WELCOME AND NOTICES

GATHERING:
The  days are shortening, leaves continue to fall.  Soon there will be days when the sun struggles  to warm the air.  Yet we come in joy to worship,  for the Son is our promise of life transformed.
While the soil will soon sip on the frost and snows of winter as creation rests to restore its energy,  in preparation for a new cycle of growth;
we come seeking new growth.
God of grace, God of companionship, move among us this day, that we may see your face, in the faces of friends and strangers;  that we may hear your voice, in the voices of those with us;
that we may sense your  touch, in the encounters with each other. Amen.

HYMN:  25 Sing Praise and Thanksgiving

PRAYER OF CONFESSION & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

PRACTISE HYMNS:
There’s a Spirit in the Air   (Tune: Lauds)
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!          © Brian Wren
Go, Tell Everyone
God’s Spirit is in my heart, ?He has called me and set me apart. ?This is what I have to do, ?what I have to do.
He sent me to give the Good News to the poor, ?Tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more, ?Tell blind people that they can see, ?And set the downtrodden free ?And go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come, ?And go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come. ??And just as the Father sent me, ?So I’m sending you out to be ?My witnesses throughout the world, ?The whole of the world.
READINGS:  Acts 8: 26-40    ~  David Hodder
Philip takes a ride on a chariot with an Ethiopian official.
Starting with the prophecy of Isaiah, Phillip explains the good news about Jesus. The Ethiopian is then baptised and carries on his way rejoicing.

John 15:1-8   ~  Deborah Fitchett
Jesus is the true vine. Those that stay joined to him will produce much fruit.

SERMON: The Final, I Am

A TIME OF QUIET

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

OFFERING
We dedicate ourselves to love, to recognizing and realizing the connections that bind us to each other, that make us one with one another like branches on a tree or like fruit on a vine. We dedicate ourselves to you, God,  the source of love; and to working with you,  that the Good News of Jesus may be known.
Bless this offering that it may be used in your service.
Bless this bread and this wine, that through  your Holy Spirit
they may be food and drink for the journey, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION

THE PEACE

HYMN:  We Are Many, We Are One
We are many, we are one,
and the work of Christ is done
when we learn to live in true community,
as the stars that fill the night,
as a flock of birds in flight,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine;
as the branches of a tree,
as the waves upon the sea,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.

All division is made whole
when we honour every soul,
find the life of God in every you and me,
as the fingers of a hand,
as the grains that form the sand,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine;
as the threads upon a loom,
as a field of flowers in bloom,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.

We will join creation’s song,
make a world where all belong,
build as one in peace and loving harmony,
as the voices of a choir,
as the flames within a fire,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine;
as the snowflakes in the snow,
as the colours of a bow,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.
© Colin Gibson (FFS))

WELCOME AND NOTICES
• Board of Managers Report
• Website Update – Deborah Fitchett
GATHERING:
With Mary we have sensed a Presence beyond our explanation,
then left the garden for a less disturbing place.
With two travellers we have walked the Emmaus road –
hope fading – but struggled to walk the path of trust.
With Thomas we have pleaded for certainty,
then not welcomed the inner sight of faith.
We, too, have seen a distant figure on the seashore
but have not let hope leap beyond reason.

As we gather this morning to worship among these friends:
break into the shadows in our lives
with radiant resurrection truth.
Come, risen Lord, come.

HYMN: 10 All People That on Earth Do Dwell

OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Alice Shanks

CHILDREN’S SONG: 70 All Things Bright and Beautiful

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Acts 4: 5-12 Jill Grierson

HYMN: 81(ii) The King of Love My Shepherd is

John 10:11-18 Herb Madgwick
REFLECTIONS: A flock of sheep without a shepherd…

HYMN: The Lord’s My Shepherd (remain seated)
The Lord’s my shepherd I’ll not want
He makes me lie in pastures green
He leads me by the still, still waters
His goodness restores my soul
And I will trust in You alone
And I will trust in You alone
For your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home

He guides my way in righteousness
And He anoints my head with oil
And my cup it overflows with joy
I feast on His pure delights
And I will trust in You alone…

