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 17^th 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 23^rd 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 4^th  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 5^th anniversary of the 22 Feb quake.

 

14^th 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 15^th Beryl (80), Alexandria; Wed 17^th Joan, Peter.

WELCOME, NOTICES & CELEBRATIONS

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

HYMN: Great is Your Faithfulness

Great is your faithfulness, O God my Father,
there is no shadow of turning from me;
You do not change: your compassions, they fail not;
as you have been you forever will be.

Great is your faithfulness!

Great is your faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see:
all I have needed your hand has provided.
Great is your faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

 

Summer and winter, and spring time and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to your great faithfulness, mercy and love…

 

Pardon for sin and a peace all enduring,
Your own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!… ©T Chisholm Hope Publishing

 

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

 

OFFERING

 

LEARNING FOR ALL

 

SONG: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

He’s got the whole world in his hands (x4)

 

He’s got the the itsy tiny baby in his hands…(x3)
He’s got the whole world in his hands

 

He’s got you and me, brother in his hands
He’s got you and me sister in his hands
He’s got you and me cuzzie in his hands
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

 

He’s got the mommas and the poppas in his hands
He’s got the grandpas and the grandmas in his hands
He’s got the aunties and the uncles in his hands
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

 

He’s got the movers and the shakers in his hands
He’s got the thinkers and the workers in his hands
He’s got the singers and the musos in his hands
He’s got the whole world in his hands.

 

READINGS:               Psalm 15         Judith Mackay

Matt 5: 1-13     Wayne Barton

 

MESSAGE

 

HYMN: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down,

fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.

 

Jesu, thou art all compassion, pure unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.

 

Come, almighty, to deliver, let us all thy life receive;

suddenly return, and never, never more thy temples leave.

 

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

 

Finish then thy new creation, pure and spotless let us be,

let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee.

 

Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,

til we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.

©C Wesley (WOV148i)

 

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION (on screen):

 

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

 

CONFESSION

 

PEACE

 

GREAT THANKSGIVING

 

SUNG LORD’S PRAYER:

 

COMMUNION is served

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH:

Blessed Trinity, in remembrance of all you have done to save us,
we offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

Christ has come among us. Christ has died.
Christ has risen. Christ abides with us. Christ will come again.

Abba, Father! Let your kingdom come!
We glorify your name! We glorify your name!

Come, Lord Jesus! Be our daily bread. We glorify your name!
We glorify your name! Holy Spirit! Send us to the world.
We glorify your name! We glorify your name!

Lord, you now have set your servants free

to go in peace as you have promised.
For these eyes of ours have seen the Saviour
whom you have prepared for all the world to see!

Blessing and honour and glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

 

HYMN: In this Familiar Place                                  ©Colin Gibson (AA)

In this familiar place I know the mystery of your grace.

For the love that I receive, for the truth that I believe,
I praise and thank you for this here and now.

 

In halting song and word the music of your voice is heard. For…

 

Among these friends of mine I taste the company divine. For…

 

Within this narrow sphere I learn that you are everywhere. For…

 

SENDING FORTH: You have seen the Saviour. Go now in peace. And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One in Three and Three in One, go with you.

 

 

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.

 

FROM THE SESSION CLERK:

‘To answer many of your questions – ‘No’ – we still have not heard from Presbytery re finance for our church’s building project. However, now that the year is finally getting underway, we envisage a decision will be made very soon. Session appreciate it has been a long wait, but knowing the very thorough approach that St Martin’s took to completing forms and ensuring that all the ‘i’s were dotted and the ‘t’s crossed, we are maintaining our positive stance that ‘good news’ will not be too far away. We’ll keep you posted.’

 

FROM THE TREASURER: Total raised at last week’s clothing and bake sale was $890.50. Well Done!!

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 10^th February: Meet outside the Bus Exchange (cnr Colombo/Lichfield Sts) at 9.30am. We will explore the Margaret Mahy playground and the reopened Art Gallery. Coffee at The Villas, Montreal St. All welcome. Sorry, not a dog friendly walk. Sue 960 7657.

 

APW meets at St James’ Barrington St on Wednesday 10^th February at 9.45am. There will be a speaker from Christchurch City Library, and a Sales Table. All welcome. Allison 332 0554.

 

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

 

ARTICLES for next ‘Messenger’ are now required. Please make sure Anneke has any contributions by 19^th Feb.

 

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.

