December 29, 2019
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
“The function of beauty… is to make us aware of a reality which is richer and deeper
and more marvellous than anything we can dream or conceive.”
(Henry N. Wieman)
Welcome to St Andrew’s on The TerracE
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 here.
Please join in the congregational responses printed in bold italics.
Please stand if you are able, for the hymns and the offering prayer.
We usually sing the hymns without announcement.
To use the loop system in the church, turn your hearing aids on to the appropriate setting.
Printed copies of the reflection are available at the back of the church for people with extreme hearing loss. For others they can be picked up at the end of the Gathering.
Please note your nearest fire exit.
The church and hall have been earthquake strengthened. In an earthquake: drop, cover and hold.
GATHERING
In this quiet space, we gather in community,
allowing the spirit born in a child to be known in us again,
at this gentle time in silence and music and prayer.
Let us celebrate life in the presence we call God.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN COC 8 ‘Child of Christmas story’
Words: © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray, Hope Publishing Company
Music © 1992 Richard Madden
1. Child of Christmas story,
stable straw and star,
small and sweet and gentle,
tell us who you are.
2. Child whose baby finger
round our own is curled,
come to melt our hearts,
and come to change the world.
3. Child of Jew and gentile,
child of white and black,
teach us how to love you,
teach us what we lack.
4. Child of Mary's courage,
birthed in human pain,
tell us what your name is,
be our hope again.
OPENING RESPONSES
Among us the Spirit of God conceives new life
and we feel the life within us.
In our history the Christ makes gentle entry
and we see the light before us.
With our dreams the truth of our God is revealed
we welcome the hope of the world.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
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!
REFLECTING ON THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS
Music
Reading: Matthew 1: 18-25
Reflection: They were only parents
Music
Reading: Luke 2: 1-7
Reflection: He was only a baby
Music
Reading: Luke 2: 8-20
Reflection: They were only shepherds
Music
Contemporary Reading: "now what" by Thomas Shuman
now what will you do with those gifts?
now what will you do with that love
God has given to you - to share with those you don't like?
now what will you do with that hope
God put under the tree -
can you pass it on to a despairing neighbour?
now what will you do with that joy you didn't expect -
hoard it all for yourself or hand it to a grieving widow?
now what will you do with that grace
God stuck in your stocking - leave it there
or find the stranger who needs it?
now what will you do with all that forgiveness
God has given to you in the Babe -
throw it out with the wrapping paper
or offer it to the one who has hurt you so much?
now that Christmas is over,
what will you do?
Silence
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.
HYMN WOV 669 ‘I am the light of the world’
Words & Music © 1969 Jim Strathdee. Music (Admin. by Desert Flower Music)
Chorus ‘I am the light of the world.
You people come and follow me!’
If you follow and love
you’ll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be.
1. When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the magi and the shepherds
have found their way home,
the work of Christmas is begun:
Chorus
2. To find the lonely and the lost,
to heal the broken souls with love,
to feed the hungry children
with warmth and good food,
to feel the earth below, the sky above;
Chorus
3. to free the prisoners from their chains,
to make the powerful care,
to re-build the nations
with strength of good will,
to be at one with people everywhere;
Chorus
4. to bring hope to every task you do,
to dance at a baby’s new birth,
to make music in
an old man’s heart,
and sing to the colours of the earth.
Chorus
OFFERING AND DEDICATION (said together)
We dedicate our lives and all that we have
for hope, for peace, for joy, and for love.
Receive our gifts and lead us in wisdom and courage. 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 Wendy Matthews
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Tonga and the Christian World Service partners The Human Rights and Democracy Movement working for a more democratic form of government and good governance through awareness raising, advocacy and lobbying, and the Tonga Community Development Trust’s work focusing on development for women. We remember the detainees of Manus and Nauru Islands, yearning that their cases be resolved. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Simon Bridges (Tauranga electorate) and Simeon Brown (Pakuranga electorate). Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Plimmerton Presbyterian Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN FFS 29 ‘God speed us on our way’
Words: © 1999, 2000 Shirley Erena Murray
Music: © 2000 Shona Murray
1. God speed us on our way,
safe keep us every day,
give us wing, cause to sing,
all this we wish and pray.
2. God give us space to thrive,
all senses kept alive,
health and hope, means to cope,
joyfully to arrive.
Verse 3 on next page
3. God lead us to the new,
places and points of view,
roads to take, friends to make,
more life to travel through!
BENEDICTION & SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU
THANK YOU Charles Sullivan
Our musician today