Mary’s great good news! (based on John 20:1-18)
Jesus is risen! Alleluia!
He is risen indeed!
We live in hope. We are an Easter people living in the vitality which comes from an Easter faith.
GREETINGS TO ONE ANOTHER. Happy Easter!
HYMN: Christ is Alive
Christ is alive, and the universe must celebrate, and the stars and the suns shout on this Easter Day!
Christ is alive, and his family must celebrate in a great alleluia,
a great alleluia to praise the power that made the stone roll away.
Here is our hope: in the mystery of suffering is the heartbeat of Love, Love that will not let go, here is our hope,
that in God we are not separate, and we sing alleluia,
we sing alleluia to praise the power that made the stone roll away.
Christ Spirit, dance through the dullness of humanity to the music of God, God who has set us free!
You are the pulse of the new creation’s energy; with a great alleluia,
a great alleluia we praise the power that made the stone roll away. ©Shirley Murray (AA)
PRAYER OF PRAISE, CONFESSION & THANKSGIVING
INTRODUCTION TO THE READING:
BIBLE READING: Acts 10: 34-43 Deborah Fitchett
REFLECTION: Come to the Easter Party!
HYMN: Resurrection’s Real (Tune: Thornbury)
Christ naming faithful Mary, forgiving Peter’s fall,
Christ showing questing Thomas, declaring peace to all.
Christ breaking bread at supper, in blessing of a meal,
so proving to disciples that Resurrection’s real.
Christ charging the defeated, providing them new power,
Christ sending rock-like Peter to serve his present hour;
disciples bound together in sharing of a meal,
so preaching to the nations that Resurrection’s real.
Church certain of the presence of Christ the Living One,
Church suffering and serving for each and every one,
church breaking bread together in Mystery of a meal,
the Church of God declaring that Resurrection’s real.
©Bernard Braley Stainer & Bell Ltd
OFFERING: Gracious and compassionate God we bring before you our gift of money and food. May these gifts go toward sharing your love with one another. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR OTHER PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
WE AFFIRM OUR FAITH:
No one is alone; all people live in God’s world. We believe in God; who has created and is creating, who has come in the true man, Jesus, to reconcile and renew. God works within us and among us by the spirit. We trust God. God calls us to be the church; to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil. We proclaim God’s kingdom, in life, in death God is with us. We are not alone. We believe in God. United Church of Canada 1969.
THE INVITATION: The crucified, yet risen Christ invites each one of you to this family meal. In the bread and the wine, the sign of Christ’s presence with us, we are united in love with God through Jesus Christ and with one another.
I come to the table in response to the invitation of Jesus Christ, who came among us and was human like us. I come knowing that I am loved by God. I come seeking forgiveness, healing and wholeness. I come knowing that in the risen Christ I am offered abundant life working always to bring about justice and peace.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:
SILENCE:
Be still, be silent. Remember, God so loved the world………….
HYMN: Now to Your Table Spread (Tune: Love Unknown)
Now to your table spread we come, each one, in faith that you alone provide the words of life and death: in wine and bread, in promised food we find your loving heart, O God.
Hands of the world stretch out, your mystery to touch in longing to believe a truth beyond our reach, to sing in joy, to cry in grief, to know your meaning for our life.
Here is our common wealth in sharing what is good, as though all humankind around one table stood, this bread to break, this wine to taste – one people in the name of Christ. ©Shirley Murray (AA)
THE INSTITUTION: On the night before he died……In the bread and wine we recall your great love for us.
God of past and present, we your people remember your son; we thank you for his death on the cross and in resurrection, that he is always with us.
As the bread is broken and the cup is shared, our brokenness and the brokenness of the world are one with brokenness of Christ and one with the life of Christ.
As we remember the risen and glorious Christ this day we are thankful for the hope that is offered to us and that of the world in his resurrection. Your death in Christ we celebrate. Your resurrection we proclaim. Your presence we give thanks.
DISTRIBUTION:
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION:
Risen and loving Christ you have put your life in our hands. Now we put our lives in yours. Take us, mix us, knead us; that through the power of your rising in us we may be bread for the world. Amen.
WE OFFER EACH OTHER THE HAND OF PEACE
HYMN: Thine Be the Glory
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes, where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;
life is naught without thee: aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
© World Student Christian Federation (WOV)
COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY:
As Christ’s followers we therefore claim the privilege of committing ourselves anew in service to the risen Christ. May we know the freedom to move into the unknown and untried. May we see opportunities each new day and serve our present age with compassion, imagination and courage offering hope which comes through the power of the risen Christ.
BENEDICTION:
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service. Many thanks to Rev Lyndsey McKay for leading our worship today.
EASTER MESSAGE from the Moderator of the General Assembly is on the noticeboard for those who wish to read it.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING – SUNDAY 10 APRIL.
All our goods will once again go to stock the pantry at Waltham Cottage.
Fresh garden produce fruit and vegetables, packets of dried food, cereals and cans are all very welcome. We will be decorating the Church from 3 pm Saturday 9th so if you have produce or goods you might like to drop off please let us know. Allison 332 0554 & Bill 338 1651.
FIRESIDE meets on Tuesday 29th March 7.30pm at Joan Mac’s. All women are welcome.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 30th March: Meet 9.30am in Caulfield Avenue, Longhurst. From Halswell Junction Road turn left into Murphys Road, then second right into Caulfield Ave. There is parking on the left past Gosling Crescent, before the Medical Centre. Please consider car pooling.
Coffee at Verge Cafe. All are welcome. Sonya 339 7038.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.
NEW READERS’ ROSTER available today – please check to see if there is one for you. Anna.
WALTHAM COTTAGE INVITES YOU TO JOIN IN:
Steady As You Go – falls prevention and general fitness class.
Starts Wednesday 20th April 9.30 – 10.30am. Free.
Organised by Age Concern Canterbury. Ph 366 0903 to register.
Community Lunch at the Cottage every Wednesday 12 –1 pm.
All Welcome. No charge.
Compassionate Communication Class – learn how to communicate in a way that avoids conflict and encourages clarity. Ph Jillie 942 2173.
ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.
ANZAC DAY SERVICE: Monday 25th April 10am at St Anne’s Anglican Church. All are welcome.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED ~ ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP?
Shortly the Christchurch Community Response Volunteers team (CCR) will be doorknocking in the St Martins area at the request of the Spreydon Heathcote Community Board. Our purpose is to connect with the people of St Martins to ensure they are not isolated and are connected to events going on in the community. We will also be asking them if they have any outstanding earthquake related issues.
The dates we will be in the area are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 5-7th April and 12-14th April, between 9.30am – 1.00pm.
The more people we have the better as we don’t want to wear people out. Everyone will be teamed up with a person from St Christopher’s and you will be provided with all the questions etc to ask those that are called on.
It’s a really worthwhile mission project to be involved in and the more people we have on board (alongside everyone else in the area that is helping) the sooner it is completed.
Please see Irene TODAY if you would like to be involved.
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.
COURT THEATRE “Educating Rita” Thursday 16th June 6.30pm. $45. Sign the clipboard if you would like to go. Payment to Sue by 8th May please.
FOR SALE: Homemade jams, sauces, pickles. Please support this fundraising venture for St Martin’s – much better than buying from the supermarket!
FOR YOUR DIARIES: Spreydon/Heathcote Older Adults Winter Warmer event. Thursday 14th July, 1.30 – 3.30pm Cashmere Club, Sydenham Room
The event will have a French theme seeing it is Bastille Day, and will feature entertainment and a French-themed menu.
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Fri 1st Aileen; Sat 2nd Anna.