POEM: They Have Taken Away My Lord

HYMN: Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Christ the Lord is risen today, Hallelujah!
All creation join to say; Hallelujah!
Raise your joys and triumphs high; Hallelujah!
Sing, O heavens and earth reply: Hallelujah!

Lives again our glorious King: Hallelujah!
Where, O death, is now your sting? Hallelujah!
Once he died our souls to save: Hallelujah!
Where your victory, O grave? Hallelujah!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Hallelujah!
Praise to you by both be given. Hallelujah!
Every knee to you shall bow, Hallelujah!
Risen Christ, triumphant now. Hallelujah!

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

WELCOME AND NOTICES

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

READINGS: Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24 Doug Johns
John 20: 1-18 Anne Johns

HYMN: 303 Thine Be the Glory

REFLECTION

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God, Maker, Redeemer and Sustainer of life,
without beginning or end, whose life-giving love was let loose on the first Easter Sunday and whose life-giving love we share and proclaim here today.
We believe in God who gave up the divine life and submitted to the darkness and terror of the grave; and who enters with us into every darkness and terror we shall ever face.
We believe in God who raised Christ from death to glorious new life; and who raises our lives from sin and despair to newness and hope again.
We believe in God who met the grief stricken Mary in the garden and who called her into hope; who meets us in our grief giving us courage to hope, sending us out to witness to the resurrection and to be bearers of the Good News in our world.
We believe in God, Maker, Redeemer and Sustainer of life,
without beginning or end, whose life-giving love was let loose on the first Easter Sunday and whose life-giving love we share and proclaim today to all people, wherever and whoever they are,
loved, blessed and called by God. ( N. Slee – altered)

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

THE OFFERING
God with the dawning of this new day, may we awake to new opportunities to love and serve you and witness to Christ whom you have raised. Use us, and our gifts, to your glory.
Bless this bread and this wine; grain of the field and fruit of the vine – work of human hands – that through your Holy Spirit they may be to us the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION AND THE PEACE

HYMN: Christ is Alive, and the Universe Must Celebrate
Christ is alive, and the universe must celebrate,
and the stars and the suns shout on this Easter Day!
Christ is alive, and his family must celebrate
in a great alleluia, a great alleluia
to praise the power that made the stone roll away.

Here is our hope: in the mystery of suffering
is the heartbeat of Love, Love that will not let go,
here is our hope, that in God we are not separate,
and we sing alleluia, we sing alleluia
to praise the power that made the stone roll away.

Christ Spirit, dance through the dullness of humanity
to the music of God, God who has set us free!
You are the pulse of the new creation’s energy;
with a great alleluia, a great alleluia
we praise the power that made the stone roll away.
© Shirley Murray (AA)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND THE COMMUNION

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

HYMN: Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing (Tune:Truro WOV 33)
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring;
love, drowned in death, shall never die.

Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time.

In every insult, rift and war,
where colour, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.

Women and men, in age and youth
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
with joy, with justice, love and praise. © Hope Publishing Co (VU)

THE BLESSING

NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for Easter buns in the lounge after the service.
.
CELEBRATION OF AUTUMN Sunday 15th April
We would ask that the congregation please bring a tin or a packet for us to stock up the Waltham Community Cottage pantry. This will take the place of our normal Harvest Thanksgiving Service. Worship Committee.

CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! For details, please contact Aubrey 930 2525.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 11th April: Meet 9.30am on the cnr Montreal & Salisbury Sts opposite the clock tower. Coffee at Vic’s Café in Victoria St 10.30am. All are welcome to join us. Sue 960 7657.

APW will meet on Wednesday 11th April at 9.45am here. The speaker will be Carol Bell from Red Cross updating us on the last 12 months for their organisation. There will be a Sales Table. All are welcome. Allison 332 0554.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am until 12 noon. Newcomers welcome. Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Seeking volunteers please to train up to cut nails, assist with the footspas and massage. This clinic happens every six weeks. The next session is on Thursday 10th May. Offers of help to Lyndsey please 388 1264.

MARMALADE FOR MISSIONS ~ please support this fundraiser!

Pioneers Bible Study Group is seeking more participants. Please contact Bruce or Beverley Hudson 332 7786.

ST MARTINS THEATRE GROUP: Monday May 7, 11am to Operatunity’s The Best of British at the La Vida Centre. $30. Concessions for groups.
Much Ado About Nothing: Monday May 21, 6.30 pm, Court. Please let Lyn know by mid-April. $41. l.mck@xtra.co.nz, ph 338 0840.

TAX RECEIPTS and new giving envelopes are now available. If you would like to join the envelope scheme please contact Lyn Steele 332 0865. To set up an automatic payment, please contact Joan Macdonald 337 1648.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 9th Samantha-Rose; Fri 13th John.

