Sunday 8th October 2023

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to all who nominated their favourite spring hymn. Rev Sheena Dickson will be with us next Sunday.

Name tags – please wear them. With new folk and visitors coming to St Martins, it’s a friendly thing to do for folk to be able to read a name and to get to know everyone. Sonya very kindly creates your tags so if you need one, please check in with her.

Weekly collection – some time ago it was decided to not pass around the offering plates during our service. Instead we have, on the little table just inside the church door, a plate where you can drop your weekly contribution or giving envelope. There will always be a debate as to whether it is the right way to do ‘giving’ but we think it works well and would encourage everyone to be aware of how it functions. Of course, there is the alternative way of giving and that is by direct credit – see Catherine Fitchett regarding that. Thank you for caring and contributing what ever you are able. 

Anna will not be in the Parish Office this Friday (13th October). Please send in any notices by Wednesday 12 noon. Thank you.

Fireside welcomes all women of the congregation and friends to join us from 1.30pm on Monday 2nd October in the church lounge. The plan for the meeting is that Allison {who was very involved with APW} can tell us something about the official closure of APW this year and for others to share memories of mothers or grandmothers going to meetings. All women are very welcome. Margaret 366 8936.

Wednesday Walkers 11th October: Meet 9.30am outside the Town Hall. Coffee at Hoi Polloi at Carnmore Hotel, cnr Colombo & Salisbury Streets. All welcome Elizabeth 021 112 5798 and Sue960 7657.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                                              

Monday 9.30am            Pastoral Care meeting (foyer) Irene 332 7306

Monday 1.30pm            Fireside meeting (lounge) Margaret 366 8936

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: City Elizabeth/Sue 960 7657

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancers (lounge) Irene 332 7306

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

Springtime Jesus by Joy Cowley

You, Springtime Jesus,
just as I’d settled down for winter,
you broke into my heart
and danced your love right across it
in a mad excess of giving.
Just as I’d got comfortable
with bare branches and unfeeling,
just as my world was neatly black and white,
there you were,
kicking up flowers
all over the place.

Springtime Jesus,
I tried to find a way to tell you
that there were places
where you could or would not dance.
I wanted to guide you on my paths
and have you sign the visitors’ book;
but you laughed right through my words
and sang to me your melting song,
causing sap to fire the branches,
causing the flames of buds
to flicker into green bonfires,
causing a windquake of blossom,
causing burstings, searings, breakings,
causing growth?pain,
causing life.

Springtime Jesus,
the fullness of life can be frightening
and I’m lacking in courage.
It isn’t easy to live with a heart
that’s wide open to invasion.
Teach me, Jesus, how to move with you,
step for step, in your love dance.
Touch my fears with your melting song.
Gift me with your laughter,
and, in the mystery of your Springtime,
show me the truth of the blossoming Cross.