We Celebrate the Children
WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
We celebrate birth
The wonder, the miracle, of that tiny life already asserting its selfhood.
We celebrate children
Who laugh out loud, who walk in the mud, who cry at the top of their lungs, who constantly ask questions. Who are so busy living they don’t have time for our hang-ups.
So bring your balloons, bring your toys, dance your dances, sing your songs
Today we celebrate the children.
HYMN: With a Hoot and a Toot
With a hoot and a toot on a pipe or a flute
We will praise, we will worship God;
With a hum or a thrum, with a roll on a drum
We will make him a joyful noise
Bow a cello that is mellow, sound a trumpet call,
Blow a horn and a deep bassoon;
Every instrument is playing, with our voices we are saying
We rejoice, we are glad in God.
With a flat or a sharp, with a chord on a harp,
We will praise, we will worship God;
With a ping on a string, with a choir that can sing,
We will make him a joyful noise.
With the clap of a hand, or the sound of a band,
We will praise, we will worship God;
With a paper and comb, on an old trombone,
We will make him a joyful noise.
With a peal on a bell, with a cheer or a yell,
We will praise, we will worship God;
With a bong on a gong, through the words of this song,
We will make him a joyful noise. ©Colin Gibson (AA)
OPENING PRAYER
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Being a child in 2014.
HYMN: I’ve Never Seen an Elephant
I’ve never seen an elephant, and an elephant’s never seen me.
I can’t swing like a monkey can from the branch of a tropical tree.
I don’t roar like a lion does, but a lion can’t read my books;
I’m not as huge as a hippo is, but a hippo hasn’t my looks.
Thank you God, thank you God, for it’s very plain to see
that the animals like the way they are, and I’m glad that I like me.
I’ve never met an octopus, and no octopus ever met me.
I can’t dive like a dolphin does through the waves of an indigo sea.
I can’t flop like a flounder can, or sing like a whale in the blue;
I can’t leap like a flying fish, but that fish can’t think like I do.
Thank you God, thank you God, for it’s very plain to see
that the fish all like the way they are, and I’m glad that I like me.
I’ve never heard a mocking-bird, and a mocking-bird’s never heard me.
I can’t climb like a skylark climbs, or nest on the top of a tree.
I don’t hold what a peli-can, but a pelican cannot cry;
I can dream of an aeroplane even though I cannot fly.
Thank you God, thank you God, for it’s very plain to see
that the birds all like the way they are, and I’m glad that I like me.
©Colin Gibson (AA)
BIBLE READINGS:
Exposition
Mark 10: 13 – 16 Beverley Hudson
1 John 4: 7 – 12 Fern Wakefield
SHARING OUR STORIES OF CHILDHOOD
REFLECTION
THE OFFERING:
Gracious God, we bring the gift of money and produce to be used in your service as a sign of love.
We offer ourselves; our time, energy and giftedness to be used in your service within our everyday lives. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD: Rob & Barbara Meier
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH:
We believe in God, the source of life who created human beings to be different and to get on with each other.
We believe in Jesus Christ, who calls us to a life which is absurd by the standards of the world.
We believe in the Spirit of God within and around us, and you and me.
We believe the times when the church is the church when we are a community, a source of love, laughter and the sharer of tears; a people prepared to take risks, working together, that one day this world may be a place where people can live in justice, freedom and peace.
This is our hope, this is our faith. That we dare to believe, always and in spite of everything, in God’s power to transform.
The children join us
HYMN: Do this in Remembrance of Me
Do this in remembrance of me, do this in remembrance of me.
As you eat the bread and drink the cup,
do this in remembrance of me.
My body broken for you, my body broken for you,
and here is my cup, come now take it up and
do this in remembrance of me.
©Val Cash arr Jillian Bray (AA)
THE INVITATION: Jesus Christ invites each one of you to this family meal. In the bread and wine, the sign of Christ’s love we are united in love with God, through Christ and with one another.
ACCEPTANCE: I come to the table in response to the invitation of Jesus Christ, who walked among us and was human like us. I come knowing that I am freed from those things that separate me from God and one another. I come seeking healing and wholeness through Jesus Christ who gave the gift of life for us all.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
INSTITUTION OF THE SACRAMENT
DISTRIBUTION
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
OFFERING OF THE PEACE OF CHRIST TO ONE ANOTHER
HYMN: Let us Talents and Tongues Employ (WOV 658)
Let us talents and tongues employ,
Reaching out with a shout of joy;
Bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one;
At his table he sets the tone,
Teaching people to live to bless,
Love in word and in deed express.