READING: Mark 11: 1-6 Judith Mackay

THE GATHERING
Reader 1: We join with the crowd that eagerly awaited
the coming of Jesus.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God!
Hosanna in the highest!
Reader 2: Fulfilling prophecy, Jesus entered the city
riding humbly on a donkey.
(louder) Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God!
Hosanna in the highest!
Reader 3: Jesus’ followers were excited, filled with anticipation.
Yet, within a few short days ,they were scattered, disillusioned,
and frightened, unwilling to follow as far as Christ would have them go.
(softer) Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God!
Hosanna in the highest!
Reader 1: We, too, long to join the triumphal procession,
only to find ourselves burdened by the past, fearful of the future,
reluctant to accept the way of the cross.
(softer) Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God!
Hosanna in the highest!
Reader 2: Yet this Palm Sunday, we receive palm branches,
a reminder of the welcome offered to Jesus
as he travelled toward the cross.
(louder) Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God!
Hosanna in the highest!
Reader 3: Like the crowd in Jerusalem 2000 years ago,
we take our palm branches and greet Jesus, shouting:
(very loud) Blessed is the One who comes in the name of God!
Hosanna in the highest!

HYMN: 250 All Glory, Praise and Honour (omit verse 4)
OPENING PRAYER

WELCOME AND NOTICES

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

SONG: Come, Children, Join to Sing (Tune: WOV 162)
Come, children, join to sing: Hallelujah! Amen!
Praise to our Servant King: Hallelujah! Amen!
Let all with heart and voice, saved by God’s gracious choice,
now in this place rejoice: Hallelujah! Amen!

Come, lift your hearts on high: Hallelujah! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky: Hallelujah! Amen!
Christ calls his people friends, the helpless he defends,
a love that never ends: Hallelujah! Amen! (C/A)

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

INTRODUCTION

FILM CLIP: JESUS BEFORE PILATE

READING: Philippians 2: 5-11 Joan Scott

REFLECTION: Which is it? Palm or Passion?

A TIME OF QUIET

HYMN: 261 Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
(omit final verse)
THE OFFERING
Holy God, you come to us in Jesus,
a poor man, riding a donkey;
we thank you for this witness of the power of love,
despite the powers of this world.
We thank you for all who have withstood evil,
who have suffered the jeers, and worse, of the crowds,
who have been tormented, even put to death,
and still refused to use the weapons of hatred.
We thank you for the times we have been able
to let go our defences, give up control,
and live with open hands and hearts.
We bring these offerings with hosannas! and joy in our hearts,
in the name of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN: Ride On, Ride On (Tune: Winchester New WOV 264)
Ride on, ride on, the time is right:
the roadside crowds scream with delight;
palm branches mark the pilgrim way
where beggars sit and children play.

Ride on, ride on, your critics wait,
intrigue and rumour circulate;
new lies abound in word and jest,
and truth becomes a suspect guest.

Ride on, ride on, while well aware
that those who shout and wave and stare
are mortals who, with common breath,
can crave for life, and lust for death.

Ride on, ride on, though blind with tears,
though dumb to speak and deaf to jeers.
Your path is clear, though few can tell
their garments pave the road to hell.

Ride on, ride on, God’s love demands;
justice and peace lie in your hands.
Evil and angel voices rhyme;
this is the man and this the time. ? John Bell and Graham Maule (CH4)

CLOSING PRAYER

THE 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.

A Congregational Meeting will be held this morning regarding insurance matters. Bruce Hudson, Session Clerk.

CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! For details, please contact Aubrey 930 2525.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 4th April: Meet 9.30am outside The Brewery Café, Garlands Rd (eastern end). Rosalie 332 5489.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am until 12 noon. Newcomers welcome. Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Seeking volunteers please to train up to cut nails, assist with the footspas and massage. This clinic happens every six weeks. The next session is on Thursday 10th May. Offers of help to Lyndsey please 388 1264.

MARMALADE FOR MISSIONS ~ please support this fundraiser!

Pioneers Bible Study Group is seeking more participants. Please contact Bruce or Beverley Hudson 332 7786.

ST MARTINS THEATRE GROUP: Lyn Madgwick is organising a group Monday May 7, 11am to Operatunity’s The Best of British at the La Vida Centre. $30, $27 for a group of 10+, $26 if 20 or more. Have a look at the programme on internet – it includes lunch with the artists.
Much Ado About Nothing: Monday May 21, 6.30 pm, Court. Please let Lyn know by mid-April. $41. l.mck@xtra.co.nz, ph 338 0840.

CELEBRATION OF AUTUMN Sunday 15th April
We would ask that the congregation please bring a tin or a packet for us to stock up the Waltham Community Cottage pantry. This will take the place of our normal Harvest Thanksgiving Service. Worship Committee.

TAX RECEIPTS and new giving envelopes are now available. If you would like to join the envelope scheme please contact Lyn Steele 332 0865. To set up an automatic payment, please contact Joan Macdonald 337 1648.

