WELCOME, NOTICES & CELEBRATIONS
CALL TO WORSHIP:
In a city where we talk about the winds: the beasterly easterly
the southerly coming through, the dry nor-wester.
Awareness of wind is part of who we are as Cantabrians:
and the reminders of the unpredictability of air movements
is part of our story
we pause: take breath and contemplate the difference
between stillness and movement,
between breeze and gale, between exhilaration and fear,
between something to move yachts, aerofoils on hilltops, flags on masts
and something uncontrollable, unpredictable,
terrifying in its power.
On this day we breathe in air, filling our lungs with that
which gives life
and we wonder that this same life-giving necessity whips up storms,
shifts sands in desert landscapes, sinks ships and rips buildings apart
We gasp….“take a deep breath”
We are “breathless”, have “the wind knocked out of our sails”,
are “winded”, “breathe in beauty and calm”
experience and celebrate the stillness of evening peace…
and surrounded by air, depending on air, grateful for air
we come to worship.
We come to give breath to exhilaration, to calm, to joy and hope:
to celebrate in music and in word
to inhale what is here of God’s love and grace
to exhale all that does not encourage, enliven, invigorate, inspire
And then – oh joy! – to inhale again more love, more grace
In the ongoing, God-breathed, Spirit-given rhythm of life.
Let us fill our lungs, and give breath to worship in song:
HYMN: Breathe on me, Breath of God
Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love all that you love, and do what you would do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure,
Until with you I will one will, to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine,
Until this earthly part of me Glows with your fire divine.
Breathe on me, Breath of God, so shall I never die,
But live with you the perfect life of your eternity. ©Edwin Hatch (CH4 596)
PRAYERS OF PRAISE – A LITANY OF THANKSGIVING
We continue to worship in thanksgiving, Lord
thanking you in this moment
Thanking you for breath with which to praise you
thanking you for the health that we have
Thanking you for friendship
Thanking you for freedom to worship, to gather, to celebrate
We thank you this particular morning for the path that has brought us to here and now, for the men and women of faith who taught us, encouraged us, listened to us, comforted us, loved us
We thank you for people who inspired us in the past: with the ferocity of their passion, the committed devotion to difficult journeys and the people who just quietly got on and did what needed to be done
We think of people we love who are no longer with us….and we thank you for memories, for the effects they have had upon our lives, our communities, our churches, our circles of friendships
and we honour them now…
We thank you for our leaders…for ministers who have opened your word, who have graced us with gospel, who have stretched and challenged and nurtured and inspired us… and we honour them
we thank you for writers and artists…people who have shown us glimpses of how it could be, how it should be
writers of songs and hymns, carols and choruses
poets and letter-writers, story-tellers, historians and tale-spinners
artists who have taken colours..and shapes..and canvasses of all kinds: musicians and gardeners and florists and seamstresses and builders and jewellers and bannermakers, computer people and people-people: all who have poured out creatively and constructively to make us aware of the things that really matter
This morning we give thanks. Teach us always to be thankful,
to keep taking time to be grateful
To listen, to look and to be touched afresh with all wonders of grace. Amen.
OFFERING: (on screen)
LEARNING FOR ALL
HYMN: Come teach us Spirit of our God
Come, teach us, Spirit of our God the language of your way,
The lessons that we need to live, the faith for every day.
Excite our minds to follow you, to trace new truths in store,
New flight paths for our spirit space, new marvels to explore.
Engage our wits to dance with you, to leap from logic’s base,
To capture insight on the wing, to sense your cosmic grace.
Inspire our spark to light from you, to catch creation’s flair,
New artistry to celebrate, new harmonies to dare.
Delight our hearts to worship you, to learn compassion’s code,
To live in context of your love, great teacher who is God!
