WELCOME & NOTICES

 

Call to Worship:

In Christ, the God of heaven has made his home on earth.

Christ dwells among us and is one with us.

Highest of all creation, he lives among the least.

He journeys with the rejected and welcomes the weary.

Come now, all who thirst, and drink the water of life.

Come now, all who hunger, and be filled with good things.

Come now, all who seek, and be warmed by the fire of love.

 

HYMN: Song of the Wilderness (Tune: Glenross)

When we go into the night, leave behind each friendly light,

when the shadows of the world have gathered round,

may we know there is no place separated from your grace;

for the wilderness can be your holy ground.

 

You have walked the desert sand, crossed the dry and thirsty land; cloud of fire, to bless and guard, ahead you go.

When we’re weak, for us be strong, when we’re silent, sing our song, lead us, God, through every wilderness we know.

 

Forty days you watched alone in a world of rock and stone,

while the voices of temptation filled the air.

Be the friend we cannot find, be the guardian of our mind, by our side, O desert Christ, stand ever there.

 

On your name, O Lord, we call, mighty saviour of us all,

give us courage to confront our every fear.

Christ who walked the desert ways, be companion to our days;

hold us close within the compass of your care. ©Colin Gibson, Hope Publishing

 

OPENING PRAYER:

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

Merciful God,

you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you.

We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy.

We have not loved you with a pure heart,

nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves.

We have not done justice, loved kindness,

or walked humbly with you, our God.

 

Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness.

In your great compassion,

cleanse us from our sin.

Create in us a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within us.

Do not cast us from your presence,

or take your Holy Spirit from us.

Restore to us the joy of your salvation

and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit

through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. —based on Psalm 51:10-12

 

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN: Wayne Barton

 

HYMN: From the Waiting Comes the Sign (Tune: Signum)

From the waiting comes the sign come, Holy Spirit, come

from the Presence comes the peace come, Holy Spirit, come,

from the silence comes the song, come Holy Spirit, come,

and be to us, in truth, the sign, the peace, the song.

 

In the burning is the fire come, Holy Spirit, come

in the spending is the gift come, Holy Spirit, come

in the breaking is the life come, Holy Spirit, come

and be to us, in faith, the fire, the gift, the life.  ©Shirley Murray, Hope Publishing

 

READINGS:   Exodus 16: 9-35                      Catherine Fitchett

John 6:25-40                           Peggy Cree

 

SERMON:  Andrew Nicol

 

 

HYMN: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (Tune: Cwm Rhondda)

Guide me O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand:

bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore.

 

Open now the crystal fountain whence the living waters flow;

let the fiery, cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through:

strong deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield.

 

When I tread the verge of Jordan bid my anxious fears subside;

death of death, and hell’s destruction, land me safe on Canaan’s side: songs and praises, I will ever give to thee.                         W Williams (WOV478)

 

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE: Irene Gray

 

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

 

THE OFFERING (Together):

We give in grateful thanksgiving for all that God has given us.

In the upside down world of the gospel,

we measure our wealth not by what we have,

but what we can give away.

Let us give away generously, in this offering,

To bless your church, your people, your creation.

 

HYMN: Fill Your Hearts with Joy and Gladness (Tune: Regent Square)

Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,

sing and praise your God and mine!

Great the Lord in love and wisdom, might and majesty divine!

He who framed the starry heavens

knows and names them as they shine.

 

Praise the Lord for times and season,

cloud and sunshine, wind and rain;

spring to melt the snows of winter till the waters flow again;

grass upon the mountain pastures,

golden valleys thick with grain.

 

 

Fill your hearts with joy and gladness,

peace and plenty crown your days;

love his laws, declare his judgements, walk in all his words and ways;

he the Lord and we his children –

praise the Lord, all people, praise!                         © Timothy Dudley-Smith (HFTC)

 

BLESSING

NOTICES:

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

Many thanks to our Interim Moderator, Rev Dr Andrew Nicol for leading our worship.

 

Our service next Sunday will be celebrating Daylight Saving (darkness and light). What do people do with their extra hour? (Remember to alter your clocks!)

 

FIRESIDE meets this Tuesday 7.30pm at Glennys’ 111 Garlands Rd. All women are very welcome.  You are invited to share a highlight from your latest holiday.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 23^rd Sept: Meet 9.30am at Crosbie Park, Woodbury St, Avonhead. Coffee at Café Beauvais 186 Yaldhurst Rd (cnr of Nortons Rd). Everyone is very welcome.  Judith 332 1577.

