A WINTER POEM (Pauline Cartwright) From the Back
HYMN: God Whose Love is Everywhere
God whose love is everywhere
made our earth and all things fair,
ever keeps them in his care;
praise the God of love!
He who hung the stars in space
holds the spinning world in place;
praise the God of love!
Come with thankfulness to sing
of the gifts the seasons bring,
summer, winter, autumn, spring;
praise the God of love!
He who gave us breath and birth
gives us all the fruitful earth;
praise the God of love!
See the sign of love appear,
flame of glory, bright and clear,
light for all the world is here;
praise the God of love!
Gloom and darkness, get you gone!
Christ the Light of life has shone;
praise the God of love! © Hope Publishing (HFTC)
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
WELCOME AND NOTICES
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Alice Shanks
CHILDREN’S SONG: Praise the Lord our God (Tune: Kum Ba Yah)
Praise the Lord our God, praise the Lord;
Praise him from the heights, praise the Lord;
Praise him, angel throngs, praise the lord –
Praise God, all you folk!
Praise him, sun and moon, all the stars;
Praise him, sky and clouds, wind and rain;
Let them praise his name, works of God –
All creation, praise the Lord!
Praise him, ice and snow, mountain steep;
Praise him, fruitful trees, kauri tall;
Sheep and cattle herds, birds that fly-
All creatures, praise the Lord! (Based on Ps 148 Richard Bewes)
READINGS: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 – For Everything a Season Beverley &
John 1: 1-9 – God’s light shines in the darkness Bruce Hudson
HYMN: Throughout this Winter Season (Tune: Tyrolese WOV 176)
Throughout this winter season,
in nature’s mid-year womb,
Christ grant you life and laughter
to lighten frosty gloom –
to lift our flagging spirits
beyond these short-lived days
to Advent and each coming
which fills our lives with praise.
You come as puddles crackle
beneath the children’s feet:
you come in leafless branches
outlined against the sleet:
you come when lives diminish
as smog envelopes all:
you come as snow which blankets
earth’s grime beneath its fall.
You come as fire and candle
and all that warms the heart:
you come in party feasting,
in music, dance and art:
you come in ancient stories
of years that are no more:
you come as liberation
and power for all the poor. © Bill Wallace (STC)
REFLECTION
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: Our Life Has its Seasons
Our life has its seasons, and God has the reasons
why spring follows winter, and new leaves grow,
for there’s a connection with our resurrection
that flowers will bud after frost and snow,
so there’s never a time to stop believing
there’s never a time for hope to die,
there’s never a time to stop loving,
these three things go on.
There’s a time to be planting,
a time to be plucking,
a time to be laughing,
a time to weep,
a time to be building,
a time to be breaking,
a time to be waking,
a time to sleep,
but there’s never a time…
There’s a time to be hurting
a time to be healing,
a time to be saving,
a time to spend,
a time to be grieving,
a time to be dancing,
a time for beginning,
a time to end,
but there’s never a time… © Shirley Murray (AA)
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
THE OFFERING
God we bring this offering of money and goods, and lay them alongside the offering of ourselves: our lives and our gifts and talents. Bless them and us, as together we serve you in this place, and in the communities we are part of, in the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN: In the Bulb There is a Flower
In the bulb there is a flower,
in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise:
butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter
there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence,
seeking word and melody,
there’s a dawn in every darkness,
bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future
what it holds, a mystery,
unrevealed until its season,
something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning,
in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing;
in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection;
at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see. © Natalie Sleeth (VU)
THE BLESSING
ST MARTIN’S PARISH NOTICES for 29th JUNE 2014:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.
**OUR SUNDAY SERVICE IS AT 10AM UNTIL THE 3rd AUGUST**
MEN’S GROUP Thursday 3rd July 6pm at Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd. Come along and participate in a shared meal and have the opportunity to hear Rob Meier speak of his most recent overseas volunteer work. Tony 332 0554.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 2nd July: Meet 9.30am at corner Cashmere & Worsleys Rds. Coffee probably at Silverbacks. Joan 338 8700.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3. New faces always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.
BACON FUNDRAISER: $8 per pack. This is an excellent fundraiser as we receive $4 for every pack sold. Today is your last chance to place an order. Delivered second week of July (TBC). Joan 337 1648.
THERE IS A NEW ROSTER AVAILABLE TODAY – please check to see if there is one for you.
COURT THEATRE presents Roger Hall’s “You Can Always Hand Them Back” Thursday 25th September 6.30pm. Tickets $42. Sign the list if you are interested; payment required by the end of August. Queries to Sue 960 7657.
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. www.stmartins.org.nz
ADVANCE NOTICE: There will be a Cake Stall after church on 20th July – any contributions gratefully received.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 28th July 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist.
THIS WEEK’S HUB REPORT is displayed in the wall in the Lounge.
WANTED – Does anyone have or know of a washing machine that is surplus to requirements? Phone Carol 365 3818 weekends or after 7pm weeknights if you can help.
Hub Activities for the week 29th June – 6th July 2014
St James Presbyterian Church
Tue 1 July Little Kids Music
Fri 4 July Friday Kids
July 13 and August 10
INVITATION TO CAFE CHURCH: SHEFFIELD
There has been an invite extended to the folk at St James to a Sunday Cafe with the congregation at Sheffield. Something different for a church service.
We hold Café Hope every second Sunday of each month at the Presbyterian St James Sunday school building adjacent to the Church on Wrights Road which runs parallel to the Main West Road. The service starts at 10.00 a.m. and is supposed to last 1 hour but tentatively goes on to 11.30 a.m. If you are keen to go please let Gaynor know and can arrange to car pool. For more details you can Contact Keith Taege Hm 033183792 or cell 0276768888.
St Martin’s Presbyterian Church
NB: all events at Beckenham Methodist, Malcolm Ave, unless otherwise specified.
Sun 29 June 10am Midwinter Celebration & Lunch
Tue 1 July 7.30pm Indoor Bowls, Salvation Army, Southampton St. Bruce 332 7786.
Wed 2 July 9.30am Walking Group. Please contact June 332 8874 for destination.
Thu 3 July 10am-12noon Crafty Crafters. $3. New faces always welcome. Beverley 332 7786.
6pm Men’s Group @ Merchiston, 75 St Martins Rd. Tony 332 0554.
Sun 6 July 10am Combined Communion Service with Beckenham Methodist.
Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church
Mondays: 9.30 am & 10.40am Tai Chi. Brian 338 6228
6.30pm Christchurch South Parents Centre. Vivien 337 2825
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls in hall. Pat 353 0265
Tuesdays: 10.00 am mainly music @ Hoon Hay. Eleanor 960 4824
Wednesdays: 8.00 – 11.00am Vege Co-op in halls – Shilo 338 3943
9.30 am U3A. 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. Vivien 337 2825
7.30 pm Spreydon Indoor Bowls. Pat 353 0265
Fridays: 7.00 pm LIFT – Youth programme. Matt 027 389 0000
Saturdays: 9.00am – 12.00pm Ballet Group. Suzie 338 1017
1.30 pm Hoon Hay Indoor Bowls. Brian 338 4488
Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church
Sun 29 June 11.30am Healing Service
Wed 2 July 10.00am Forum – discuss last Sunday’s Readings. All Welcome.