WELCOME: Tena  Koutou Katoa

NOTICES & BIRTHDAYS

 

PENTECOST CELEBRATION: Happy Birthday Church…..

 

HYMN: On Pentecost They Gathered (Tune: Ellacombe)

On Pentecost they gathered quite early in the day,

a band of Christ’s disciples to worship, sing, and pray.

A mighty wind came blowing, filled all the swirling air,

and tongues of fire a-glowing inspired each person there.

 

The people all around them were startled and amazed

to understand their language, as Christ the Lord they praised.

What universal message, what great good news was here?

That Christ, once dead, is risen to vanquish all our fear.

 

God pours the Holy Spirit on all who would believe,

on women, men, and children who would God’s grace receive.

That Spirit knows no limit, bestowing life and power.

The church, formed and re-forming, responds in every hour.

 

O Spirit, sent among them on that day long ago,

rekindle faith among us in all life’s ebb and flow.

O give us ears to listen and tongues aflame with praise,

so folk of every nation glad songs of joy shall raise.        ©Jane Parker Huber

 

PRAYER:

 

THE MOVEMENT OF THE SPIRIT IN TODAY’S WORLD.

 

WELCOME: Liz Whitehead, Community Development Worker

Focus: Children & Families St Albans Uniting.

 

• Breakfast Church for Children & Families 8.30am each Sunday.
• Video Clip.
• What do you do each Sunday?

 

SONG: I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing

I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says ‘Sing’,

I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says ‘Sing’,

I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says ‘Sing’,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

 

I’m gonna love when the Spirit says ‘Love’,

I’m gonna love when the Spirit says ‘Love’,

I’m gonna love when the Spirit says ‘Love’,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

 

I’m gonna laugh when the Spirit says ‘Laugh’,

I’m gonna laugh when the Spirit says ‘Laugh’,

I’m gonna laugh when the Spirit says ‘Laugh’,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

 

I’m gonna hope when the Spirit says ‘Hope’,

I’m gonna hope when the Spirit says ‘Hope’,

I’m gonna hope when the Spirit says ‘Hope’,

and obey the Spirit of the Lord.                                  C/A

 

The children now leave us with Gillian Cree

 

TIME FOR RELECTION ON PENTECOST.   Pentecost……..

 

BIBLE READINGS:

Ezekiel 37: 1-14          God’s life giving breath           Sonya Hodder

Acts 2: 1-21                 God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, with wind and fire

Wayne Barton

 

DIALOGUE RE BREAKFAST CHURCH ~ Liz & Lyndsey

• What got you started?
• People Involvement
• Church/community response

 

PRAYERS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

OFFERING:

What we have we offer to God and the world which God loves.

Take them as you took the loaves and fishes and transform them into overflowing life. Amen.

 

HYMN: Great and Deep the Spirit’s Purpose

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose, hidden now in mystery,

nature bursts with joyful promise, ripe with what is yet to be.

In a wealth of rich invention, still the work of art unfolds:

barely have we seen, and faintly, what God’s great salvation holds.

 

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose, making Jesus seen and heard. Every age of God’s creation grasps new meaning from the Word. Show us, Holy Spirit, show us your new work begun today:

eyes and ears and hearts are open, teach us what to do and say.

 

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose: all God’s children brought to birth, freed from hunger, fear and evil every corner of the earth,

and a million million voices speak with joy the Saviour’s name;

every face reflects his image, never any two the same.

 

Great and deep the Spirit’s purpose, nothing shall be left to chance.

All that lives will be united in the everlasting dance.

All fulfilled and all perfected, each uniquely loved and known,

Christ in glory unimagined once for all receives his own.      ©Marnie Barrell

 

 

BENEDICTION:

Go now in faith and hope to be part of the recreating of the world.

May God surprise you on the way.

 

 

 

SUNG BLESSING: Now As We Go

Now as we go, kind Spirit keep us, in all we see,

Christ be our focus, in all we do, his story shape us,

that we may grow to God’s good purpose.

 

Now as we go, sister and brother, give us good care of the other,

more hope to share, more strength to gather,

more life to know in faith together.                             ©Shirley Murray (AA)

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation to prepare for worship.

 

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Lyndsey McKay for leading our worship today.

PLEASE NOTE: MORNING TEA & birthday cake is at 43 St Martins Rd.

