October 6, 2019
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
Faith seeks understanding so our minds are brought into play
Do our experiences need words to be passed on as wisdom?
How do we understand what is happening around us
By experience, then thought, then action, then reflection
Body mind and spirit all play their part
Entwining together to help us to be whole, complete, human beings
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘And did those feet in former times’
Words: © Susan Jones 2000-2019
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 all’s restored?
And does he weep when it is 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 (SUNG) Ch 4 538 ‘God be in my head’
Words: Book of Hours 1514 Music: Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941)
God be in my head and in my understanding
God be in mine eyes and in my looking
God be in my mouth and in my speaking
God be in my heart and in my thinking
God be at mine end, and at my departing
JESUS’ PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card and screen Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Graham Howell
BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand)
We hope you will enjoy the book and activities at the back of the church.
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!
PRAYER (SUNG) Ch 4 538 ‘God be in my head’
Words: Book of Hours 1514 Music: Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941)
God be in my head and in my understanding
God be in mine eyes and in my looking
God be in my mouth and in my speaking
God be in my heart and in my thinking
God be at mine end, and at my departing
THE WORD IN TEXTS Margaret Rushbrook Roster name
Hebrew Bible Deuteronomy 6: 1-9
Gospel Matthew 22: 34-45
Contemporary reading ‘A letter to friends of Emergent…’
by Brian McLaren
https://brianmclaren.net/a-letter-to-friends-of-emergent/
“Emergent refers to Emergent Village “a growing, generative friendship among missional Christians seeking to love our world in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
There won’t be postmodern churches (or better put, churches that deeply engage with postmodern cultures) until there are Christian theologies that are not written/spoken in modern-ese. Post-modern-ese theologies may have been conceived; they may be in the second week of prenatal development; but as far as I can tell, none have yet been born. These things take time, and premature births are risky. It’s better to let the womb of the Spirit take proper time to give birth what must come in the fulness of time.
Predictably, those trying to be midwives to these new theologies (note the plural) are being criticized as heretics, unorthodox, disturbers of the peace, etc. This is inevitable, and this is an opportunity for humility and gentleness and meekness (reviled, not reviling back) on their part, these virtues being ideal contexts in which things of the Spirit can gestate. We should pray for all who are involved in this labour. And we should pray for all those attacking the midwives. And we should be patient too, with everyone…
The emergent movement (a dangerous term – see next paragraph) has wonderful promise, but it could just become another marketing gimmick to sell books, build egos, and bolster sagging spirits with a new invisible wardrobe for a pudgy, pasty old emperor. No doubt, in some quarters it will squander its potential, but if you care about the possibilities being actualized … please … let’s aim deep and high….
If you’re coming to one of the emergent conventions this spring, I hope you’ll help us set a tone of depth, sincerity, good cheer, good humour, optimism, faith, humility, cordiality, friendship, and fun. Try to leave your toxicity at home. Deconstruction is important, and there’s a time and place for it … but there is a time for constructive conversations too, and this is such a time. Come trusting God to do something impossible … namely, to help us rise high above (or dig deep beneath) the superficiality which characterizes most of our culture, secular and religious … Praying that this will be so – Brian
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.
PRAYER (SUNG) Ch 4 538 ‘God be in my head’
Words: Book of Hours 1514 Music: Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941)
God be in my head and in my understanding
God be in mine eyes and in my looking
God be in my mouth and in my speaking
God be in my heart and in my thinking
God be at mine end, and at my departing
REFLECTION ‘Theological Education and Reflection:
Thinking about what we feel’ Susan Jones
OFFERING PRAYER
We stand in silence,
offering our own prayers of thanksgiving and offering
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.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Experience teaches ineffable lessons;
hardly able to be expressed in words
that which we ‘know’ without book learning or instruction.
Faith and trust grow as experience piles upon experience;
as soft as a feather’s touch,
as silent as a sunrise,
gentle as a kitten’s paw,
mysterious as a star lit sky
fearful, like blue-black thunderstorm
unsettling, like gale force wind.
Gently as mind is applied and thoughts of others scanned,
together we strain to express
(with some sort of cognitive accuracy)
what it is we have come to know
by intuition and imagination,
by myth and metaphor.
The task is not easy,
we do not always get it right,
but there is satisfaction in the wrestling
growth in the struggle,
even some serenity after striving.
and in the process
we find ourselves a little closer
to knowing the Ultimate and the Good.
Our intention?
To continue theologising
so faith reaches greater understanding.
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 Sandra Kirby
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of South Africa and Lesotho and the Presbyterian Church of South Africa. We remember the detainees on Manus and Nauru Islands yearning for their cases to be resolved. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Louisa Wall (Manurewa electorate) and Duncan Webb (Christchurch electorate). Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Island Bay Presbyterian Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card and the screens
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.
COMMUNION HYMN AA 158 ‘Who is my mother’
Words Shirley Erena Murray © 1992 Hope Publishing Company, Music: © Ian Render
Who is my mother, who is my brother?
all those who gather round Jesus Christ:
Spirit-blown people born from the Gospel
sit at the table, round Jesus Christ.
Differently abled, differently labeled,
widen the circle round Jesus Christ,
crutches and stigmas, culture's enigmas,
all come together round Jesus Christ.
Love will relate us -- colour or status
can't segregate us, round Jesus Christ:
family failings, human derailings --
all are accepted, round Jesus Christ.
Bound by one vision, met for one mission
we claim each other, round Jesus Christ:
here is my mother, here is my brother,
kindred in Spirit, through Jesus Christ.
COMMUNION LITURGY on card
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.
The central plate is entirely gluten free.
PRAYER (SUNG) Ch 4 538 ‘God be in my head’
Words: Book of Hours 1514 Music: Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941)
God be in my head and in my understanding
God be in mine eyes and in my looking
God be in my mouth and in my speaking
God be in my heart and in my thinking
God be at mine end, and at my departing
HYMN ‘Draw the Circle Wide’
Music & Words by Gordon Light ©2008 Abingdon Press
(Admin by CopyCare Pacific Pty Ltd) Used by permission CCLI Licence 3341550
Refrain
Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still
Let this be our song, no one stands alone
Standing side by side
Draw the circle, Draw the circle wide
God the still point of the circle
Round you all creation turns
Nothing lost but held forever
In the gracious arms. Refrain
Let our hearts touch far horizon
So encompass great and small
Let our loving know no borders
Faithful to God’s call Refrain
Let the dreams we dream be larger
Than we’ve ever dreamed before
Let the dream of Christ be in us
Open every door
Refrain sung twice as we form a circle round the church
BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE
THANK YOU Thank you to 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 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