GATHERING:
God, who sets us on a journey
to discover, dream and grow,
stir the spirit, stretch our minds,
grant the vision that we lack.
Exploration brings new insights, changes,
choices we must face;
give us wisdom in deciding,
give us courage for the journey,
cherish only what’s essential,
there can be no turning back. (adapt. J. Dine FFS)

Excite our hearts and minds, Creating God,
to trace new truths, to catch creation’s flair,
and to live within the contexts of compassion and care.
May it be so with us. Amen

HYMN: In Loving Partnership (Tune: Church Triumphant WOV 1)
In Loving partnership we come,
seeking, O God, your will to do.
Our prayers and actions now receive;
we freely offer them to you.

We are the hands and feet of Christ,
serving by grace each other’s need.
We dare to risk and sacrifice
with truthful word and faithful deed.

Loving community we seek;
your hope and strength within us move.
The poor and rich, the strong and weak
are brought together in your love.

In loving partnership, O God,
help us your future to proclaim.
Justice and peace be our desire,
we humbly pray in Jesus’ name. © Desert Flower Music (VU)

WELCOME AND NOTICES

OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

READING: Mark 1: 21-28 Catherine Fitchett

HYMN: God, Whose Almighty Word (Tune: Moscow WOV 61)
God, whose almighty word
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight;
hear us, we humbly pray,
and, where the gospel-day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light.

Saviour, who came to bring
on your redeeming wing
healing and sight,
health to the troubled mind,
sight to the inly blind:
O now to humankind
let there be light.

Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy dove,
speed forth your flight;
move o’er the waters’ face,
bearing the lamp of grace
and in earth’s darkest place
let there be light.

SERMON

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God,
who trusts us with the whole creation,
who calls us to honour that trust
by living in fairness, justice
generosity and grace.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
who walked the way of the cross
to honour God’s love for us,
who shared all our struggles
and lived our deepest fears.

We believe in the Holy Spirit
who is present in our inner longings,
stirring us into new things,
calling us to the risks of faith. (Dorothy McRae-McMahon)

OFFERING
God, we bring these offerings along with the offering of our hearts.
We give thanks for the proud tradition of faith of our congregation,
and pray that you will bless our offerings, and us all, as we in our day seek to serve you in the community and beyond, in the name of
Jesus Christ. AMEN.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE

HYMN: Every Day I will Offer You
Every day I will offer you,
loving God, my heart and mind,
every way I discover you
in the work your hand has signed;
help me see I’m your image, and
you have dreamed what I might be,
every day in your Spirit,
I’ll find the love and energy!

Every day I will look to Christ,
and give thanks for wine and bread
through the pain and the emptiness
where your world cries to be fed;
help me see I can work for change,
and wherever I might be,
every day in your Spirit,
I’ll find the love and energy!
Every day I will take your word,
answer your compassion’s claim,
celebrate every sign of hope,
every deed done in your name;
help me see you are always there,
and your light can shine through me,
every day in your Spirit,
I’ll find the love and energy! © Shirley Murray (AA)

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
May God be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
From the rising of the sun…people of all times and places, saying:
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 your name…

PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

HYMN: Sent Forth by God’s Blessing © World Library Publication (VU)
Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended, O now be extended
the fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of Christ’s teaching, receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, God’s love shall unite us
to work for the kingdom and answer its call.

With praise and thanksgiving to God ever living,
the tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.
With your feast you feed us, with your light now lead us;
unite us one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving
give honour to Christ and the name that we bear.

THE BLESSING

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

PLEASE NOTE: The Combined noticeboard is now the large noticeboard in the foyer.

FOOT CLINIC: Next Session TOMORROW 1-4pm in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. Lyndsey 388 1264.

COPY REQUIRED FOR ‘MESSENGER’: Please send articles, poems, photos to anneke.howie@gmail.com or post to 5 Simeon Quay, Lyttelton 8082 by this THURSDAY 5th FEBRUARY. Many thanks. The magazine will be available on Sunday 22nd February. Anneke 328 7459.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 4th February: Meet 9.30am at “Town Tonic” on the corner of Lincoln Rd & Bernard St for a stroll around Addington. Coffee at “Town Tonic” – non-walkers very welcome to join us. Sue 960 7657.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon; Fri 9-11am. Pop in and visit 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 Wednesday this week as the office will be closed on Friday 6th February for Waitangi Day.

