Sunday 7 July 2013

GATHERING: (from the rear of the church)

HYMN: Lord, For the Years
Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise.

Lord, for our land in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt you,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without you:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.
© Hope Publishing (HFTC)

WELCOME AND NOTICES
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER

What We Wore

SONG: Jesus Loves Me (With a difference!)
Jesus loves me, this I know, Jesus loves me, this I know,
and the Bible tells me so; as he loved so long ago,
little ones to him belong, taking children on his knee,
in his love we shall be strong. saying, ‘Let them come to me.’

Yes, Jesus loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
yes, Jesus loves me,
the Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me this I know Though my steps are oh so slow
though my hair is white as snow with my hand in his I’ll go
though my sight is growing dim on through life come what may
still he bids me trust in him. he’ll be there to lead the way.

Jesus loves me still today,
walking with me on my way,
wanting as a friend to give
light and love to all who live. C/A

THE READINGS:
Isaiah 40: 1-9 Aubrey McLeod
From 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27 Jessie Robb

REFLECTION: Into new futures

A TIME OF QUIET

THE OFFERING
In faith, we dare to venture forth.
In faith, we dare to claim God’s promises. In faith, we dare to give.
As you have been with us on our journeys, as you have gifted us with healing beyond our dreams, as you have transformed us into new people, so we give back to you. Bless these offerings, bless our discipleship, and commission us afresh to your work, in your world. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: Now to your table spread
Now to your table spread we come, each one, in faith
that you alone provide the words of life and death:
in wine and bread, in promised food
we find your loving heart, O God.

Hands of the world stretch out, your mystery to touch
in longing to believe a truth beyond our reach,
to sing in joy, to cry in grief,
to know your meaning for our life.

Here is our common wealth in sharing what is good,
as though all humankind around one table stood,
this bread to break, this wine to taste –
one people in the name of Christ. © Shirley Murray (AA)

A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
In the company of friends… for we are all welcome:
in the grace of Christ,
the love of God
and the companionship of the Spirit.

Gathered by kindness… past, present and yet to come:
Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory,
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of our God.
Hosanna in the highest!

Risen Christ … what have we to offer?
Our hands are open, yet our hearts may be full of unworthy things.
It is your gracious power to change us
that remains our hope and courage for living…

COMMUNION

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

HYMN: Loving Spirit, Great Creator (Tune: Hyfrydol WOV 148ii)
Loving Spirit, great Creator,
gracious Saviour, holy God.
We who worship and adore you
stand in awe on hallowed sod.
We would move in new directions,
in the service of your call.
Journey with us; keep us faithful
where you lead, we follow still.

Grant us in our inward journeys,
depth of insight, calm of heart;
flowering spirits, strength of purpose,
listening hearts (prayer’s purest art).
As disciples – Christ our teacher –
and as stewards of your grace,
grant us wisdom, faith, and courage
for our time and in this place.

When you call us for new service
through community or church,
may our full response be joyful
in our labour, love, and search.
Keep us focused, strong yet selfless,
daring paths untrod before,
delving deep beyond the surface
of each challenge to its core.

May our ministries and mission
stretch our vision pole to pole,
reaching outward, reaching inward,
touching body, heart, and soul.
People working, loving, sharing,
building bridges, clearing space –
finding in our mutual service
Christ in every human face. © JP Huber (SiC)

SUNG BLESSING – Tune: Edelweiss
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. C/A

ST MARTIN’S PARISH NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Morning tea will be served after the service.

SUNDAY WORSHIP TIME FOR WINTER: 10am each week, until 4th August except for 21st July, which will be 9am.

CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. All welcome. Aubrey 930 2525.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 10th July: Meet 9.30am on the corner of Grange St & Opawa Rd (opposite the dairy) to walk through the park and a little bit of the hill – hopefully without snow and ice this time! Coffee at In Situ, Opawa Rd. Anneke 328 7459.

THE APW will meet on Wednesday 10th July at 9.45am at St James’ in Barrington St. The speaker will be Margaret Simpson – “Shall We Call the Midwife?” There will be a Sales Table and you are all welcome to attend. Allison 332 0554.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays from 10am – 12 noon in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.
A group from Crafty Crafters is teaching knitting at Beckenham School in the 3rd term. We need 5mm needles (preferably short) for the children. Alternatively, donations of $3 would be appreciated so we can purchase them from Spotlight. Donations of double knitting wool would also be very welcome. Please see Beverley if you can help.

ANNUAL REPORTS are now due. Please give them to Anna or email them to the Office by WEDNESDAY 31st JULY at the very latest. Chris.

COPY for next Magazine wanted please. Deadline Sunday 28th July. Any contributions gratefully received. Anneke 328 7459 or email: anneke.howie@gmail.com

Beckenham Methodist, in association with St Martin’s Presbyterian, are resurrecting the Gardening in the Loop Group, also with additional plan of getting a Community Garden underway in the area. If you are at all interested, please let Aubrey 930 2525 know. There will be a meeting shortly with a steering group to give it legs!

KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz

NOTICES need to be received by 9am Thursday please. Anna.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 22nd July 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. Location: St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd (at the rear of the site near the sandpit).

2013 WINTER ORGAN CONCERT SERIES: St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru, 16 Merivale Lane 2pm: Sunday 7 July Nicholas Sutcliffe Sunday 14 July Denis Guyan. Koha appreciated. Proceeds to Neil Stocker Memorial Fund. Details from Elma Todd, 981 8998.

A Victoria University Masters student is undertaking a part-time research project examining the role of religion, spirituality and faith in the processes of recovery from significant trauma in post-earthquake Christchurch. She is seeking people who would be willing to share their experience and the role their spirituality and faith has played. If you would be willing to help her please see Chris.

HUB NEWS: This week’s information is now displayed in the Lounge. If you would like to receive this via email, please let Anna know.

KNOX CAFÉ EVENING: You are invited to the Knox Centre, 28 Bealey Ave on Sunday 14 July at 7pm for a DVD screening about Dietrich Bonhoeffer entitled “Agent of Grace”. BYO drinks & nibbles. Tea & coffee provided. All Welcome.
BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK: Mon 8th Adam