Author Archives: Anna

Dec 4 Service of the Bells

Posted on by

This morning we especially welcome Christine and Andrew Cox,
Clare and Paul Dolheguy, Brenda Lorimer and Lecia McCallum,
members of the Richmond Handbell Choir.

GATHERING: From the rear of the church
In the wild beauty of the wilderness, in the rush hour wildness of the city streets; in the fierce coldness of wind-swept mornings
in the heavy heat of summer afternoons:
We are called to be people of promise.
When our way seems clear and the steps even, when our path
is winding and each step an effort; when all crowd around
to hear your Word, when no one notices that you walk among us:
We are called to be people of promise.

Gracious God, help us to prepare the way
for Jesus’ Good News to be found in us.
Make us an Advent people of hope and anticipation,
of peace and forgiveness,
answering the challenge of the Spirit. Amen

ADVENT CAROL: Look Toward Christmas
Look toward Christmas!
Advent is here:
welcome December,
changing the year.
Whistle up, shepherds!
Saddle up, kings!
Chorus up, angels,
flexing your wings.
Sing, sing alleluia!
Sing, sing alleluia!
Sing, sing out the story,
sing about hope and peace.

Set the world singing, Mary and Joseph,
make the world glad; soon is the day:
now is good reason ready the donkey,
not to feel sad! start on your way.
Hear John the Baptist You are the chosen,
shout to prepare: willing to trust,
Good News is coming, joyful your burden,
earth be aware. carrying Christ.
Sing, sing alleluia … Sing, sing alleluia …
? Shirley Murray (CoC)

WELCOME AND NOTICES

ADVENT CANDLE – LIGHTING

SUNG RESPONSE: A Candle is Burning (Tune: Away in a Manger)
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.

A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease:
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay. © Sandra Dean (VU)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

INTRODUCTION BY THE RICHMOND HANDBELL CHOIR.

ITEM BY THE BELL-RINGERS

BELLS, OUR ADVENT THEME

CAROL: O Christmas Bells, O Christmas Bells (Tune: Tannenbaum)
O Christmas bells, O Christmas bells
we hear your tones a-ringing. (repeat first 2 lines)
They tell us of God’s gift for all
a baby in a manger stall;
O Christmas bells, O Christmas bells
we hear your tones a-ringing.

O Christmas bells, O Christmas bells
your music lightens heavy hearts. (repeat first 2 lines)
It calls us forth to show God’s love
that came to earth from heaven above.
O Christmas bells, O Christmas bells
your music lightens heavy hearts.

O Christmas bells, O Christmas bells
you’ll ring our through this land of ours. (repeat first 2 lines)
We’ll follow Jesus in God’s way
and share his gifts of grace each day.
O Christmas bells, O Christmas bells
you’ll ring out through this land of ours.

READINGS: Isaiah 11:1-4, 6, 9 God’s Chosen One Catherine Fitchett
Luke 1: 68-79 The Song of Zechariah Marilyn Tait
(father of John the Baptist)
REFLECTION

THE OFFERING

CAROL: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I heard the bells on Christmas day
their old familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth, good will to all.

And thought how, as the day had come,
the belfries of all Christendom
had rolled along the unbroken song
of peace on earth, good will to all.

Till ringing, singing on its way
the world revolved from night to day,
a voice, a chime, a chant sublime
of peace on earth, good will to all.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
of peace on earth, good will to all.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
the wrong shall fail, the right prevail
with peace on earth, good will to all.”

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

ITEM BY THE BELL-RINGERS

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

CAROL: 224 Joy to the World

THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee in the lounge after the service.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 30th November ~ Sydenham rejuvenation: Meet 9.30am cnr Elgin & Colombo Streets. Coffee at Just Desserts. June 332 8874.

CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in!
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. All are welcome. For details, please contact Beverley 942 7821.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Thursday 15th December – please book through the Parish Office 332 6192.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS for Waltham Community Cottage: Gifts for men, women, teenagers, boys and girls are required and can be brought to Church and placed under the Tree today, and next Sunday. Thank you for your support.

