October 18, 2020

WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE

‘Two Empires or One Kingdom?’

 

Today’s service is led by Rev. Doug Lendrum

GATHERING

That which is among us as serendipitous creativity conceives new life and as human beings we know and feel that life within us.

In our human history this nurturing makes entry and we see amidst the sometimes violent and sometimes gentle, the light before us.

Within our universe this inviting creating energy is revealed as human flourishing with purpose and hope.

In our human cognitive responding we choose to become walkers of the Jesus-Way who await with certainty the hope of the world.

 

PROCESSIONAL HYMN                                                                ‘We Look in Wonder’

                                                                                             Words: George Stuart. New Century Hymn Book 5

Tune: ‘Lasst Uns Erfreuen’ WOV 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

When we, in wonder, look beyond;

And with the cosmos feel a bond;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, sleep and dream;
Imagine virtue is supreme;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

When we, in wonder, look around;

Entranced with every sight and sound;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, catch a smile;
Ponder on thoughts that are worthwhile;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

When we, in wonder, look below;

Watch tiny ants run to and fro;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, greet the dawn,
Enchanted as each day is born;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

When we, in wonder, meet the night;

Then rest in God 'till morning light;
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
When we, in wonder, look about;
Know God is here. We wish to shout
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

WELCOME 

Nau mai ki konei ki te waahi ahuru.

Welcome to this place of safety

Ka whakamanahia e au to maatau wa.

I shall treasure our time together

PRAYER

Please remain seated throughout the prayer and sing the hymn as your response during the prayer.

Traditionally at least in protestant circles we have entered the liturgy of worship with a prayer of adoration and confession. It seems that it has always been easier to offer a wish list and a list of wrongs as a way of entering worship. But what if that is too simplistic, too self-therapy like, acknowledge the mighty God in charge and then all the things that we as human beings fail to do. What if we began with an awareness of our reality as human beings?

'Amidst the discordant noises of the day we hear the Spirit calling;

We stumble as we tread Earth's way; asking that we be kept from falling.

Our eyes are open but often they cannot see for the gloom of night:

We can no more than lift our hearts but for an inward light.

The wild and fiery passion of our youth consumes our soul; 

In agony we turn to God for truth and self-control.

For Passion and all the pleasures it can give will die the death;

But this of us eternally must live, it is for sure God’s borrowed breath.

'Amidst the discordant noises of the day we hear the Spirit calling;

We stumble as we tread Earth's way; asking that we be kept from falling.                                                                                                                     

HYMN                                                            ‘When Earth Wakes From Out Of Sleep’

                                                                                                    Words: William Wallace, Tune: ‘Dix’ WOV 239

When Earth wakes from out of sleep

with a terrifying shake,
does our faith lie torn apart
like the dwellings we forsake?
Cosmic God, each process shows
parts of wisdom Earth well knows.

Once we thought that earthquakes came

from a god to punish wrong;
now we know they place Earth’s plates
where for now they should belong.
Cosmic God, each process shows
parts of wisdom Earth well knows.

If we think that all that comes

is made solely for our good,
we have placed ourselves above
cosmic ways and livelihood.
Cosmic God, each process shows
parts of wisdom Earth well knows.

                               

(Minister) What if in our awareness we undertook to respond not with being sorry for who we are and took responsibility for our part in creating a better world?

Honour the mind, Live the questions, Explore the Adventure of Humanity

Ours is the dialogue task

To cast aside the theism, atheism debate

And to grasp a glimpse of the ‘Almost ’ impasse

To name the divine; ambiguity to create

A limitedness and uncertainty a past

Ours is a dynamic task

To risk all in the face of knowing

An enhanced meaning in life more than a fast

To fall in love again with reality flowing

Like an opportunity to escape a farce

Ours is a challenging task

To put aside an engineering strategy

And to discover in 3D a chaotic, dynamic class

Where living, moving and loving have synergy

And certainty and reductionism become the last.

Ours is a rewarding task

Connecting hearts rather than just minds

Discovering wisdom in embodied relational embrace

With nature, its reality and kinds

Its narrative enhanced and midwifed at last.

HYMN CONTINUED                                     ‘When Earth Wakes From Out Of Sleep’

If Earth’s plates now need to move,
its great need exceeds our own,
and it does not take account
where we choose to make our home.
Cosmic God, each process shows
parts of wisdom Earth well knows.

For the answers we return
to the Cosmos and its ways,
ways that humble all our pride,
Ways that fill our hearts with praise.
Cosmic God of everything,
your great mystery now we sing.

What if we were to seek communion with our planet?

Stephen Shick offers us ‘Communion with Earth and Sky’

Spring awakens memories of a deeper cold

and hopes of a warmer wetness,

sprouting seeds and budding branches.

Gray trees on gray sky screen eyes

from all that lies waiting:

the color of a million flowers,

the feathers of migrating songbirds,

the blossoming smiles of friends.

Soon we will no longer look to the night stars to guide us.

Soon the path will be lit and our task certain.

In the warming days we will plant our future,

uprooting useless skeletons of last year's harvest,

breaking the clods of indifference,

carefully pulling the weeds of neglect

so that roots can stretch.

Before the harvest moon rises and we wait again,

images of still distant summer days

awaken thoughts of a time when

all is done that can be done.

Then the harvest.

Then the transformation.

Then the baking.

Then the bread.

All we know and love is in this cycle.

All that has been or will be is in this loaf.

Take it.

Break it.

Give thanks

and pass it on.

