August 19, 2018
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
What are we waiting for?
Are we ready for whatever will come, when it arrives?
Let us be present now, attentive and alert
Let us feel the consciousness arise with us
Let us become more self-aware of how our lives are travelling
And how we are travelling within them
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘And did those feet in former times’
Words: © Susan Jones 2000: this version 2014 and 2018
Tune: CH 4 #106 Jerusalem
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 friends are there?
And does he weep when they are 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.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH CHILDREN Sue McRae
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!
PIANO SOLO ‘Salix’ from Plymouth Suite
composed by Percy Whitlock played by Peter Franklin
THE WORD IN TEXTS Heather Macfarlane
Epistle Ephesians 5:15
Gospel Matthew 25: 1-13
Contemporary reading ‘Jesus’ simple parable on raising awareness’
by Joshua Tilghman, February 9 2013
http://www.spiritofthescripture.com/id1211-jesus-simple-parable-on-raising-awareness.html
I don’t think there’s anyone who has put the meaning of this parable any better than Eckert Tolle in his book, The Power of Now. I quote:
“…Jesus speaks of five careless (unconscious) women who do not have enough oil (consciousness) to keep their lamps burning (stay present) and so miss the bridegroom (the Now) and don’t get to the wedding feast (enlightenment). These five stand in contrast to the five wise women who have enough oil (stay conscious)…[These parables] point to the transcendence of the egoic mind and the possibility of living in an entirely new state of consciousness.” Tolle nailed it.
This parable has everything to do with something that we all have the power to implement every day: raising our awareness.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks
REFLECTION ‘Seize the Day’ Susan Jones
HYMN ‘Now comes the bridegroom’
Words © 2018 Susan Jones, Music Slane WOV 455
Now comes the bridegroom, the kingdom is near
For deep down inside us, it’s always been here;
Keep lamps always trimmed and the flame burning bright
Seize now the daytime and move t’wards insight.
Consciousness slowly develops in us,
we learn as we grow through both stillness and fuss;
The oil we are burning brings light to this place
growing more self-aware as we give Spirit space.
Let’s not be foolish but rather be wise
ensuring we always have all the supplies
we need to grow wiser, and ever aware
so when we are called, we are ready and there.
Let us be present, alert every day
so we do not miss Life’s sweet treasures this way;
Let’s pay full attention so consciousness grows
then spread the enlightenment so ev’ryone knows.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Events often have ineffable quality
impossible to capture in words
Ancient women and men experienced more
than words on scroll or page ever detail;
So we know scripture comes to us
filtered through minds and hearts,
contexts and circumstances.
In the events of our own lives
we can be moved by feather-light touches of grace
or tossed about in a maelstrom of meaning
or pain twists our gut in rictus agony;
So we know divine words form in us
without sound or vocabulary,
shaped by who we are now.
Spoken or unspoken, the Word forms in us now
as formed long ago in people like us, yet not like us.
We sense its truth in feelings too deep for words
or thoughts too complicated for grammar;
So we know the Word is all around us and within
In this, in all of us, is the Word of God.
Thanks be given.
OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
We have enough from what we gain
through income or benefit, legacy or gifting;
enough to give to others.
This money we bring
so this church can continue its work of justice, peace and
compassion.
This food we bring
so others who have little, will have some.
May both money and food find the need they have been given to fill,
and do their work.
May those who use both money and food be blessed in the using.
So may it be
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 Lynne Dovey
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Hong Kong and Macau and the the Hong Kong Christian Council. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Poto Williams (Christchurch East electorate) and Michael Wood (Mt Roskill 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 ‘Fancy Noah sailing in the ark’
Words and music © Colin Gibson 1996
Permission is given to reproduce this material, with acknowledgement,
for non-commercial use in a congregational or similar setting.
Fancy Noah sailing in the Ark,
ploughing through the wind and rain and dark;
all of a sudden, feel that bump,
landed safe on Ararat's hump,
welcome to the rainbow world.
Rainbow people, every creature too,
rainbow people, well what a motley crew,
with a snow white dove to guide them,
and an olive leaf their sign,
rainbow people in a rainbow world.
Some folk want a world of this and that,
mostly this, if that is what they're at;
all God's plenty is our store,
open wide the old Ark's door,
step into the rainbow world.
Rainbow people, bridging earth and sky,
rainbow people, God's promise in their eye,
and a shining arch to point them
to the harmony of all things,
rainbow people in a rainbow world.
Some folk want their world all black and white,
some folk like their world just wrong or right,
we like colour, we like hue,
we like me and we like you;
welcome to the rainbow world.
Rainbow people, children of the light,
rainbow people, declaring God's delight
in the multitudinous colours
of a multifarious world,
rainbow people in a rainbow world.
Some folk want a world of wrath and flame,
we prefer the gentle falling rain,
black clouds gather, still it shines,
pledge of seed and harvest times,
welcome to the rainbow world.
Rainbow people, joyful, full of mirth,
rainbow people, all colouring the earth
with the love and grace and laughter
of a plenitudinous God,
rainbow people in a rainbow world.
BLESSING
Let us reach down deep
In order to stretch right up
Let us think seriously
In order to live joyously
Let us celebrate the breath of life within us
With plenty of oil to sing and dance by
so we can live in union deep within,
knowing Love surrounds us
every moment of every day
SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU 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.
AUDIO REFLECTIONS
Sunday reflections are usually available on our website.
https://www.standrews.org.nz/category/sunday-gathering