READERS are required for the Carol Service & Blue Christmas Service. Please sign the list in the foyer if you are available.
Extra copies of the December & January Services brochure are available in the foyer for you to give away to friends and neighbours.

UPDATED PARISH PHONE LISTS are now available. Please contact the Office if you would like a copy.

BIRTHDAYS this week: Tue 6th Catherine; Wed 7th Florence; Thu 8th Eleanor.

Advent Sunday 2011

Posted on by

CALL TO WORSHIP:
Leader: A letter from a saint. (based on 1 Corinthians 1:3–9)
My sisters and brothers in Christ… to unfold in your lives.
Voice 1: We wait?
Voice 2: Yes, we wait.
Voice 1: What are we waiting for?
All: We wait for a world filled with God’s love.
Voice 2: We are longing.
Voice 1: Longing?
Voice 2: Yes, longing.
All: Hoping with trust in God that Love will reign in the world…

HYMN: 200 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
WELCOME & NOTICES

ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING:
Leader: Advent is a season of waiting… the candle of hope.
Voice 2: We wait… to bring the change for which we long.

First Advent Candle lit

Voice 1: As we light the candle of hope… born, anew, in us.

SUNG RESPONSE: A Candle is Burning (Tune: Away in a Manger)
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh. © Sandra Dean (VU)

CONFESSION AND WORDS OF ASSURANCE

CHRISTIAN WORLD SERVICE

HYMN: 669 I Am the Light of the World

READINGS: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 Joan
Isaiah 64:1–9¬ John
The story of Isaiah 64:1–9¬ invites the listener to imagine a potter holding, moulding, and shaping clay.

REFLECTION: High Hopes

A TIME OF QUIET

AN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe in God the Creator who created and is creating;
who goes on bringing to birth new things beyond our imagining.
We believe in Jesus Christ who entered our journey
as a fragile babe, who experienced all our living
and gave his life for us; who can still be discovered in our midst.
We believe in the Holy Spirit who calls us on into all truth
in light beyond our seeing,
who stirs within our being new possibilities,
who draws us onward into the very life of God.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
During the prayer candles will be lit. After each candle is lit,
you are invited to join in the response:
We wait, watching for a way we can shine the light
of your hope in the world.

OFFERING:
In this season of waiting and lighting candles, loving God,
we offer these gifts of money, of creation, of wondering,
and we offer ourselves as bearers of the light of your hope
in the world. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION & THE PEACE

HYMN: Where is the Room
Where is the room,
where is the house of Christmas?
Where shall we welcome Jesus,
where are the signs of home?
Where are the signs of home?
Let Christ have space,
place at the heart of living,
centre for birth’s new breathing,
cradle for hope and peace,
cradle for hope and peace.

Let there be room,
room for the friend and stranger,
room without hurt or anger,
room for whoever come,
room for whoever come.

Let love be here,
love from the Christmas stable,
love at our open table,
love to be shared all year,
love to be shared all year.

A GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR ADVENT
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 God thanks and praise.
We praise you, Eternal God… your people down through the ages; saying: Holy, holy, holy 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.
Hosanna in the highest. [pause]
Holy are you; blessed is your Son, Jesus Christ
who, long ago came in the humble birth of a child,
a child of your amazing love, a child of Mary’s ‘yes’ to you,
a child of Joseph’s acceptance.
The child of our salvation…

COMMUNION & PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION

HYMN: 109 Tell Out My Soul

THE BLESSING
NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee in the lounge after the service. There will also be a Christmas Cake stall run by the Fireside Group.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 30th November ~ Richmond: Meet 9.30am in London St just off Stanmore Rd. Coffee at Ma & Pa’s. June 332 8874.

NEWSLETTER: It’s been some time coming, but the Christmas Newsletter will be distributed by your Elders after the service on Dec 4. If your Elder isn’t at Church that day, please ask Lyn or Madg. Remaining newsletters will be delivered.

