WELCOME & NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
God is here. God is now.
It is time for celebration.
Let us create new songs of praise to our God.
Wherever one turns, God’s presence is apparent.
Let us celebrate God’s presence in our world today.
HYMN: Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
let earth receive its king;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns;
let us our songs employ;
while fields and streams, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love. C/A
OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER: June Service
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Audrey
HYMN: When the Little Baby Jesus (Tune: Away in a Manger)
When the little baby Jesus came to live here on earth
Sweetly singing, the bellbird praised the new baby’s birth.
While the fantails flew around him, while the tuis gave voice,
Tiny wax-eyes and kiwis came to look and rejoice.
The rata’s scarlet blossoms and the kowhai’s rich gold
Were a gift to the baby which he raised hands to hold.
In the warmth of summer sunshine smell the sweet scented brook, while the fragrance of myrtle fills the new baby’s room.
Will you bless us, baby Jesus, when the cows and the sheep
Come to show that they love you as you wake from your sleep.
Happy birthday little baby, we are pleased you are here,
And we’ll light you a candle for your birthday each year. ©Marilynn Dunn
BIBLE READING:
Luke 2: 8-20 Joan Macdonald
MEDITATION: New Beginnings ~ Audrey
A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see you lie!
Above your deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by:
yet, in your dark streets shining the everlasting light,
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in you tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth.
How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in. C/A
WENDY’S GIFT
OFFERING:
OFFERTORY PRAYER: Help us who have received so freely from you, to give as freely in our turn, and so have the pleasure of giving as well as the happiness of receiving.
GREET ONE ANOTHER
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE: John Shanks
HYMN: Still the Night (CH4)
Still the night, holy the night!
Sleeps the world; hid from sight,
Mary and Joseph in stable bare
watch o’er the Child beloved and fair,
Sleeping in heavenly rest,
sleeping in heavenly rest.
Still the night, holy the night!
Shepherds first saw the light,
heard resounding clear and long,
far and near, the angel-song,
Christ the Redeemer is here!
Christ the Redeemer is here!
Still the night, holy the night!
Son of God, O how bright
love is smiling from thy face!
Strikes for us now the hour of grace,
Saviour, since thou art born!
Saviour,since thou art born!
BENEDICTION
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 13th Deborah; Wed 16th Ron; Fri 18th Anne
SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS & BEYOND
Sunday 20th December 9am
Nine Lessons & Carols
Thursday 24th December Christmas Eve
You are invited to join Beckenham Methodist at 11.30pm, or come along to St Anne’s Anglican Church at 11pm, or attend a service near to where you live.
Friday 25th December 9.30am
Christmas Day Celebration ~
a combined service with Beckenham
Sundays 27th December and
3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th January
10am Combined Services
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Please note: this is a correction to the information published in the ‘Messenger’
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, Please stay for morning tea following the service. Thanks to Audrey Dunnachie for leading our service.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR WALTHAM COTTAGE: TODAY is your last opportunity to place gifts under the Christmas Tree. Thank you for your support.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 16th Dec: Meet 9.30am at Kaizuka, Centaurus Rd.
BOARD OF MANAGERS & SESSION meeting Wednesday 16th Dec 7.30pm.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS resumes on Thursday 28th January 2016.
QUALITY USED CLOTHING SALE Saturday 30th January 2016 9am at St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall, 101 Opawa Rd. We will also be selling jams, pickles, preserves, cakes, sweets etc… All donations gratefully received.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays & Thursdays 9am – 12noon, and Fridays 9-11am. Phone 332 6192, Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices to Anna by 9am every Thursday please.
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS: Perhaps this is the time to consider putting our church on your Christmas present list. A small portrait of Sir Apirana Ngata, Queen Elizabeth II, Kate Sheppard or Sir Edmund Hillary, [or even some jingly gold coins] placed in an envelope marked “Church Christmas present” and added to the Sunday offering plate could provide another welcome contribution to the building fund. Happy Christmas everyone – Fern [Sir Ernest Rutherford’s portrait would also be an acceptable gift]
2015 CWS CHRISTMAS APPEAL: At the heart of the Appeal are stories of determination and courage that give a glimpse of the work of CWS partners helping to rebuild people’s lives one by one.
Advent 3: Joy – Investing in women in South India
Local women’s groups are confronting violence caused by despair and the loss of cultural traditions. Indian fisherwomen have received training from Neythal which has enabled them to earn money by taking fish further inland ion their new icebox, to sell fish snacks to day workers. Please give generously to this Appeal. Over 70 years, your gifts have helped people get through difficult times. www.christmasappeal.org.nz.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY NEWSLETTER is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
COMMUNITY CAROL SINGING TODAY 6pm in Ford Rd, Opawa by the footbridge. All are welcome.