And though I walk the darkest path
I will not fear the world’s wrongs
For You are with me and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know
And I will trust in You alone… © Stuart Townend

A TIME OF QUIET

THE OFFERING
Our Lord and God, so often we seem to be replacing things:
televisions, computers, washing machines…
They all cost so much money,
but simply don’t last as they once did,
nor can we have them repaired as we once did;
and when they don’t break down, the technology becomes obsolete.
We have become a society of waste makers.
So we thank you for the joy and privilege
of being able to put our money towards something that lasts.
Take these gifts, O God, and us with them. Use them, and us,
for your work in the world, in Jesus name. Amen

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: Great and Deep the Spirit’s Purpose ( Austria WOV 577)
Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose,
hidden now in mystery,
nature bursts with joyful promise,
ripe with what has yet to be.
In a wealth of rich invention,
still the work of art unfolds:
barely have we seen, and faintly,
what God’s great salvation holds.

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose,
making Jesus seen and heard.
Every age of God’s creation
grasps new meaning from the Word.
Show us, Holy Spirit, show us
your new work begun today:
eyes and ears and hearts are open,
teach us what to do and say.

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose:
all God’s children brought to birth,
freed from hunger, fear and evil
every corner of the earth,
and a million million voices
speak with joy the Saviour’s name;
every face reflects his image,
never any two the same.

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose,
nothing shall be left to chance.
All that lives will be united
in the everlasting dance.
All fulfilled and all perfected,
each uniquely loved and known,
Christ in glory unimagined
once for all receives his own. © Marnie Barrell (AA)

THE BLESSING

PARISH BREAKFAST NEXT SUNDAY 8.30am – please sign the list in the foyer if you are able to come. All are welcome.

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.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL petition – today is your last chance to sign.

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

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 2nd May: Meet 9.30am at Ferry Rd end of Charlesworth St. Coffee at Mudfish. June 332 8874.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon. New faces always welcome! Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.

MEN’S GROUP will commence on Thursday 3rd May at 6pm in the church lounge. Bring a plate for a shared tea when we can share some bloke talk, followed by our speaker for the evening, Jamie Cross. All men are welcome. For details, contact Tony 332 0554.

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. Lyndsey 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 Messenger: The next newsletter will come out at the end of May. Since the decision to go out quarterly there’s been a big gap, so that must mean there is plenty of news to catch up on. You are all co-opted onto the newsletter committee! Please please please send your contributions to Lyn (Madgwick) at l.mck@xtra.co.nz. News, photos, jokes, whatever interesting stuff you pick up over the next few weeks. Thanks.

St Martins Theatre Group: Please phone Lyn (same one) 3380840 if you are interested in Operatunity’s Best of British on May 7 at 11am or Much Ado About Nothing at The Court Monday May 21, 6.30pm.

WANTED: Kites for Pentecost Sunday 27th May. More details to follow.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 1st Margaret, Betty.

WELCOME AND NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP
How great and glorious is our God! From hour to hour,
from day to day, our lives overflow with praise and gratitude.
It is amazing, how our God permeates every aspect
of our lives and can work out his purposes through them despite our human faults and failures.
God creates beauty out of dust and brings forth meaning and purpose out of the ashes of our failures.
He transforms our weakness into channels of strength.
Our emptiness becomes a vessel of God’s fullness; our errors and mistakes are stepping stones to success.
But this is God’s doing, not ours.
How great and glorious is our God!

HYMN: Jesus Stand Among Us
Jesus, stand among us
in your risen power;
let this time of worship
be a hallowed hour.

Breathe the Holy Spirit
into every heart;
bid the fears and sorrows
from each soul depart.

Lead our hearts to wisdom
till our doubting cease,
and to all assembled
speak your word of peace. V.3 © Lydia Pederson (VU)

OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER

STORY-TIME

HYMN: 82 God, Who Made the Earth

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: 1 John 1 (Leslie Brandt: Epistles Now) Audrey Dunnachie

John 20: 19-31 Bob Cathro

HYMN: How Often We, Like Thomas (Tune: Thornbury WOV 389)
How often we, like Thomas,
need proof before we trust.
Lord Jesus, friend of doubters,
come, speak your truth to us.
We long to feel your presence,
and gain new faith from you,
to find, without our seeing,
the blessing Thomas knew.