ROSTERS FOR 2012: We are still looking for more names to add to our rosters for 2012. This is for serving morning tea after worship, church cleaning and flowers. If you can help, please contact Joan 338 8700 or Allison 332 0554.

CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in!
CRAFTY CRAFTERS: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. All are welcome. For details, please contact Beverley 942 7821.
FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Thursday 15th December – please book through the Parish Office 332 6192.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS for Waltham Community Cottage: Once again, we will be collecting gifts for the Cottage. Gifts for men, women, teenagers, boys and girls are required and can be brought to Church and placed under the Tree today, and the 4th & 11th of December. Thank you for your support.

Marmalade for Missions: please support this fundraiser.

Extra copies of the December & January Services brochure are available in the foyer for you to give away to friends and neighbours.

UPDATED PARISH PHONE LISTS are now available. Please contact the Office if you would like a copy.

BIRTHDAYS this week: Sun 27th Tony; Mon 28th Martin; Wed 30th Judith.

Sunday 20 November 2011

Posted on by

WELCOME & NOTICES
? Session Report

CALL TO WORSHIP
You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord,
according to Your word;
Teach me good judgment and knowledge
for I believe in Your commandments,
Before I was humbled I went astray
but now I keep Your commandments.
You are good and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.

HYMN: Now let God’s people, let God’s Israel
Now let God’s people, let God’s Israel
witness the truth and gratefully proclaim:
when evil folk against us made their claim,
we would have drowned beneath their violent tide
if God the Lord had not been on our side.

If God the Lord had not been on our side,
and thus maintained the justice of our cause,
we would have died, devoured by evil jaws,
where kindled anger lusted after blood
while vicious torrents raged beneath the flood.

Blest be the Lord both now and evermore
who did not grieve us on the evil day,
who did not leave us as an easy prey
destined to be so mercilessly torn
by savage teeth and unrelenting scorn.
Just as a bird escapes the fowler’s snare,
we leave our broken trap and are set free.
Now we are saved and now, as one, agree
our help is in the name of God our Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth, eternal Word.
©John L Bell (CH4)

PRAYERS OF ADORATION, CONFESSION & SUPPLICATION

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us to day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the test, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours in the kingdom, power and glory for ever.
Amen.

SONG: One, Two, Three Alleluia!
One, two, three (clap, clap) alleluia,
One, two, three (clap, clap) alleluia,
One, two, three (clap, clap) alleluia,
Praise to you, our God.

Our God lives with us, alleluia,
making all things new, alleluia,
sharing in our lives, alleluia!
Praise to you, our God.
(boom, boom, boom)

Gifts of love God brings, alleluia,
filling us with joy, alleluia,
peace and goodness too, alleluia!
Praise to you, our God.
(boom, boom, boom)

By our love we show, alleluia,
How we live and grow, alleluia,
Caring for each one, alleluia!
Praise to you, our God.
(boom, boom, boom) ©Cecily Sheehy (AA)

READINGS FROM SCRIPTURE
2 Timothy 3: 10-17 Aubrey
Luke 2: 41-46 Judith

SERMON: Celebrating the Authorized Version: 1611 – 2011

HYMN: WOV 105 The great love of God

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

THE PEACE

OFFERING

HYMN: Songbook 46 This is God’s House

BLESSING & THREE-FOLD AMEN (sung).

NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee in the lounge after the service.

An Advent & Christmas Services brochure is included with your Order of Service today for you to give away. Extra copies are available in the foyer.
The NZ Church Life Survey – if you didn’t fill this in last week, please do so today after the service. Completed forms are to be placed in the box in the foyer. Thank you.

NEXT SUNDAY 27th November is Advent Sunday and we will be celebrating Communion.
There will also be a Christmas Cake stall run by the Fireside Group.

CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in!

Marmalade for Missions: please support this fundraiser.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 23rd November – meet 9.30am in Smith St outside Portstone, We will be walking around the Edmonds Gardens. Coffee at Portstone Café. All welcome. Judith 332 1577.