COMBINED LENTEN STUDY: Chris will be leading a four week study series on Monday mornings in Lent. Please sign the clipboard in the Lounge if you are interested. Contact her on 331 6501 for more information.

SUMMER OF FUN Day Saturday 28th February 1.30 – 4.30pm, Holliss Reserve, Cashmere. Bring your family and friends along.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 6th March 7.30pm at Beckenham Methodist Church.

ST MARTINS VOLUNTEER LIBRARY & COMMUNITY FACILITY REBUILD: The Council is gathering information on potential uses for a multiuse facility on the corner of Wades Ave & Wilsons Rd (old Library site). Forms will be available in the foyer TODAY. It is important you have your say to support this project for our community.

COURT THEATRE “Le Sud” – a comedy starring Mark Hadlow. Thursday 9th April 6.30pm. Tickets $42 each. Please sign the clipboard in the Lounge if you would like to come. Payment (in a named envelope) required by Sunday 1st March. Thank You. Sue 960 7657.

BOYS’ BRIGADE at Beckenham Methodist is seeking new members. Anchor (5-7 yrs) & Team Adventure (8-10yrs) meet on a Thursday night. Company Xtreme for 11-19 year olds meets on a Friday. If you are interested, please contact Sam 981 3529 or Stephen 337 2296. info@14thbb.org.nz. Accept the Challenge!

FIX-IT JOBS: We have people who can help you with small jobs around your property. Please contact the Parish Office for details.

WANTED: old pantyhose for tying up tomato plants! Please bring along to Church and give to Sue. Thank you.

RETIRED BUILDER available to do gardening and light building work. Phone Barry Houston 332 4730.

STOP PRESS: Session has received the final Parish Review Report. This will be emailed next week. There will also be some paper copies at Church next Sunday for those not on email to BORROW and return.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Sun 1st Alice; Wed 4th John S: Fri 6th Rob; Sat 7th Kim.

WELCOME AND NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP:
God calls us to celebrate our sense of belonging, to accept
the joys and challenges that are part of relationship with him;
and to live in faithful response, that we might become fully human, in the way of Jesus of Nazareth,
who has shown us The Way.

HYMN: God is Here (Tune: Blaenwern WOV 165ii)
God is here! As we his people
meet to offer praise and prayer,
may we find in fuller measure
what it is in Christ we share:
Here, as in the world around us,
all our varied skills and arts
wait the coming of His Spirit
into open minds and hearts

Here are symbols to remind us
of our lifelong need of grace;
here are table, font and pulpit,
here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
here in silence, as in speech,
here in newness and renewal
God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome
in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
here as bread and wine are taken,
Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant
seek in worship to explore
what it means in daily living
to believe and to adore.

Lord of all, of Church and Kingdom,
in an age of change and doubt,
keep us faithful to the gospel,
help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication,
all we have to give, receive;
we who cannot live without you,
we adore you! We believe. © Hope Publishing (VU)

OPENING PRAYER & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

HYMN: Go, Tell Everyone
God’s Spirit is in my heart,
he has called me and set me apart.
This is what I have to do,
what I have to do.

He sent me to bring the Good News to the poor,
tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,
tell blind people that they can see,
and set the downtrodden free.
And go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come,
and go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom has come.

And just as the Father sent me,
so I’m sending you out to be
my witnesses throughout the world,
the whole of the world.

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Jonah 3: 1-5, 10 Lyn Steele
Mark 1: 14-20 Warren Pettigrew

HYMN: Jesus Calls Us O’er the Tumult
Jesus call us; o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild restless sea,
day by day his clear voice sounding,
saying, “Christian, follow me”:

Long ago apostles heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for his dear sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, “Christian, love me more”. C/A

SERMON

HYMN: Will You Come and Follow Me
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?

Will you love the ‘you’ you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
to reshape the world around
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me? © Iona Community (VU)

OFFERING:
God, we hear your voice calling us in the voice of Jesus calling his disciples; we hear your voice calling us as you called Jonah long ago.
You have given us many gifts and you invite us to respond to your generosity; and so we bring our gifts today, gifts of money and food, along with ourselves, prepared to follow in the Way of Jesus. Amen.