 

PLEASE NOTE: On Sunday 4^th October we will be joining St James’ congregation at 10am to celebrate World Communion Sunday.

 

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

 

ST MARTIN’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz.  Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices  to Anna by 9am each Thursday please.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY Newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

OPERATION SHOEBOX: If you would like to participate, please collect a box from June Service. These need to be returned by Sunday 25^th October.

 

POSITIVE AGING EXPO Monday 28^th Sept 9.30am-2.30pm at Papanui High. Free.

 

VSA QUIZ NIGHT FUNDRAISER: 14^th October 7pm at Robbie’s, 201 Clarence St,  Riccarton.  Phone Rob & Barb 379 1474 after they return on 30 Sept if you are keen.

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 22^nd Hilary; Wed 23^rd Daniel.

WELCOME & NOTICES

 

Call to Worship

God gave us creation to enjoy, with rolling landscapes of delight, with wonders of earth and sea and the endless discoveries of beauty.

God made us in infinite diversity, with all the vivid colours of our differences, the marvel of our gifts and skills to be explored and celebrated.

Let us come in praise in thanksgiving.

 

HYMN: For the Music of Creation (Tune: Austria)

For the music of creation, for the song your Spirit sings,

for the sound’s divine expression, burst of joy in living things.

God, our God, the world’s composer, hear us, echoes of your voice. Music is your art, your glory, let the human heart rejoice.

 

Psalms and symphonies exalt you, drum and trumpet, string and reed, simple melodies acclaim you, tunes that rise from deepest need, hymns of longing and belonging, carols from a cheerful throat,

lilt of lullaby and love song catching heaven in a note.

 

All the voices of the ages, in transcendent chorus meet.

Worship lifting up the senses, hands that praise and dancing feet.

Over discord and division, music speaks your joy and peace,

harmony of earth and heaven, song of God that cannot cease.

 

OPENING PRAYER: John Shanks

 

SUNG LORD’S PRAYER

 

PIANO RECITAL ~ Ethan Doughty

 

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ ???

 

HYMN: All Things Bright and Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful – the Lord God made them all.

 

Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings –

He made their glowing colours, he made their tiny wings.

 

The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden – he made them every one.

 

The purple-headed mountain, the river running by,

the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky,

 

He gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell

How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well.

©CF Alexander (WOV70)

 

READINGS:

Ephesians 4: 1-7 & Psalm 29 (Leslie Brandt)             Joan Macdonald

REFLECTION: Audrey Dunnachie

 

A TIME OF QUIET

 

THE OFFERING (together):

You have gifted each one of us, living God. Some with spontaneous friendship, some with ability to plan, 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: 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 and snow of 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.

©Hope Publishing (VU)

 

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

 

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE: June Service

 

HYMN: For the Beauty of the Earth (Tune: Lucerna Laudoniae)

For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies,

for the love which from our birth over and around us lies,

Christ, our God, to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.

 

For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,

hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light,

 

For the joy of ear and eye, for the heart and mind’s delight,

for the mystic harmony linking sense to sound and sight,

 

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,

 

For each perfect gift of thine to our race so freely given,

graces human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven,

 

 

BLESSING

 

 

 

 

NOTICES:

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

 

Many thanks to the Worship committee for leading our worship this morning.

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the Annual General Meeting of parishioners on Sunday 20^th September 2015 following Morning Worship. All are encouraged to attend.  Please send any items for General Business or apologies to me by Thursday.

Irene Gray, Session Clerk.

 

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 16^th Sept: Meet 9.30am at South Library for a river walk led by Lorraine. Coffee at Red Café.  All are welcome.  Sonya 339 7038.

 

SESSION meets on Wednesday 16^th September at 7.30pm in the Lounge.

 

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

 

ST MARTIN’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz.  Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices  to Anna by 9am each Thursday please.

 

ALPINE PRESBYTERY Newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

 

NEW READERS’ ROSTER available today – check to see if there’s one for you.

 

Please accept this as a personal thank you for all the wonderful Get well cards and messages sent to Tony, Gill and myself following my recent by-pass surgery.  Your messages, your prayers and concern have meant a great deal to us following the unexpected ‘blip’ in my life.