 

ARTICLES etc needed NOW for next ‘Messenger’. Deadline 20^th May. Please send contributions to Anneke (anneke.howie@gmail.com) asap.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 18^th May: Meet 9.30am at South Library. Coffee at Red. All are welcome. Joan 338 8700.

 

SESSION meets this Wednesday 7.30pm at Merchiston.

 

POTLUCK LUNCH for St James’, Hoon Hay, Cashmere & St Martin’s NEXT Sunday 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and enjoy fellowship. Irene.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

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.

NB: Anna will be in the Office Tuesday (after 10am) this week, instead of Thursday.

 

COUPLES @ CASHMERE: A series of seminars for stronger relationships. Sun 22^nd May 7.30-9.30pm. $10 per couple (includes supper) at Cashmere Presbyterian Church. Ph 332 7129 to register.

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 16^th Kim.

WELCOME AND NOTICES

 

CALL TO WORSHIP:

 

HYMN: I am the Light of the World

‘I am the light of the world, you people come and follow me!’

If you follow and love you’ll learn the mystery of what you

were meant to do and be.

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,

the work of Christmas is begun:

 

to find the lonely and the lost, to heal their broken souls with love,

to feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,

to feel the earth below, the sky above;

 

to free the prisoners from their chains, to make the powerful care,

to re-build the nations with strength of goodwill,

to be at one with people everywhere.

 

To bring hope to every task you do, to dance at a baby’s new birth, to make music in an old man’s heart, and sing to the colours of the earth.

©Jim Strathdee (WOV669)

 

 

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

 

OFFERING

 

SOMETHING FOR THE YOUNGER AT HEART ~ Wayne Barton

 

 

 

 

CHILDREN’S HYMN:  I’ve Got Peace Like a River

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul, I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul, I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.

I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul, I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.

 

READINGS:   Psalm 97                     David Beaumont

Acts 16:16-34              Jeannette Beaumont

 

MESSAGE

 

HYMN: Lord Jesus Christ (v1 & 2 only)

Lord Jesus Christ, you have come to us, you are one with us,

Mary’s son; cleansing our souls from all their sin,

pouring your love and goodness in,

Jesus, our love for you we sing, living Lord.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, now and every day teach us how to pray,

Son of God. You have commanded us to do this,

in remembrance, Lord of you:

into our lives your power breaks through, living Lord.

 

COMMUNION:  (“Free Communion”)

Once was a people enslaved…They were safe: but they were slaves

And God’s purposes were not for safety but for risk

God’s purposes were not for dependence upon someone else’s rules but for self-determination

God’s purposes were for a people who would live justly,

who would love mercy,

who would honour him in their civil service,

their foreign policy, their domestic lives,

their family arrangements, their courts

and their palaces, their temples and homes

And he set them free. And the people remembered that setting free

Every year, they were reminded of what being set free meant

Every year they were reminded of what the cost of freedom was

Every year they were reminded of what they were set free for:

And called to remain faithful to that memory, year by year by year

 

And when Jesus came …slavery in Egypt

Opened it to Roman conquerors, to Zealots, to traitors and to the marginalised, to Greeks and the descendants of ancient enemies, to heretics and children and fishermen and priests and scholars and ultimately to everyone on the earth

Freed to be called children of God, sons and daughters of the Highest God

Freed to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven, the world as it was always intended to be

On the night he was betrayed … Jesus gave us serve as constant reminder to his followers that whatever is happening around us, we are a people freed:

we are a people freed to serve, freed to love, freed to follow in obedience.

May this freedom mark our every thought, word and deed

In the name of him who gave all so that we might be truly free

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

HYMN:  Now Let Us From This Table Rise (CH4 675)

Now let us from this table rise renewed in body, mind and soul;

with Christ we die and rise again, his selfless love has made us whole.

 

With minds alert, upheld by grace, to spread the Word in speech and deed we follow in the steps of Christ, at one with all in hope and need.

 

To fill each human house with love, it is the sacrament of care; the work that Christ began to do we humbly pledge ourselves to share.

 

Then grant us grace, Companion-God, to choose again the pilgrim way and help us to accept with joy the challenge of tomorrow’s day. ©F Kaan

 

PRAYERS OF SUPPLICATION

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

HYMN: The Journey of Life

The journey of life may be easy, may be hard,

There’ll be danger on the way;

With Christ at my side I’ll do battle as I ride,

‘Gainst the foe that would lead me astray

 

Will you ride, ride, ride with the King of Kings,

Will you follow my leader true; Will you shout Hosanna

To the lowly Son of God, who died for me and you?

