WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
Pentecost 24 Led by Susan Jones
GATHERING
Andrew met Jesus and knew this was a life changing moment
He brought Peter to the encounter
We look at the census and know this is a life changing moment for church
Who will we bring to the encounter?
We look at theology interpreted by depth psychology; a life changing moment for theologising.
Who needs to be at this encounter?
We look at how we encounter spirit in these times
Who will we invite to encounter spirit with us?
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘Our delight is in the living’
A hymn of delight in the world
Words: © Susan Jones 2014-2015 Tune: WOV 68 Praise my Soul
Our delight is in the broadness
of the world dawn brings to sight;
Harbour, beach and islands’ structure,
plain and hilltop, mountains’ might;
Thanks be giv’n for nature’s beauty,
celebrate each new day’s light.
Our delight is in the living
of each moment every day,
working, playing, walking, sleeping,
being family, straight, bi, gay;
Grace be giv’n for every minute,
wisdom for each interplay.
Our delight is in the creatures
sharing with us this our place,
moths and birds with stunning markings,
dolphins moving with sweet grace;
Thanks be giv’n for all creation,
celebrate each life, each space.
Our delight is in the loving
of each other as we may;
Searching, finding, liking, loving,
talking, list’ning on the way;
Thanks be giv’n for our affections,
celebrate them night and day.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Susan Jones
FLUTE SOLO In which Christopher Robin leads an expotition to the North Pole
Based on a story of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
Music for solo flute by: Maria Grenfell, played by Jillene Everett
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
David Douglas, Laura Hurtado Roberts
AFFIRMATION
Seeking to progress in my spiritual walk:
I believe diverse sources of wisdom are available to us;
and following the Jesus Way leads to
awareness of the Sacred and the Unity of all life.
I value community which includes all types and styles of faith, belief and people;
and questions more than absolute answers;
and how the search for wisdom and understanding deepens awareness.
I strive as I am able, for peace and justice among all people;
to protect and restore the integrity of our Earth.
I commit, as I am able, to
a path of life-long learning, compassion, and selfless love,
knowing the true expression of what I believe
is how I behave towards other people.
So may it be.
BLESSING THE CHILDREN (All stand)
We send you to the Rainbow Room programme to hear stories, ask questions
and have fun together. We bless you. Amen.
HYMN ‘When we were young our God was huge’
A hymn of faith stages
Words © March 2019 Susan Jones. Tune: WOV 56 Amazing Grace
When we were young our God was huge, grey bearded, distant, tall;
He ruled the earth and knew each move, judged all, both great and small.
We learned of Love shown by the man who walked here long ago,
but others blotted out, with guilt, the peace we longed to know.
Then as we grew, we changed our view; we questioned, thought and prayed;
Our God became less gruff and cold, her colours more displayed.
So we have learned that God is like a rainbow in the sky,
embracing many different hues; transgender, gay, straight, bi.
A rainbow God is colourful; accepting, bright and gay;
Like joy which shines right through the rain, joy which won’t go away.
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 Jenn Keenan
Hebrew Bible Exodus 3:1-14
Gospel John 1:35-42
Contemporary reading from ‘The Colour Purple’
By Alice Walker
“…Here's the thing, say Shug. The thing I believe. God is inside you and inside everybody else. You come into the world with God. But only them that search for it inside find it. And sometimes it just manifest itself even if you not looking, or don't know what you looking for. Trouble do it for most folks, I think. Sorrow, lord. Feeling like shit. It? I ask. Yeah, It. God ain't a he or a she, but a It. But what do it look like? I ask. Don't look like nothing, she say. It ain't a picture show. It ain't something you can look at apart from anything else, including yourself. I believe God is everything, say Shug. Everything that is or ever was or ever will be. And when you can feel that, and be happy to feel that, you've found it.”
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks.
REFLECTION ‘Bringing others to the Encounter’ Susan Jones
HYMN (sung seated) ‘Let us reach down deep inside us.’
A hymn about finding the Self within
Words © 2015 Susan Jones
Tune: Gaelic Traditional Melody. Arr © John Bell. FFS 10(i)
Let us reach down deep inside us to the place where quiet reigns;
Find the Self who lives inside us knows our joy and knows our pains:
Let our ego stand aside there, shadow sharing space with light.
Let our inner selves rejoice at how Love shines in darkest night.
Wind and fire and earthquake pass but Spirit is not found in them;
Still, small voice is hardly heard, but brings Love which does not condemn.
In lives buffeted by windstorms, rocked by quakes and scorched by fire,
stillness brings surprising solace as we find there, hearts’ desire.
Sacred calm means minds can settle, hearts grow quiet, souls grow still;
Busy thinking slows its rhythm, gives compassion chance to fill.
Even long-forgotten scars heal as new balm brings a new way;
Every space and every crevice warms as Love arrives to stay
OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
We give back what we have already been given. We give out of gratitude and love. May these gifts reach the people they need to reach and achieve the purpose for which they are intended.
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 Barrie Keenan
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Syria and the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. 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 Amy Adams (Selwyn electorate) and Jacinda Adern (Mt Albert electorate). Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Miramar Uniting Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN ‘And did those feet in former times’
A hymn about Jesus walking Aotearoa NZ
Words: © Susan Jones 2000: this version 2014 and 2018
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 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.
BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU Peter Franklin
Our Musician today
THANK YOU
Write the Thank You here