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: We Remember With Thanksgiving Tune: Hymn to Joy WOV92
We remember with thanksgiving
those who dared frontiers of old.
Speaking words of faithful living,
they in truth the gospel told.
They believed the church’s story
that in Christ all folk are one.
Both the mission and the glory
were that God’s good will be done.

We rejoice to see the Spirit
working here and now as then,
claiming lives of those who hear it –
good news told by tongue and pen.
Reconciling, teaching, healing,
saving body, mind and soul;
peace with justice, love revealing
God’s desire to make us whole.

Into future generations
may the Word go out abroad,
so all people, lands and nations
join to praise our gracious God.
Then, in gratitude for vision,
reaffirm, recall, rejoice,
recommit ourselves to mission,
still the church’s clearest voice. © Jane Parker Huber (SiC)

THE BLESSING

ST MARTIN’S NOTICES:
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Please stay for morning tea following the service.

***FROM NEXT WEEK OUR SERVICE IS AT 9AM***

WINNIE BAGOES: Thank you to all the people who have bought and sold tickets for tonight’s fundraiser. If you haven’t paid for your ticket(s), please give the money to Joan Macdonald immediately so she can make one bulk payment. Wishing you all a lovely time and I am really sorry I can’t come. Anneke.

PLEASE NOTE: The Combined noticeboard is now the large noticeboard in the foyer.

COPY REQUIRED FOR ‘MESSENGER’: Please send articles, poems, photos to anneke.howie@gmail.com or post to 5 Simeon Quay, Lyttelton 8082 by THURSDAY 5th FEBRUARY. Many thanks. Anneke 328 7459.

ROSTER: New readers’ roster available – please check to see if there’s a copy for you.

WALKING GROUP: Please check with Sonya to find out this week’s destination.

SESSION meets this Wednesday 28th January at 7.30pm.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. $3 per session. New faces are always welcome ?. Beverley 332 7786.

FOOT CLINIC: Next Session Monday 2nd February 1-4pm. Lyndsey 388 1264.

OPAWA-ST MARTINS FUN DAY Saturday 31st January at St Mark’s Anglican Church, 101 Opawa Rd. 10am-1pm. All are welcome. Free.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Wed & Thurs 9am-12noon; Fri 9-11am. Pop in and visit 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.

SUMMER OF FUN Day Saturday 28th February 1.30 – 4.30pm, Holliss Reserve, Cashmere. Bring your family and friends along.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday 6th March 7.30pm at Beckenham Methodist Church.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: Tue 27th Nola, Bernie; Sat 31st Bryan, Adrienne.

WELCOME AND NOTICES

GATHERING:
In a day when differing cultures and religious faiths are used as tools to separate peoples, and to inflame existing hostilities, God calls us to honour the sincere efforts of others to find a truth to live by.
In worship we hear the call of God to live the faith we know, and to draw wisdom and insight from our faith. In our age God also calls us to seek to understand the faith of others, for then faith itself can become a bond to hold us together.
Let us worship God.

HYMN: In This Familiar Place
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.

Among these friends of mine
I taste the company divine.

Within this narrow sphere
I learn that you are everywhere.© Colin Gibson (AA)

OPENING PRAYER

READINGS: Genesis 12: 1-7
Song to the Holy Spirit – James K Baxter

ADDRESS: Rev Dr John England

HYMN: Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life (Tune: Fulda WOV 137)

Where cross the crowded ways of life,
where sound the cries of race and clan,
above the noise of selfish strife,
we hear your voice, O Son of man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,
on shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
from paths where hide the lures of greed,
we catch the vision of your tears.

From tender childhood’s helplessness,
from woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil,
from famished souls, from sorrow’s stress,
your heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water given for you still
holds the freshness of your grace;
yet long these multitudes to view
the sweet compassion of your face. C/A

DISCUSSION and MORNING TEA

OFFERING
Loving God,our Creator, who gives us life and meaning,
wholeness and hope,
peace and joy,
we bring our gifts to you:the things we have, the time we spend,
the people we are.Use us to show your love and understanding
in the world,in Jesus’ name. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN:Christ Has Called Us to New Visions (Tune: Austria WOV 577)
Christ has called us to new visions
here to celebrate and praise,
here confess our old divisions,
here our peace petitions raise.
Come repentant, come forgiving,
come in joy and hope and prayer.
Christ, once crucified, now living,
bids us faith and love to share.