 

My burden is light and a song is in my heart

As I travel on life’s way; for Christ is my Lord

And he’s given me his word

that by my side he’ll stay; Will you…

 

I’ll follow my leader wherever he may go,

for Jesus is my friend;

he’ll lead me on to the place where he has gone,

when I come to my journey’s end. Will you…             ©V Collison (WOV 670)

 

 

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation to prepare for worship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Alan Webster for leading our worship today.

 

MORNING TEA this morning is at 43 St Martins Rd.

 

PENTECOST NEXT SUNDAY 15^th May 9am. Liz Whitehead from St Albans Uniting will share with us about their Family Breakfast Church each Sunday at 8.30am. Do come and hear her. Lyndsey McKay.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 11^th May: Meet 9.30am on the cnr Kilmore St & Fitzgerald Ave for a stroll around the Avon Loop. Coffee at Little Pom’s Café. All are welcome. Barbara & Alan 337 6202.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.

 

POTLUCK LUNCH for St James’, Hoon Hay, Cashmere & St Martin’s on Sunday 22^nd May 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and enjoy fellowship. Irene.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

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”. Payment ($45) in NAMED envelope to Sue by NEXT SUNDAY 15^th May at the very latest please.

 

ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER: TOMORROW St James’ Church Hall Lounge at 7:00 pm. Doug Roberts visited Belgium in 2010. “ANZAC on the Western Front” See photos inside the Arras Tunnels and craters of some of the largest mine explosions. All men welcome.

Roger Allen (gr.allen46@gmail.com).

 

PTO…

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 10^th Jill.

 

 

 

 

 

KEEP HOPE ALIVE FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES

 

Christian World Service is looking for 100 people who want to help Syrian refugees. The first ever Operation Refugee will take place from 16-20 June. Participants commit to live on the same rations as a Syrian refugee for five days and raise funds for people living in Jordan and Lebanon. On registering for the challenge, CWS will send a box of rations including lentils, chickpeas, flour, fish, vegetable, oil and salt.  Participants supply their own rice.

CWS is fundraising for longstanding partner the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), a programme of the Middle East Council of Churches with whom it has worked since 1949. Funds raised will provide food, education, medical care and comfort for more than two million refugees.

 

People can register and set up a personal fundraising page at cws.org.nz. Those who want to support the challenge can sponsor individual participants or donate to Operation Refugee.

 

For more information call 0800 74 73 72

WELCOME AND NOTICES

 

CALL TO WORSHIP (together):

In the beginning God created all things declaring them to be good.

When God created women and men they were given charge over all creation.

As God’s days of creation ceased, ours began.

The God given gifts are to be used to continue God’s creative work.

In worship we come to give thanks and share in this task.

 

HYMN: Morning Has Broken (Tune: Bunessan)

Morning has broken like the first morning,

blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning,

praise for them, springing fresh from the Word!

 

Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,

like the first dewfall on the first grass.

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,

sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

 

Mine is the sunlight; mine is the morning,

born of the one light Eden saw play!

Praise with elation, praise every morning,

God’s re-creation of the new day!                  ©Eleanor Farjeon (WOV91)

 

OPENING PRAYER

 

TIME WITH THOSE YOUNG AT HEART  

 

 

HYMN: He Came Singing Love

He came singing love and he lived singing love; he died, singing love. He arose in silence. For the love to go on we must make it our song: you and I be the singers.

 

He came singing faith…

 

He came singing hope…

 

He came singing peace…                                           ©Colin Gibson (WOV636)

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS:

Acts 16: 9-15               Hilary Moore

Psalm 67                     Barry Moore

 

MESSAGE: Subdue and Replenish

 

HYMN: Lead Us, Heavenly Father (Tune: Mannheim)

 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us o’er the world’s tempestuous sea; guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us, for we have no help but thee;

yet possessing every blessing if our God our Father be.

 

Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us; all our weakness thou dost know; thou didst tread this earth before us, thou didst feel its keenest woe: lone and dreary, faint and weary, through the desert though didst go.

