CALL TO WORSHIP:
On this day when we celebrate St Andrew’s Day and Advent Sunday. We remember Andrew the agile and hardy
Galilean fisherman, whose name means strong.
On this day when we celebrate St Andrew’s Day and Advent Sunday, we recall Advents past, where we waited in excited expectation, for the celebration of Jesus’ Coming.
We pray that in this new season of Advent, we might capture that same sense of expectation, excitement, and hope.

HYMN: Sing of Andrew, John’s Disciple (Tune: Austria WOV 577)
Sing of Andrew, John’s disciple,
led by faith through ways untrod,
till the Baptist cried at Jordan,
`There behold the Lamb of God.’
Stirred by hearing this new teacher,
Andrew freed from doubt and fear,
ran to tell his brother Simon.
`God’s Anointed One is here!’

Sing of Andrew, called by Jesus
from the shores of Galilee,
leaving boats and nets and kindred,
trusting in that `Follow me.’
When a boy’s small meal fed thousands,
when enquiring Greeks found care,
when the Spirit came in blessing –
Andrew faithfully was there.

Sing of Andrew, bold apostle,
sent to make the gospel known,
faithful to his Lord’s example,
called to make a cross his own.
So may we who prize his memory
honour Christ in our own day,
bearing witness to our neighbours,
living what we sing and pray. © Hope Publishing (CH 4)

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

MISSION MOMENT: Christian World Service 69th Christmas Appeal

ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING: The Candle of Hope
We come with anticipation, as the Advent journey towards
the celebration of Christ’s birth begins once more.
Lead us, God, on this journey into your future.
We come with commitment, prepared to live out a faith
that is hope-filled and vibrant.
Show us, God, the paths you would have us take,
as we seek to serve.
We light the candle of Hope, a sign that God is with us;
encouraging, and beckoning us forward along the way.

(The first candle is lit.)

Sung Response: remain seated (Tune: Away in a Manger)
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh. © Sandra Dean (VU)

READINGS: Isaiah 40: 1-11 Audrey Dunnachie
Mark 1:1-8 Lindsay Day

REFLECTION: What do you hope for?

A TIME OF QUIET

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God the Creator who created and is creating;
who goes on bringing to birth new things beyond our imagining.
We believe in Jesus Christ who entered our journey
as a fragile baby, who experienced all our living
and gave his life for us; who can still be discovered in our midst.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who calls us on into all truth
in light beyond our seeing,
who stirs within our being new possibilities,
who draws us onward into the very life of God. Amen.

THE OFFERING
Loving and gracious God, we offer these gifts in gratitude,
yet also in anticipation of the gift of Christ to our lives,
and our life together.
May these gifts be used, that others might hear the story
and feel the joy that we know in the coming of Christ,
in whose name we pray. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Response after each candle is lit: We wait, watching
for a way we can shine God’s light of hope in the world.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE

HYMN: Where is the Room
Where is the room,
where is the house of Christmas?
Where shall we welcome Jesus,
where are the signs of home?
Where are the signs of home?

Let Christ have space,
place at the heart of living,
centre for birth’s new breathing,
cradle for hope and peace,
cradle for hope and peace.

Let there be room,
room for the friend and stranger,
room without hurt or anger,
room for whoever come,
room for whoever come.

Let love be here,
love from the Christmas stable,
love at our open table,
love to be shared all year,
love to be shared all year. © Shirley Murray (AA)

A GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR ADVENT
May God be with you and also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
We praise you….down through the ages; saying:
Holy, holy, holy God of power and might;
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the Highest.
Blessed is he who comes in your name.
Hosanna in the highest. [pause]

Holy are you; blessed is your Son,
Jesus Christ who, long ago came
in the humble birth of a child,
a child of your amazing love,
a child of Mary’s ‘yes’ to you,
a child of Joseph’s acceptance;
the child who would be our Saviour…

COMMUNION

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

HYMN: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (WOV 200)
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free,
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne. (Charles Wesley C/A)

THE BLESSING

NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 3rd December: Meet 9.30am on the corner of Mona Vale Ave & Kilmarnock St. Non walkers welcome to join us for coffee at Dux Dine, Riccarton Rd at 10.30am. Joan 338 8700.

CAN YOU HELP cook on the BBQ? Next Sunday 7th December at Halswell Domain. For more information, talk to a Fundraising committee member – Sue, Irene, Bill, Jill, Lindsay, Anneke or Chris.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Monday 8th December 1-4pm. Volunteers to assist are always welcome. On the job training provided. Lyndsey 388 1264.

FESTIVAL 200 NEXT Sunday 7th December 6pm in the Horncastle Arena. Christians from all over the city are gathering to worship and give thanks for the 200th anniversary of the gospel in our nation. Tickets $6 adults, $4 children from Ticketek.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: We are collecting gifts for Waltham Cottage – for men, women, boys, girls and teenagers. All the gifts that you would like to receive. There will be a box at the Church from today through until 14th December for you to put your gifts in.
Please DO NOT wrap the gifts as the staff at the Cottage like to choose appropriate gifts for each person. Gifts of wrapping paper are also acceptable along with Christmas baking.
Thank you for helping to make someone else’s Christmas a happy one.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12noon in the lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. Beverley 332 7786.

PICNIC AT MERCHISTON: There will be a lunchtime picnic at Merchiston on Sunday 14th December. Everyone welcome. Bring your own lunch and, if you wish, your own ‘camp’ chair. Drinks and icecreams will be provided. Hope for a fine day and come and enjoy! If there is a volunteer to organize, carols will be sung.

THIS WEEK’S HUB REPORT is displayed on the wall in the Lounge.

HORSE MANURE available now – $3 a bag. Lindsay 981 1587.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon & Fri 9-11am. 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz, or pop in to 7 Wilsons Rd. www.stmartins.org.nz.

CHANGE IN SERVICE TIMES:
Please note that from Sunday 21st December until 25th January all Sunday services will be at 10am.

ADVANCE NOTICE – FOR YOUR DIARIES:
Pizza Evening at Winnie Bagoes, Ferrymead Sunday 25th January. This is a fundraiser for the Link Building Project. Tickets $25 per person, which will be available from members of the Fundraising committee. If we can get 50 people to come along, we will raise $500!

New temporary contact phone number for Joan Mac: 338 8700.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 30th Judith; Sat 6th Catherine.