You always stand among us,
no doors can lock you out.
Your presence reassures us
though we still live with doubt.
As present-day disciples,
whose lives by sin are flawed,
we want to come believing,
and cry: ”My Lord, my God!” © Selah Publishing Co Inc. (CH4)

SERMON: Is he really, poor Thomas?

HYMN: 299 I know That My Redeemer Lives

THE OFFERING
You bless our gifts, O God, and you bless us
as we encounter your Word.
You bless us with enlightenment;
you bless us with a will to make a difference;
you bless us with a generous spirit.

As we are blessed, so may we become a blessing
to others within this community of faith
and to those beyond this community,
as we serve you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: Christ is Alive, and the Universe Must Celebrate
Christ is alive, and the universe must celebrate,
and the stars and the suns shout in this Easter Tide!
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)

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.
.
CUPPA & CHAT Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in! We are open on ANZAC Day. Aubrey 930 2525.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS: There is no walk on 25th April ANZAC Day.

CARING & SHARING will NOT be meeting this month.

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

BOARD OF MANAGERS’ MEETING Thursday 26th April 7.30pm.

MEN’S GROUP will commence on Thursday 3rd May at 6pm in the church lounge. Bring a plate for a shared tea when we can share some bloke talk, followed by our speaker for the evening, Jamie Cross. All men are welcome. For details, contact Tony 332 0554.

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!

Please join us! The Fireside group would like to invite the women of the congregation and friends to join us at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24th April in the church lounge. Colleen McKay, manager of Haemophilia Outreach Services, will talk about her visits to Cambodia. Please bring a small gift that we can give her to take to the children there – for example, something from the $2 Shop like hair ties, colouring book & pencils, small car. To help with numbers for supper an RSVP would be appreciated.
Lyn 332 0865 Allison 332 0554 Margaret 336 8936

St Martins Messenger: The next newsletter will come out at the end of May. Since the decision to go out quarterly there’s been a big gap, so that must mean there is plenty of news to catch up on. You are all co-opted onto the newsletter committee! Please please please send your contributions to Lyn (Madgwick) at l.mck@xtra.co.nz. News, photos, jokes, whatever interesting stuff you pick up over the next few weeks. Thanks.

St Martins Theatre Group: Please phone Lyn (same one) 3380840 if you are interested in Operatunity’s Best of British on May 7 at 11am or Much Ado About Nothing at The Court Monday May 21, 6.30pm.

WANTED: Kites for Pentecost Sunday 27th May. Details to follow.

The Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday 25th April.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Thu 26th Rob; Sat 28th Joan.

WELCOME AND NOTICES

THE GATHERING
Ours is the sunlight, ours is the morning,
ours is the rain to give the fresh life.
Ours is all this to see and know, Lord God,
but it is you who make it so.
You are the Creator – Maker and Minder –
for you we would live.
Our is the new dawn, ours is the fresh start,
ours is the new song.
Ours is all this to have and hold, Lord God,
but it is you who make it so.
You are the Redeemer – Forgiver and Fulfiller –
for you we would live.
Ours is the elation, ours is the fruitful season’s turning,
ours is the sense of completeness.
Ours is all this to feel and show, Lord God,
but it is you who make it so.
You are the Inspirer – Guide and Companion –
for you we would live.

HYMN: There’s Beauty All Around Us (Tune: WOV 565)
There’s beauty all around us
above and on the ground.
creation gives a message,
breathtaking and profound.
Loving God, we worship you
for the wonders you have made.

