WELCOME & NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
When we love one another. God is with us.
When we sing and pray, God rejoices through us.
When our spirits are renewed. God is at work in us.
God is present in love, in song, in renewal.
God is present in all things.
HYMN: These Hills (Tune: Kaikoura)
These hills where the hawk flies lonely,
beaches where the long surf rolls,
mountains where the snows meet heaven, these are our care. Pastures where the sheep graze calmly, orchards where the apples grow, gardens where the roses cluster, these are our prayer.
Forests where the tree ferns tower, rivers running strong and clear, oceans where the great whales wander, these are our care.
Race meeting race as equals, justice for age-old wrong,
worth for every man and woman, these are our prayer.
Cities where the young roam restless, lives brought to deep despair, homeless and powerless people, these are our care.
Places where the Word is spoken, hands held in serving love,
faiths of our many cultures, these are our prayer.
All that the old world gave us, all that the new world brings,
language, ideas and customs, these are our care.
Life finding joy and value, faith seeking truth and light,
God heard and seen in all things, this be our prayer. ©Colin Gibson (FFS)
OPENING PRAYERS: Allison Blackler
TIME WITH THE YOUNG AT HEART ~ Fern Wakefield
HYMN: If I Were a Butterfly by Brian M Howard
If I were a butterfly I’d thank you Lord for giving me wings
If I were a robin in a tree I’d thank you Lord that I could sing
If I were a fish in the sea I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee
But I just thank you Father for making me, me
For you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus and you made me your child
And I just thank you Father for making me, me
If I were an elephant I’d thank you Lord by raising my trunk
If I were a kangaroo you know I’d hop right up to you
If I were an octopus I’d thank you Lord for my fine looks
But I just thank you Father for making me, me. For you gave me…
If I were a wiggly worm I’d thank you Lord that I could squirm
If I were a fuzzy, wuzzy bear I’d thank you Lord for my fuzzy, wuzzy hair
If I were a crocodile I’d thank you Lord for my great smile
But I just thank you Father for making me, me. For you gave me…
© Mission Hills Music
BIBLE READING: Psalm 104 (Leslie Brandt) Fern Wakefield
REFLECTION: Audrey Dunnachie
A TIME OF QUIET
OFFERING (Together): You have gifted each one of us, living God. Some with an observant eye, some with a generous nature, some with warm compassion. Bless our gifts of personality, the gifts that make us who we are. Bless these gifts of money and food, that together all these things may advance the way of Jesus, in our church family and in this city. Amen.
HYMN: Blest Be the Tie that Binds (Tune: Dennis)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred hearts is like to that above.
Before the Father’s throne we pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.
We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows the sympathising tear.
When for awhile we part, this thought will sooth our pain,
That we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives our courage by the way,
While each in expectation lives, and longs to see the day.
From sorrow, toil, and pain, and sin we shall be free;
And perfect love and friendship reign through all eternity.
(Baptist Hymn Book 355)
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE: John Shanks
HYMN: In the Bulb There is a Flower
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold of snow and winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody.
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future, what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. ©Natalie Sleeth
BLESSING:
May your roots go deep into God’s marvellous love: may you grow day by day in his blessing. For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son to show us his Father’s love. How long, how wide, how deep, how high, how steadfast, enduring His love really is.
O may Christ dwell in you so you may know His love and the fullness of God be yours.
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 Audrey Dunnachie and the Worship committee for leading our worship today.
2017 FUNDRAISING CALENDARS now available. $20. An excellent Christmas gift and perfect for posting overseas. Please see Charlotte Houston or Judith Mackay.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE PARISH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will be on Sunday 18th September following worship.
WEDNESDAY WALKERS 14th September Blossoms in Hagley Park: Meet 9.30am by Armagh Street Bridge near Park Tce. Suggest parking in area nearest the Hagley Tennis Courts and walk back to the road bridge. Barbara and Rob will host you for Coffee as a Mission fundraiser. All welcome. Barbara 379 1474.
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12noon. $3 per session at Beckenham Methodist. To find out more, speak to Lyndsey 388 1264. New faces always welcome.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoeboxes now available from June Service. Have fun filling a box for a needy child. Must be returned by Sunday 16th October please.
RISINGHOLME SINGERS CONCERT “SPRING IS IN THE AIR”: TODAY Rudolf Steiner School Hall, 19 Ombersley Tce at 3pm. Tickets $15 at the door. Enquiries to John Shanks.
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.
INTERIM MINISTER: Rev Dugald Wilson 380 5024; dugaldwil@gmail.com
BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 13th Peter; Fri 16th Bob (80!)