WELCOME AND NOTICES:
• Board of Managers Report
GATHERING:
Let us gather now in worship: not just because we believe in God,
but because God believes in us. May we live forever in the faith
that begins and ends with God. God of the journey, in this time together, may we be aware of the great company of your people, who will worship you this day. Together may we look for a time, and work for the day, when there will be joy at sunrise and peace at sunset, and all will be free.
HYMN: God Whose Love is Everywhere
God whose love is everywhere
made our earth and all things fair,
ever keeps them in his care;
praise the God of love!
He who hung the stars in space
holds the spinning world in place;
praise the God of love!
Come with thankfulness to sing
of the gifts the seasons bring,
summer, winter, autumn, spring;
praise the God of love!
He who gave us breath and birth
gives us all the fruitful earth;
praise the God of love!
See the sign of love appear,
flame of glory, bright and clear,
light for all the world is here;
praise the God of love!
Gloom and darkness, get you gone!
Christ the Light of life has shone;
praise the God of love! © Jubilate Hymns
O.T. READING: Exodus 17: 1-7 Is the Lord with us or not?
Catherine Fitchett
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
HYMN: O God of Bethel – remain seated
O God of Bethel, by whose hand
your people still are fed,
who through this earthly pilgrimage
have all your servants led.
Our vows, our prayers, we now present
before your throne of grace;
God of past ages, be the God
of each succeeding race.
Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread,
and shelter fit provide.
O spread your covering wings around,
till all our wanderings cease,
and at our God’s beloved abode
our souls arrive in peace. C/A
N.T. READING: Acts 16: 16-34 Paul and Silas Released from Prison
Herb Madgwick
A Story of Freedom
HYMN: We Sing a Love (Tune: Woodlands WOV 109)
We sing a love that sets all people free,
that blows like wind, that burns like scorching flame, enfolds like earth, springs up like water clear:
come, living love, live in our hearts today.
We sing a love that seeks another’s good
that longs to serve and not to count the cost,
a love that yielding, finds itself made new:
come, caring love, live in our hearts today.
We sing a love, unflinching, unafraid
to be itself, despite another’s wrath,
a love that stands alone and undismayed:
come, strengthening love, live in our hearts today.
We sing a love, that, wandering, will not rest
until it finds its way, its home, its source,
through joy and sadness pressing on refreshed:
come, pilgrim love, live in our hearts today.
We seek a burning, fiery, Holy One,
that seeks out shades of ancient bitterness,
transfiguring these, as Christ in every heart:
come, joyful love, live in our hearts today. © Stainer & Bell (CH4)
The Ant and the Elephant
REFLECTION: Freedom, you know, is a funny thing!
A TIME OF QUIET
THE OFFERING
God of unlimited grace, you gift us with wonder and pleasure
and delight, goodness and beauty and bounty.
We bring these gifts for blessing, that they might work to transform us and our world, from all that is negative and ugly and enslaving;
that we and others may know ourselves to be blessed by your abundant love, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
HYMN: Take My Gifts
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 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)
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: O God You Build the Church (Tune: Leoni WOV 53 )
O God, you build the church
in earthly time and space;
yet not alone by stone on stone,
but grace on grace.
You temper us by fire
with your refiner’s skill,
to give resiliency and strength
to do your will.
From ashes we arise,
our spirits soaring free,
since Christ has called us to the work
of ministry.
May we respond in faith,
with talents, word, and deed,
Wherever you may challenge us
through human need.
We look ahead with hope,
relying on your care,
for your redeeming providence
is everywhere.
Your workplace is the world;
may we be builders too,
when Spirit guided, led by Christ,
we build with you. © JP Huber (Singing in Celebration)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to our friends from St James’ Spreydon and all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served after the service.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped with last week’s Fair. The amount raised after known expenses was $4375.90.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: TOMORROW 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Enquiries and offers of help to Lyndsey 388 1264.
THE PARISH OFFICE is now at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd (at the rear of the site near the sandpit!). Open Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon and Friday 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz.
NB: Anna is on leave Thursday & Friday this week.
THANKSGIVING OFFERING may be made on any Sunday over the next few weeks or posted to Joan Mac.
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS to Anneke by Friday 3rd May please. Post to 5 Simeon Quay Lyttelton 8082 or email anneke.howie@gmail.com. Queries? Phone Anneke on 328 7459.
FIRESIDE members and others interested are invited to Barbara’s home on Tuesday 23rd April at 7.30pm to hear about her trip with Rob, which included visiting Vermont to meet friends from their time in Vietnam. Enquiries to Barbara 379 1474 or Margaret 366 8936.
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 24th April: Meet 9.30am on the corner of Catherine & Heathcote Streets for a wander in Woolston. Coffee at Holy Smoke. Fern 332 4725.
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. NO Session this week (ANZAC Day).
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
HUB NEWS: Please see the noticeboard in the foyer for this week’s information.
Turakina Maori Girls’ College presents a musical and cultural afternoon on Saturday 11th May at the Archer Leisure Centre,
166 Colombo Street.
Admission by ticket ($20) only – available from
Archer Office 943 6006.
Afternoon tea included. All Welcome.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 21st David; Fri 26th Rob.