’s world.
HYMN: 11 Let us With a Gladsome Mind
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN
SONG: Take My Life, Lord, Let it Be (Tune: Nottingham)
Take my life, Lord, let it be
consecrated, glad and free;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of your love;
take my feet, that I may run
bearing news of Christ your Son.
Take my voice, and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
take my intellect and use
every power as you shall choose.
Take my will – your will be done,
may my will and yours be one;
take my heart – it is your own,
it shall be your royal throne.
Take my love – my Lord, I pour
at your feet its treasure-store.;
take myself, and I will be
all for you, eternally.
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11 Gwendoline
Matthew 25: 14-30 Martin
SERMON
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in God’s justice which is more than liberty.
There’s no place where human sorrows are more deeply felt than heav’n.
There’s no place where human failings have such kindly judgements giv’n.
For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind
and the heart of the eternal is most wonderfully kind.
But we make that love too narrow by the limits of our own;
and we magnify God’s strictness with a zeal love will not own.
There is grace enough for thousands of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations in that end less world of bliss.
If our love were but more simple we would trust the living Word;
and our lives would fill with gladness in the joy of Christ our Lord.
© Words: Frederick Faber , CA alt Colin Gibson
OFFERING:
O God, you call us to appreciate and to use the talents you equip us with; that combined with our time and resources they may be used for the good of church, wider community and world.
Bless these offerings and us as we seek to serve you in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: Songbook 24 Take My Gifts
Take my gifts and let me love you,
God who first of all loved me,
gave me light and food and shelter,
gave me life and set me free.
Now, because your love has touched me,
I have love to give away;
now the bread of love is rising,
loaves of love to multiply!
Take the fruit that I have gathered
from the tree your Spirit sowed,
harvest of your own compassion,
juice that makes the wine of God;
spiced with humour, laced with laughter-
flavour of the Jesus life,
tang of risk and new adventure,
taste and zest beyond belief.
Take whatever I can offer-
gifts that I have yet to find,
skills that I am slow to sharpen,
talents of the hand and mind,
things made beautiful for others
in the place where I must be:
take my gifts and let me love you,
God who first of all loved me. © Shirley Murray (AA)
THE BLESSING
BIRTHDAYS this week: Mon 14th Berta & Ruby; Wed 16th Olwen; Sat 19th Thomas.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee after the service.
The NZ Church Life Survey will be filled out at the end of the service over the next two Sundays. Please place completed forms in the box in the foyer.
Session meets Wednesday 16th November 7.30pm.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 16th November ~ Charleston: Meet 9.30am on the corner of Wilsons Road North & Charles Street for a walk around Charleston. Coffee at church. June 332 8874.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. Please help!! We require a person to help us out this Thursday as Audrey has Foot Clinic in the afternoon. We will require another helper on 15th December. Please contact Beverley 942 7821 or text 027 787 5868. ?
ROSTERS FOR 2012
We are looking for more names to add to our rosters for 2012. This is for:
*Serving morning tea after worship
*Church cleaning
*Flowers
If you can help with any/all of these we would be very grateful. The more people we have sharing in this makes it lighter for everyone.
Please contact Joan 338 8700 or Allison 332 0554.
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in!
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Thursday’s session is fully booked.
City Care has advised us that the sewer mains and lateral connections in Gamblins Rd, St Martins Rd & Wilsons Rd Sth will be replaced over the next 20 weeks. Please be aware that parking near the church during the week may be restricted.