WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
We gather in this place
looking towards the light of summer
We gather in this place
hoping for laughter and longing for joy
We gather in this place
wondering how to play our part
in preparing the way of peace
And so we gather in this place (Sue McRae)
PROCESSIONAL HYMN AA 155 ‘Where Mountains Rise’
Words © 1971, Shirley Erena Murray
Music by Vernon Griffiths © 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!
* aroha = Maori word for “all-embracing love”
** mana = Maori for “dignity, prestige”
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou
Kia ora
LIGHTING THE 2ND ADVENT CANDLE: PEACE
For those whose lives are disrupted by conflict,
For those whose lives are overwhelmed by despair,
For those whose daily lives are crushed by busyness,
We light the candle of peace. (CWS prayer)
PRAYER Sue McRae
from “Clearing the Way: En Route to an Ecumenical Spirituality” by Gwen Cashmore and Joan Puls
JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH CHILDREN Rosemary Lawrence
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
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 just observe if you wish!
THE WORD IN TEXTS Andrew Matthews
Hebrew Bible Malachi 3:1-2
Gospel Luke 3:1-6
Contemporary reading Rex A E Hunt
Australian liturgist and social ecologist
It is impossible to get to Christmas without first meeting up with John, nicknamed the ‘dipper’ or ‘baptiser.’ John reminds us:
pay attention.
something new is needed
think outside the square
go beyond the mind that you have been given and have acquired
Preparing for the coming of God’s realm means washing and evaluating the lenses through which we read the Bible or understand God or church or traditional doctrine, as well as the transformation of life, individually and as a society, here and now.
RESPONSE
for the Word that was in the beginning,
for the Word reborn in our hearts,
for the word embodied in us
We give thanks. (Bronwyn Angela White)
HYMN AA 89 ‘Light of lights beholden’
by Jenny McLeod
- Light of lights beholden
we from days of olden
sang this song,
for to understand
that peace upon this planet
was pledged to come.
Each to other, sister, brother,
Born for life and song.
- Darkness all around us,
light has always found us,
light will come
where the dark is deepest,
greater light will keep us
safe from harm.
Troubled times will always find
A voice of troubled doom,
look towards the light and carry on:
let the simple heart and hope among us
keep our family strong,
let the simple hear and hope among us
keep our family strong.
REFLECTION 1 Maxine Cunningham
Reflection on Luke 3 reading and Peace Making
Sung response CH4 528
Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy.
REFLECTION 2 Sue McRae
Peace Making
Sung response repeat as above
REFLECTION 3 Margaret Rushbrook
Peace Making
Sung response repeat as above
OFFERING
As the offerings are gathered we listen to a recording of
“Ev’ry Valley Shall be Exalted” from Handel’s Messiah.
Tenor -Thomas Randle Orchestra – BBC Philharmonic.
OFFERING PRAYER
As we bring these offerings of money and food,
may we share the gifts of peace, reconciliation and goodwill.
May these gifts feed those who hunger for daily bread and justice,
and support this faith community as we work for justice and peace.
Amen. (Bronwyn Angela White)
We recognise and bless the gifts brought to the table and those given to support the mission of the church through automatic payment.
LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY OF ST ANDREW’S
People share notices. 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 Lois Robertson
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of North Korea and all those working to defend human rights in North Korea. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Julie Anne Genter and Golriz Ghahraman list MPs. Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Eltham/Kaponga Co-operating Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN IECS 51 ‘Now the Greening of the Summer’
Words © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray, Tune Hymn to Joy WOV 92
- Now the greening of the summer
Tells the turning of the year,
For the coming of the Christ Child
Make the way to Christmas clear!
In the trading, in the traffic,
in the overload of stress,
Craft a cradle for compassion,
Find a place for peacefulness.
- John the Baptist strode before us,
Prophets shouted in the wild –
Happy those who hear the message,
See the hope within the Child:
Not the packaging of Jesus
in the gift wrap of a toy,
but the meaning of the manger
be our longing, be our joy!
- As St. Andrew told his brother,
Brought his neighbours and his friends,
Let the Good News waken gladness
As the new-born Word intends;
follow on, St. Andrew’s people
where the winds of faith have blown:
In our hearts and in our city
be Christ Jesus loved and known.
SUNG BLESSING (In Maori) WOV 679 ‘Ma Te Marie’
Traditional Maori hymn Tune: Old Hundredth
Ma te ma-rie a te A-tua
The Peace of God
ta tou ka-toa e ti-a-ki;
keep us all.
Ma-na a-no e wha-ka-u
God will confirm
O ta-tou nga-kau ki te pai.
our hearts in goodness
SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU Bruce Corkill
Our musician today
Unless otherwise specified all our music is used by permission CCLI Licence 341550
Words/music to new hymns and gathering statement, prayers and affirmation are original unless acknowledged. If Susan Jones is the worship leader any liturgy will have been written by her. These words can be used in other worship and small group situations without seeking permission. Please acknowledge the source.
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