 

Spirit of our God, descending, fill our hearts with heavenly joy, love with every passion blending, pleasure that can never cloy:

thus provided, pardoned, guided, nothing can our peace destroy.                                                ©J Edmeston (WOV492)

 

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE

 

SUNG LORD’S PRAYER 

 

THE OFFERING (together):

We dedicate these gifts freely given and gratefully received

To the work of the congregation

Building honest caring relationships across all lines of difference

Promoting religious freedom, practising compassion and working for justice

May these gifts and the work of our hands and hearts

Give power to all we stand for as a community of faith

 

GREET AND BLESS ONE ANOTHER

 

HYMN: In Heavenly Love Abiding

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear;

and safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here:

the storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid;

but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

 

Wherever he may guide me no want shall turn me back,

my shepherd is beside me and nothing can I lack:

his wisdom ever waketh, his sight is never dim,

he knows the way he taketh and I will walk with him.

 

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen;

Bright skies will soon be o’er me where the dark clouds have been:

my hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free;

my Saviour has my treasure, and he will walk with me.

©Anna Laetitia Waring (WOV504)

 

BLESSING (together):

May God lead us in all our days

May Christ shield us in all our ways

May the Spirit bring us healing and peace

 

THREEFOLD AMEN

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation

 to prepare for worship.

 

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 1^st Margaret; Sat 7^th Lucy.

 

 

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea. Many thanks to David Beaumont for leading our worship today.

 

WORKING BEE 43 St Martins Rd, NEXT Saturday 7^th May 9.30am – 12noon (weather permitting). Please bring your gardening tools to help tidy up the church grounds.

 

PENTECOST SUNDAY 15^th May 9am. Liz Whitehead from St Albans Uniting will share with us about their Family Breakfast Church each Sunday at 8.30am. Do come and hear her. Lyndsey McKay.

 

FOOT CLINIC: TOMORROW 1-4pm. New helpers always very welcome. Contact Lyndsey 388 1264 for information.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 4^th May: Meet 9.30am by bridge in Botanic Gardens. Coffee at Lux Espresso in COCA Gallery, Gloucester St. All welcome. Sonya 027 253 3397.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.

 

POTLUCK LUNCH for St James’, Hoon Hay, Cashmere & St Martin’s on Sunday 22^nd May 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and enjoy fellowship. Irene.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

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 16^th June 6.30pm. $45. Payment in NAMED envelope to Sue by NEXT SUNDAY 8^th May please. We still need a few more people to come – invite your friends, family, neighbours.

 

ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER: Monday 9th May St James’ Church Hall Lounge at 7:00 pm. Doug Roberts visited Belgium in 2010. “ANZAC on the Western Front” See photos inside the Arras Tunnels and craters of some of the largest mine explosions. All men welcome.

Roger Allen (gr.allen46@gmail.com).

CALL TO WORSHIP:

This is one world and we are one people.

There is one God and we are all God’s people.

There is one life, and we are called to live it together.

There is one hope and we share it with one another.

With one voice, one joy, one faith, one love we worship God together.

 

HYMN: God of Nations

E Ihoa Atua, o nga Iwi Matoura, ata whaka rongonga;

me aroha noa.

Kia hua ko te pai; kia tau to atawhai;

manaakitia mai Aotearoa.

 

God of nations, at thy feet, in the bonds of love we meet;

hear our voices we entreat, God defend our free land!

Guard Pacific’s triple star from the shafts of strife and war,

make her praises heard afar; God defend New Zealand!

 

Men of every creed and race gather here before thy face,

asking thee to bless this place; God defend our free land!

From dissension, envy, hate and corruption guard our state;

make our country good and great, God defend  New Zealand!

 

Let our love for thee increase, may thy blessings never cease,

give us plenty, give us peace; God defend our free land!

From dishonour and from shame guard our country’s spotless name; crown her with immortal fame, God defend New Zealand!

 

May our mountains ever be freedom’s ramparts on the sea;

make us faithful unto thee, God defend our free land!

Guide her in the nations’ van, preaching love and truth to man,

working out thy glorious plan; God defend New Zealand!          ©T Bracken

 

GREETING:

May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, with all whom you love, and all whom you pray for here this day.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord be with you also.

 

PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND CONFESSION:

Almighty God, you spoke light into the darkness:

light to dispel the gloom, light to form the day, light to reveal creation’s vivid, colourful palette.

 

You came as light of the world:

Light to shine in the shadows, light to point out the path, light to pierce the hearts of humans, caught in division, disharmony that failed to see uniqueness and unity.

