WELCOME AND NOTICES
• Session Report
CALL TO WORSHIP:
With a taste of salt and a glimmer of light:
food is enhanced and the darkness dispelled.
With life in God and the practice of faith,
neighbours are served and Christ is proclaimed.
Let life find its savor in service among others,
as the light of the gospel becomes a beacon of hope.
HYMN: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Tune: WOV 28)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, who rules all creation;
O my soul, praise him, at all times our health and salvation.
Come, all who hear:
brothers and sisters draw near,
gladly with praise we adore him.
Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning,
keeping us safe at his side, and so gently sustaining.
Have you not seen
how all you needed has been
met by God’s gracious ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who will prosper our work and defend us;
surely his goodness and mercy will daily attend us;
ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who out of love will befriend us.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath come now with praises before him!
Let the Amen
sound from God’s people again:
gladly with praise we adore him. C/A
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Gillian Cree
SONG: Hello Everybody!
Hello everybody! How do you do? How do you do? How do you do?
Hello everybody! How do you do? God loves you today.
If your name is — clap now,
If your name is — clap now,
If your name is — clap now,
If your name is — clap now.
Hello everybody!…
If you have red on, clap now,
If you have blue on, clap now.
If you have green on, clap now,
If you have yellow on, clap now.
Hello everybody!…
If you like spaghetti, clap now,
If you like swimming, clap now,
If you like rainbows, clap now,
If you like biking, clap now.
Hello everybody!…
C INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: Isaiah 58:1-12 Gwendoline Cleland
Matthew 5:13-20 Martin Cleland
SERMON: We are Salt. We are Light?
A TIME OF QUIET
THE OFFERING:
This past week we have marked our national day in various ways.
As we remember those who first came to these shores; as we remember our forebears who came to this land seeking freedom and space and new opportunity, we acknowledge that for all of this land’s beauty and opportunities there are also shadows where we have spoilt or broken your world.
God, we pray that this offering may be used to share your love,
to mend brokenness, to change negative attitudes and build life-giving relationships, that your light might shine,
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
HYMN: Christ be our Light
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your Church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come. © Bernadette Farrell (CH4)
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: As a Fire is Meant for Burning
As a fire is meant for burning with a bright and warming flame,
so the church is meant for mission, giving, glory to God’s name.
Not to preach our creeds or customs, but to build a bridge of care,
we join hands across the nations, finding neighbours everywhere.
We are learners, we are teachers, we are pilgrims on the way.
We are seekers, we are givers, we are vessels made of clay.
By our gentle, loving actions, we would show that Christ is light.
In a humble, listening Spirit, we would live to God’s delight.
As a green bud in the springtime is a sign of life renewed,
so may we be signs of oneness mid earth’s peoples, many hued.
As a rainbow lights the heavens when a storm is past and gone,
may our lives reflect the radiance of God’s new and glorious dawn.
© Ruth Duck (VU)
THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
SUMMER OF FUN Community Event next Sunday 16 February 2.30 – 4.30pm on our site, 43 St Martins Rd. Bring your family, friends and neighbours along.
CAN YOU HELP? We would like donations of baking and jams to sell at the Fun Day on 16th Feb if possible. If anyone has spare fresh fruit or vegetables on the day that would be great too. Please see Sue 960 7657 for details.
If the Tomato Sauce bottle isn’t claimed today, it will be donated to the Fun Day sausage sizzle.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 12th February: Meet 9.30am on the Oxford Tce/Lichfield St cnr for Festival of Flowers. Taking the BlueLine bus at 9.03 from PMH will save carparking fees! June 332 8874.
CHRISTCHURCH APW Wednesday 12th February 9.45am at St James’ Barrington St. There will be a Sales Table and all are welcome to attend. Allison 332 0554.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. New faces welcome ?. $3 per session. Beverley 332 7786.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 10th March 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Please phone the Parish Office 332 6192 to book.
THE PARISH OFFICE HOURS are Wednesday & Thursday 9am-12noon & Friday 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz, or pop in to 7 Wilsons Rd.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
HUB NEWS: This week’s information is displayed on the wall in the Lounge.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 11th William; Thu 13th Margot; Sat 15th Alexandria, Beryl