WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP
Jesus, the Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
His birth in Bethlehem did not change him,
but we could see him in human likeness;
his life with his family in Nazareth did not change him,
but we saw him grow in wisdom and understanding.
His ministry on the road did not change him,
but we saw him gathering others, accepting, healing, teaching. His death, resurrection and ascension did not change him,
but we saw the power of God in action
and the eternal Lord revealed.
HYMN: Praise with Joy the World’s Creator (Tune: Praise My Soul)
Praise with joy the world’s Creator,
God of justice, love and peace,
source and end of human knowledge,
God whose grace shall never cease.
Celebrate the Maker’s glory,
power to rescue and release.
Praise the Christ who feeds the hungry,
frees the captive, finds the lost,
heals the sick, upsets religion,
fearless both of fate and cost.
Celebrate Christ’s constant presence –
friend and stranger, guest and host.
Praise the Spirit sent among us,
liberating truth from pride,
forging bonds where race or gender,
age or nation dare divide.
Celebrate the Spirit’s treasure –
foolishness none dare deride.
Praise the Maker, Christ and Spirit,
one God in community,
calling Christians to embody
oneness and diversity.
This the world shall see reflected:
God is One and One in Three. © Iona Community alt. (VU)
OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Gillian Cree & Wayne Barton
A PRACTICE FOR ADVENT (WOV 246)
The North Wind is tossing the leaves,
the red dust is over the town,
the sparrows are under the eaves,
and the grass in the paddock is brown;
as we lift up our voices and sing
to the Christ-Child the heavenly King.
The tree-ferns in green gullies sway;
the cool stream flows silently by;
the joy bells are greeting the day,
and the chimes are adrift in the sky,
as we lift up our voices and sing
to the Christ-Child the Heavenly King. © Chappell & Co Ltd (WOV)
INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Jeremiah 23: 1-6 Joan Scott
Luke 1: 68-79 – responsive
Blessed be the God of Israel,
who has come to the people and set them free,
who has raised up a mighty Saviour for us
born of the house of the servant David,
Through the holy prophets of old,
God promised to save us from our enemies from the hands of all who hate us.
to show the mercy promised to our ancestors,
to remember the holy covenant,
the oath God swore to our ancestors Abraham and Sarah,
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to serve God without fear, holy and righteous in God’s presence, all the days of our life.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way,
to give the people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God,
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness, in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Colossians 1: 11-20 Bill Lloyd
A SERMON TIME TOGETHER: Images of God
HYMN: God is Here (Tune: Blaenwern WOV 165ii)
God is here! As 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 His 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.
Lord 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)
THE OFFERING
Transform our gifts, O God. May they preach the good news.
May they comfort the distressed. May they stand alongside the bereaved. May they provide water in the desert, and light in the dark places. Transform our gifts, O God, and bless those who bring them to life. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: Jesus Shall Reign Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
does its successive journeys run;
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
People and realms of every tongue
declare his love in sweetest song;
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where Jesus reigns:
the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
Let every creature rise and bring
the highest honours to our King;
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud Amen. C/A
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
FIRESIDE CHRISTMAS MARKET STALL NEXT Sunday 1st December. We will be having our usual Christmas baking, but would be very grateful for any contributions from the congregation eg Christmas decorations, novelties, new gifts that you think may be suitable for Christmas. Judith 332 1577 or Allison 332 0554.
NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: A congregational meeting will be held following Morning Worship and morning tea on Sunday 8th December to consider the building plan from the architect.
The theme for the service on December 15th is “I’m Dreaming of a Hot Christmas”. Chris is looking for people who have experienced Christmas in the Pacific Islands, Indonesia/Malaysia, Equatorial Africa, or South America, who would be willing to briefly share something of that, in a similar vein to last year (when it was winter Christmases).
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 27th November: Meet 9.30am at Malvern Park. Coffee at Meshino’s. Judith 332 1577.
