WELCOME AND NOTICES
• Presbytery Report

CALL TO WORSHIP:
In this season of Lent we remember Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem.
We follow him. We follow the stories of Mark and John.
We remember the passion of Christ
and we follow, through recommitment
to justice and reconciliation.
We remember our call to listen, to reflect, to pray and to grow.
We follow with open hearts and minds ~ in the Way of Jesus.

HYMN: 65(i) Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty – omit verse 2

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

SONG: There’s a Song of Love in My Heart
There’s a song of love in my heart;
love is a gift from Jesus.
There’s a song of love in my heart;
love is a gift from God.
Alleluia! Love in my heart is singing praises.
Alleluia! Love is a gift from God.

There’s a song of peace in my heart;
peace is a gift from Jesus.
There’s a song of peace in my heart;
peace is a gift from God.
Alleluia! Peace in my heart is singing praises.
Alleluia! Peace is a gift from God.

There’s a song of hope in my heart;
hope is a gift from Jesus.
There’s a song of hope in my heart;
hope is a gift from God.
Alleluia! Hope in my heart is singing praises.
Alleluia! Hope is a gift from God.

There’s a song of joy in my heart;
joy is a gift from Jesus.
There’s a song of joy in my heart;
joy is a gift from God.
Alleluia! Joy in my heart is singing praises.
Alleluia! Joy is a gift from God. © Handt Hanson (S of the S)

MISSION MOMENT ~ Lyndsey McKay

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Exodus 20: 1 – 17 Anneke Howie
John 2: 13 – 22 Lindsay Day

SERMON: To Be, or Not to Be

A TIME OF QUIET

OFFERING
For the gospel of new life and on-going challenge,
for the company of supportive friends,
for satisfaction of healthy appetite,
for love which has its source in you,
and for every good gift of the earth,
we give thanks, O God.
Receive these offerings, as a sign of our thankfulness
and of our commitment to serve your will for our world.
AMEN.

HYMN: Lift High The Cross
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his glorious name!

Come, Christian people, sing your praises, shout!
If we are silent, even stones cry out.

Jesus, you wept to see our human strife,
teach us compassion for each human life.

Peace was your plea and peace your living theme
let peace be our passport, peace a living dream.

Great is the cost of walking on this road,
to follow and suffer with the Son of God.

Worlds to be born and children yet to be
come, take up this song into eternity. © Shirley Murray (AA)

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: 465 All My Hope on God is Founded (Tune: Groeswen)

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.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 21st March: Meet 9.30am at Halswell Quarry in the carpark opposite the information site (entrance off Kennedys Bush Rd). Picnic morning tea. June 332 8874.

SESSION meets this Wednesday 21st March 7.30pm.

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.

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

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 Steele 332 0865
Automatic Payments Joan Macdonald 337 1648

ST MARTINS THEATRE GROUP:
Calendar Girls at the Court Theatre: We are looking at the 6.30 session on Thursday April 29. Those on the list so far: John and Deidre, Sue, Joan Mac, Joan S, Lyn and Madg. Cost (seniors) $41. Group of 20 – $39. Please email Lyn at l.mck@xtra.co.nz by Tues 20th if you would like to join this group.
Also, by popular request: (Don’t blame me!) A group will be organised to Menopause, The Musical: CBS Arena May 8. It is very expensive – early bird prices until March 30: tickets from $59.90. Please let me know by Tues 20th if you are interested.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 19th Rosalie; Thu 22nd Audrey; Fri 23rd Eian; Sat 24th Bob, Maurice, Karlene.

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.

N.Z. Celebration of International Children’s Day

A very warm welcome to you all and a special welcome to our friends from the St George’s / Iona Parish

WELCOME AND NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP & CANDLE-LIGHTING ~ Lydia Cross
There is a Way for us to follow, a Truth for us to seek,
a Life for us to live.
His name is Jesus, and we come to worship him.
As we meet in this city we link hands with children and young people, women and men across the world, and find in faith,
one family, one community of loving trust.

HYMN: All Things Bright and Beautiful (NZ Version)
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful –
the Lord God made them all.

The wild flowers in their beauty,
the mountain ranges tall,
the deep lakes and the rivers,
and friendly birds that call.

The cold wind in the winter,
the bright life-giving sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden –
he made them every one.

