WELCOME AND NOTICES
GATHERING:
We feel your welcome, gracious God, in this time of worship.
You welcome us all: young – middle aged – mature in years:
those brimming over with energy
those with responsibilites of family and work
those enjoying retirement and leisure activites
those seeking strength and peace.
You welcome friends and strangers;
those who come from closeby, and those from far away,
those familiar with this gathering place,
those whose roots are elsewhere.
You welcome us all; and so we come,
different people from different places,
seeking to make meaning of our lives and our experience;
seeking you – in the name of Jesus. AMEN.
HYMN: O God, Whom We Praise (Tune: Hanover WOV 67)
O God, whom we praise from morning till night,
your grace fills our days as lustrous as light.
In joy or in sorrow we call on your name,
today and tomorrow, as always the same.
We know without you our living is vain.
You give us a view of life that’s humane,
of growing and learning that never should cease,
of working and yearning for justice and peace.
Our knowledge is frail. Your wisdom is pure.
Our scheming may fail. Your actions are sure.
Our striving can never our full hopes attain,
your truth lasts forever, eternal your reign.
Now fit us for life in this time and place.
Calm all fear and strife and grant us the grace
to stand with our Saviour, proclaiming to all,
by faith and behaviour, response to your call. © J P Huber (ASF)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Cynthia Cross
SONG: Songbook 31 This is the Day
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Introduction
An Affirmation of Faith
We are not alone, We live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
The Baptismal Vows
Parents
Baptism
Congregational Vows: (congregation stands)
Will you, as the family and friends of children in our congregation endeavour to support all our children with Christian love and understanding. Yes we will.
Will you surround parents with love, and support them as they seek to provide loving Christian homes in which their children will grow and thrive. Yes we will.
Presentation to the Congregation
Aaronic Blessing WOV 572
A PRAYER FOR FAMILIES
HYMN: Child of Blessing (Tune: Omni Die WOV 5)
Child of blessing, child of promise,
baptized with the Spirit’s sign,
with this water God has sealed you
unto love and grace divine.
Child of love, our love’s expression,
love’s creation, loved indeed!
fresh from God, refresh our spirits,
into joy and laughter lead.
Child of joy, our dearest treasure
God’s you are, from God you came.
Back to God we humbly give you;
live as one who bears Christ’s name.
Child of God, your loving Parent,
learn to listen for God’s call,
grow to laugh and sing and worship,
trust and love God more than all. © Ronald Cole-Turner (AA)
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
READING: Psalm 19 (selections) from Leslie Brandt
Barbara Meier
INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL READING
READING: John 3: 1-12 Rob Meier
REFLECTION
HYMN: 451 Lord Jesus Christ
THE OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: There’s a Spirit in the Air (Tune: Monkland WOV 11ii)
There’s a Spirit in the air,
telling Christians everywhere:
“Praise the love that Christ revealed,
living, working in our world.”
Lose your shyness, find your tongue
tell the world what God has done:
God in Christ has come to stay.
Live tomorrow’s life today!
When believers break the bread,
when a hungry child is fed,
praise the love that Christ revealed,
living, working in our world.
Still the Spirit gives us light,
seeing wrong and setting right:
God in Christ has come to stay.
Live tomorrow’s life today!
When a stranger’s not alone,
where the homeless find a home,
praise the love that Christ revealed,
living, working in our world.
May the Spirit fill our praise,
guide our thoughts and change our ways.
God in Christ has come to stay,
live tomorrow’s life today! © Hope Publishing (VU)
BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee in the lounge after the service.
We welcome Alana Davies Sankey and her family as they join us for her baptism today. An invitation is extended to all people present to sign the baptismal book.
THANK YOU to everyone who assisted with the Garage Sale yesterday.
Picnic TODAY for all from St Martins, St James, Hoon Hay and Cashmere Hills parishes at Halswell Quarry 12 noon until 3pm. The booked site is the Lions picnic area – enter from Kennedys Bush Rd. The site will be labelled. Bring your picnic lunch, a chair, hat and sunnies! All Welcome.
CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! For details, please contact Aubrey 930 2525.
APW meets on Wednesday 14th March at 9.45am in our Church. Our speaker will be Randall Law from John Rhind Funeral Directors. There will be a Sales Table, and we look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Allison 332 0554.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 14th March: Another Spreydon Stroll~ meet in Stourbridge St over the road from the Oderings entrance at 9.30am. Coffee will be at Oderings for anyone who would like to join us for coffee. Judith 332 1577.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am until 12 noon. Newcomers welcome. Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: The next session on Thursday 29th March is fully booked. Queries to Lyndsey 388 1264.
MARMALADE FOR MISSIONS ~ please support this fundraiser!
WALTHAM COTTAGE requires two volunteers to assist with a monthly Seniors Group on the 1st Tuesday of each month 2.00-3.30pm at the Cottage. You will need to make sandwiches, assist with transport to and from the meeting and stay for the duration.
Please contact Lyndsey 388 1264 if you are interested.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Saturday 17th Marie.