A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Dugald Wilson for leading our service today. Next Sunday Hugh Perry will be with us.

Wednesday Walkers 24^th April: meet 9.30am at the Lancaster Park Memorial Gates in Stevens Stfor a walk around the stadium and Phillipstown. Morning tea at Daily on Suffolk on the corner of Suffolk & Tuam St, opposite Mathesons Rd. All welcome.  Janet or Sonya 027 253 3397.

THE PARISH OFFICE IS CLOSED this Thursday (ANZAC Day)

Thursday 25^th April 11am-3pm ANZAC Day model and memorabilia display from both World Wars, including four large dioramas.  St Nicholas Church, 231 Barrington St. Free entry.

ANZAC Day Service for St Martins/Waltham/Opawa. 9.30am Thursday 25^th April at the Waltham Park Memorial Gates, cnr of Waltham Road and Fifield Terrace. Honouring and remembering the lives of 43 local young men who died in WWI. More information phone Rev Dr Richard Waugh 022 5339400

Movie Night Saturday 27^th April: ‘HACKSAW RIDGE’ is the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss who, in Okinawa during one of the bloodiest battles of WW2 saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. BYO takeaway tea from 5.15pm. Hot drinks provided. Enquiries to Irene 332 7306.

Wanted – drivers. To help with picking up and delivering home again several members of our congregation who either live alone and have no means of transport – and/or folk who are now residing in rest homes and rely on a friend or family member (some of whom live a long way from St Martins) to collect them and bring them to church. Irene would love to chat with you. Thank you.

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Alan Webster for leading our service today. Next Sunday Dugald Wilson will be with us.

Wednesday Walkers 17^th April: meet 9.30am in Heathcote St near Ferry Rd McDonalds for a stroll around Woolston. All welcome. Fern 332 4725.

ANZAC Day Service for St Martins/Waltham/Opawa. 9.30am Thursday 25^th April at the Waltham Park Memorial Gates, cnr of Waltham Road and Fifield Terrace. Honouring and remembering the lives of 43 local young men who died in WWI. More information phone Rev Dr Richard Waugh 022 5339400

Movie Night Saturday 27^th April: ‘HACKSAW RIDGE’ is the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss who, in Okinawa during one of the bloodiest battles of WW2 saved 75 men without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WW2 to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was nevertheless wrong. As an army medic, he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, braved fire while tending soldiers and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers. Doss was the first conscientious objector awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour. The film comes with a Restricted 15 label and depicts graphic & realistic war scenes. The film was a winner of 9 Aacta Awards included Best film, best Director and Best Actor.

BYO takeaway tea from 5.15pm. Hot drinks provided. Enquiries to Irene 332 7306.

Well done and thank you to Peter Saunders for all his work laying new stones in the riverbed garden.

A new Sunday roster is available – please check to see if there is a copy for you in the foyer. Anna.

As disciples of Christ we pray that we learn to recognise and respond to Jesus’ invitation to love without reserve.

As disciples of Christ, may we never be afraid of proclaiming the Good News and to care for those we see to be in need.

May our hearts become a home for the word of God.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                 

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Woolston Fern 332 4725

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancing Irene 332 7306

Wednesday 7.30pm      Parish Council meeting (lounge)

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday                             NO Sing & Sign

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Dan Yeazel for leading our service today. Next Sunday Alan Webster will be with us.

Fireside meeting Monday 8th April 2pm – We have asked Margaret Holloway to share with us memories of her times on the Scottish island of Iona with the community established by St Columba.  Questions about this are welcome and our Fireside group welcomes all women to join us.

Wednesday Walkers 10^th April: meet 9.30am in Prossers Rd, St Martins near number 43 for a walk around St Martins/Opawa to view the autumn colours.  Coffee at Lyn Steele’s. All welcome.  Sonya 027 253 3397.

ANZAC Day Service for St Martins/Waltham/Opawa. 9.30am Thursday 25^th April at the Waltham Park Memorial Gates, cnr of Waltham Road and Fifield Terrace. Honouring and remembering the lives of 43 local young men who died in WWI. More information phone Rev Dr Richard Waugh 022 5339400

South West Baptist church are helping a former refugee family from Afghanistan to resettle here. They are seeking a 3-4 bedroom home for family of six with maximum rent of $750/week in Hoon Hay, Addington, Halswell, Somerfield, Beckenham. Contact Nick Regnault 0225408811 if you can help.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                 

Monday 2pm                  Fireside (lounge) Margaret 366 2939

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: St Martins Sonya 027 253 3397

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancing Irene 332 7306

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

Easter

As though some heavy stone were rolled away,
You find an open door where all was closed,
Wide as an empty tomb on Easter Day.

