Order of Service 19 January 2020 Epiphany 2

WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE

The Earth’s Pentecostal Cry

 

 

GATHERING
The Spirit of God has hovered over the waters…

We invite the weather to gather with us,
thunderstorms and gale force breezes ,
rain clouds and soft summer skies.

We invite the ocean currents to join us,
deep currents that circle in the Pacific Ocean,
swirling warm waters of the tropics,
Arctic, Antarctic streams of cold.

We join with the movements of Earth in celebration,
rotations that create times of light and dark,
weather cycles moving westward from dawn to dusk.

We call the ecosystems of nature to celebrate with us,
connecting us with our origin.
Nourishing and sustaining all life on Earth.

We celebrate the songs of our climate!
Sing! Climate! Sing!

PROCESSIONAL HYMN WOV 91 ‘Morning has broken’
Words by Eleanor Farjeon & Yusuf Islam
Music: Bunessan Trad Gaelic

WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.

MEDITATION: I remember….

JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card

LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE

BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand)
Children, you can return to sit with family or stay at the front of the church and use the activity bags.
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 Sandra Kirby

Hebrew Bible Genesis 1:26-31

Christian Scriptures Acts 2:1-4

Contemporary reading ‘Tehanu’ from “Earthsea”series
by Ursula K. Le Guin
“Why do you not hear it then?”

“Because I will not!” Sparrowhawk said fiercely. “I was born to power, even as you were. But you are young. You stand on the borders of possibility, in the shadowland, in the realm of dream and you hear the voice say come. As I did once. But I am old. I have made my choices, I have done what I must do. I stand in daylight facing my death. And I know that there is only one power worth having. And that is the power, not to take, but to accept. Not to have , but to give.

RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.

REFLECTION Reflections on 2019 Ross Scott

HYMN ‘Climate is Warming’
Words: © 2009 George Stuart
Music: NSW: Toronto. G Stuart, Tune “The Ash Grove”

AFFIRMATION (optional)

We are one

Let us centre our minds and our hearts.

We are one with the universe.
We are one with the sun and the stars.
We are one with the land and the seas.
We are one with the One who is mystery… (Silence)

We are one with the Flora of the sea and land
We are one with the crops of the fields and fruit of the orchards
We are one with the Forna of the sea and land
We are one with the animals of our farms and the microbes of our bodies
We are one with the One who is mystery… (Silence)

We are one with people of different and the same gender, sexuality and identity.
We are one with the One who is mystery… (Silence)

We are one with people of different nations
We are one with people of different race
We are one with people who hold different beliefs

We are one with the One who is mystery… (Silence)

We are one with ourselves.
We are one with the One who is mystery… (Silence)

OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
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 Catriona Cairns

CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Tuvalu and the Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu. We remember the detainees of Manus and Nauru Islands, yearning that their cases be resolved. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Tamati Coffey (Waiariki electorate) and Judith Collins (Papakura electorate).
Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of St John's in The City Presbyterian Church, Wellington.

PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card

HYMN ‘I am Your Mother’ (Earth Prayer)
Words and Music: © 1996 Hope Publishing Company
Words: Shirley Erena Murray Tune: Bunessan

BENEDICTION

As a chief gathers ingredients
As a gardener gathers seeds
As a poet gathers images
As a musician gathers instruments
As a scholar gathers arguments
As a writer gathers stories
As a preacher gathers texts
So God gathers people for service

SUNG AMEN

POSTLUDE Tuba Tune in D Major
by C.S. Lang (1891 – 1971)