February 4, 2018
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
Welcome to St Andrew’s on The TerracE
Wherever you are on your faith’s journey,
wherever you have come from and wherever you are going to,
whatever you believe, whatever you do not believe, you are welcome here.
Please join in the congregational responses printed in bold italics.
Please stand if you are able, for the hymns and the offering prayer.
We usually sing the hymns without announcement.
To use the loop system in the church, turn your hearing aids on to the appropriate setting.
Printed copies of the reflection are available at the back of the church for people with extreme hearing loss. For others they can be picked up at the end of the Gathering.
Please note your nearest fire exit.
The church and hall have been earthquake strengthened. In an earthquake: drop, cover and hold.
GATHERING
On this month, on this day we celebrate beginnings
We reflect on priorities
What is our call, in partnership with others?
What is our priority in what to do?
As we follow our forebears and our leader, Jesus
Why will we decide to follow this year?
May we find wisdom, courage and strength to answer the call
So may it be
PROCESSIONAL HYMN AA 155 ‘Where mountains rise to open skies’
Words: © 2000 Shirley Erena Murray
Music by Vernon Griffiths © Faber Music Ltd.
Where mountains rise to open skies your name, O God, is echoed far,
from island beach to kauri’s reach, in water’s light, in lake and star.
Your people’s heart, your people’s part be in our caring for this land,
for faith to flower, for aroha* to let each other’s mana** stand.
From broken word, from conflict stirred, from lack of vision, set us free
to see the line of your design, to feel creation’s energy.
Your love be known, compassion shown, that every child have equal scope:
in justice done, in trust begun shall be our heritage and hope.
Where mountains rise to open skies your way of peace distill the air,
your spirit bind all humankind, one covenant of life to share!
* aroha = Maori word for “all-embracing love”
** mana = Maori for “dignity, prestige”
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Rosemary Lawrence
BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand)
We send you to the Rainbow Room programme to hear stories, ask questions and have fun together.
We bless you. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
Feel free to pass the peace with those nearby or move to greet others further away. Passing the peace consists of shaking hands and saying “Peace be with you.” The response is “Peace be with you” or just “And with you.” Or, simply saying ‘Hello” is a good idea. Also feel free to simply observe if you wish!
THE WORD IN TEXTS Lynne Dovey
Epistle 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23
Gospel Mark 1 29-39
Contemporary reading ‘Here we are’ from Seeking Aliveness
by Brian McLaren
Picture the unfolding of creation. Imagine how uncountable nuclei and electrons and sister particles danced and whirled. Imagine how space dust coalesced into clouds, and how clouds coalesced into galaxies, and how galaxies began to spin, sail, and dance through space. Imagine how in galaxy after galaxy, suns blazed, solar systems twirled, and worlds formed. Around some of those worlds, moons spun, and upon some of those worlds, storms swirled, seas formed, and waves rolled. And somewhere in between the smallest particles and the largest cosmic structures, here we are, in this galaxy, in this solar system, on this planet, in this story, around this table, at this moment – with this chance for us to breathe, think, dream, speak, and be alive together.
Today, think of yourself as surfing on the leading edge of a magnificent creation that has been unfolding for billions of years.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks
REFLECTION ‘Being here – why?’ Susan Jones
OFFERING PRAYER
Amen
We recognise and bless the gifts brought to the table, and those which wing their way electronically from our banks to the church’s account.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Seeking to progress in my spiritual walk:
I believe diverse sources of wisdom are available to us;
and that following the Jesus Way
leads to awareness of the Sacred and the Unity of all life.
I value community which includes all types
and styles of faith, belief and people;
questions more than absolute answers;
and the search for understanding which deepens awareness.
I strive, as I am able, for peace and justice among all people;
to protect and restore the integrity of our Earth;
I commit, as I am able,
to a path of life-long learning, compassion and selfless Love,
knowing the true expression of what I believe
is how I behave towards other people.
