August 4, 2019
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
If we can find peace within,
we are more able to create peace between ourselves and others.
This Gathering focuses on peace within to help us celebrate Peace Sunday
Today we experience silence, see images,
participate in guided meditation,
followed by a silent communion
to allow ourselves to experience the peace we can find
by looking inward in calm and quiet.
So, words will be at a minimum today so we can be still inside.
GATHERING
May peace fill our hearts
Peace and stillness, quiet and serenity
PROCESSIONAL HYMN `Let us reach down deep inside us.’
Words © 2016 Susan Jones
Music: FFS 10(i) Gaelic Traditional Melody. Arr John Bell
Let us reach down deep inside us
to the place where quiet reigns;
Find the Self who lives inside us
knows our joy and knows our pains:
Let our ego stand aside there,
shadow sharing space with light.
Let our inner selves rejoice at
how Love shines in darkest night.
Wind and fire and earthquake pass but
Spirit is not found in them;
Still, small voice is hardly heard, but
brings Love which does not condemn.
In lives buffeted by windstorms,
rocked by quakes and scorched by fire,
stillness brings surprising solace
as we find there, hearts’ desire.
Sacred calm means minds can settle,
hearts grow quiet, souls grow still;
Busy thinking slows its rhythm,
gives compassion chance to fill.
Even long-forgotten scars heal
as new balm brings a new way;
Every space and every crevice
warms as Love arrives to stay
PEACEFUL SCENES TO GENERATE PEACEFUL THOUGHTS
Use the powerpoint to still your mind and heart
JESUS’ PRAYER (from the Aramaic)
Space will be given for you to read this silently with only the Ameyn spoken
O Silent Sound,
whose shimmering music pulsates
at the heart of each and all,
Clear a space in us where thy melody
may be perceived in its purity.
Let the rhythm of thy counsel reverberate through our lives,
so that we move to the beat of justice, love, and peace.
Then, our whole being at one with thy song,
grant that the Earth may be filled
with the beauty of thy voice.
Endow us with the wisdom to produce and share
what each being needs to grow and flourish,
And give us courage to embrace our shadow with emptiness,
as we embrace others in their darkness.
But let us not be captive to uncertainty,
nor cling to fruitless pursuits.
For from thee springs forth
the rhythm, the melody, and the harmony,
which restores all to balance, again and again.
Ameyn.
Used by permission. Mark Hathaway and Neil Douglas-Klotz
(www.taoofliberation.com and www.abwoon.com).
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Jenny Simpson
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 Jenn Keenan
Gospel John 14:27
Jesus said: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Silence
Contemporary reading from “Gandhi: The Spring of Nonviolence”
Monday, October 26, 2015 Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
https://cac.org/gandhi-spring-nonviolence-2015-10-26/
Gandhi believed the core of his—and our—being is union with God. From this awareness, nonviolence must flow naturally and consistently. In his words:
Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our very being. . . . If love or non-violence be not the law of our being, the whole of my argument falls to pieces. . . . Belief in non-violence is based on the assumption that human nature in its essence is one and therefore unfailingly responds to the advances of love. . . . If one does not practice non-violence in one’s personal relations with others and hopes to use it in bigger affairs, one is vastly mistaken.
Silence
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.
OFFERING AND OFFERING PRAYER
The offerings are brought to the table and we silently ask that they be blessed in their work.
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Sue McRae
SILENT PRAYER
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of the Russian Federation and the Russian Orthodox Church. We think of the detainees in Manus and Nauru Islands, yearning for their situation to be resolved. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Jan Tinetti and Nicky Wagner list MPs. Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of the Knox Presbyterian Church, Waitara.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
St Andrew’s is an open community and all are invited to Christ’s table.
Wherever you are on your faith 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. This is God’s meal for all people. Today’s communion will be conducted in silence with gestures
COMMUNION HYMN ISRSA 12 ‘Come Ruah, Breath of Life’
From Inclusive Songs for Resistance and Social Action
Words © 2017 Jann Aldredge-Clanton, Music ‘Trentham’ Robert Jackson
Reprinted with permission under One License A-623996. All rights reserved
1.Come, Ruah, Breath of Life,
fill us with strength anew,
that we persist in peaceful acts,
and show Your widest view.
2.Come, Ruah, Breath of Life,
free us from all our fear,
that we resist oppressive acts,
and bring your justice here.
3.Come, Ruah, Breath of Life,
flow through our weary souls,
that we may keep our hope alive,
and reach our largest goals.
4.Come, Ruah, Breath of Life,
stir us to dream and dare,
working with you to change the world,
so all are kind and fair.
COMMUNION LITURGY In silence today
Communion is served by intinction. You 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). Eat the bread dipped in wine or juice.
Or, remain in your seat to be served if mobility is difficult. If you don't wish to receive communion, please remain in your seat – we’re glad you are here with us.
Prayer of Thanksgiving indicated by hands in the praying position
The Sanctus: we say together:
Holy Holy Holy Peaceable God,
the universe is full of your glory,
the glory of the power that is love.
Blessed are they who come in the name of God
Hosanna in the highest and
may shalom be over all the earth
Institution “Jesus on the night….” indicated by circling hands
The bread broken Bread lifted and blessed and broken
Thanks for the cup The chalice lifted and blessed
HYMN ISRSA 28 ‘Our Hearts Cry Out’
From Inclusive Songs for Resistance and Social Action
Words: © 2014 Jann Aldredge-Clanton
Music: ‘I Wonder’ Appalachian melody, arr. © 2017 Larry E. Schultz
Reprinted with permission under One License A-623996. All rights reserved
Our hearts cry out in longing for justice and peace.
Oh, when will oppression and violence all cease?
Oh, when will the captives all find full release?
Our hearts cry out in longing for justice and peace.
We labour bringing Wisdom Sophia to birth,
to give us the power to make peace on earth;
with Her all creation reclaims sacred worth;
we labour bringing Wisdom Sophia to birth.
Rejoice now for the Good News is coming to stay,
for Wisdom Sophia is born on this day;
She guides us together on Her peaceful way;
Rejoice now for the Good News is coming to stay.
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.
SILENT BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE
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.
AUDIO REFLECTIONS
Sunday reflections are usually available on our website.
https://www.standrews.org.nz/category/sunday-gathering
THANK YOU
Write the Thank You here