Jesus calls us, sends us out
Bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
Gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God-Immanuel everywhere! ©F Kaan
BENEDICTION: Go in peace and carry this sacrament into your everyday life. May the God of justice go with you, the peace of Christ be with you and the loving Spirit be your guide.
Let us celebrate the children with our balloons – blow up your balloon and let it fly free!
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
LENTEN STUDIES: Anyone interested in a four week study course please speak to Chris.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 5th March: Meet 9.30am in Hawford Rd by entrance to Opawa Mall. Coffee at Opawa Bakery. June 332 8874.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: On Thursday 6th March from 10.45 – 11.45am Jo Giles is coming to share her expertise on skincare and makeup. Cost $6 per person, including morning tea in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. Everyone is very welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
CHURCH A5 DIRECTORY WITH PHOTOS: Session seeks permission to print the Church Directory with a photo beside each family/person to help everyone put names with faces. Sonya has undertaken to take photos, so simply tell her if you are not agreeable, or advise Anna.
NAMETAGS: A reminder to everyone that it is helpful if you wear your Church nametag. Please see Sonya if you require a new one.
GUESS WHO IS COMING TO LUNCH? Sunday 16th March 12.30pm
Lists are in the foyer – sign up TODAY! Guests pay $5 to the Host to cover expenses. Hosts are asked to provide a simple lunch and can indicate how many Guests they would like. Feel free to put your name on both the Host and the Guest list if you are happy to be either. Guests will be handed an envelope with directions to their Host’s home at the morning service on 16 March. The St James’ congregation has also been invited to participate. Sonya 339 7038.
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.
ASH WEDNESDAY Service 7.30pm 5th March at St Anne’s Anglican Church, cnr Wilsons & Centaurus Roads: all are welcome to attend.
We have been invited to sell produce and baking at the St Nicholas’ Anglican Church Fun Day on Saturday 8th March from 12 noon-3pm. If you are able to bake something, please price it and drop it off at the venue (cnr Barrington & Frankleigh Streets) on the day around noon. All contributions gratefully received. See Sue 960 7657 for details.
HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Court Theatre Thursday 15th May 6.30pm. $41 each, cash payment to Sue on or before Sunday 13th April please. A great idea for Mothers’ Day presents. We need to sell a minimum of 20 seats – please add your name to the list on the clipboard on the table in the Lounge. “Sherlock Holmes goes barking mad! Three actors tackle murder, madness and a monster marauding on the moors in this gloriously funny makeover of the classic British mystery”. Phone Sue 960 7657 for more information.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Beckenham Baptist Church on Friday 7th March – all are welcome.
Has anyone mislaid a pair of spectacles? Joan Averis has some that are not hers and she would love to reunite them with their rightful owner!
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 2nd Marilyn; Thu 6th Errol; Sat 8th Anne.
HUB Activities for the week 2nd – 9th March 2014
St James’ Presbyterian Church
Fri 7 Mar World Day of Prayer Service at Sacred Heart
Church Spencer Street, Addington. Morning Tea
at 10.00am; Service 10.30am.
Sun 9 Mar 10am Communion, followed by shared lunch
5.00pm Stephanie’s Commissioning service,Trinity Church, Darfield.
.
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 2 Mar 9am Children’s Day Service & Communion
Wed 5 Mar 9.30am Walking Group. Meet Hawford Rd by entrance
to Opawa Mall. Coffee at Opawa Bakery. June 332 8874
Thu 6 Mar 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. Speaker: Jo Giles $6. Beverley 332 7786
Fri 7 Mar 10am World Day of Prayer, Beckenham Baptist . Ph 337 1416
Sun 9 Mar 9am Morning Worship
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mondays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge. Brian 338 6228
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre programme
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Tuesdays: 10.00 am mainly music @ Hoon Hay. Eleanor 960 4824
Wednesdays: 9.30 am U3A in lounge. Pauline 332 0453
1.00 pm West Spreydon Ladies Indoor Bowls. Sheila 960 4412
7.00 pm Scottish Country Dancing. David 322 7954
Thursdays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi in lounge contact Brian 338 6228
7.00 pm Beading Guild. Gayle 322 6073
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre programme
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Fridays: 7.00 pm LIFT – Youth program in lounge. Matt 027 389 0000
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Sun 2 Mar 10.00am Morning Worship
Mon 3 Mar 9.15am Pre-School Music . Jane 965 2425
1.45pm Cashmere Garden Club
Wed 5 Mar 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings. All Welcome
Thurs 6 Mar 10.30am – 12 noon Prayer Group at 20 Major Aiken Drive
Mon 10 Mar 2.00pm Foot Clinic
Saturday 8th March, 9am-12noon
MONSTER GARAGE SALE
at Cashmere Presbyterian Church