(Adapted from the 8 points of Progressive Christianity https://progressivechristianity.org/ by Susan Jones)
LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY OF ST ANDREW’S
People share notices and visitors are welcomed. If you have a notice, please move to the front row, ready to speak briefly from the lectern.
For the benefit of newcomers, please introduce yourself before you begin.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Pat Booth
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Presbyterian Community of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Todd McClay, Rotorua electorate and Ian McKelvie, Rangitikei electorate MPs. Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Stratford – St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
THE JESUS PRAYER IN MĀORI
E to matou Matua i te rangi
kia tapu tou ingoa
kia tae mai tou rangatira-tanga
kia meatia tau e pai ai
ki runga ki te whenua,
kia rite ano ki to te rangi.
Homai ki a matou aianei
he taro ma matou mo tenei ra.
Murua o matou hara
me matou hoki e muru nei
i o te hunga e hara ana ki a matou.
Aua hoki matou e kawea kia whakawaia
Engari whakaorangia matou i te kino
nou hoki te rangatira-tanga,
te kaha,
me te kororia, Ake ake ake, Amine
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
St Andrew’s is an open community and all are invited to Christ’s table.
Wherever you are on your faith’s journey, wherever you have come from and wherever you are going to, whatever you believe, whatever you do not believe, you are welcome to participate in the communion, God’s meal for all people.
Communion is served by intinction (dipping).
Today we remain in a circle after the communion hymn. Those at the end of the circle near the front of the church will begin communion first.
All are invited to come to the front of the church and receive the bread, or a gluten-free cracker, taking a piece large enough to dip into the wine (silver cup) or grape juice (pottery cup).
Then please eat the bread/cracker which has been dipped in wine or juice.
Or, remain in your seat to be served if mobility is difficult.
If you need an entirely gluten-free communion, please receive from the roaming server.
If you don’t wish to receive communion, please be seated – we’re glad you are here with us.
COMMUNION HYMN ‘Draw the circle wide’
Words and music: Gordon Light
© 1994 Common Cup Co. All rights reserved.
Reprinted under One License No. A-623996
Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no-one stands alone,
standing side by side draw the circle wide.
God the still-point of the circle,
‘Round whom all creation turns;
Nothing lost, but held forever,
in God’s gracious arms.
Chorus
Let our hearts touch far horizons,
So encompass great and small;
Let our loving know no borders,
Faithful to God’s call.
Chorus
Begin to move to end of pew to form circle round walls of the church. Take orders of service with you. Keep singing!!
Let the dreams we dream be larger,
Than we’ve ever dreamed before;
Let the dream of Christ be in us,
Open every door…
Chorus
repeat last verse and chorus
COMMUNION LITURGY on green card
HYMN ‘And did those feet in former times’
Words: © Susan Jones 2000: this version 2014 and 2018
Tune: CH 4 #106 Jerusalem by Hubert Parry
And did those feet in former times
walk upon scree and tussock brown
and did the man, Jesus the Christ
cross mountains high and rolling downs?
and did he know the morning mist?
and did he know the harbour’s sheen?
and did he love this cityscape
its terraced streets, the urban scene?
And does he still walk this our land,
talking and laughing with us yet?
And does he know that stab of need
when neighbours snub, and worse, neglect?
And is he there when wine is poured?
And is he there when bread’s prepared?
And does he smile when Treaty’s done?
And does he weep when it is not?
Be with us Christ, as we step out.
Come with us on our lifelong quest.
Be our true guide, on our right hand,
be with us, walking and at rest.
So we will know life to the full,
be there to see us through the night.
For we would be your followers
pursue your Way with all our might.
BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE Fantasia in C Minor
J.S. Bach (1685 – 1750)
THANK YOU Thank you to Peter Franklin
our musician today
Unless otherwise specified all our music is used by permission CCLI Licence 341550
Words/music to new hymns and gathering statement, prayers and affirmation are original unless acknowledged. If Susan Jones is the worship leader any liturgy will have been written by her. These words can be used in other worship and small group situations without seeking permission. Please acknowledge the source.