GATHERING: (From the back)
Spirit come. Come with water and with fire,
and be the renewal for our souls.
Spirit come. Come with word and with song,
and be the transformation in our worship.
Spirit come. Come with passion and with intent,
and be the stirrer in our faith.
Spirit come. Come with impatience and with frustration,
and be the kindling in our justice.
Spirit come. Come with challenge and with purpose,
and be the energizing of our community.
Spirit come. Come with promise and with grace,
and be the enlivening of our church.
Spirit come. Come with love and with hope.
Come and be among us.
HYMN: On Pentecost They Gathered (Tune: Ellacombe WOV 277)
On Pentecost they gathered quite early in the day,
a band of Christ’s disciples to worship, sing and pray.
A mighty wind came blowing, filled all the swirling air,
and tongues of fire a-glowing inspired each person there.
The people all around them were startled and amazed
to understand their language, as Christ the Lord they praised.
What universal message, what great good news was here?
That Christ, once dead, is risen to vanquish all our fear.
God pours the Holy Spirit on all who would believe,
on women, men, and children who would God’s grace receive.
That Spirit knows no limit, bestowing life and power.
The church, formed and reforming, responds in every hour.
O Spirit, sent from heaven on that day long ago,
rekindle faith among us in all life’s ebb and flow.
O give us ears to listen and tongues a-flame with praise,
so folk of every nation glad songs of joy shall raise. ©JP Huber (ASF)
OPENING PRAYERS
WELCOME AND NOTICES
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Cynthia & Jamie Cross
SONG: We Are the Church
The church is not a building;
the church is not a steeple;
the church is not a resting place;
the church is a people.
I am the church! You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
all around the world!
Yes, we’re the church together!
We’re many kinds of people,
with many kinds of faces,
all colours and all ages, too
from all times and places.
Sometimes the church is marching;
sometimes it’s bravely burning,
sometimes it’s riding, sometimes hiding;
always it’s learning.
At Pentecost some people
received the Holy Spirit
and told the Good News through the world
to all who would hear it. © Hope Publishing (UMH)
LEARN TWO SONGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY (words on insert)
• Golden Breaks the Dawn
• O Many People of All Lands
READINGS: Genesis 12: 1-9 Allison Blackler
Acts 2: 1-21 Joan Scott
PENTECOST AND PILGRIMAGE
HYMN: Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness
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. © James Manley (VU)
THE OFFERING
To the possibility, persistence, growth, imagination,
and adventure of the Spirit, we dedicate ourselves and this offering, knowing the stuff that makes things happen is your energy, God –
the energy of your Spirit, moving across the church,
and we will be part of it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: Filled With the Spirit’s Power (Tune: Woodlands WOV 109)
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 (VU)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served after the service.
We will observe Asia Sunday next Sunday, 26th May. Please let John England know, (or Chris), if there is anything in particular you would like to know about the churches, or other faiths, in Asia.
BACON FUNDRAISER: Last chance to order TODAY! The bacon will be delivered after 29th May; any bacon not delivered that week will be named and in the fridge on Sunday 2nd June. Joan 337 1648.
PARISH PHONE LIST: If you require a paper copy, please collect one from the Office. Anna 332 6192 (see hours below).
CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 22nd May: Meet 9.30am in Cambridge Tce just off Barbadoes St by the cemetery. Coffee venue TBC (possibly Muffin Break at South City). June 332 8874.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays from 10am – 12 noon in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 10th June 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Please book through the Parish Office.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon and Friday 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Do pop in to the new location at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd (at the rear of the site near the sandpit) and say hello!
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
HUB NEWS: Please see the noticeboard in the foyer for this week’s information.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Wed 22nd Jennifer, Judith; Fri 24th Hadley.
SONGS TO LEARN:
(from “Sound the Bamboo”, Christian Conference of Asia Hymnal 2000)
Golden Breaks the Dawn
Golden breaks the dawn, comes the eastern sun;
Like a man of brawn, set his course to run.
Birds above me fly, flowers bloom below;
Through the earth and sky God’s great mercies flow.
Holy Father God, keep me safe today;
Help me as I plod, make me kind, I pray.
Let me guide our youth, honour weak and old;
Let me serve with truth, and God’s love unfold.
Words transl. from Mandarin by Frank W Price
Music: LE P’ING; Te-ngai Hu, China; arr. Bliss Wiant
O Many People of All Lands
O many people of all lands now come to God with praise;
Together shall we praise our God, Lord of all culture’s ways.
O varied tongues of humankind, now congregate to sing
With hymns of joy and wonderment, thank off’ring we would bring.
Words: Natty G Barranda, Philippines
Music: MATERNIDAD; Lois F Bello