I am making really good progress, a strict regime of walking, resting and gentle household chores seem to fill my day.  Hopefully I will be back at worship in the next few weeks.    Thank you – Allison.

 

OPERATION SHOEBOX: If you would like to participate, please collect a box from June Service. These need to be returned by Sunday 25^th October.

 

ST JAMES’ MEN’S MUSTER meets tomorrow 134 William Brittan Ave, Halswell for a shared lunch at 12.30pm. Bruce McKessar will be speaking about his experience white water rafting on the Zambesi. All men welcome.

 

A letter has been received from the Acting Moderator regarding the Presbyterian Church’s response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis – see the noticeboard for details.

 

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 13^th Peter; Wed 16^th Bob; Fri 18^th Gilly, Benjamin.

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord
All your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
And tell of your power
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom
And your dominion endures throughout all generations.

HYMN: All creatures of our God and King (WOV 3)
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing alleluia,alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam, thou silver moon with softer gleam, O praise him, O praise him, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along, O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice, ye lights of evening find a voice;
O praise him…

Thou flowing water, pure and clear, make music for thy Lord to hear, alleluia alleluia! Thou fire so masterful and bright that givest us both warmth and light, O praise him…

Dear mother earth, who day by day unfoldest blessings on our way, O praise him, alleluia! The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
let them his glory also show; O praise him…

And thou, most kind and gentle death, waiting to hush our latest breath, O praise him alleluia! Thou leadest home the child of God, and Christ our Lord the way hath trod; O praise him…

Let all things their Creator bless, and worship him in humbleness;
O praise him, alleluia! Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three in One; O praise him…

PRAYERS OF ADORATION, CONFESSION AND SUPPLICATION

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Gillian Cree

HYMN: Christians are all kinds of people
Christians are all kinds of people,
They’re average, they’re short, and they’re tall,
From all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of outlooks,
Our gracious God uses them all.
Christians are all kinds of people, not even especially good,
But God’s love is mighty, and that is what counts,
With mercy as wide as the sea; It reaches to you and to me.

Christians are all kinds of people.
They’re smilers, they’re grouchers, they’re clowns.
In all kinds of weather, wherever they gather, you’ll find every kind of them round.
Christians are all kinds of people, and sometimes all kinds are in me.

God uses all kinds of people, the black, and the pale and the tan,
New Born and the aged, the fit and disabled,
They all have a part in the plan.
God uses all kinds of people, with problems, with hang-ups, with scars. ©Stan and Pauline Stewart.

READINGS:
James 2: 1-10; 14-17 Bob Kayes
St Mark 7: 24-37 Deborah Fitchett

SERMON: Three names, one sacrament

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

SHARING THE PEACE
OFFERING:
Each thing we have received came from you;
Each thing for which we hope will come from you;
Each thing we enjoy is of your giving
Each thing for which we ask comes from your disposing, Amen.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

HYMN: Father Most Loving (Tune: Christe Sanctorum)
Father most loving, listen to your children who as your family gladly come together, singing the praises of your Son, our Brother,
Jesus beloved.

We stand attentive, listening to God’s Gospel, welcoming Jesus as he speaks among us, mind and heart open, ready to receive him,
lips to proclaim him.

Father in heaven, bless the gifts we offer, signs of our true love,
hearts in homage given! Make them the one gift that is wholly worthy, Christ, spotless victim.

Father, we thank you for your Son’s dear presence,
coming to feed us as the Bread of heaven, making us one with him in true communion, one with each other.

Praised be our Father, lovingly inviting guests to his banquet, praised the Son who feeds us, praised too the Spirit, sent by Son and Father, making us Christ-like. ©James Quinn (CH4)

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. And also with you
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Living God, we acclaim you…Therefore with all your people, and with the whole company of heaven, we praise you in the angels’ hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD AND WINE
Jesus, Lamb of God Have mercy on us
Jesus, bearer of our sins Have mercy on us
Jesus, redeemer of the work Grant us your peace

COMMUNION

HYMN: Great God of Every Shining Constellation (Tune: Highwood)
Great God of every shining constellation
that wheels in splendour through the midnight sky;
grant us your Spirit’s true illumination
to read the secrets of your work on high.

You, Lord, have made the atom’s hidden forces;
your laws its mighty energies fulfil:
teach us, to whom you give such rich resources,
in all we use, to serve your holy will.