The new readers’ roster is available – please check for your copy TODAY.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 1st Aileen, Grace; Wed 4th Rosalie; Sat 7th Rosemary

WELCOME AND NOTICES
• Session Report ~ Fern Wakefield

CALL TO WORSHIP:
The Season of Lent is a time for self-examination:
A time for taking the measure of ourselves against the faithfulness of Jesus, for recognising the challenge to grow to be more than we are, for preparing ourselves to participate in the experience of the Easter event. May our worship this day enable that preparation to continue within us, that the real meaning of Easter may take life in us.

HYMN: 115 Let us sing to the God of Salvation

OPENING PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Alice Shanks

SONG: Songbook 2 Christians Are All Kinds of People

O.T.READING: Jeremiah 31: 31-34 Hilary Moore

PSALM: From Psalm 51: 1-12 (Nan Merrill)
Have mercy on me … guide my steps on paths of peace.
Teach me, that I may know my weaknesses, the shortcomings that bind me, the unloving ways that separate me from recognising your life in me. For, I keep company with fear, and dwell in the house of ignorance. Yet I was brought forth in love, and love is my birthright
You have placed your truth … but on the aspirations of my heart
Create in me a clean heart, O Gracious God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Enfold me in the arms of Love, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Restore in me the joy of your saving grace,
and encourage me with a new spirit.

HYMN: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (remain seated)
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness
calling and free.
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
wind, wind on the sea.
You moved on the waters,
you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains
from the valleys of sleep;
and over the ages you called to each thing,
wake from your slumbers
and rise on your wings.

You swept through the desert,
you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people
with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded
with their idols and lies,
then you spoke through your prophets
to open their eyes.

You sang in a stable,
you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence
when the whole world was still;
and down in the city
you called once again,
when you blew through your people
in the rush of the wind.

You call from tomorrow,
you break ancient schemes.
From the bondage of sorrow
the captives dream dreams;
our women see visions,
our men clear their eyes
with bold new decisions
your people arise. © Jim Manley (NJS)
N.T.READING: John 12: 20-26 Barry Moore

SERMON: Deal, or no deal?

A TIME OF QUIET

HYMN: Songbook 28 Will You Come and Follow Me

OFFERING
Although these are our gifts that we bring for blessing ~
Generous God, they were first your gifts.
With gratitude we return a portion of what we enjoy.
If these gifts bring comfort, if they bring friendship,
if they bring hope, then Jesus’ example will have been followed,
and your name honoured. Amen.

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE ….
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 the 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 that 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 forever. Amen. © Jim Cotter

HYMN: 478 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

THE 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.

A Congregational Meeting has been called for Sunday 1st April following morning worship regarding insurance maters. Bruce Hudson, Session Clerk.

CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! For details, please contact Aubrey 930 2525.

Women are invited to come to an informal meeting of the Fireside group at 7.30pm on Tuesday 27th March in the church lounge. “The mother of the bride” will report on THE wedding, and others are welcome to share reminiscences or photos of family weddings. Also there will be planning for next month’s meeting. Enquiries: Margaret 366 8936.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 28th March: Meet 9.30am at Hastings Street entrance of Waltham School for a walk around the area. Coffee at coffee shop in Waltham Rd. Allison 332 0554.

CARING & SHARING meets on Wednesday 28th March at 2pm. Entertainment provided by the Pearly King & Queen. Please contact Margaret 324 3825 if you require transport. All are welcome.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am until 12 noon. Newcomers welcome. Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: The next session this Thursday is fully booked. Queries to Lyndsey 388 1264.

MARMALADE FOR MISSIONS ~ please support this fundraiser!

READERS are required for Palm Sunday, the Holy Week Reflections and Good Friday. Please sign the clipboard in the foyer if you can help. Chris.

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.

Pioneers Bible Study Group is seeking more participants. Please contact Bruce or Beverley Hudson 332 7786.

PLEASE NOTE: City Care has advised that the wastewater main replacement work in a section of Wilsons Rd Sth & St Martins Rd is progressing as planned with completion still scheduled for mid-April. The final part of the job will be connecting to a manhole at the intersection of these two roads. While this takes place, they plan to have the roundabout completely controlled by traffic controllers. If you can avoid this intersection at this time, then please find an alternative route. Any questions? Please contact City Care on 0800 632 889.

THE OFFERING – you will be aware that the tax year ends on 31st March. After this date annual receipts will be issued to those of you who contribute through the envelope system or have set up automatic payments to St Martin’s Church. If there is anyone in the congregation who would like to be part of either of these systems for the new tax year, contacts are as follows:
Envelope System Lyn 332 0865
Automatic Payments Joan 337 1648

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 25th Georgia & Oliver; Mon 26th Liam.