JESUS’ PRAYER                                                                             Jim Cotter paraphrase

Eternal Spirit

Life-Giver, Pain-Bearer, Love-Maker,

source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all,

loving God, in whom is heaven:

the hallowing of your name

echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed

by the peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done

by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom

sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test,

strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory

of the power that is love, now and for ever.

Amen.

LIGHTING THE RAINBOW CANDLE                                                                                
TIME WITH CHILDREN                                                                          Cameron Smart
BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand)

May you enjoy the adventure, enjoy an unshakable Love and walk with confidence into the future in divine intimacy.

PASSING THE PEACE

Traditionally we shake hands to pass the peace and say “peace be with you.  Now that Covid is here

we ask that you pass the peace without shaking hands.  

THE WORD IN TEXTS                                                                                                   Gavin Watson

Hebrew Bible                                                                                      Exodus 33: 12-23

Contemporary reading                                                  “Be with those who Explore”

 by Michael Leunig

God be with those who explore in the cause of understanding; whose search takes them far from what is familiar and comfortable and leads them into danger or terrifying loneliness.

Let us try to understand their sometimes strange or difficult ways; their confronting or unusual language; the uncommon life of their emotions, for they have been affected and shaped and changed by their struggle at the frontiers of a wild darkness, just as we may be affected, shaped and changed by the insights they bring back to us. Bless them with strength and peace. 

Gospel                                                                                              Matthew 22: 15-22

RESPONSE

In honouring the mind, we begin the journey toward Christian wholeness with a life-changing recognition of the power of one’s own choices.

In Living the questions, we apply them to the present and increase the measure of freedom so that we can live more fully.

REFLECTION                    ‘Two Empires or One Kingdom?’       Rev. Doug Lendrum

DISCUSSION (If time and facility available)
HYMN                                                                                           ‘The Universe In God’

                                                                                           Words: George Stuart. New Century Hymn Book 13

Tune; Picardy WOV 418

All creation sings a story

of great splendour to declare;
when we contemplate its beauty
we are called forth into prayer.
We, enchanted, stand in silence;
God discovered everywhere.

When we stumble on new knowledge,

when new insights help us grow,
we are quick to re-discover
just how much we do not know.
But the Universe smiles gently,
as our theories come and go.

Outer space and inner being

both have secrets they conceal.
Galaxies so grimly awesome,
deep emotions that we feel-
All in God are judged as sacred;
it is God they all reveal.

Ageless mysteries still excite us;

Time and space we must explore.
God the ‘Presence’ and ‘Surrounding’,
God the ever wondrous ‘More’-
Not just found in science labours,
but in praise when we adore.

OFFERING PRAYER (said together)

Inspired by stories of a Sacred compassion, we bring our gifts seeking to find a way that through these gifts we can help free some people from hunger, lift some people from their distress, and encourage some people to be part of a better world.

We are awakened from a week of work and worry to a morning of fresh beginnings and new horizons.

For this day of rest we give thanks and praise.

We are awakened from a night of tossing and turning to a day of surprises and sanctuary.

For this day of peace we give thanks and praise.

We are awakened from the mundane and ordinary by an invitation for search and celebration.

For this time of celebration we give thanks and praise.

This is the day that we are given. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

This is a day like no other! For senses awakened we give thanks and praise. 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 not already in the order of service, 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                                                                          Sandra Kirby
CIRCLE OF PRAYER

We think today of the people of Cambodia and Christian World Service Partner Church World Service Cambodia and their work with communities to deliver food security, health services, savings and credit schemes, and training of volunteers to provide village services .  We remember the detainees of Manus and Nauru Islands, yearning that their cases be resolved.  In New Zealand, we remember those who work this election season; candidates, members of  political parties and  voters.  Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of St Ninian's Uniting Parish, Karori.

PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S

Renew your people, God,

and renew our life in this place.

Give us a new spirit of unity

with all who follow the Way of Jesus

and new bonds of love

with people of other faiths.

Bless the city in which we live

that it may be a place

where honest dealing,

good government,

the desire for beauty,

and the care for others flourish.

Bless this church

that what we know of your will

may become what we do,

and what we believe

the strong impulse

of our worship and work.

Amen

TIME WITH THE ADULTS

HYMN                                                                                   ‘A Mirage, Nothing More’

                                                                                    Words: Andrew Pratt, Tune: Franconia (Konig) WOV 376

A mirage, nothing more,

that’s how God often seems,

for even though we keep the faith,

is God a God of dreams?

We pray by night and day,

but answers seem remote,

and then detractors laugh at us,

make fun of us and gloat.

We’ve done our very best,

at least that’s what we thought,

and yet you’ve left us, lost, bereft,

without the God we sought.

Then when we need you most,

when every hope has gone,

we hear the whisper of a voice,

you bid us carry on.

A mirage, nothing more,

that’s how God often seems,

for even though we keep the faith,

is God a God of dreams?

We pray by night and day,

but answers seem remote,

and then detractors laugh at us,

make fun of us and gloat.

We’ve done our very best,

at least that’s what we thought,

and yet you’ve left us, lost, bereft,

without the God we sought.

Then when we need you most,

when every hope has gone,

we hear the whisper of a voice,

you bid us carry on.

WORDS OF PARTING

Let us go forth from this place and time, renewed, refreshed, and revitalised.

Let us live each day in the name of Love, and include all in the circle of Love, and treat all with a spirit of Love.

SUNG BLESSING

Life is a holy thing, life is a whole,

linking each creature and blessing us all,

making connections of body and soul.

Let us tend the garden and honour the earth.

SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE                                                                                                         Voluntary

by John Travers (1703-1758)