February 19, 2023
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
PRELUDE Hamish Dick on the bagpipes outside church
GATHERING
We gather today to remember those who went before us,
our foremothers and forefathers in faith.
We can retrieve their names and some facts about their lives,
but know only a little of their yearnings,
their motivations and personalities.
We honour their courage and willingness to risk,
but also recognise their
lack of understanding and harm done.
Through faith they sought sustenance, guidance and protection.
So also do we, for ourselves
and for all who live in this land.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘And did those feet in former times’ CH4 106
Tune: JERUSALEM
Words: © Susan Jones 2000: this version 2014 and 2018
- 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 the 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 good is done?
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
E te whānau a Te Karaiti,
Ngā mihi aroha ki a tātou katoa.
Kia ora tātou.
Talofa lava
Talofa.
OPENING PRAYER
Today we remember the 182nd anniversary of the first Presbyterian church service in Aotearoa New Zealand, led by the Reverend John MacFarlane on Petone foreshore, on February 23rd 1840.
The settlers had dreams of a better life than the one they left behind.
And we too dare to dream of how our lives could be.
As they journeyed to this place they shared meals, discussed plans, formed relationships, and worshipped God together.
We do likewise, strengthening our community and seeking to work for the wellbeing of all.
Misled and misinformed, the settlers encountered unexpected difficulties and complications.
In this time we affirm the importance of truthfulness and respect in our public life and our dealings with others.
John MacFarlane’s vision was inclusive, seeking justice, peace and the welfare of both migrants and iwi.
May we follow his example in our daily lives, respecting difference, seeking understanding and reaching out to others.
We take a few moments of silence now to remember what St Andrew’s on The Terrace has meant to each of us …
We give thanks for those who founded this church, for their energy, commitment and faith. May their memory live on and inspire us as we strive to live out our faith in this time and place.
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase
Eternal Spirit
Life-Giver, Pain-Bearer, Love-Maker,
source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
loving God, in whom is heaven:
the hallowing of your name
echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed
by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done
by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test,
strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory
of the power that is love, now and for ever.
Amen.
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW CANDLE
We light the rainbow candle as a sign of our inclusivity and for our children.
FAMILY TIME Rosemary Lawrence
Sing: E toru ngā mea
E toru ngā mea, Ngā mea nunui, E kī ana, Te Paipera, Tūmanako, Whakapono, Ko te mea nui, Ko te aroha.
Translation: There are 3 important things, according to the Bible: faith (Whakapono), hope (Tūmanako) but the greatest of all is love (aroha).
BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand)
We send you to the Rainbow Room to hear stories, ask questions
and have fun together. We bless you. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
Traditionally we shake hands to pass the peace and say “peace be with you.” Now that COVID-19 is here we ask that you pass the peace without shaking hands.
THE WORD IN TEXTS Pat Booth
Hebrew Bible Exodus 24:12-18
New Testament Reading Matthew 17:1-9
Contemporary Reading ‘The Mystery of Paradox’
by Joy Cowley
The instinct for survival is loud in us.
It cries, protect yourself! Don’t take risks.
Look after number one before others.
But in the heart, comes a murmur,
put others first and you will escape
from the small prison of self.
Grab what you can! Our instinct shouts.
Surround yourself with security
and fiercely guard your possessions.
Get rid of all this stuff, the heart whispers.
Your house has become so cluttered
that the light no longer comes in.
Fight! Screams the instinct for survival.
Get them before they get you.
Show them that no one puts you down.
Go to them in love, says the heart.
Anger creates anger. War creates war.
Only love bears the fruit of love.
The primal instinct is loud in us
but the voice of the heart is stronger.
Who are you? We ask in prayer.
You have always known me,
says the voice of the heart.
I am the way, the truth
and the greater life.
I am the Christ.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.
