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.

 

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