 

ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER: Meet 15^th February 6.30pm at St James’ to carpool for a visit to Theophany Loudspeakers. Roger Allen.

 

“BLOOM” Exhibition 1-28 Feb: Visitor Lounge, Canterbury Museum. Free. Poetry, stories, flowers – marking the 5^th anniversary of the 22 Feb quake.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

FLORAL PASSION: Floral costumes by Jenny Gillies and floral installations by Patricia Proctor 5-15 February at the Transitional Cathedral. Tickets available from www.eventfinda.co.nz; 0800 289 849 or from the Cathedral.

 

14^th 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!

 

SUMMER OF FUN DAY @ St Mark’s Anglican Church, 101 Opawa Rd,  Saturday 13^th February 10am-1pm. All are welcome.

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 7^th Kim; Thu 11^th William; Sat 13^th Margot.

WELCOME, NOTICES & CELEBRATIONS

 

HYMN: Lord for the Years (Tune: O Perfect Love WOV 526ii)

Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord for the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise.

Lord, for our land in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world where we disown and doubt him,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us –
self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us, for the future take us:
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.   ©T Dudley-Smith Hope Publishing

 

LITURGY: Lord, Can this really be?

Lord, can this really be

Is this your church, the people that I see?

Who gather here and worship you with me?

And I must love them all

Shoulder their loads and answer when they call

Forgive their faults and raise them when they fall?

Are these the ear, eye, hand

Your body Lord bound firmly in one band

And learning to keep your great command?

Is this the very place

The school of love where we would see your face?

And through your spirit gain enfolding grace

That all the world would see us live as one.

 

Lord, could this really be? Lord let it really be.

(William Rutherford – slightly adapted)

 

SUNG PRAYER: Father God in Heaven(Tune:Kum Ba Yah)remain seated

We intersperse spoken prayer after each sung verse

Father God in heaven, Lord most high: hear your children’s prayer, Lord most high: hallowed be your name, Lord most high
O Lord, hear our prayer.

May your kingdom come here on earth;

may your will be done here on earth, as it is in heaven so on earth

O Lord, hear our prayer

 

Give us daily bread day by day, and forgive our sins day by day,

as we too forgive day by day.

O Lord hear our prayer.

 

Lead us in your way, make us strong; when temptations come

make us strong; save us from all sin, keep us strong –

O Lord, hear our prayer.

 

All things come from you, all are yours –

kingdom, glory, power, all are yours; take our lives and gifts,

all are yours – O Lord, hear our prayer.                   ©Mrs M Seddon Jubilate Hymns

 

CHILDREN’S TALK: “Me and Mr Thrush”

 

 

 

HYMN: We Are Many, We Are One                                                    We are many, we are one, and the work of Christ is done
when we learn to live in true community,
as the stars that fill the night, as a flock of birds in flight,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine;
as the branches of a tree, as the waves upon the sea,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.

 

All division is made whole when we honour every soul,
find the life of God in every you and me,
as the fingers of a hand, as the grains that form the sand,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine;
as the threads upon the loom, as a field of flowers in bloom,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.

 

We will join creation’s song, make a world where all belong,
build as one in peace and loving harmony,
as the voices of a choir, as the flames within a fire,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine;
as the snowflakes in the snow, as the colours of a bow,
as the cluster of the grapes upon the vine.                 ©Colin Gibson (FFS)

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS:     Acts 2: 42-47

2 Timothy 4: 9-17        Sue Saunders

OFFERING

 

MEDITATION: Saints in a Surprising Place

 

PRAYER from Eusebius ~ a 3^rd century Christian saint

 

HYMN: All Are Welcome                              ©Marty Haugen GIA Publications

Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live.

A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace. Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

 

 

Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong

and true.

Where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace. Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

 

Let us build a house where love is found, in water, wine and wheat.

A banquet hall on holy ground, where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space,

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us;

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

 

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 Trevor Crew for leading our worship today.

 

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who participated in yesterday’s fundraiser.

 

FOOT CLINIC: TOMORROW 1-4pm. New helpers are always welcome. See Lyndsey for details.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 2^nd February: Meet 9.30am on Mona Vale Ave. Coffee at Dux Dine. Marilyn 338 2453.

 

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

 

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.

 

ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER: Meet 15^th February 6.30pm at St James’ to carpool for a visit to Theophany Loudspeakers. Roger Allen.

 

NEW READERS’ ROSTER available today.

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 31^st Bryan, Adrienne; Mon 1^st Alice; Thu 4^th John S; Sat 6^th Rob.