CARING & SHARING meets on Wednesday 23rd November at 2pm in the Church. The Orchestra will be performing. All are welcome. Margaret 324 3825.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. All are welcome. For details, please contact Beverley 942 7821.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Thursday 15th December – please book through the Parish Office 332 6192.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS for Waltham Community Cottage: Once again, we will be collecting gifts for the Cottage. Gifts for men, women, teenagers, boys and girls are required and can be brought to Church and placed under the Tree on 27th November, 4th & 11th December. Thank you for your support.

MORE HELPERS are still required for the duty rosters please!!

BIRTHDAYS this week: Thu 24th Deirdre; Fri 25th Aescleah; Sat 26th Pat

Sunday Nov 13 2011

Posted on by

CALL TO WORSHIP:
We have encountered the Word, calling us into communion with God and with one another;
calling us into discipleship to use our gifts to carry on
Christ’s work in our world.
So we come together here, joining hearts and hands in the great quest:
to worship God, to love one another, and to serve God’s world.

HYMN: 11 Let us With a Gladsome Mind

OPENING PRAYERS & THE LORD’S PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

SONG: Take My Life, Lord, Let it Be (Tune: Nottingham)
Take my life, Lord, let it be
consecrated, glad and free;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of your love;
take my feet, that I may run
bearing news of Christ your Son.

Take my voice, and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
take my intellect and use
every power as you shall choose.

Take my will – your will be done,
may my will and yours be one;
take my heart – it is your own,
it shall be your royal throne.

Take my love – my Lord, I pour
at your feet its treasure-store.;
take myself, and I will be
all for you, eternally.

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS
READINGS: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11 Gwendoline
Matthew 25: 14-30 Martin
SERMON

A TIME OF QUIET
HYMN: There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in God’s justice which is more than liberty.
There’s no place where human sorrows are more deeply felt than heav’n.
There’s no place where human failings have such kindly judgements giv’n.

For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind
and the heart of the eternal is most wonderfully kind.
But we make that love too narrow by the limits of our own;
and we magnify God’s strictness with a zeal love will not own.

There is grace enough for thousands of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations in that end less world of bliss.
If our love were but more simple we would trust the living Word;
and our lives would fill with gladness in the joy of Christ our Lord.
© Words: Frederick Faber , CA alt Colin Gibson

OFFERING:
O God, you call us to appreciate and to use the talents you equip us with; that combined with our time and resources they may be used for the good of church, wider community and world.
Bless these offerings and us as we seek to serve you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

HYMN: Songbook 24 Take My Gifts
Take my gifts and let me love you,
God who first of all loved me,
gave me light and food and shelter,
gave me life and set me free.
Now, because your love has touched me,
I have love to give away;
now the bread of love is rising,
loaves of love to multiply!

Take the fruit that I have gathered
from the tree your Spirit sowed,
harvest of your own compassion,
juice that makes the wine of God;
spiced with humour, laced with laughter-
flavour of the Jesus life,
tang of risk and new adventure,
taste and zest beyond belief.

Take whatever I can offer-
gifts that I have yet to find,
skills that I am slow to sharpen,
talents of the hand and mind,
things made beautiful for others
in the place where I must be:
take my gifts and let me love you,
God who first of all loved me. © Shirley Murray (AA)

THE BLESSING

BIRTHDAYS this week: Mon 14th Berta & Ruby; Wed 16th Olwen; Sat 19th Thomas.

NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee after the service.

The NZ Church Life Survey will be filled out at the end of the service over the next two Sundays. Please place completed forms in the box in the foyer.

Session meets Wednesday 16th November 7.30pm.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 16th November ~ Charleston: Meet 9.30am on the corner of Wilsons Road North & Charles Street for a walk around Charleston. Coffee at church. June 332 8874.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. Please help!! We require a person to help us out this Thursday as Audrey has Foot Clinic in the afternoon. We will require another helper on 15th December. Please contact Beverley 942 7821 or text 027 787 5868. ?

