August 6, 2017
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 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.
Please note your nearest fire exit.
The church and hall have been earthquake strengthened. In an earthquake: drop, cover and hold.
GATHERING
The threat of war is only the push of a button away
We yearn for peace
The defeat of justice is only a corrupt person away
We yearn for fairness
The spread of discrimination is only a jeer away
We yearn for acceptance
The rise of cruelty is only an act away
We yearn for compassion
Peace is all of this;
freedom from warfare, fair treatment for all,
tolerance and compassion
This is true peace
We yearn for this
PROCESSIONAL HYMN AA 44 ‘Gentle God when we are driven’
Words: ©1982 Shirley Murray. Music: ©1982 Jillian Bray
Gentle God, when we are driven
past the limits of our love,
when our hurt would have a weapon
and the hawk destroy the dove,
at the cost of seeming weak,
help us turn the other cheek.
Gentle Spirit, when our reason
clouds in anger, twists in fear,
when we strike instead of stroking,
when we bruise and sting and smear,
cool our burning, take our pain,
bring us to ourselves again.In the mirror of earth's madness
let us see our ravaged face,
in the turmoil of all people
let compassion find a place,
touch our hearts to make amends,
see our enemies as friends.
Let our strength be in forgiving
as forgiven we must be,
one to one in costly loving,
finding trust and growing free,
gentle God, be our release,
gentle Spirit, teach us peace.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS’ PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Frank Cook
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 “And with you.”
Or, simply saying ‘Hello” is a simple option.
THE WORD IN TEXTS John Morgan
Hebrew Bible Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Gospel Matthew 14:13-21
Contemporary reading
‘The nuclear bomb is a weapon of crime and mass destruction ’
By Roland Oldham, Moruroa e Tatou, Tahiti (abridged)
We should all be well aware of the examples of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
where the consequences still today have effects across generations.
Like those in other places, nuclear tests in the Pacific by France, America
and Britain were a crime towards indigenous people, and the defenceless
people of the Pacific. It is a racist crime—nuclear racism. This destroyed
and contaminated their environment, the natural resources that they
depend on to live. The damages are irreversible. ….
….There are thousands, millions of victims out there around the world—
former test and weapons production site workers, military staff, civilians;
women and children. They are invisible. They are voiceless. They have
cancers: leukemia, thyroid, others…. Women in French Polynesia now
have the highest rates of thyroid cancer and myeloid leukemia in the
world. Their children through many generations will be affected by
genetic mutations and damage.
It is a poisonous heritage that is left to humanity and future generations.
It is a crime against humanity…
….But as victims we are not begging for favour, we are just standing up
for our rights and our dignity.
There exists an obligation for the nuclear-armed states to compensate
their victims, and to make reparation for the damage done to the
environment.
There must be no more mushroom clouds producing untold numbers of
new victims.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture, for the Word among us,
for the Word within us, we give thanks
REFLECTION ‘Hear a just cause – Testimonies for Peace’ Paul Barber
LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY OF ST ANDREW’S
People share notices. 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.
OFFERING
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Sandra Kirby
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Botswana and the Botswana Christian
Council. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we
name Kris Faafoi and Te Ururoa Flavell and the members of their
electorates of Mana and Waiariki. Here in the Central Presbytery, we
pray for the leaders and people of St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Napier.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
St Andrew’s is an open community. 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 the communion. This is God’s meal for all people.
COMMUNION HYMN HIOS 28 ‘Sing for Peace’
Music: © 2016 Vivien Chiu Words: © 2004 Shirley Murray
Everything that has voice
sing for peace, speak for peace,
given chance, given choice,
work for peace, write for peace,
resonating everywhere,
echoing our common care:
everything that has voice,
sing for peace!
Everyone who has breath,
you and I, passers-by,
All the world longs for peace
cries for peace, dies for peace,
let the children, every place
sleep in peace, grow in peace,
home and country safe to be
where the spirit rises free,
all the world longs for peace,
cries for peace.
every tenant of the earth
plant for peace, gather peace,
cultivate a neighbourhood
cherishing our neighbours' good:
everyone who has breath, live in peace
COMMUNION LITURGY
Lift up your hearts
We lift them up
Let us give thanks and praise
At this sacred table, we give thanks and praise this day for Peace.
It is right to give thanks and praise
for we have been granted access
to the deepest peace known to humanity;
Peace passing all understanding, soothing hearts, calming minds.
A peace hard won and deeply valued
by all those over the centuries
who have worked for peace and made peace and kept the peace.
Hope in this peace has endured
through war and nuclear bomb, through riots and anarchy,
through chaos, abuse and violence.
And so we range ourselves alongside
all who have worked for peace through the ages,
who lived and worked with Jesus
and all his followers since.
Holy, holy, holy One, filled with power and might;
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory,
the glory of the power that is love;
Blessed are they who come
in the name of all that is life giving and loving;
Hosanna in the highest, let gratitude ring across the sky
Blessed is our brother Jesus,
sometimes called the Prince of Peace,
who walks with us in the spirit of life,
who, after a meal with his friends,
people much like us, took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said:
‘This is my body which is for you. Do this to remember me.’
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying words like
‘This cup is the new covenant,
Do this whenever you drink it, to remember me.’
Come now disturbing Spirit
breathe on these earthly things and make us one.
Open our eyes, unlock our hearts, name us here;
Heal, in us and our world, all which needs healing
transforming despair into hope
that we may go out with power to release peace in the world.
Adapted from All Desires Known by Janet Morley
The original of this prayer was first used on Easter Day 1987 in the St Hilda Community
PEACE BANNER
As you come forward, please attach your ‘peace offering’ to the banner
at the rear of the church. The banner will be brought forward after
communion.
Communion is served by intinction. You 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). Eat the bread dipped in wine or juice.
Or, remain in your seat to be served if mobility is difficult. If you don't wish to receive
communion, please remain in your seat – we’re glad you are here with us.
TAIZE CHANT (sung during communion) Taize Community
My Peace I Leave you, My Peace I Give you; trouble not your hearts.
My Peace I Leave you, My Peace I Give you; be not afraid.
HYMN It is time! Let the white poppies bloom
Words: ©2015 Shirley Erena Murray. Hope Publishing Company
Music: © 2015 Colin Gibson
It is time! Let the white poppies bloom
and the blood of the past stain no more;
it is time... for the sowing of seed
that will outgrow the jungles of war.
and the soul of the world will be healed,
and the darkness give way to the sun,
and the terror of nuclear night will be gone
in a peace that will never be done!
It is time... that the white poppies grow
through the hatreds and hurts that survive,
it is time... for the tumbling of towers
and the building of trust kept alive:
and the soul of the world will be healed,
and the darkness give way to the sun,
and the terror of nuclear night will be gone
in a peace that will never be done!
It is time: let the white petals float
over countries and cultures and lands;
it is time...that the dreams that were lost
be reclaimed by our hearts and our hands,
and the soul of the world will be healed,
and the darkness give way to the sun,
and the terror of nuclear night will be gone
in a peace that will never be done!
BLESSING AND SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE “Nessun dorma” from “Turandot”
by Puccini (1858 – 1924)
THANK YOU
Peter Franklin
Our musician today