True Life, awaking life in cell and tissue,
from flower to bird, from beast to humankind;
help us to trace, from birth to final issue,
the sure unfolding purpose of your mind.

You, Lord, have stamped your image on your creatures,
and though we mar that image, love us still;
lift up our eyes to Christ, that in his features
we may discern the beauty of your will.

Lord of creation, shaping and renewing,
at work in nature and humanity;
help us to tread, with grace our souls enduing,
the road to life and immortality. ©Albert Frederick Bayly (CH4)

BLESSING AND THREE-FOLD 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 Rev Dr John McKean for leading our worship this morning.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the Annual General Meeting of parishioners on Sunday 20th September 2015 following Morning Worship. All are encouraged to attend. Please send any items for General Business or apologies to me. Irene Gray, Session Clerk.

FOOT CLINIC TOMORROW: 1-4pm in the Beckenham Methodist Lounge. More helpers are always welcome. Lyndsey 388 1264.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 9th Sept: Meet 9.30am near the Botanic Gardens Bridge by the Car Park for a walk through the Gardens to see the daffodils. Coffee at the Visitor Centre Ilex Cafe. Note the Armagh Street Bridge is open again. All are welcome. Sonya 339 7038.

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

ST MARTIN’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices to Anna by 9am each Thursday please.

ALPINE PRESBYTERY Newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

NEED HELP WITH ANY LITTLE FIX-IT JOBS around your home and/or property? Contact the Office 332 6192 for more information.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who performed and came along to the Beckenham Methodist fundraising concert. We appreciate your support, and $1215 was raised! Dianne Claughton.

Christchurch Special Needs Library Market Day Saturday 19th September 9.30-11.30am at 109 Huxley Street. All Welcome.

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP

HYMN: Come Host of Heaven’s High Dwelling Place (Tune: St Columba)
Come, Host of Heaven’s high dwelling place,
Come, earth’s disputed guest;
Find where we meet a welcome home,
Stay here and take your rest.

Surround these walls with faith and love
That through the nights and days,
When human tongues from speaking cease,
These stones may echo praise.

Bless and inspire those gathered here
patience, hope and peace,
And all the joys that know the depth
In which all sorrows cease.

Here may the loser find his worth,
The stranger find a friend;
Here may the hopeless find their faith
And aimless find an end.

Build, from the human fabric signs
Of how your kingdom thrives,
Of how the Holy Spirit changes life
By changing lives. ©Iona Community GIA Publications
OPENING PRAYERS & LORD’S PRAYER

NOTICES

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Alice Shanks

READING: Isaiah 45:1-8 Sue Saunders

HYMN: O Lord and Master of Us All (Tune: Wetherby)
O Lord and Master of us all, whate’er our name or sign,
we own thy sway, we hear thy call, we test our lives by thine.

Our thoughts lie open to thy sight and naked to thy glance,
our secret sins are in the light of thy pure countenance.

Yet weak and blinded though we be, thou dost our service own;
we bring our varying gifts to thee, and thou rejectest none.

To thee our full humanity, its joys and pains belong;
the wrong of man to man on thee inflicts a deeper wrong.

Apart from thee all gain is loss, all labour vainly done;
the solemn shadow of thy cross is better than the sun.

Our friend, our brother and our Lord, what may thy service be?
Nor name, nor form, nor ritual word, but simply following thee.

We faintly hear, we dimly see, in differing phase we pray;
but dim or clear, we own in thee the Light, the Truth, the Way.
JG Whittier (WOV)

READING: Acts 17: 19-28 David Beaumont

SERMON

HYMN: All Loving God We Come to You (Tune: Melita)
All loving God, we come to you and pray for peace on earth this day: that wars may cease, aggression fail, and tyranny no more hold sway. In this and every other land, Lord, hold your people in your hand.

Show us the way of making peace in every thought and word and deed: to love our neighbours as ourselves, whatever colour, race or creed. In this and every other land, Lord, hold your people in your hand.

Give us an all-embracing heart, forgiving, caring, loving, strong: that we may show our love for you and work for peace, our whole life long. In this and every other land, Lord, hold your people in your hand.
©Jan Chamberlin

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS

OFFERING & PRAYER

HYMN: Father of Peace and God of Love (Tune: Caithness)
Father of peace, and God of love!
We own your power to save,
that power by which our shepherd rose
victorious o’er the grave.