The coloured walls of gorges,
the pine trees green and tall,
the rocks, and pools and palm trees,
the sparkling waterfall.

The many coloured corals,
the creatures of the sea
of forest, field or valley,
on farms or roaming free.

He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. © Curwen & Sons London (TIS)

OPENING PRAYER ~ Jess Pye

A Practice: Fill The Cup and Share The Bread

STORY-TIME: For Every Child ~ Hilary Moore

SONG: This Little Light of Mine (with a difference)
This little light of ours This little love of ours
we’re gonna let it shine x 3 we’re gonna share with you x 3
let it shine share with you
let it shine share with you
let it shine share with you

Here in St Martin’s
we’re gonna let it shine x 3
let it shine
let it shine
let it shine.

A CHILDREN’S CREED: Children Learn What They Live ~ Deborah

SUNG BLESSING: May the Lord, Mighty God (Tune: Eidelweiss)
May the Lord, mighty God,
bless and keep you for ever;
grant you peace, perfect peace,
courage in every endeavour.
Lift up your eyes and see his face
and his grace for ever;
may the Lord, mighty God,
bless and keep you for ever.

OLD TESTAMENT READING: Habakkuk 1: 2-5 ~ Aubrey McLeod

DRAMATIC READING: Luke 18: 1-8 ~ St George’s Iona

REFLECTION ~ Sheena

A TIME OF QUIET

OFFERING, PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE

HYMN: Fill The Cup and Share The Bread
Long ago and far away,
Jesus lived and worked and prayed.
Healed the sick and the fearful and lonely.
Lived his life to show us God’s way.
Stretched his arms out as he said
Fill the cup and share the bread
Remember me in love and joy and blessing

Jesus gathered the children around him.
Spoke of love and the joy to be found.
Told them stories of wisdom and wonder.
God’s creation in all that’s around.
Stretched his arms out as he said…

Jesus called all his friends to be with him.
Share the bread and the cup once again.
Life to you I will offer it gladly.
Love will be with you right to the end.
Stretched his arms out as he said… refrain X 2
© Pat Mayberry (S of S)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
May God be with us.
God is here among us.
Let us open our hearts to God.
We open them to God and to one another.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Loving God … for people who are short or tall, round or thin.
For all we have, we thank you:
for food and warmth and safety,
for the love and care that surrounds us,
whether we live with others or by ourselves.

For the love we share … for the songs that sing of your love.
For Jesus who was born for us,
and lived for us,
and died for us,
and lives for us today,
and who brings us together.
For all you give us we thank you.

And so we join with all people everywhere saying:
Holy, holy, holy God,
power of life and love!
Heaven and earth are full of your glory!
Hosanna through the ages!
Blessed is the One who comes to bring your justice to earth!

Here on this table are bread and wine … and the gift of his love.
He shared meals with thousands sitting on the side of a hill,
a few friends on the shore of a lake,
an outcast whose house he visited,
and two sad people at the end of a journey…

COMMUNION

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION
HYMN: Christ be our Light Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light…

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Christ, be our light…

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Christ, be our light…

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light… © Bernadette Farrell (CH4)

THE BLESSING

NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea in the lounge after the service.

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

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 7th March at Halswell Quarry ~ meet 9.30am at the carpark off Cashmere Rd. Bring a picnic morning tea (but if necessary we’ll go to The Old Vicarage). June 332 8874.

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!

An Invitation is extended to all from St Martins, St James & Hoon Hay to join Cashmere Hills for a picnic on Sunday 11th March, 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.

GARAGE SALE Saturday 10th March 9am. If you can help, please let Warren know 337 1448. Goods can be brought to the church on Wednesday morning, Thursday afternoon or Friday.

NEW PHONE NUMBER for Errol Hildreth: 381 1291 – please update your lists. Thank You.

NEW EMAIL for Bruce Hudson, Session Clerk – hudsonjb1943@gmail.com. Please use this email address for all parish business.