ROSTERS FOR 2012
We are looking for more names to add to our rosters for 2012. This is for:
*Serving morning tea after worship
*Church cleaning
*Flowers
If you can help with any/all of these we would be very grateful. The more people we have sharing in this makes it lighter for everyone.
Please contact Joan 338 8700 or Allison 332 0554.

CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in!

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Thursday’s session is fully booked.

City Care has advised us that the sewer mains and lateral connections in Gamblins Rd, St Martins Rd & Wilsons Rd Sth will be replaced over the next 20 weeks. Please be aware that parking near the church during the week may be restricted.

Sunday Oct 30 2011

Posted on by

Celebrating through the groups;
Crafty Crafters & Footcare Clinic

WELCOME & NOTICES

The candle is brought in (please stand)
A candle flickers, Jesus Christ light of the world.
A candle of hope for the world.
If in some way I can be a speck of light
offering hope to the world, I will feel I have
played some part in keeping the flame alive.

HYMN: WOV 669 I am the Light of the World (omit verse 1)

PRAYER

TIME WITH THE CHILDREN

CHILDREN’S SONG: One, Two, Three Alleluia!
One, two, three (clap, clap) alleluia,
One, two, three (clap, clap) alleluia,
One, two, three (clap, clap) alleluia,
Praise to you, our God.

Our God lives with us, alleluia,
making all things new, alleluia,
sharing in our lives, alleluia!
Praise to you, our God.
(boom, boom, boom)

Gifts of love God brings, alleluia,
filling us with joy, alleluia,
peace and goodness too, alleluia!
Praise to you, our God.
(boom, boom, boom)

By our love we show, alleluia,
How we live and grow, alleluia,
Caring for each one, alleluia!
Praise to you, our God.
(boom, boom, boom) ©Cecily Sheehy (AA)

BIBLE READINGS:
God said ‘Let my people go that they might serve me.’
Exodus 8:1 (RSV)

Mark 10: 41-45 The son of God came to serve
Jenny Brettell
John 13: 4-17 Jesus washes the disciples’ feet
Bernie Brettell

HYMN: WOV 561 Kneels at the feet of his friends

Celebrating the call to be servants of God through the groups; Crafty Crafters and Footcare Clinic.

A conversation:

Reflection:

Prayers for other people

The Lord’s Prayer ~ sung (WOV 676)
OFFERING
Loving God, we bring these our offerings to you,
that they may be used in your service both here and far away. May it be that through these gifts your love may be made known.
Amen.

HYMN: Songbook 24 Take My Gifts

BENEDICTION:

COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY:
We go now having committed ourselves anew
in service to the community.
May the light of Christ be our Guide.
If in some way we each can be a speck of light
Offering hope in the world,
We will feel we have played some part
in keeping the flame alive.

As the candle leads us out I invite you to offer the peace of Christ around you.

NOTICES
A very warm welcome to you all as you worship with us this morning. Please stay for a cup of tea or coffee in the lounge after the service,and have a look at the craft sales table.

Issues Group – TONIGHT at the Manse 5.30pm. Bring tea to share. The topic will be Crossing Denominational lines in the Christchurch Re-build. All Welcome.

CUPPA & CHAT: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon. Do pop in!

Marmalade for Missions: please support this fundraiser.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 2nd November – meet 9.30am corner Strickland/Somerfield Streets. Coffee at Savoir in Colombo St. Allison 332 0554.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am – 12 noon in the Lounge. All are welcome. Please help us!! We require kitchen hands on a roster basis for 1½ hours only once every six weeks (the days the Foot Clinic is on) to serve tea/coffee and do dishes. The more people who volunteer, the fewer times you would be needed! For details, please contact Beverley 942 7821 or text 027 787 5868.?

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Thursday 17th November – please book through the Parish Office 332 6192. Be quick – only a few spaces still available!

Working with Kids – Presbytery Resourcing Event Saturday 5th November 2011 9am – 12.30pm at St Mark’s, Withells Rd, Avonhead. See noticeboard for details.

There are copies of Chris’ study leave report on the table in the foyer. Please sign the notebook if you borrow a copy.

BIRTHDAYS this week: Tue 1st Gillian.