Him from the dead you brought again,
when, by his sacred blood,
confirmed and sealed for evermore
the eternal covenant stood.

O may your Spirit seal our souls,
and mould them to your will,
that our weak hearts no more may stray,
but keep your precepts still;

That to perfection’s sacred height
we nearer still may rise,
and all we think, and all we do,
be pleasing in your eyes. P Doddridge & others (WOV)

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 Charles Manning for leading our worship this morning.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the Annual General Meeting of parishioners on Sunday 20th September 2015 following Morning Worship. All are encouraged to attend. Please send any items for General Business or apologies to me. Irene Gray, Session Clerk.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 2nd Sept: Meet 9.30am in Lichfield St outside Bus Interchange for a city walk, and view NZ Geographic Photographer of the Year exhibition. Coffee at C1 café. All Welcome. Sonya 339 7038.

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

MEN’S GROUP will meet on Thursday 3rd September at 6 pm at Merchiston for a shared tea. The speaker will be Wayne Barton talking about his role with Radio Lollipop in the Children’s Ward at Christchurch Hospital. Look forward to seeing you all there. Tony 332 0554.

ST MARTIN’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices to Anna by 9am each Thursday please.

St Martin’s 2016 Calendars $20 each. There are only 10 left – contact Anna in the Office 332 6192 if you would like one.

ALPINE PRESBYTERY Newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

CONCERT AT KNOX CHURCH TODAY 2.30pm. The Knox Singers present Schubert & More with sacred choral music from Bruckner to Stainer, featuring Schubert’s Mass in G Major. $15 waged; $10 unwaged.

Copies of the Moderator’s Pastoral Letter are available for those not on email.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Thu 3rd Charlotte; Sat 5th Anneke, Lyndsey.

WELCOME & NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP:
Come let us give thanks to God together
For our God always keeps His promises
Let us sing hymns and make music together
For our God always keeps His promises
Let us acknowledge His presence among us
For our God always keeps His promises
Let us remember all the wonderful things He has done for us
For our God always keeps His promises
Let us open our hearts and minds to the wonder of worship
For our God always keeps His promises
Let us find consolation in the assurance of the truth of God’s word in scripture. For our God always keeps His promises

HYMN: Dear Lord and Father (Tune: Repton WOV 519(ii))
Dear Lord and Father of mankind forgive our foolish ways
reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find
in deeper reverence praise.

In simple trust like theirs who heard beside the Syrian sea
the gracious calling of the Lord let us like them, without a word
rise up and follow thee.

O Sabbath rest by Galilee. O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee the silence of eternity,
interpreted by love.

Drop thy still dews of quietness,till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire.
O still small voice of calm. ©JG Whittier

OPENING PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN ~ Wayne Barton

SONG: Christians are all kinds of people (please remain seated)
Christians are all kinds of people
They’re average, they’re short, and they’re tall
From all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of outlooks,
Our gracious God uses them all.
Christians are all kinds of people, not even especially good,
But God’s love is mighty, and that is what counts,
With mercy as wide as the sea; It reaches to you and to me

Christians are all kinds of people
They’re smilers, they’re grouchers, they’re clowns.
In all kinds of weather, wherever they gather,
You’ll find every kind of them round.
Christians are all kinds of people,
And sometimes all kinds are in me.

God uses all kinds of people,
The black, and the pale, and the tan,
New born and the aged, the fit and disabled,
They all have a part in the plan.
God uses all kinds of people,
With problems, with hang- ups, with scars. ©Stan & Pauline Stewart

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS:
Psalm 111 Joan Scott
Ephesians 5: 15-20 Irene Gray

REFLECTION: Forgiveness
A TIME OF QUIET

HYMN: In Heavenly love abiding (Tune: Penlan WOV 504)
In Heavenly love abiding,
no change my heart shall fear;
and safe in 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

THE OFFERING (together):
Loving God, this is the time when we offer up that which matters.
This is the time for good gifts of love.
This is the time for giving of ourselves.
This is the time for the healing of the nations.
Bless, O God, all that we offer this day;
And send us to love and serve the world, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN: Be still, my soul (Tune: Finlandia WOV 48)
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief and pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake,
all now mysterious shall be clear at last.
Be still, my soul: the tempests still obey
His voice, who ruled them once on Galilee.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then you shall better know His love, his heart
who comes to soothe your sorrow, calm your fears.
Be still, my soul: for Jesus can repay
from His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be ever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
sorrow forgotten, love’s pure joy restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

THE BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face
to shine upon you and be gracious to you:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.
ST MARTIN’S NOTICES 16th AUGUST 2015:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

Many thanks to David Beaumont for leading our worship this morning.