NEW ZEALAND’S Burial & Cremation law is under review. The Law Commission is holding a public consultation session in Christchurch on Wednesday 27th November in the Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford Street, from 9 – 11am. All are welcome. For more information please go to www.lawcom.govt.nz
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. New faces welcome ?. $3 per session. Beverley 332 7786.
CARING & SHARING – a special Christmas gathering at St Anne’s Anglican Church (cnr Wilsons/Centaurus Roads) 2pm Wednesday 4th December. Enjoy the music and entertainment from members of the Canterbury Theatre Workshop. Afternoon tea to follow. Do bring along your friends and family for a wonderful pre-Christmas celebration. Irene 332 7306.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED to deliver fliers to local letterboxes in our community next week. Please put your name on the list if you can help.
SINGLE ROOM available in Sandown Crescent home. $160 per week covers rent, power, gas hot water, phone and WiFi. Off-street parking available. Very quiet and private back section with gates, near shops and bus stops. House is well insulated with HRV system and heat pump; currently being re-decorated and re-carpeted. Text Peter 022 039 9291 or email reallytalldrummer@yahoo.co.nz to discuss. Room is available from 1 December at the earliest.
HUB NEWS: This week’s information is displayed in the Lounge.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 9th December 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. Please ensure Anna has any notices by 8am on Thursdays due to internet connection difficulties in the Office. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
Saturday 30th November
Calico Christmas Fare
9am – 12noon
at Cashmere Presbyterian Church
Festive gifts; clever cups; cakes for Christmas & special occasions; jams, chutneys & pickles; scrumptious homemade pies; fudge & more; sausage sizzle; raffles
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 24th Deirdre; Mon 25th Aescleah; Tue 26th Pat; Wed 27th Tony; Thu 28th Martin; Sat 30th Judith.
Hub Activities for the week 24th November – 1st December
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Sun 24 Nov 7pm-8.30pm Choral Festival at CBS Arena.
Tues 26 Nov 9.30am Little Kidz Music in Hall Lounge
7.30pm Parish Council meeting in Hall Lounge
Fri 29 Nov 12noon Community lunch at Whareora
4.30pm Friday Kidz meet in Kidz Live room
Sat 30 Nov 9.30am Working bee at church
7.30pm Canterbury Plainsmen Barbershop Chorus & Friends – A Joyous Christmas Concert at the Transitional Cathedral, Latimer Square. $15-20. Tickets from Alan & Ken
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 24 Nov 9am Morning Worship
Wed 27 Nov 9.30am Walking Group. Contact June 332 8874
for this week’s destination
Thu 28 Nov 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3 per session. New faces
always welcome. Beverley 332 7786
Sun 1 Dec 9am Advent Sunday Communion
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mon 25 Nov 9.30am & 10.40am Tai Chi for seniors in lounge. Brian 338 6228
1.30 pm Hoon Hay Halswell Friendship Club. Jean 338 2317
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Tues 26 Nov 10.00am Mainly Music. Eleanor 960 4824
Wed 27 Nov 10.00 am Craft Group. Linda 322 4437
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. David 322 7954
Thu 28 Nov 9.30am & 10.40am Tai Chi for seniors in lounge. Brian 338 6228 7.00 pm Beading Guild. Gayle 322 6073
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Fri 29 Nov 5.00 pm Messy Church. Contact Office 338 8901 for details
7.00pm Lift Youth Group – Matt 027 3890000
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Sun 24 Nov 11.30am Healing Service with Communion
5.30pm Sunday Night Lights
Mon 25 Nov 9.30am Pre-School Music. Anna 331 6252
Wed 27 Nov 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings . All Welcome.
Thu 28 Nov 10.30am – 12 noon Prayer Group at 20 Major Aiken Drive
7.30pm Choir Practice
Saturday 30th November
Calico Christmas Fare
9am – 12noon
at Cashmere Presbyterian Church
Festive gifts; clever cups; cakes for Christmas & special occasions;
jams, chutneys & pickles; scrumptious homemade pies; fudge & more; sausage sizzle; raffles