WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
We gather for community and for the grace of sacred presence;
We sit and work, we pray and prepare.
We can get very busy even on this sacred day;
We can miss the quiet moment when all comes together.
Let us, this day, pay attention to what is important;
Everything is important, in its own moment.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘Come celebrate the women’
Words © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray
Music: Ellacombe WOV 277
Come, celebrate the women
who brought the Church to birth!
the gentle revolution
that shall transform the earth:
whose faith was salt and leaven,
whose hearts and minds were free,
and this was their direction --
to peace and unity.
The teachers, saints and mothers
who lived and died unsung
kept safe the gospel story
and taught it to the young;
the Christ child Mary cradled,
the living Word to be,
was crucified for pleading
this peace and unity.
Daughters of the disciples,
you weave the story still,
the fabric of the future
with warmth and love and skill,
you make the bread of wholeness,
the wine of harmony --
and all shall share your feasting
in peace and unity!
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH CHILDREN Dawn Cowdry
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 Lois Robertson
Hebrew Bible Amos 8: 4-8
Gospel Luke 10: 38-42
Contemporary reading ‘A Cup of Tea’
from the Zen Tales Collection
NAN-IN, a Japanese master during the Meiji era (1868-1912), received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor's cup full, and then kept on pouring.
The professor watched the cup overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"
"Like this cup," Nan-in said, "you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.
REFLECTION ‘Martha and Mary and Myth’ Susan Jones
HYMN FFS 10(i) ‘Come and find the quiet centre’
Words © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray
Music Gaelic Traditional Melody arr. John Bell
Come and find the quiet centre
in the crowded life lead,
find the room for hope to enter,
find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
clear our eyes, that we can see
all the things that really matter,
be at peace, and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us,
cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us,
knows our being, touches base,
making space within our thinking,
lifting shades to show the sun,
raising courage when we're shrinking,
finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit let us travel,
open to each other's pain,
let our loves and fears unravel,
celebrate the space we gain:
there's a place for deepest dreaming,
there's a time for heart to care,
in the Spirit's lively scheming
there is always room to spare!
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.
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 Barrie Keenan
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Romania and Moldova and the reformed Church in Romania. We think of detainees on Nauru and Manus Island, yearning for their cases to be resolved. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name David Seymour (Epsom electorate) and Scott Simpson (Coromandel electorate). Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Wairoa Union Parish.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN ‘Celebrate Sister Lydia’s Vision’
from Inclusive Songs for Resistance and Social Action
Words © 2016 Jann Aldredge-Clanton, Music ‘Message’ Ernest H Nichol
Reprinted with permission under One License A-623996. All rights reserved
Celebrate Sister Lydia’s vision;
she fulfils her lifegiving call;
she follows Sophia Wisdom,
creating a place for all,
creating a place for all.
Refrain:
All have freedom to blossom fully
in a circle of hope and peace
the Good News reaches to everyone,
as justice and love increase.
Every race, every gender is welcome,
all affirmed in Lydia’s home;
first church to be formed in Europe,
disciples who spread shalom,
disciples who spread shalom. Refrain
We will join Sister Lydia’s mission,
forming circles, open and free;
as equal creative partners,
we birth new community,
we birth new community. Refrain
SPOKEN BLESSING
SUNG BLESSING FFS 49 ‘May the God of new beginnings’
Words © 2000 John Murray, Music © 2000 Colin Gibson
Reprinted with permission under One License A-623996. All rights reserved
May the God of new beginnings start with you and me,
May the God of continuing story speak through you and me,
May the God of infinite wisdom shine in you and me,
May the God of safe homecomings welcome you and me.
SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU Judy Dumbleton
Our Musician today
Unless otherwise stated all hymns are 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