As we listen to each other,
as we speak in joy and pain,
we become as sister, brother,
reconciled, at one again.
Only thus in work and feeling
for our neighbour far or near
can we worship God revealing
gifts of grace among us here.

All creation struggles, yearning
for a time of true shalom.
Are we trying, are we learning
now to make the earth our home?
For the hungry and despairing,
for the poor of all the earth,
make us partners, burdens sharing,
bringing all a sense of worth.

Christ still calls us, young and ageing,
men and women, bound and free,
colours, talents, thoughts engaging,
joined in one community.
Christ remoulding, healing, leading,
sins forgiven! Life restored!
Let us live, God’s justice heeding,
strengthened by our risen Lord. © Jane Parker Huber (ASF)

THE BLESSING

WELCOME AND NOTICES
CALL TO WORSHIP:
God please grant to us the serenity to accept that which cannot be changed, the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference

HYMN: In Heavenly Love Abiding (Tune: 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,
may 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 darkening 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. C/A
OPENING PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18 Audrey Dunnachie
1st Corinthians 6: 12-20 Sue Saunders

HYMN: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (Tune: WOV 500)
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
`Come unto me and rest;
lay down, thou weary one, lay down
thy head upon my breast’:
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
`Behold, I freely give
the living water; thirsty one,
stoop down and drink, and live’:
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
`I am this dark world’s Light.
Look unto me, thy morn shall rise,
and all thy day be bright’:
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my Star, my Sun;
and in that light of life I’ll walk,
till travelling days are done. C/A

SERMON

A TIME OF QUIET

HYMN: Fill Now Our Life, O Lord our God (Tune: WOV 515)
Fill now our life, O Lord our God,
in every part with praise,
that our whole being may proclaim
your being and your ways.

Not for the lip of praise alone,
nor even the praising heart
we ask, but for a life made up
of praise in every part:

Praise in the common things of life,
its goings out and in;
praise in each duty and each deed,
though humble and unseen.

So, gracious Lord, you shall receive
from us the glory due;
and so we shall begin on earth
the song for ever new. C/A

THE OFFERING:
Our God is a generous God, giving freely his beneficial blessings to us.
May his blessing be upon these gifts and the use made of them.
Heavenly Father grant those opportunities, whereby we can spend time to share with others, your message of divine hope;
seeking for them, and ourselves, to be invited to that glorious time at our Lords return. Amen.

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God;
born of the Spirit washed in Christ’s blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long,
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Saviour all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Saviour am happy and blest;
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with God’s goodness, lost in Christ’s love. C/A

THE BLESSING

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

Please note that until 25th January all Sunday services will be at 10am.

THE PARISH OFFICE RE-OPENS on Thursday 22nd January.

Winnie Bagoes Pizza evening Fundraiser for the Linkbuilding.
Sunday 25 January 2015 at 5.45 pm.Tickets ($25) available now from the St Martin’s fundraising committee members.
The Menu consists of: Garlic Bread, Italian Flat Bread and Wedges for starters and Green Salad and a mixture of Traditional and Gourmet pizzas for mains. People with special needs can also be catered for by informing the organising committee in advance. Please come along and also ask your friends and family to come along to this event. We look forward to your support. Phone 328 7459 for more information.

The service next Sunday (18th January) will be a little different as we consider the Church in today’s world.
In the week ahead you are invited to reflect on some questions.
* What would God want the Church to be in 50 years time?
* Do you think that other faiths have authentic truths?
* What is your biggest hope for your congregation in the next decade?

There will be a barbecue lunch following the service. All welcome.

GREETINGS:

A CHILD IS BORN TO US; A SON IS GIVEN TO US. HE WILL BE CALLED ‘WONDERFUL’, ‘COUNSELLOR’, PRINCE OF PEACE.’
(Isaiah 9:6)

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES:

CAROL: Carol of Dreams (remain seated)
Dream a dream, a hopeful dream
As children do on Christmas Eve,
Imaginings, surprising things to hold and to believe.

