July 30, 2017
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.
GATHERING
As the lights dim, the music starts, the images move on to the screen
What God will we find here on the screens of our lives?
As each day begins and the curtains part on a waiting space
What character do we assign to God in the days of our lives?
Today we reflect on God and movies and us the audience
To see how God and we act out the drama of life together
PROCESSIONAL HYMN AA 113
‘Our life has its seasons’
Words: © Shirley Murray. Music: © Colin Gibson
Our life has its seasons, and God has the reasons
why spring follows winter, and new leaves grow,
for there's a connection with our resurrection
that flowers will bud after frost and snow.
So there's never a time to stop believing,
there's never a time for hope to die,
there's never a time to stop loving,
these three things go on.
There's a time to be planting, a time to be plucking,
a time to be laughing, a time to weep,
a time to be building, a time to be breaking,
a time to be waking, a time to sleep.
So there’s never…
There's a time to be hurting, a time to be healing,
a time to be saving, a time to spend,
a time to be grieving, a time to be dancing,
a time for beginning, a time to end.
So there’s never…
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH CHILDREN Susan Jones
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 Rosemary Lawrence
Hebrew Bible Psalm 105
Gospel Matthew 13: 44-46
Contemporary reading ‘Bumping into God’
By Dave Tomlinson in How to be a bad Christian and a better human being
Anyone who has seen the classic 1999 film American beauty will recall
the plastic bag scene. It’s where the teenager Ricky asks his friend Jane if
she would like to see the most beautiful thing he has ever filmed. Ricky is
something of a troubled mystic who sees beauty in the minutiae of
everyday life, and videos as much as he can for fear of missing it.
So they sit in front of Ricky’s television to watch his cherished film: a
haunting sequence of a plastic bag dancing in the wind in front of a
graffitied wall. With tears in his eyes, Ricky explains, ‘It was one of those
days when it’s a minute away from snowing and there’s this electricity in
the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was like, dancing with me.
Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that’s
the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and… this
incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason
to be afraid… ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me
remember … and I need to remember … Sometimes there’s so much
beauty in the world I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart’s going to cave
in.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture, for the Word among us,
for the Word within us, we give thanks
REFLECTION ‘God on screen’ Susan Jones
AFFIRMATION
Shakespeare wrote “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women
merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in
his time plays many parts.”
I believe in God, Creator of that stage
the unsurpassable playwright,
creating comedy, drama, romance, tragedy;
whose script is open to interpretation
speaking to each individual, honouring those who are a part of it.
I believe in Christ, the lighting designer
encompassing me with light,
bringing warmth, love, serenity and faith;
who illuminates my way,
never leaving me in utter darkness,
always showing the beauty of the scenery.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the stage manager,
ready with props and special effects
prompting me if I ever falter;
ensuring I am never alone, but also never complacent,
always teaching me the lessons the playwright is offering.
I believe in the Church, the green room,
to which the Spirit draws me,
revitalizing me for my next step forward;
a place I can relax with like-minded people,
awhi mai, awhi atau ‘I support you, we support each other.’
God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Church,
integral aspects of the theatre of faith
necessary for its existence,
for the stage to ever evolve, for the faith to live on.
Meegan Cloughley, Opoho 2007 (twenty-something, lighting manager)
HYMN HIOS 27 ‘Every hair upon your head’
Words and Music © 1998 Colin Gibson. Hope Publishing Company
Ev'ry hair upon your head has been counted, Jesus said,
though it's black or white or red or in between.
Ev'ry curl upon your mount has been counted in the count,
though it's beige or blond, or blue or even green.
Refrain:
We're the family of God, who finds nothing strange or odd,
who delights in individuality:
be we bald or richly blessed, be we shaggy, shaved or tressed,
we're the family of God, yes, you and me.
Ev'ry tuft upon your top is selected from the crop,
though it's knotted in a knot or left to flow;
whether Cherokee or shorn, maybe lonely or forlorn,
though it's only just been born, it's in the know. Refrain
Though it's old and turning grey, maybe like a field of hay,
though your friends and neighbours say it will not do;
though it's frizzy, though it’s lank, though it stands up like a bank,
it is loved and counted precious 'cos it’s you. Refrain
Ev'ry follicle is named, not a split-end will be blamed,
not one hair need be ashamed to show its head;
and the colour will be right in a loving parent’s sight,
though it’s dull or dark or bright, so Jesus said. Refrain
OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
Our lives may not be a movie script, funded by billionaires or film
studios, but we are given gifts of many kinds. Today we give back
money for the work of this community and food for those who need it
more than we. Our prayer is that both will achieve the purpose for
which they have been given. So may it be 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.
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 Bronwyn White
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Brunei and we pray for strength and
wisdom for Christian leaders in Brunei dealing with growing religious
restrictions. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and
today we name Christopher Finlayson and Paul Foster-Bell list MPs. Here
in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of St James’
Union Church and St Luke’s Union Church, Masterton
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN FFS 57 ‘Song of faith that sings forever’
Words: © Shirley Erena Murray. Music © Colin Gibson
Song of faith that sings forever
through God's people, ages long,
Word that holds the world together
when our hearts take up the song,
always, always, somewhere sounding,
though the source we do not see,
counterpoint to all despairing,
it is hope that sets the key.
Song of faith in exaltation,
rising through the vaults of prayer,
tune of simple celebration
offered up in open air,
song in chapel and cathedral,
descant to our daily tone,
song from sickbed or in prison,
faith must often sing alone.
And when life would overwhelm us,
when there seems no song to sing,
hear the constant voice of courage
out of fear and suffering:
all who've loved and trusted Jesus,
all who lift us to be strong,
endless, endless are the voices
of the faith that makes the song.
BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU
Vivien Chiu
Our Musician toda