HYMN
‘Where Mountains Rise to Open Skies’ AA 155
Tune: DUNEDIN
Words: © 1971 Shirley Erena Murray; Music by Vernon Griffiths
Music: © 1971 Faber Music Ltd
- Where mountains rise to open skies
your name, O God, is echoed far,
from island beach to kauri’s reach,
in water’s light, in lake and star.
- Your people’s heart, your people’s part
be in our caring for this land,
for faith to flower, for aroha
to let each other’s mana stand.
- From broken word, from conflict stirred,
from lack of vision, set us free
to see the line of your design,
to feel creation’s energy.
- Your love be known, compassion shown,
that every child have equal scope:
in justice done, in trust begun
shall be our heritage and hope.
- Where mountains rise to open skies
your way of peace distil the air,
your spirit bind all humankind,
one covenant of life to share!
REFLECTION ‘Transfiguration??? Hmmm’ Rev Dr Fei Taule’ale’ausumai
HYMN
‘Maker of mystery’ FFS 47
Tune: DOWN AMPNEY
Words: © Marnie Barrell; Music © Colin Gibson
- Maker of mystery,
dreamer of what will be,
well-spring and fertile ground of all our growing:
tending the buried seed,
foreseeing every need,
you draw us into life beyond our knowing.
- Christ, strong and living vine,
spreading through space and time,
deep rooted in the love of God our mother:
dying, you live and share
your strength with us, to bear
ripe fruit in season for the life of others.
- Wild Spirit, springing green,
coiled in the depths unseen,
promise of fruit within the seed maturing:
new life, you grow and swell,
burst from the outgrown shell,
hundredfold yield in every age ensuring.
- Living and loving God,
sing in the pulse of our blood,
help us to know you in your own creation,
love you, the life of all,
serve you and hear your call
from our first forming to our full salvation.
OFFERING HYMN CH4 809
Tune: OLD 100th
Words: Ruth C. Duck
Praise God, the Source of life and birth;
praise God, the Word, who came to earth;
praise God the Spirit, holy flame:
all glory, honour to God’s name.
OFFERING PRAYER
We remember with gratitude all that we have received from the tradition out of which this community has grown.
We celebrate our connections with the wider world even as we are deeply rooted in this country.
In presenting these gifts, we offer also our intention to make this community, this city and this country a better place for all.
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 Ellen Murray
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Zambia and the Christian Council of Zambia. We hold all refugees in our hearts and pray in particular for those who are still detained in Nauru. We give thanks for recent progress and pray that their calls for justice might yet be answered with compassion. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Rino Tirikatene (Te Tai Tonga) and Teanau Tuiono (List). Here in the Central Presbytery we pray for the leaders and people of Wairoa Union Parish (Presbyterian-Methodist).
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S
Renew your people, God,
and renew our life in this place.
Give us a new spirit of unity
with all who follow the Way of Jesus
and new bonds of love
with people of other faiths.
Bless the city in which we live
that it may be a place
where honest dealing,
good government,
the desire for beauty,
and the care for others flourish.
Bless this church
that what we know of your will
may become what we do,
and what we believe
the strong impulse
of our worship and work.
Amen
HYMN
‘Immortal Invisible’ WOV 80
Tune: ST DENIO
Words: Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908)
- Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
- Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above,
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
- To all life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish but naught changeth thee.
- Great Creator of glory, pure Creator of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
of all thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart –
take the veil from our faces, the veil from our heart.
- All laud we would render: O help us to see,
‘tis only the splendour of light hideth thee;
and so let thy glory, Almighty, impart
through Christ in the story, thy Christ to the heart.
BLESSING (from the Iona Community)
On our heads and our houses
the blessing of God.
In our coming and going
the peace of God.
In our life and believing
the love of God.
At our end and new beginning
the arms of God to welcome us
and bring us home.
SUNG BLESSING
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 through you and me.
May the God of safe homecomings, welcome you and me.
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE
THANK YOU
Judy Dumbleton