ST MARTIN’S NOTICES 24^th January 2016

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

 

***NEXT SUNDAY 31^st JANUARY: 9am services resume****

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS: meeting informally in Palatine Tce by Kaizuka every week 9.30am until 3 Feb. All welcome to join us. Sonya 339 7038.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS resumes on Thursday 10am-12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. $3 per session. New faces very welcome.

 

FOOT CLINIC: Monday 1^st February 1-4pm. New helpers are always welcome. See Lyndsey for details.

 

QUALITY USED CLOTHING SALE

When: Saturday 30^th January 2016 9am – 1pm

Where: St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall, 101 Opawa Rd.

There are some fliers to deliver – please speak to Lyn Steele.

Clothing can be dropped off on Friday between 3-5pm at St Mark’s (this is when we will sort it).

Please bring jams, pickles etc down at 8.30am on the Saturday.

Sue will price them if required.

Donations of baking also welcome – please see Judith.

These can also be dropped off on Saturday.

Please come along and support this joint fundraising venture.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Wednesday & Thursday 9am – 12 noon, Fridays 9-11am at 7 Wilsons Rd. Phone 332 6192. Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Please make sure Anna has any notices by 9am Thursday.

 

ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER: Meet 15^th February 6.30pm at St James’ to carpool for a visit to Theophany Loudspeakers. Roger Allen.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

Happy Belated Birthday to Irene for 5^th January!

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Wed 27^th Nola & Bernie.

NOTICES & WELCOME

 

GATHERING:

At this beginning of the New Year we come to enjoy the love God has for us.

We come celebrating God’s love.

We come to enjoy the love we have for one another.

We come celebrating the love we both receive and give.

We come bringing with us a spirit of thankfulness.

In wonder and in joy we worship God.

 

HYMN: Love Divine

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down,

fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.

 

Jesu, thou art all compassion, pure unbounded love thou art;

visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.

 

Come, almighty, to deliver, let us all thy life receive;

suddenly return, and never, never more thy temples leave.

 

Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.

 

Finish then thy new creation, pure and spotless let us be,

let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee.

 

Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place,

til we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.

©C Wesley (WOV148i)

 

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

 

HYMN: Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.

Yes! Jesus loves me! Yes! Jesus loves me!

Yes! Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

 

Jesus loves me! This I know he loved children long ago;

He can always make me glad, even when I’m feeling sad…

 

Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way;

He will always be my friend, and his love will never end…

©Anna Bartlett Warner (CH4 564)

 

READING: 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 & 14:1                 Margaret Shanks

 

MEDITATION ~ Audrey Dunnachie

 

A TIME OF QUIET

 

HYMN: Tell Me the Old, Old Story

Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.

Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

 

Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember I’m the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world’s glory is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: “Christ Jesus makes thee whole.”         C/A

OFFERING: Gracious God, we bring the gift of money and produce to be used in your service as a sign of your love. Amen.

 

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

 

PRAYER

 

HYMN: Love Came Down at Christmas

Love came down at Christmas, love all lovely, Love Divine;

Love was born at Christmas, star and angels gave the sign.

 

Worship we the Godhead, Love Incarnate, Love Divine;

Worship we our Jesus: but wherewith for sacred sign?

 

Love shall be our token, love be yours and love be mine,

Love to God and all men, love for plea and gift and sign.

©Christina Rossetti (Oxford University Press)

 

BENEDICTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICES

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, Please stay for morning tea following the service. Thanks to Audrey Dunnachie for leading our service.

 

SERVICES FOR JANUARY:

 10^th, 17^th & 24^th January 10am     Combined Services

31^st January 9am St Martin’s service 10.30am Beckenham service

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS: meeting informally in Palatine Tce by Kaizuka every week 9.30am until 3 Feb. All welcome to join us. Sonya 339 7038.

 

CRAFTY CRAFTERS resumes on Thursday 28^th January 2016.

 

QUALITY USED CLOTHING SALE Saturday 30^th January 2016 9am at St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall, 101 Opawa Rd. We will also be selling jams, pickles, preserves, cakes, sweets etc… All donations gratefully received.

 

PARISH OFFICE: Phone 332 6192, Email: stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. The office will reopen 9am Friday 22^nd January. Anna.

 

ST MARTINS BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH: Wed 6^th Lyndsay; Fri 8^th Sue; Sat 9^th; Thu 14^th Pauline; Wed 27^th Nola & Bernie.