Dream a time this Christmas time
When no-one’s hungry or afraid;
That weapons go and harvests grow,
That friends are met and made.

Dream a peace, our planet’s peace,
The greening of the earth at play,
The holy ground where life is found,
Where God has touched the clay.

Dream a gift, the Christmas gift
That changes everything we see:
The shimmering of angel wing,
The Child, the Mystery. ©Shirley Murray (FFS)

CHRISTMAS THEN – BETHLEHEM
The first Christmas – the story from the Gospel of Luke.
Who received word of the birth?
Who gave the word?
What was the response?

CAROL: Silent Night (WOV 236)
Silent night, holy night: all is calm, all is bright
round the virgin mother and child, holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night: shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing, ‘Alleluia;
Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.’

Silent night, holy night: wondrous star, lend your light;
with the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King;
Christ our Saviour is born, Christ our Saviour is born. C/A

BIBLE READING: Luke 2: 1-7

CAROL: Away in a Manger (WOV 242)
Away in a manger no crib for a bed the little Lord Jesus lays down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing the baby awakes but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love thee Lord Jesus look down from the sky and stay by my side till morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay close by me forever and love me I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

BIBLE READING: Luke 2: 8-14

CAROL: While Shepherds Watched their Flocks (WOV 223(i)) (remain seated)
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down
and glory shone around.

‘Fear not’, said he (for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind),
‘glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and humankind.

‘To you in David’s town this day
is born of David’s line
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:

‘the heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swaddling clothes
and in a manger laid’. C/A

BIBLE READING: Luke 2: 15-20

CAROL: O Little Town of Bethlehem (WOV 240)
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth! For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.

CHRISTMAS NOW – CHRISTCHURCH, NZ
What is the city like at Christmas?
How do we celebrate Christmas?
How do we make meaning of the story today?

CAROL: Upside down Christmas (remain seated)
Carol our Christmas, an upside down Christmas;
Snow is not falling and trees are not bare.
Carol the summer and welcome the Christ child,
Warm in our sunshine and sweetness of air.

Sing of the gold and the green and the sparkle,
Water and river and lure of the beach.
Sing in the happiness of open spaces,
Sing a nativity summer can reach!

Shepherds and musterers move over hillsides,
Finding not angels, but sheep to be shorn;
Wise ones make journeys, whatever the season,
Searching for signs of the truth to be born.

Right side up Christmas belongs to the universe.
Made in the moment a woman gives birth;
Hope is the Jesus gift, love is the offering,
Everywhere anywhere, here on the earth. © Shirley Murray (CoC)

CAROL: No Snow is on the Mountain Tune WOV 250 (remain seated)
No snow is on the mountains,
The grass is gold and dry.
The sheep and cattle grazing
Beneath the North West sky.
Waimakariri flowing
Rakaia running low.
In paddocks Shepherds hasten
To greet the child they know.

The wise people of Christchurch
Follow the Southern Star.
Worship the holy Christ child
In townships near and far.
Waimakariri flowing
Rakaia running low.
Love is restored at Christmas
Our joy will overflow. © Mary Helson

Anticipation, excitement, awe and wonder, hope and peace.

OUR PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS (sung): (remain seated)
Come now Lord Jesus, enter our Christmas
Be to us no stranger in this new-made manger.

Come, small and human, born of a woman,
Yet a Son much greater of our own Creator.

Come,cold and crying, comfort denying,
No place to receive you, few yet to believe you.

Come, poor and simple, our flesh your temple,
In your body feeling hurt as well as healing.

Come, gift and token, bread to be broken –
Star and sign still point you, myrrh will yet anoint you.
Shirley Murray (CoC)

CHRISTMAS BLESSING:

CAROL: Joy to the World (WOV 224)
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
let earth receive its king;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns;
let us our songs employ;
while fields and streams, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love,
and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love. C/A

WE SING:
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for Christmas
And a Happy New Year C/A

24th Dec 11.30pm Beckenham Christmas Eve Service
25th Dec 9.30am Combined Christmas Day Celebration

Please note that our combined Sunday Services on 28th December and for all of January will be 10am.

We wish you all a happy and blessed Christmas