Sunday 22nd March 2015 9am Harvest Thanksgiving

WELCOME AND NOTICES:
* Session report

GATHERING:
From the ear the seed, from the seed the shoot,
from the shoot the stem, from the stem the leaves,
from the leaves the flower, from the flower the seed.

God of every season, from seed time to harvest,
from us to you, we come to give our thanks and praise.

HYMN: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Tune: WOV 28)
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;
O my soul, praise him, for he is our health and salvation.
Come, all who hear:
brothers and sisters draw near,
joining in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, above all things so mightily 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 hath 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 PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

SONG: Pear and Apples, Wheat and Grapes (Tune: Monkland WOV 11ii)
Pear and apples, wheat and grapes
many textures, many shapes;
greening leaves and blossom drifts,
thank you, God, for all your gifts.

Flashing shoals of silver fish,
every colour you could wish;
fishing boats, for you and me
reap the harvest of the sea.

Earth and ocean, plant and beast,
altogether make the feast;
all who long to share your grace
at your table have their place.

Loving Lord, we know you care;
let the world your goodness share;
save us from our selfish greed,
finding you in those in need. © Paul Booth (Admin. CopyCare Ltd) (CH 4)

READINGS: Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 June Service
Luke 6: 1- 5 Bob Kayes

Our Staple Foods

HYMN: From Harvest Field and Factory (Tune: WOV 59)
From harvest field and factory
come products of the land,
the fruit of human labour,
the work of mind and hand;
but God provides the energy
by which these things take place.
Sing praise to God Creator,
the source of life and grace.
In the world around us
God’s loving care we trace;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
for all his grace.

Yes, God is the creator
of all things near and far;
his power moves very atom
and reaches every star.
His love is for each person –
the living and the dead.
Sing praise to God provider,
who gives us daily bread.

But there are other countries,
less favoured than our own
where people die of hunger
or live as skin and bone.
Lord stir us into sharing
the sacrament of bread,
that through our acts of caring
the hungry may be fed. © Bill Wallace (STSA)

The Potato Story

THE OFFERING
We bring this offering to lay alongside our gifts of food –
given in thanksgiving and love.
Bless our gift of money, that it may be used wisely and well.
Bless these gifts of food, that they may not only give nourishment,
but also be a sign of our love for you and for others, in Jesus name. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN: Praise God for the Harvest (Tune: St Denio)
Praise God for the harvest of orchard and field,
praise God for the people who gather their yield,
the long hours of labour, the skills of a team,
the patience of science, the power of machine.

Praise God for the harvest that comes from afar,
from market and harbour, the sea and the shore:
foods packed and transported, and gathered and grown
by God-given neighbours, unseen and unknown.

Praise God for the harvest of science and skill,
the urge to discover, create and fulfil:
for dreams and inventions that promise to gain
a future more hopeful, a world more humane.

Praise God for the harvest of mercy and love
from leaders and peoples who struggle and serve
for patience and kindness, that all may be led
to freedom and justice, and all may be fed. © Hope Publishing (CH 4)

THE BLESSING
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES 2015
Sunday 29th March 10am Combined Palm Sunday Service

Monday 30th March 7pm Holy Week Meditation

Tuesday 31st March 7pm Holy Week Meditation

Wednesday 1st April 7pm Holy Week Meditation

Thursday 2nd April 7.30pm Combined Maundy Thursday Service

Friday 3rd April 10am Combined Good Friday Service

Sunday 5th April 7.30am Easter Sunrise Service followed by breakfast
9am Easter Day Communion

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

THE SESSION calls a Congregational Meeting for Sunday 19th April after Morning Worship to receive the nominations of Barry Moore and Hilary Moore for election as Elders.
The second business of the meeting is in regard to the election of four members to the Ministry Settlement Board.
Bruce Hudson, Session Clerk.

PALM SUNDAY STREET PARADE: Those taking part in the parade should gather in the back carpark at 9.45am. The service itself is at 10am.

FIRESIDE Tuesday 24th March at 7.30pm. Lyn has invited us to meet at her home at 43 Prossers Rd. Those who would like to prove that they had impeccable taste in their youth are asked to bring clothing, dressmaking patterns, photos etc. Women of the congregation are welcome to join us. Margaret 366 8936.

Chris requires one reader for Mon 30th & Tue 31st and two readers for Wed 1st Holy Week meditations 7pm. Please speak to her TODAY if you can help.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 25th March: Meet 9.30am. Check with Sonya 339 7038 for details.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon; Fri 9-11am. Pop in and visit at 7 Wilsons Rd. Phone 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Notices to Anna by 9am Thursday please.

The Moderator of our Church has launched an appeal for the people of Vanuatu which has been devastated by Cyclone Pam.
The Session agreed to a special offering for the appeal named Pacific Vision Vanuatu Appeal. This offering will be on Sunday 29th March.
Please put your donation in an envelope with Vanuatu Appeal on the outside. Our support will enable our Pacific neighbour and partner church to help their communities in their recovery from this cataclysmic event.

PALM SUNDAY DEVOTION: The Risingholme Singers are presenting Part 2 of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday 29th March in St Andrew’s at Rangi Ruru, 2.30 pm. Brilliant soloists, string accompaniment, and a choir gaining in confidence! Tickets $15 from John Shanks or at the door.

FOOT CLINIC: Next Session Monday 4th May 1-4pm. Lyndsey 388 1264.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 22nd Audrey H (90); Mon 23rd Eian; Tue 24th Maurice, Karlene; Wed 25th Georgia, Oliver; Thu 26th Liam.