Lost in your own dark wood, alone, astray,
You pause, as though some secret were disclosed,
As though some heavy stone were rolled away.

You glimpse the sky above you, wan and grey,
Wide through those shadowed branches interposed,
Wide as an empty tomb on Easter Day.

Perhaps there’s light enough to find your way,
For now the tangled wood feels less enclosed,
As though some heavy stone were rolled away.

You lift your feet out of the miry clay
And seek the light in which you once reposed,
Wide as an empty tomb on Easter Day.

And then Love calls your name, you hear Him say:
The way is open, death has been deposed,
As though some heavy stone were rolled away,
And you are free at last on Easter Day.                 Malcolm Guite

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Chris Elliot for leading our service today. Next Sunday Dan Yeazel will be with us.

Wednesday Walkers 3^rd April: meet 9.30am sharp at the corner of Tuam St & Mathesons Rd, Philipstown. Parking available on the streets around, especially England St or even Tuam St or, try inside 544 Tuam St which is The Pump House. It has a green fence. Car pooling recommended. Coffee at The Daily on Suffolk before 10.20 as two groups always go there at 10.30am on Wednesdays. Non-walkers could investigate The Pump House before crossing Tuam St for coffee.  All welcome.  Sue 960 7657 or Elizabeth 021 112 5798.

Anna will not be in the Office this Thursday 4^th April.

ANZAC Day Service for St Martins/Waltham/Opawa. 9.30am Thursday 25^th April at the Waltham Park Memorial Gates, cnr of Waltham Road and Fifield Terrace. Honouring and remembering the lives of 43 local young men who died in WWI. More information phone Rev Dr Richard Waugh 022 5339400

If anyone is leaving Xtra email could you please advise the Parish Office of your new email address. Thank you.

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                 

Monday 1-4pm              Private function (lounge)

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Phillipstown Sue 960 7657

Wednesday 9.30am      Port Hills U3A (whole complex) Joy 337 2393

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday 9.30am               Sing & Sign (lounge) Becky 022 086 2211

Here’s our Zoom link –

Topic: St Martin’s Sunday Worship. To Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81508696154?pwd=cnErZFM5VG5OQVhsZkxYc0dxOHdvUT09

Meeting ID: 815 0869 6154
Passcode: 712158

NOTICES:

A very warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Many thanks to Rev Hugh Perry for preparing our service today, and to June for presenting the Sermon. Next Sunday Chris Elliot will be with us.

Wednesday Walkers 27^th March: meet 9.30am in Simeon Street near Barrington Mall carpark.  Coffee at Mosaic Café. All welcome.  Marilyn 027 363 1642 or Sonya 027 253 3397.

The Parish Office will be closed on Good Friday (29^th March).

HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES

Maundy Thursday 28 March 7pm

@ Beckenham Methodist

Good Friday 29 March here 9.30am

led by Rev Sheena Dickson

Easter Day 31 March Communion here 10am

led by Rev Chris Elliot

A Prayer for Palm Sunday

Oh God, you are interrupting me with eternity.

And I’m not sure I’m ready.

Take hold of time and order it once again. Let me keep pace with you.

On this Palm Sunday, time is marked as one small donkey plods towards Jerusalem. One with a face set like flint, feet almost grazing the ground, walks forward toward the eastering of all sorrow – not in the power of horses and swift victory, but in small, steady steps.

Toward the mystery that through suffering, healing comes,

that through shame, dignity is restored,

that through the cross, powers are disarmed,

and death done away with forever.

Blessed are all those walking forward into the great, small work they do: in hospitals, homes, supermarkets, classrooms, churches and cafés.

And blessed are we joining the crowds waving palm branches to shout ourselves hoarse: “Hosanna! Save us! Save our world!.”  ©Kate Bowler & Jessica Richie

THIS WEEK AT ST MARTINS                 

Monday 5pm                  MenzShed dinner (lounge)

Tuesday 10am              South Elder Care (lounge) Jeannette 332 9869

Tuesday 7.15pm           Meditation Group (lounge) Dugald 021 161 7007

Wednesday 9.30am      Walking Group: Barrington Sonya 027 253 3397

Wednesday 10am         Scottish Country Dancing (lounge) Irene 332 7306

Thursday 10am            Crafty Crafters (lounge) Sally 332 4730

Thursday 1.30pm          Sit & Be Fit(church) Anneke 021 077 4065

Friday 9.30am               GOOD FRIDAY Service