©Shirley Murray (FFS)
PRAYERS FOR OTHERS & LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN: Come and find the Quiet Centre
Come and find the quiet centre in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can see
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be
Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,
Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other’s pain,
Let our lives and fears unravel, celebrate the .pace we gain:
There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care,
In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare! ©Shirley Murray (FFS)
READINGS: Psalm 112: 1-10 Wayne Barton
Matt 5: 13-20 Peggy Cree
MESSAGE:
HYMN: Nothing is Lost on the Breath of God ©Shirley Murray (FFS)
Nothing is lost on the breath of God, nothing is lost forever;
God’s breath is love, and that love will remain,
holding the world forever.
No feather too light, no hair too fine, no flower too brief in its glory,
no drop in the ocean, no dust in the air,
but is counted and told in God’s story.
Nothing is lost to the eyes of God, nothing is lost forever;
God sees with love, and that love will remain,
holding the world forever.
No journey too far, no distance too great,
no valley of darkness too blinding,
no creature too humble, no child too small
for God to be seeking and finding.
Nothing is lost to the heart of God,
nothing is lost forever;
God’s heart is love, and that love will remain,
holding the world forever.
No impulse of love, no office of care,
no moment of life in its fulness,
no beginning too late, no ending too soon,
but is gathered and known in its goodness
SUNG BENEDICTION: Now Unto Him
Now unto him who is able to keep, able to keep you from falling
And present you faultless before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy to the only-wise God our Saviour
be glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and for ever. Amen.
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service. Many thanks to Alan Webster for leading our worship today.
LENTEN STUDIES: Mele is leading a series for Lent on Wednesdays 24 Feb, 2, 9 & 16 March at 10am in the Church. All of our congregation are welcome to join with them. Please contact Beckenham Methodist Parish Office if you would like to attend. Ph 942 2715 or email: beckmeth@clear.net.nz
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 17th February: Meet 9.30am at the Hawford Rd end of Opawa Mall carpark for a walk to Edmonds Garden. Coffee at Opawa Café. All welcome. Judith 332 1577.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.
DEADLINE for ‘Messenger’ articles is this Friday.
FIRESIDE WOMEN’S GROUP: First meeting of the year is on Tuesday 23rd February 7.30pm at Barbara’s. New members and visitors are always welcome. To find out more, please speak to Margaret 366 8936.
PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. Email:stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website:www.stmartins.org.nz. Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.
TO ST MARTIN’S CHURCH CONGREGATION:
The Board of Te Whare Roopu o Oterepo Waltham Community Cottage would like to thank you all for the amazing array of gifts you collected and donated for distribution. Many members would not receive anything at all for Christmas were it not for the generosity of people like yourselves. Thank you so much for your ongoing support. It really is appreciated.
Adrienne Carmichael, Community Development Co-ordinator.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: This year St Martin’s Presbyterian will be leading the service. It will be held on Friday 4th March at St Anne’s Anglican Church, Wilsons Road commencing at 10am. We encourage you all to attend. The service has been written by the women of Cuba. A plate for morning tea following the service would be appreciated. Allison 332 0554.
“BLOOM” Exhibition 1-28 Feb: Visitor Lounge, Canterbury Museum. Free. Poetry, stories, flowers – marking the 5th anniversary of the 22 Feb quake.
14th CHCH Boys’ Brigade is starting in the second week of February. BB is a fun filled Christian based programme for boys aged 5-19 yrs old. We operate in three sections, Anchor 5-7 years, Team Adventure 8-10 years and Company Xtreme 11-19 years old. It is an action packed programme geared for Young Kiwi guys. Anchor and Team meet on a Thursday night and Company on a Friday night at Beckenham Methodist. Stephen Gregory 337 2296, info@14thbb.org.nz or visit www.14thbb.org.nz Accept the Challenge!
FIX-IT JOBS: Do you need assistance with any small jobs around your home or property? We have people who can help. Please contact the Parish Office 332 6192 for details.
ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER: TOMORROW 6.30pm. Meet at St James’ to carpool for a visit to Theophany Loudspeakers. Roger Allen.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 15th Beryl (80), Alexandria; Wed 17th Joan, Peter.