 

You call us to be light in a dark world:

light to lead people home, light to challenge injustice,

light to weave a pattern, that blends and shapes humanity together.

 

The house of God is our home: a place of comfort, familiarity, of easily held opinions, common causes, shared values. Here our faith and kingdom values are affirmed.

 

Here also we see heaven opened. What seems unclean is precious to God. What looks ungodly is counted worthy. Sinners made saints, outsiders pulled in to be warmed at the hearth – the walls of this community pushed out to make room.

Forgive us Lord the narrow-mindedness that excludes; forgive us the tendency to disapprove and judge, and open our hearts and arms to the life you promised. Open our doors to make room for those you would welcome.

 

WORDS OF ASSURANCE:

Though we wander from the path, though we step out of the light,

though we embroider truth, though we deny fullness of life –

Despite all this you come bearing life, light, truth, and new life to us all and by this we are made whole through Jesus the Christ. Amen.

 

NOTICES

 

WE PASS THE PEACE OF CHRIST TO EACH OTHER.

 

HYMN: Honour the Dead, our Country’s Fighting Brave

Honour the dead, our country’s fighting brave, honour our children

left in foreign grave, where poppies blow and sorrow seeds her flowers, honour the crosses marked forever ours.

 

Weep for the places ravaged with our blood, weep for the

young bones buried in the mud, weep for the powers of violence

and greed, weep for the deals done in the name of need.

 

Honour the brave whose conscience was their call, answered no bugle, went against the wall, suffered in prisons of contempt

and shame, branded as cowards, in our country’s name.

 

Weep for the waste of all that might have been, weep for the

cost that war has made obscene, weep for the homes that ache

with human pain, weep that we ever sanction war again.

 

Honour the dream for which our nation bled, held now in trust

to justify the dead, honour their vision on this solemn day:

peace known in freedom, peace the only way.          ©Shirley Murray (NZHBT)

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS:

Revelation 21:1-6: The Revelation to John concludes with a vision of “a new heaven and a new earth” in which the pain and tragedies of earth are healed by the one who is the “Alpha and Omega.”         John Shanks

 

John 13:31-35: Christ gives his followers a commandment: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”                                           Margaret Shanks

 

PRAYER BEFORE SERMON

 

SERMON: Heavenly Vision!

 

HYMN: God of the Ages, by Whose Hand (Tune: Hereford)

God of the ages, by whose hand through years long past

our lives were led, give us new courage now to stand,

new faith to find the paths ahead.

 

You are the thought beyond all thought,

the gift beyond our utmost prayer; no farthest reach where you are not, no height but we may find you there.

 

Lift up our hearts, and set us free from wild alarms and trembling fears; in your strong hand eternally rests the unfolding of the years.

 

Though there be dark unchartered space, with worlds on worlds beyond our sight, still may we trust your love and grace,

and wait your word, ‘Let there be light’.                      ©EH Burrowes (WOV662)

 

OUR FREEWILL OFFERING

to support the mission and Church of Jesus Christ will be received.

As God gives to us, so let us give to God and to all those who wait for the love of God in so many ways.

 

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Risen Lord Jesus, what can we bring,
but what we have already received from you;

love, life and the substance of our world and work?
Grant us, by your companion Spirit, the love to use our lives and our gifts to the glory of your name., Our Father…(sung WOV 676)

 

OUR PRAYERS FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS

 

 

 

 

HYMN: How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the works Thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my saviour God to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art,

Then sings my soul, my saviour God to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

 

When through the woods and bushclad hills I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the creek and feel the gentle breeze:

 

And when I think that God, his son not sparing,

Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin;

 

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart,

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God, how great thou art.                  C/A

 

BENEDICTION         

 

THREEFOLD AMEN

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation to prepare for worship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 David Coster for leading our worship today.

 

ANZAC DAY SERVICE: TOMORROW 10am at St Anne’s Anglican Church, 7 Wilsons Rd. All are welcome.

 

WORKING BEE 43 St Martins Rd, Saturday 7^th May 9.30am – 12noon (weather permitting). Please bring your gardening tools to help tidy up the church grounds.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 27^th April: Meet 9.30am on the steps of New Brighton Library, Marine Parade. Coffee at Salt on the Pier café. All welcome. Sue 960 7657.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge. $3.

