November 26, 2017
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display God’s craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make God known.
They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘Reckless extravagance’
Words: © Andrew Pratt Music: Was Lebet, WOV 104
Reckless extravagance, laughter and daring,
lavish exuberance, thunder and light,
burning compassion and love un-exhausted,
pouring from God with all passion and might.
Artist, explorer, composer and scholar
fathom the wonder of being and need,
piercing the mystery of love and creation,
take us where hope and existence would lead.
Searching the future, yet held in the present,
cradled by all that has brought us to birth,
here we would open our hearts to our neighbours,
loving with passion, for all we are worth
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
…………………..And as we near St Andrew’s Day, we give thanks for images and stories of St Andrew, which connect us to one strand of our history, our Scottish roots.
We remember
Andrew the curious,
Andrew the networker and
Andrew the dedicated disciple,
patron saint of Scotland and
we hold him in honour now.
LORD’S PRAYER on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH CHILDREN Cameron Smart
BLESSING THE CHILDREN
God bless you as you go to the Rainbow Room. May you learn a lot and enjoy your time together. Bring back to us all your energy and enthusiasm
We bless you. Amen.
HYMN ‘Sing of Andrew’
Words: © Carl P Daw Jr Tune: Nettleton
Sing of Andrew, John's disciple,
led by faith through ways untrod,
till the Baptist cried at Jordan,
"There behold the Lamb of God!"
Stirred by hearing this new teacher,
Andrew, freed from doubt and fear,
ran to tell his brother Simon,
God's Anointed One is here!"
Sing of Andrew, called by Jesus
from the shores of Galilee,
leaving boats and nets and kindred,
trusting in that "Follow me."
When a lad's small meal fed thousands,
when inquiring Greeks found care,
when the Spirit came in blessing,
Andrew faithfully was there.
Sing of Andrew, bold apostle,
sent to make the gospel known,
faithful to his Lord's example,
called to make a cross his own.
So may we who prize his memory
honour Christ in our own day,
bearing witness to our neighbours,
living what we sing and pray.
PASSING THE PEACE
WORD IN TEXTS
Hebrew Bible Exodus 35:25-35 (NLT)
Contemporary reading ‘Behold the beauty of the Lord’
by Henri Nouwen
RESPONSE
For the Word in craft and art,
for the Word in cooperative venture ,
for the Word in creative instinct,
We give thanks.
INTRODUCTION TO THE REFLECTIONS Mike Wespel Rose
REFLECTIONS
Pauline Patchett - Baring Head Lighthouse
Trish McBride – Burning Bush
Cam Smart – Grey and Gold
Gillian Feist - Stalingrad Madonna
Joan Tyler– from Mi'kmaq
HYMN ‘Ancient peoples sought transcendence’
Words: © Fiona McDougal, based on
“The Role of Art in Christian Tradition” by Juliet Benner
Tune: Scarlet Ribbons
Ancient peoples sought transcendence
through their images of God.
Abrahamic faiths forbad this,
holding idols to be wrong.
Still the sacred scriptures showed that
stories conveyed truth and light.
Imager’y and metaphor touch
peoples’ hearts and minds alike.
Early Christian catacombs had
paintings and mosaics drawn.
God the creator’s not depicted,
Jesus as th’incarnate one
could be shown in Bible stories,
made his presence seem more real.
Strengthened those who suffered greatly
for their faith, and did not yield.
Middle Ages brought new riches;
artists’ meditative work
served to deepen understanding,
increase faith and spread the Word.
Pilgrims ending weary journeys,
saw ahead cathedral spires.
In the grandeur, glass and friezes
sensing hopes and truths much higher.
Zealous Protestant reformers,
focused on the Word of God.
They, believing art was sinful
rampaged, pillaged and destroyed.
Now we use art in our worship,
healing depths words cannot reach.
Mystery beyond all knowing,
love of God expressed for each.
REFLECTIONS
Margaret Megwyn - Megwyn's Wheel
Rosemary Lawrence – Two figures
Sarah Jobson – an embroidery
Frank Cook - Irrational Powers
Sue McRae – A Cross by Michael Smither
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.
OFFERING
With gratitude we acknowledge your many gifts to us.
A world of beauty that stirs our hearts to wonder,
art which moves and inspires us,
people who give support and care.
May the gifts we offer create strength and hope in the lives of others,
making your love real in our world,
Amen.
We recognise and bless the gifts brought to the table and those given
to support the mission of the church through automatic payment.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Mike Wespel-Rose
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of the Presbyterian Church of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Huo Raymond and Willie Jackson, Labour Party MPs. Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Stratford and St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN ‘Moved by the Gospel’
Words: © Ruth Duck Tune: Kingsfold WOV 500
Moved by the Gospel, let us move
with every gift and art.
The image of creative love
indwells each human heart.
The Maker calls creation good,
so let us now express
with sound and colour, stone and wood,
the shape of holiness.
Let weavers form from broken strands
a tapestry of prayer.
Let artists paint with skilful hands
their joy, lament and care.
Then mime the story: Christ has come.
With reverence dance the Word.
With flute and organ, gong and drum,
God’s praise be ever heard.
O Spirit, breathe among us here,
inspire the work we do.
May hands and voices, eye and ear
attest to life made new.
In worship and in daily strife
create among us still.
Great Artist form our common life
according to Your will.
BLESSING
God the creator
inspire us now,
Jesus our guide
lead us on our way,
Spirit of love
enfold all we are and do.
AMEN
THANK YOU Bruce Cash, Our Musician today