The sea and clouds at sunset
rich colours spreading wide
in glory through the heavens
and on the rising tide. Loving God…
The mystery of the mountains
far off and rising high,
the twinkling stars at nightfall
cascading down the sky. Loving God…

There’s beauty all around us
if we have eyes to see,
the wonders in creation
unlimited and free. Loving God… © June Gibson

OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER

READINGS: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4, 6-14 Allison Blackler

Psalm 65 Ken Cree

REFLECTION: Autumn: A season of the year …

STORY-TIME: Ears and the Secret Song

SONG: Songbook 66 We Plough the Fields with Tractors

REFLECTION 2: Autumn, a season of vulnerability

HYMN: Autumn Comes in all its Fullness (Tune: WOV 148ii)
Autumn comes in all its fullness
harvest of the land and heart.
Autumn has its birth in winter
in the stillness where life starts.
Every death brings hope of birthing,
every birthing heralds death,
for the patterns framed by nature
form the seasons of our hearts.

Autumn calls for deep reflection
on the choices that bear fruit –
how we sow and how we nurture
all our just and vain pursuits…

Buried in autumnal endings
lies the greening of the tomb,
for the letting go in autumn
gives the entry to life’s womb…

God of March and April Autumn,
God of Northern Autumn too,
may Christ’s life and nature’s seasons
be as one instead of two… © Bill Wallace

A THANKSGIVING
Autumn Tapestry by Anne and Doug Johns

(The offering will be taken up during Autumn Tapestry)

OFFERTORY PRAYER:
God, as we celebrate this season of beauty and bounty
we bring these gifts for your blessing.
God of Creation, help us to have the attitude of thanksgiving
throughout the seasons to come.
Every time we eat a meal, remind us of your presence.
Every time we drink, remind us of your blessings.
Every time we see a need, give us the sense of sharing.
Every time we look around us, may we enjoy your creation,
so that when we gather again next harvest time
we shall know you have sustained us,
and we have lived and given ourselves for you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: Jesus Christ is Alive and Lives in Me (Tune: WOV 206)
Jesus Christ is alive and lives in me
as I touch the Christ within;
as I open my life to the pow’r of God’s love I obey the risen Christ.
God’s love is the life within me. The hope that empowers today.

Jesus Christ is alive and lives in me
as I care for God’s good earth;
for the love of the soil and the life it sustains
draws me close to God in Christ.
God’s love is the life within me. The hope that empowers today.

Jesus Christ is alive and lives in me
as I fight oppression’s power;
as I work with the poor in the strength of God’s love
I exalt the risen Christ.
God’s love is the life within me. The hope that empowers today.

Jesus Christ is alive and lives in me
as I seek God’s living Word;
For the Scriptures of old and events of today
all reveal the Risen Word.
God’s love is the life within me. The hope that empowers today.

Jesus Christ is alive and lives in me
as I worship God with joy;
in the breaking of bread and the song of God’s love
I am one with the Christ the Life.
God’s love is the life within me. The hope that empowers today.
© Bill Wallace

THE BLESSING

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PETITION:
“No Arms for Atrocities” ~ Commit to an effective arms trade treaty.
For details, please read the information on the noticeboard in the Lounge. If you would like to sign this petition you will find it on the table in the foyer.

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.
.
CELEBRATION OF AUTUMN: Thank you to all those who have brought a contribution to the Waltham Community Cottage pantry this morning.

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

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 18th April: Meet 9.30am on the cnr of Somerfield & Selwyn Streets. Coffee with Aubrey at church. June 332 8874.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS will not be meeting this Thursday 19th April. Please contact Beverley 332 7786 for more information.

BOARD OF MANAGERS – please note that this month’s meeting is on 26th April, not the 18th.

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.

Please join us! Because we are fortunate to have a very interesting speaker at our April meeting the Fireside group would like to invite the women of the congregation and friends to join us.
Colleen McKay, manager of Haemophilia Outreach Services, will talk about her visits to Cambodia at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24th April in the church lounge. It would be appreciated if you would bring a small, inexpensive gift that we can give her to take to Cambodia for children there – for example, something from the $2 Shop like hair ties, colouring book & pencils, small car. To help with numbers for supper an RSVP would be appreciated.
Lyn 332 0865 Allison 332 0554 Margaret 336 8936

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 16th Mavis; Sat 21st David.