February 24, 2019
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
A birthday is always a time for looking back
Today we also look forward
What will the future bring?
How can we make sure that future is bright and just?
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘All people that on earth do hear’
Words: © 2015 Susan Jones Music: Old 100th WOV10
All people that on earth do hear
This parish has for all these years
Known all the numinous delight
Of faithful Love, transforming Light
Scots brought their faith to Petone Beach
And celebrated Love’s wide reach
From 1840; worship’s been
Our way to ground Christ in our scene.
And many here found their first faith
Which morphs as we new meanings make
God has been constant and aloof
Weaving in us both warp and woof.
O’er all our worship and our moods
Wairua Tapu always broods
forgiving ill, willing to heal;
Hosting at each communion meal.
For all who’ve gathered here to pray
For worshippers, and music played
For liturgy and Word preached true
We thank those faithful, brave first few. Amen
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER AND LORD’S PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Sue McRae
SOLO 'Peace Song'
by Dorothy Buchanan
Performed by Georgia Gray, accompanied by Vivien Chiu
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.
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 Bronwyn White
Gospel Luke 6:31-38
Contemporary reading from The Rev John Mcfarlane:
paper presented to Iwi Christianity: Tauiwi Conference, Waitangi 27-29 November 2012, p. 24.
by Rev Wayne te Kaawa
The differences in language, appearance, custom and traditions were barriers that he [Rev John Mcfarlane] readily accepted and worked through. He did not offer criticism of the strange ways and custom of the people of the land, instead he strove to understand their unique place in this part of the world and how they interacted with the new world that was emerging around them. The only criticism that he publicised were against the vices and negative effects of colonisation by the Church, Society and State and how it seriously marginalised the people of the land, limiting their potential. On the issue of colonisation he became an outspoken advocate of social justice for the welfare and advancement of Maori even to the point of withstanding criticism publicly and privately from his own people…
In a humble grave in the parish of Lochigilphead, in Inverary, Argyllshire, Scotland, lie interred the remains of Rev John Mcfarlane. If there ever was a case for a patron saint of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand the Rev John Mcfarlane would qualify at the top of the list of possible candidates.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks
HYMN (sung seated) ‘Let us reach down deep inside us’
Words Susan Jones © 2016
Music: FFS 10(i) Gaelic Trad Melody arr John Bell
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.
(Silence)
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.
(Silence)
REFLECTION ‘Church, now and in the future’ Susan Jones
OFFERING PRAYER
We stand in silence to make our offerings – of food, money, and lives.
So may it be.
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 not already in the order of service, please move to the front row, ready to speak briefly from the lectern.
For the benefit of newcomers, please introduce yourself before you begin.
HYMN AA 59 ‘He came singing love’
Music and Words Colin Gibson © 1994 Hope Publishing
He came singing Love
and he lived singing love;
he died, singing love
He arose in silence.
For the love to go on
we must make it our song;
you and I be the singers.
He came singing faith
and he lived singing faith;
he died, singing faith.
He arose in silence.
For the faith to go on
we must make it our song;
you and I be the singers.
He came singing hope
and he lived singing hope;
he died, singing hope.
He arose in silence.
For the hope to go on
we must make it our song;
you and I be the singers.
He came singing peace
and he lived singing peace;
he died, singing peace.
He arose is silence.
For the peace to go on
we must make it our song;
you and I be the singers.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Linda Wilkins
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Mali and the Church of the Province of West Africa. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Tutehounuku Korako and Melissa Lee, List MPs. Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Levin Uniting Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (please join in with as much of the affirmation as you can)
We trust in Life which never ends;
a flowing, underground aquifer of life,
refreshing and nourishing
all who root themselves in its cool clear water.
We yearn for greening
to spring forth from this Source of Life;
new growth unfolding in human hearts,
despite the drought-stricken deserts which lie around them
and the heart-stopping, bitter cold of evil greed.
We trust that deep down inside us
the aquifer of life flows unendingly,
unpolluted and magnificent,
delicately whispering its loving way
when our wounds need the salve of fresh hope.
We seek the grace to plant ourselves beside
and in this sacred stream of living water
so we too may bear fruit in the season to come.
HYMN FFS 32 ‘God who sets us on a journey’
Words: Joy Dine (1937 – 2001) © Revd Mervyn Dine.
Reproduced with permission; available for reproduction for the purposes of worship.
Music WOV 439 Hyfrydol
God who sets us on a journey
to discover, dream and grow,
lead us as you led your people
in the desert long ago;
journey inward, journey outward,
stir the spirit, stretch the mind,
love for God and self and neighbour
marks the way that Christ defined.
Exploration brings new insights,
changes, choices we must face;
give us wisdom in deciding,
mindful always of your grace;
should we stumble, lose our bearings,
find it hard to know what’s right,
we regain our true direction
focused on the Jesus light.
End our longing for the old days,
grant the vision that we lack –
once we’ve started on this journey
there can be no turning back;
let us travel light, discarding
excess baggage from our past,
cherish only what’s essential,
choosing treasure that will last.
When we set up camp and settle
to avoid love’s risk and pain,
you disturb complacent comfort,
pull the tent pegs up again;
keep us travelling in the knowledge
you are always at our side;
give us courage for the journey,
Christ our goal and Christ our guide.
BLESSING Adapted from Dorothy McRae McMahon’s
Liturgies for the Journey of Life, p. 128
Come, walk this way together
with Jesus in our midst.
Our hands are open to receive
Our hearts are open to give
Our minds long to learn
And our souls reach out to each other
trusting that Love surrounds us
each moment of every day.
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE
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 such 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.