 

POTLUCK LUNCH for St James’, Hoon Hay, Cashmere & St Martin’s on Sunday 22^nd May 12 noon at Cashmere Presbyterian. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and enjoy fellowship. Irene.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am Ph 332 6192. 7 Wilsons Rd South (at the rear of the section).

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 16^th June 6.30pm. $45. Sign the clipboard if you would like to go. Payment in NAMED envelope to Sue by 8^th May please. We still need a few more people to come – invite your friends, family, neighbours.

 

FOR SALE: Homemade jams, sauces, pickles. Please support this fundraising venture for St Martin’s – much better than buying from  the supermarket!

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 26^th Rob; Thu 28^th Joan.

WELCOME AND NOTICES

 

CALL TO WORSHIP: on screen

 

HYMN: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Tune: Lobe den Herren)

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;

O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation;

all you who hear, brothers and sisters draw near,

praise him in glad adoration.

 

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,

shelters you under his wings and so gently sustains life:

have you not seen how your heart’s longings have been

granted in what he’s unfolding?

 

Praise to the Lord, who has prospered your work and defends you;

surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend you:

ponder anew what the Almighty can do

when with his love he befriends you.                          ©J Neander (WOV28)

 

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

 

OFFERINGS

 

SOMETHING FOR THE YOUNGER AT HEART

 

HYMN FOR THE YOUNGER AT HEART: One More Step

     (Tune: Southcote)

One more step along the world I go,

one more step along the world I go;

from the old things to the new keep me travelling along with you.

And it’s from the old I travel to the new;

keep me travelling along with you.

 

Round the corners of the world I turn,

more and more about the world I learn;

all the new things that I see you’ll be looking at along with me:

 

As I travel through the bad and good,

keep me travelling the way I should;

where I see no way to go you’ll be telling me the way, I know:

 

Give me courage when the world is rough,

keep me loving though the world is tough;

leap and sing in all I do, keep me travelling along with you:

 

You are older than the world can be,

you are younger than the life in me;

ever old and ever new, keeping me travelling along with you:

©Sydney B Carter (CH4 530)

 

MISSION FOCUS: Barbara Meier ~  Your Sisters’ Orphanage

 

HYMN: I the Lord of Sea and Sky              ©Daniel L. Schutte (OCP, CH4 251)

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.

 

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them. They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my Word to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am…

 

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am…

 

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

 

SUNG LORD’S PRAYER  ~ Tune: Auld Lang Syne

 

READINGS:   Psalm 23                    Tony Beasley

John 10:22-30             Elizabeth Penwell

MESSAGE

 

HYMN: Will You Come and Follow Me (Tune: Kelvingrove)

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,

will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

 

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

 

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean, and do such as this unseen,

and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

 

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

©John Bell & Graham Maule (WGRG)

 

BENEDICTION

 

 

Please leave promptly, to allow the Methodist congregation to prepare for worship.

 

 

 

 

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 Alan Webster for leading our worship.

 

WORKING BEE 43 St Martins Rd, Saturday 7^th May 9.30-12noon (weather permitting). Please bring your gardening tools to help tidy up the church grounds.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 20^th April: Meet 9.30am at 101 Rannoch Drive for a ramble around Broomfield and Delamain. Suggest car pool. Directions: From Motorway turn right onto Curletts Rd, go through to Yaldhurst Rd, left at Masham Rd, second right onto Kintyre Drive, through roundabout to Rannoch Drive. We are on corner with Glen Kieran Close.  Rosalie 021 2395005.

 

CWS thanks St Martin’s Parish for donating $1153 to the 2015 Christmas Appeal.

 

NO CRAFTY CRAFTERS this Thursday.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

ANZAC DAY SERVICE: 25^th April 10am at St Anne’s Church. All welcome.

 

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.

 

WANTED: storage for some cartons containing items for our next church sale. Please see Rosalie Sterritt 981 1819 if you can help.

 

MEN’S GROUP will commence for the year on THURSDAY 2^ND JUNE – 6 pm at Merchiston, St Martins Rd. All men are welcome. Please note the change of start date. If you have ideas for a speaker please contact Tony – 332 0554.

 

COURT THEATRE “Educating Rita” Thursday 16^th June 6.30pm. $45. Sign the clipboard if you would like to go. Payment to Sue by 8^th May please.

 

FOR SALE: Homemade jams, sauces, pickles. Please support this fundraising venture for St Martin’s – much better than buying from  the supermarket!