NEXT SUNDAY, 11th March, there will be the baptism of Alana Davies Sankey. Alana is the grand-daughter of David & Aileen Davies.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tuesday 6th Errol; Thursday 8th Anne; Friday 9th Sharyn

CALL TO WORSHIP:
We welcome the Season of Lent – a time to remember and reflect on the wonders of God’s promises:
to remember God’s presence in times of difficulty;
remember God’s covenants;
to remember God’s creation;
remember God’s healing love;
to remember God’s forgiveness.
Come, let us worship the God who has promised to love us through all the turnings and seasons of our lives.

HYMN: Fill Your Hearts with Joy (Tune: Regent Square)
Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
sing and praise your God and mine!
Great the Lord in love and wisdom,
might and majesty divine!
He who framed the starry heavens
knows and names them as they shine.

Praise the Lord, his people, praise him!
wounded souls his comfort know;
those who fear him find his mercies,
peace for pain and joy for woe;
humble hearts are high exalted,
human pride and power laid low.

Praise the Lord for times and season,
cloud and sunshine, wind and rain;
spring to melt the snows of winter
till the waters flow again;
grass upon the mountain pastures,
golden valleys thick with grain.

Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,
peace and plenty crown your days;
love his laws, declare his judgements,
walk in all his words and ways;
he the Lord and we his children –
praise the Lord, all people, praise! © Timothy Dudley-Smith (HFTC)

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Alice Shanks

SONG: Songbook 24 Take My Gifts

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Genesis 9: 8-17 Bernie Brettell
Mark 1: 9-15 Jenny Brettell

SERMON: On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

A TIME OF QUIET

OFFERING
God of eternal love, we begin this Lenten journey ever mindful of all that you have done for us, and we re-dedicate ourselves to travel
with Jesus, to remember your promises, and to spread the good news of your never-ending, unconditional love for all people.
Accept these gifts, and accept our promise, to love, serve, and follow, in Christ’s name. Amen.

HYMN: Bless Now, O God, the Journey (Tune: Thornbury)
Bless now, O God, the journey that all your people make,
the path through noise and silence, the way of give and take.
The trail is found in desert and winds the mountain round,
then leads beside still waters, the road where faith is found.

Bless sojourners and pilgrims who share this winding way,
whose hope burns through the terrors, whose love sustains the day.
We yearn for holy freedom while often we are bound.
Together we are seeking the road where faith is found.

Divine Eternal Lover, you meet us on the road.
We wait for lands of promise where milk and honey flow.
But waiting not for places, you meet us all around.
Our covenant is written on roads, as faith is found. © GIA Publications
(VU)

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: 480 Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go

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.

NEIGHBOURHOOD BBQ TONIGHT 5.00 – 7.00pm. Everything provided. Just bring your neighbours! Enquiries to Sonya please 339 7038.

Next Sunday 4th March the congregation of St George’s/Iona will be joining us. Please could you all bring a plate for morning tea on this day. Thanks. Worship Committee.?

Women are invited to come to a casual meeting of the Fireside group at 7.30pm on Tuesday 28th February in the church lounge. There will be no programme but we hope for a pleasant evening catching up on each others’ activities during the past three months. Enquiries to Margaret 366 8936 please.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 2nd March 10am at St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall, Opawa Rd (please enter off Vincent Pl). This year’s service has been prepared by the women of Malaysia. All are welcome.
CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! For details, please contact Aubrey 930 2525.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 29th February ~ meet 9.30am by the bridge to the kiosk in the Gardens (from carpark entrance at Armagh St). See some of the Festival of Flowers exhibits. Coffee venue TBC! June 332 8874.

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

FOOTCARE CLINIC: The next session is on Thursday 29th March. Please book through the Parish Office. Queries to Lyndsey 388 1264.

MARMALADE FOR MISSIONS ~ please support this fundraiser!

An Invitation is extended to all from St Martins, St James & Hoon Hay to join Cashmere Hills for a picnic on Sunday 11th March, 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.

Recipes for zucchini – please collect a leaflet from the foyer if you are interested. Apologies from Lyn for inadvertently omitting this from the Messenger.

GARAGE SALE Saturday 10th March. If you can help, please let Warren know 337 1448. Items for sale can be brought to the church from the 5th March.

COMMUNITY BBQ Saturday 3rd March 1-3pm at St Martins School. Sausages provided. Bring along a picnic, games, balls and get ready for a day full of fun. If wet, on 4th March. See noticeboard for details.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 27th Elizabeth; Fri 2nd Marilyn.