January 24, 2021

WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE

Today’s service is led by Fiona McDougal

GATHERING

We come on this summer day,

relaxed and glowing from days spent

in the garden, on the beach or in the bush.

We give thanks for this beautiful land

and the freedom we have to enjoy it.

 

We come on this summer day

looking ahead to a new year just beginning,

wondering what it will hold for good or ill.

We give thanks for a sense of possibility

and resources to sustain us in difficulty.

 

We come on this summer day

eager to catch up with others,

to sing of our hopes and refresh our spirits.

May we worship with integrity,

love recklessly

and live wonderingly.

 

PROCESSIONAL HYMN AA 114 ‘Out of such sun and air’
Words and Music: © 1988 Colin Gibson 3 verses
1. Out of such sun and air
what Christ may come,
shining with new and lovely light
on our dim and shrouded lives;
stirring our sleepiness with dreams,
visions of life beyond compare.
Out of such sun and air
come, Christ, however you will come.

2. Out of such cloud and mist
what Christ may come,
blurring the clear and simple lines
of our settled scheme of things;
calling on faith and hope and trust,
daring to danger, trial and risk.
Out of this cloud and mist
come, Christ, however you will come.

3. Out of such sudden storm
what Christ may come,
sweeping across the startled sky
of our calm and peaceful ways;
driving with tempest winds of change,
testing with tumult and reform.
Out of this sudden storm
come, Christ, however you will come.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
As we trickle back from different places round the country,
we recall the last year of change and uncertainty.
So much has happened and so many of our expectations
have been overturned.
What will this year hold for each one of us?
We look ahead with mixed feelings,
grateful for our relative safety and stability
but concerned for those people and places we
know around the world which are in turmoil.
May our priorities this year be grounded in
values of justice, peace and compassion.
May we share the qualities and gifts we have been given
generously and imaginatively.
And if we find ourselves in deep waters of
loss, disappointment or pain,
strengthen and sustain us with
some sign of your presence,
a safe landing place,
and a new direction in which to go.
JESUS’ PRAYER
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
There are some activities set up for children if they wish in the children’s corner. Please feel free to use these.
BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand)
We give thanks for the life and energy children bring to our community.
Grow strong, learn something new every day and enjoy your time here!
We bless you. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
Traditionally we shake hands to pass the peace and say “peace be with you”. Now that Covid is here
we ask that you pass the peace without shaking hands.
REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY
Introduction: We are going to reflect today on “Jonah”. Lois will read the book and you are then invited to use the large A3 sheet on your table as a stimulus for reflection. Please try to involve all in your group who wish to contribute. Each table will be asked to share one main point briefly with the whole gathering.
FYI Nineveh was the capitol of the Assyrian Empire, enemies and oppressors of the Israelites.
Enjoy!
THE WORD IN TEXTS Lois Robertson
Hebrew Bible Jonah Chapters 1-4
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.

Guidelines for Reflective Activity
Part 1
You are asked to discuss the following question at your table and write on the sheet provided.
“What Amazed, Bothered, Confused or Delighted you about the reading?”
(A bell will sound after 10 minutes to indicate time is up)
Part 2
In 20-30 words please write down the point that had most energy for your group. Choose a person who is willing to share that with the gathering in our “Jonah” Litany to follow.
(A bell will sound after 5 minutes)
“JONAH” LITANY
Each group shares their point and we respond-
For issues raised, insights received and understandings shared,
we give thanks.
“Five Fascinating Facts about Jonah” will be circulated at the end of the next hymn. Please write any burning questions about “Jonah” not answered there on the white board and we will get back to you.

HYMN ‘Jonah’
Words: Fiona McDougal; Music The Ashgrove Welsh Trad 3 verses

1. Reluctant, rebellious when sent with a message,
scared Jonah set off on a different road.
He boarded a boat in the hope of escaping
his duty as prophet to pass on God’s word.
Caught up in a storm and confessing his guilt
he was thrown overboard and gulped up by a fish!
He cried out to God in his time of great trouble
and promised in future to do better than this.

2. Disgorged and disgruntled he followed instructions;
his heart was still doubtful, his mindset was dark.
Imagine his shock when he made his announcement,
the Ninevites changed, donning ash and burlap.
Expecting bright fireworks or thunder and lightning,
our “hero” got grumpy and left in a huff!
His shady bush withered and sunburnt and blistered
poor Jonah cried out “God -enough is enough”.

3. Concern and compassion, when most unexpected,
are signs of the presence of our loving God.
We fail when we narrow the place of God’s presence
to those we are close to, familiar and fond.
In questioning Jonah, God asks all to listen,
so we must respond to those words, “Is it right?”
And live out our lives hearing those who are different,
to learn from and love them no matter the price.
OFFERING PRAYER
We offer our gifts of money, energy and prayer,
for the greater wellbeing of all.
May our shared intention contribute to
the growth of peace and justice in our world.
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 Cuba and the Council of Churches of Cuba. 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 Michael Woodhouse and Chris Baillie, list MPs. Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Bell Block/Lepperton Co-operating Church, New Plymouth.
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 FFS 14 ‘Faith has set us on a journey’
Words: © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray
Music Beach Spring CH4 252 3 verses

1. Faith has set us on a journey
past the landmarks that we know,
taking risks with no insurance
but the Word that tells us “Go!”
Friend or job or home or lover
we may need to leave behind,
outworn truths and ways of thinking,
baggage to the past consigned.

2. Some are swags of easy conscience
who with others hitch a ride,
some are tourist-package Christians,
dollar-safe, with Book and guide.
There are others on this journey -
those who long and pray and search,
heave the stones to free the structures,
love the Christ and leave the Church.

3. We are this unlikely people
in the Body knit as one,
company of clowns and cripples -
some are wise and some can run.
Prophets are our travel agents,
gospel-makers lay this road:
to the place of peace and promise
faith will take us into God.
BLESSING
Bless us now as we go on our way.
May our ears be alert to hear anew,
Our eyes be wide and gaze with awe.
May our hearts open to others, softening in love
As we live and move through your precious world.
Amen

SUNG AMEN