***PLEASE NOTE: FROM NEXT SUNDAY our service is at 9am.***

New Season’s orange marmalade and crab apple jelly for sale today beside the kitchen door. Sue 960 7657.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 19th Aug: Meet 9.30am in carpark south of New Brighton Library, Marine Parade. Coffee at Salt on the Pier Café. All Welcome. Barbara & Alan.

BOARD OF MANAGERS meeting Wednesday 19th August 7.30pm in the Lounge.

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

Opawa St Martins Anglican Parish presents “New Zealand Families at War” – local people sharing stories of New Zealanders at war 100 years ago. TODAY 3pm at St Mark’s Church Hall, Opawa Rd. Entry by koha. All Welcome.

ST MARTIN’S PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon and Fri 9-11am. Phone 332 6192 or email stmartpresch@xtra.co.nz. Website: www.stmartins.org.nz. Any notices to Anna by 9am each Thursday please.

St Martin’s 2016 Calendars $20 each. Contact the Office .

ALPINE PRESBYTERY Newsletter is on the noticeboard in the Lounge.

BECKENHAM METHODIST CONCERT Sunday 23rd August at 2pm in the Church. $10. Children under 10 free. Bring family and friends and enjoy our musical talents.

DIVERSITY IN WORSHIP WORKSHOP: Saturday 29th August 9.30am-3.15pm, St Luke’s, cnr Main North & Daniels Rds. $10 per person or $30 per parish. Registrations to lindacowan@xtra.co.nz by 19/8 please.

Christchurch Housing Forum presents Shamubeel Eaqub, Economist and author of ‘Generation Rent’. Wednesday 2nd September 12-2pm at Oxford Tce Baptist Hall. Please RSVP by 20/8 – ph 379 1122 or email projectsupport@tpa.org.nz

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Mon 17th Sam; Tue 18th Andreas, Doug.

From Rev Dr Colin Marshall re: TURAKINA MAORI GIRLS’ COLLEGE.

On Wednesday the Church was informed that the Minister of Education has decided to initiate consultation on the future of Turakina Maori Girls’ College due to concerns regarding its falling roll and the financial position this places the school in.

The Minister of Education states that she has not made a decision about the future of the school. She is seeking the views of interested parties about the possibility of closing the school in January 2016. This consultation process will finish on 11 September 2015.

This news is unsettling. The Church has long been a strong supporter of Turakina. We have rejoiced in its many outstanding students who have gone on to high achievement at university and to become outstanding M?ori women leaders.

The next few weeks will be a time of great uncertainty for the staff, students, whanau and community of Turakina Maori Girls’ College and for Te Aka Puaho. Te Aka Puaho has reached out offering pastoral care and support.

Our Church has both an historical and ongoing relationship with Turakina, however this role is only in an advisory and support capacity. Being an integrated school for the past 34 years, the operations of the school are government funded, while the hostel and catering operations are self funding, primarily through fees charged to parents.

Over the years the school has experienced ongoing financial pressure due to a fall in the roll, and rising operating costs. Being a low decile school, there has been pressure on some parents to fully pay hostel fees.
I know that many of you have supported the school over the years.

Since October 2008, the Church has committed $130,000 in funding to the school hostel and made administrative and management support available to the Board of Proprietors, including the CoA appointment of Kathie Irwin as Commissioner of the Turakina Maori Girls College Board of Proprietors. Te Aka Puaho has assisted the school with a $80,000 loan. Presbyterian Women provided over $60,000 in scholarships to students.

Together our Church and the school’s Board of Proprietors have explored many fundraising options seeking ways to improve the school’s financial viability.

The Church will be writing to the Minister of Education as part of the Ministry’s consultation process. Submissions are encouraged from all within Turakina’s community, these can be sent to: Jann Marshall, Director of Education, Ministry of Education, Private Bag 3012, Whanganui 4540 or Jann.Marshall@Education.govt.nz

We ask for your prayers at this time for the staff, students and whanau of Turakina.