WELCOME AND NOTICES
GATHERING (together):
As we gather may the peace of Christ rest upon our busy lives
that we may be quieted into prayer.
May the love of God flow through this time of reflection and fellowship, seeking out our every need.
May the Spirit of God then stir our hearts
to be open to opportunities for service.
HYMN: God is Here (Tune: Blaenwern WOV 165ii)
God is here and we his people, meet to offer praise and prayer,
may we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace;
here are table, font, and pulpit, here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech,
Here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.
Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
here, as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us, as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore
what it means in daily living, to believe and to adore.
God of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt
keep us faithful to the gospel, help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive.
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!
© Hope Publishing (VU)
OPENING PRAYERS
Lord of earth and sky….we are tempted to do nothing in response to need.
When we are too busy to spend time in prayer, to listen
for your Word in our lives, forgive us, God.
When we are too busy to notice the needs of others and to seek ways
to be present with them, forgive us, God.
When we are too preoccupied with what we want, rather than helping one another, taking time to talk and to laugh with one another; or simply even noticing one another, forgive us, God.
When life becomes overwhelming, and we do not even take time for our own needs: help us to listen to your voice within our hearts, calling us back to centre our lives with you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Alice Shanks
SONG: Christians are All Kinds of People
Christians are all kinds of people,
they’re average, they’re short, and they’re tall,
from all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of outlooks,
our gracious God uses them all.
Christians are all kinds of people,
not even especially good,
but God’s love is mighty, and that is what counts,
with mercy as wide as the sea;
it reaches to you and to me.
Christians are all kinds of people,
they’re smilers, they’re grouchers, they’re clowns.
In all kinds of weather, wherever they gather,
you’ll find every kind of them round.
Christians are all kinds of people,
and sometimes all kinds are in me;
God uses all kinds of people,
the black, and the pale and the tan,
new Born and the aged, the fit and disabled,
they all have a part in the plan.
God uses all kinds of people,
with problems, with hang-ups, with scars, (Stan and Pauline Stewart)
READINGS: Psalm 15 (from Psalms for Praying: Nan Merrill)
David Hodder
Dramatic presentation from Luke 10: 38-42 Fern Wakefield,
Audrey Dunnachie, Wayne Barton, Carol Sheldon
SERMON: Martha or Mary?
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: Take My Gifts and Let Me Love You
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 OFFERING
Life-giving God, you are the source of change and renewal.
Through these gifts, may new possibilities open up for us
and for the communities around us.
Through our listening and prayer, our words and actions,
may others be encouraged and hope brought alive.
Bless these gifts, and us, as your love goes to work, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: Filled With the Spirit’s Power (WOV 328)
Filled with the Spirit’s power, with one accord
the infant church confessed its risen Lord.
O Holy Spirit, in the church today
no less your power of fellowship display.
Now with the mind of Christ set us on fire,
that unity may be our great desire.
Give joy and peace, give faith to hear your call,
and readiness in each to work for all.
Widen our love, good Spirit, to embrace
with your compassion all the human race.
Like wind and fire with life among us move,
till we are known as Christ’s, and Christian prove. © Hope Publishing
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served after the service.
READERS are required for the Holy Week Reflections and Good Friday. Please sign the list on the clipboard in the foyer if you are available. Thank You.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. More volunteers desperately required please! Enquiries and offers of help to Lyndsey 388 1264.
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 13th March A Morning at Diamond Harbour. Gold Card Special. Catch No 28 bus which goes along Opawa Rd to Lyttelton at 9.20am (park in Hawford Rd). This bus links with the 9.50 ferry to Diamond Harbour. “Energetic” walk up to the Country Store, then round the road to the Church and back. Coffee/light lunch at the Store; probably return on 12pm ferry. June 332 8874.
THE CHRISTCHURCH APW will meet on Wednesday 13th March at St James’ Presbyterian Church, Barrington St at 9.45am. The speaker for the morning will be Frances from Lifeline. You are all welcome and there will be a Sales Table. Allison 332 0554.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS meets every Thursday from 10am – 12 noon in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.
PLANTS for Cashmere Fair will be collected from Beckenham Methodist on Friday at 3.30pm. Volunteers required please to transport plants up the hill. Spare supermarket bags also needed! Please phone Lyndsey 388 1264 if you require plants to be picked up.
CASHMERE HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FAIR Saturday 16th March 9am until 12 noon. All are welcome.
PARISH OFFICE hours: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon and Friday 9-11am. Contact Anna on 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
HUB NEWS: Please see the noticeboard in the foyer for this week’s information.
Fair Weather – Trestle Fair
Saturday 13th April (if wet Saturday 20th April)
We will be having a Fair Weather – Trestle Fair on the Church site on Saturday 13th April 2013, (if wet Saturday 20th April) so start cleaning out your cupboards.
We will let you know in good time where to deliver your goods or would you like them to be collected?
We are only having the following stalls/tables:-
White Elephant
Cakes
Preserves/Jam
Books
We do not want large electrical items, such as TVs, Computers,Stereos No household furniture please.
We look forward to everyone helping to make this event a success.