WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
We’re on the way!
From bondage to freedom, from imprisonment to liberation
We walk the road with trusting faith
The journey will stretch us and place demands on us
What is the trust we need? What is faith?
Who will we take with us? What do we need to do?
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘Our delight is in the broadness’
Words © Susan Jones 2014-2015 Used by permission. Tune: Praise my Soul
Our delight is in the broadness
of the world dawn brings to sight;
Harbour, beach and islands’ structure,
plain and hilltop, mountains’ might;
Thanks be giv’n for nature’s beauty,
celebrate each new day’s light.
Our delight is in the living
of each moment every day
working, playing, walking, sleeping,
being family, every way;
Grace be giv’n for every minute,
wisdom for each interplay.
Our delight is in the creatures
sharing with us this our place,
moths and birds with stunning markings,
dolphins moving with sweet grace;
Thanks be giv’n for all creation,
celebrate each life, each space.
Our delight is in the loving
of each other as we may;
Searching, finding, liking, loving,
Same and different, trans and gay
Thanks be giv’n for our affections,
celebrate them night and day.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER (2nd of 6 possible renderings of the Aramaic Lord’s Prayer)
O Source of the Wave,
which envelops and embraces the cosmos,
sustaining and renewing it at each moment,
Penetrate the deepest recesses of our hearts,
and there create a space for thy holy shrine.
In this nuptial chamber,
conceive the creative potency of thy Reign,
So that we may give birth to the embodiment of thy desire:
as from the emanation, so too in form.
With passion and soul let us generate
that which is needed to sustain life this day.
Release us from the bondage of our karma,
as we free others from the captivity of their guilt.
And do not let superficiality cause us to vacillate,
but rather free us from all that impedes growth.
For from thee bursts forth all that
dignifies, gives life, and astonishes,
from cycle to cycle, restoring wholeness. Ameyn.
By Mark Hathaway and Neil Douglas -Klotz. Used with permission.
See their work on www.taoofliberation.com and wwwabwoon.com
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Ellen Murray
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!
A LENTEN MOMENT Jem Traylen
THE WORD IN TEXTS Linda Wilkins
Epistle Romans 4: 1-5 & 9-11
Gospel Mark 8: 31-37
Contemporary reading
‘Why I support Gay Marriage’ Interview with Tony Compolo
https://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Tony-Campolo-Why-gay-Christians-should-be-fully-accepted-into-the-Church
I know all the arguments pro and con. I’ve thought of everything, and I’m still open to considering new things when somebody has something new to say. Having said all of that, I just meet too many wonderful Christian people who are in gay relationships, and I know this: my own marriage has been an incredible relationship. If I was to ask what has been the greatest influence in nurturing me as a Christian, I would have to say it’s my wife. I then ask myself a very simple question: can I deny homosexual couples what I am personally experiencing in the way of blessings and joy in a relationship?
That became the basis for my final decision. I just knew too many couples who were living out the Christian life, who were committed to the work of the kingdom and who were in edifying relationships.
Suicide is the second major cause of death among teenagers in America, second only to automobile accidents. Almost three-quarters of those suicides are suicides by Christian young people who cannot reconcile their sexual orientation with what they’re hearing from the pulpit. I don’t know what the Church is about, but if it’s about driving kids to suicide it’s not doing the right thing.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks
REFLECTION ’Everyone Accepted on Trust’ Susan Jones
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 its 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 parents sight,
though its dull or dark or bright, so Jesus said. Refrain
OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
May these scraps of paper, bits of metal and cans of food serve as symbols of our deep desire for Love to transform our time, effort, and substance into works of creative compassion for each other, for our wider community, and for the world beyond, through this church.
So may it be, Amen.
Adapted from a prayer by James Burklo on
https://progressivechristianity.org/resources/prayer-of-dedication-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.
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 Cameron Smart
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the organisations working for reconciliation in Croatia and Slovenia and the people of Croatia and Slovenia. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name MPs Mark Mitchell (Rodney electorate) and Todd Muller (Bay of Plenty electorate). Here in Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Wairoa Union Parish.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN We shall go out with hope of resurrection
Words © 1993 June Boyce Tillman Stainer & Bell, Ltd. Used by permission of Hope Publishing Co.
CH4 729 Tune: Londonderry Air
We shall go out with hope of resurrection;
we shall go out, from strength to strength go on;
we shall go out and tell our stories boldly;
tales of a love that will not let us go.
We'll sing our songs of wrongs that can be righted;
we'll dream our dream of hurts that can be healed;
we'll weave a cloth of all the world united
within the vision of new life who sets us free.
We'll give a voice to those who have not spoken;
we'll find the words for those whose lips are sealed;
we'll make the tunes for those who sing no longer,
expressive love alive in every heart.
We'll share our joy with those who are still weeping,
raise hymns of strength for hearts that break in grief,
we'll leap and dance the resurrection story
including all in circles of our love.
BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE
THANK YOU Bruce Cash
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 such 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.
THANK YOU
Write the Thank You here