December 22, 2019
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
“A Christmas of the heart”
GATHERING
Today we are just about to celebrate Christmas
The greatest gift of all is always love
Today we wish to bring reality and life to our coming Christmas
With the eternal gift of love.
We have come to find love
We have come to be friends
We are the rainbow people of God
Love our difference transcends
PROCESSIONAL HYMN COC 14 (ii) ‘Come now Lord Jesus’
Words: © 1992 Shirley Murray Music: Traditional Lulu arr. Roy Tankersley
1. Come now, Lord Jesus,
enter our Christmas,
be to us no stranger
in this new-made manger.
2. Come, small and human,
born of a woman,
yet of a Son much greater
of our own Creator
3. Come, cold and crying
comfort denying,
no place to receive you,
few yet to believe you.
4. Come, poor and simple
our flesh your temple,
in your body feeling
hurt as well as healing.
5. Come, gift and token,
bread to be broken –
star and sign still point you,
myrrh will yet anoint you.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
CWS The Partner Story from Indonesia: Wendy Matthews
Tanti remembers the fear she felt when an earthquake destroyed her home in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia last September. She hugged her mother and ran from the house. Later a devastating tsunami hit the coast. This double disaster destroyed water and sanitation systems, leaving people thirsty and at risk of disease. Safe water was the top priority.
Tanti used to spend hours a day collecting water. Now thanks to the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together of which CWS is a member), there is a water tap ten metres from her temporary home. One year later most communities have new boreholes, managed by local committees thanks to the ACT Alliance. Meeting the demand for water after a disaster is the beginning of recovery.
Share safe water, save lives.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE OF LOVE
Gracious God
For our brothers and sisters, battered by disaster
We ask for your protection
For those who are forgotten and in need of your healing touch
We hold them to your embrace
For the relentless pursuit of love
We light this candle. Amen.
CAROL AA 154 ‘Where is the room?’
Words: © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray, Music: © 1993 David Dell COC 48
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand) Lois Robertson
Children, you can return to sit with family or stay at the front of the church for an activity.
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 Maxine Cunningham
The developing story of love. Our first reading is Isaiah’s prophecy of God’s gift of a saviour born to a virgin. This could be understood as God’s love for Israel. The second reading is Matthew telling how that became reality in Jesus, but it depended on Joseph playing his part, which could point to Joseph’s love for Mary. The third reading may well be a guide to our loving today.
Hebrew Bible Isaiah 7:10-16
Gospel Matthew 1:18-25
Contemporary reading ‘The paradox of selfless love’
from Mark D. White, Chair of the Department of Philosophy City University of New York
Why would people want to withhold what they need from their partners? It may come from feelings of inadequacy, self-loathing, or a deep-rooted humility, such that people don't feel they deserve to have their needs met. It may come from an aversion to creating obligations or expectations, wanting the relationship to develop, grow, and prosper naturally, without either partner pushing in one way or another (for instance, by openly expressing needs). Also, it may come from a nurturing nature, wanting to care for others rather than be cared for. Any of these (and more) may lead people to hold back expressing their needs. Of course, this frustrates their loved ones; they care about their partners, so they want to help them and fulfil their needs, but they often don't know how. To meet your needs you have to let your partner know what those needs are. The person that withholds his or her needs out of selflessness (and an attempt to avoid being selfish) is not being fair to his or her partner, and therefore is actually being selfish, which is the paradox of selfless love.
Everyone wants to be desired and to be needed, so trying to conduct a relationship selflessly (for whatever reason) may very well be hurtful to one's partner, and, in the end, self-defeating. Selfless love may seem ideal, but it denies partners what they need—to be wanted.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.
REFLECTION ‘A Christmas of the heart’ Norman Wilkins
HYMN WOV 236 ‘Silent Night’
Words: Franz Gruber; Music: Joseph Mohr
Silent night, holy night: all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin mother and child,
holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night: shepherds quake at the sight;
glories stream from heaven afar,
heavenly hosts sing ‘Alleluia’;
Christ the Saviour is born, Christ the Saviour is born.
Silent night, holy night: wondrous star, lend your light;
with the angel’s let us sing
Alleluia to our King;
Christ our Saviour is born, Christ our Saviour is born.
OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
May these gifts bring love in practical ways as they are intended. Food to nourish bodies, money to sustain the work of this parish, our donations to Christian World Service to make life easier by providing clean safe water for families in Uganda.
God may these varied offerings enable practical love to enrich people’s lives.
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 Cameron Smart
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Togo and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Togo. 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 Dan Bidois (Northcote electorate) and Chris Bishop (Hutt South eletorate). Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of St David's Multicultural Parish, Petone.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN ‘Love came down at Christmas’
Words: Christina G Rossetti, Tune: Garton (old Irish melody)
Love came down at Christmas
Love, all lovely, love divine.
Love was born at Christmas
star and angels gave the sign
Love will be our token
Love be yours, and love be mine
Love from God to all of us
Love for plea and gift and sign
COMMISSIONING FOR SERVICE
WE BLESS EACH OTHER VU 424 ‘May the God of Hope Go with Us’
Words: John Fawcett, Music Argentine folk melody
May the God of hope go with us every day,
filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace,
singing, share our joy with all,
working for a world that's new,
faithful when we hear Christ's call.
May the God of healing free the earth from fear,
freeing us for peace, both treasured and pursued.
May the God of love keep our commitment clear
to a world restored, to human life renewed.
Refrain
POHUTUKAWA BLESSING
May the splash of rangimarie peace
The blossom of tumanako hope
The warmth of arohanui love cradle you
Amine
(Ken Irwin)
SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU
THANK YOU Bruce Cash
Our musician today