August 26, 2018
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
We have a journey to make
An inner journey circling deep within in labyrinthine style.
We do not need external armour
But internal preparation which protects and guides
as we step on the journey the ancients followed,
continuing it in our time.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘Our delight is in the living’
Words: © Susan Jones 2014-2015 &2018 Tune: 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 given 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 given 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 given 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, listening on the way;
Thanks be given 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 Ellen Murray
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 Margaret Rushbrook
Epistle Ephesians 6:10-17
The Gospel John 18: 33-40
Contemporary Reading The Rev. Christopher McLaren, 21 November 2010
http://www.all-angels.com/sermons1/sermon-the-rev-christopher-mclaren-november-21
How is Christ the king? In love, in forgiving, in showing mercy. How is Christ King? In teaching us to face our fears, to acknowledge our needs, and to accept the generous grace of God filling us up everyday if we are willing to empty ourselves. How is Christ king? In the unexpected way of a suffering servant, through humility not entitlement. Christ is enthroned, but not in kingly raiment with the accoutrements of power. Christ is enthroned in the everyday love and service of humanity. Christ the king is found among the wounded and the lost. Christ the king is standing in the unemployment line. Christ is king in the father struggling to control his anger with his children. Christ the king is in the businessman wrestling with being honest instead of making a killing. Christ the king is in the woman finding her strength to lead in a man’s world with compassion and vision and toughness. Christ the king is reigning everywhere, everywhere the human heart is willing to be filled by the abundance of his grace. Christ plays in 10,000 places.
The fullness of God was pleased to dwell in Jesus of Nazareth that we too might know the fullness of God in our very lives, not as some fanciful idea but as the life-giving grace of relationship with God that can transform us into people whose lives are shaped by the cross, made cruciform by the stories and life and love of God in Christ. Christ is king when the love and sacrifice and self-giving of the cross invades your life and mine.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks
The above sermon for ‘Christ the King’ Sunday was preached in St Michael and All Angels Episcopal church, Albequerque, New Mexico. Excerpts from their website:
OUR MISSION: CENTERED IN GOD. SERVING OUR NEIGHBOR. STRIVING FOR JUSTICE.
“St. Michael's is a socially diverse and theologically progressive community of faith, inviting all people to seek a life of spiritual growth, grounded in worship, prayer, study, service,and fellowship. Through creative worship and strong personal commitments, we seek to be transformed by the love of God in Christ so that we may be sent out to serve the poor and all those in need... St. Michael's offers shelter to an African refugee family; supports the immigrant sanctuaries at the Albuquerque Friends Meeting House and the First Congregational United Church of Christ; and is an Advocating Congregation of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of New Mexico.”
REFLECTION ‘Being Christian: Suiting up for the inner journey’ Susan Jones
Words from St Catherine’s Labyrinth painted by Jan Richardson
Imagine a circle traced on the ground, and in its center a tree sprouting with a shoot grafted into its side. The tree finds its nourishment in the soil within the expanse of the circle, but uprooted from the soil it would be fruitless. So think of the soul as a tree made for love and living only by love. The circle in which this tree's root, the soul's love, must grow, is true knowledge of herself, knowledge that is joined to me, who like the circle have neither beginning nor end. You can go round and round within this circle, finding neither end nor beginning, yet never leaving the circle. So the tree of charity is nurtured in humility and branches out in true discernment. To me this tree yields the fragrance of glory and praise to my name, and so it does what I created it for and comes at last to its goal, to me, everlasting life. —St. Catherine of Siena (excerpts)
HYMN AA59 ‘He came singing love’
Words and music: Colin Gibson © 1994 Hope Publishing Company
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 in silence.
For the peace to go on
we must make it our son;
you and I be the singers.
OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
We have enough from income or benefit, legacy or gifting;
enough to give to others.
This money we bring
so this church continue works of justice, peace and compassion.
This food we bring
so others who have little, will have some.
May both money and food find the need they have been given to fill,
and do their work.
May those who use both money and food be blessed in the using.
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, 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 Jennifer Bush-Daumec
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Hungary and the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Megan Woods (Wigram electorate) and Jonathan Young (New Plymouth electorate). Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of St Ninian's Uniting Parish, Karori.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN ‘Onward Christian soldiers (alt)’
The words on the left are for nostalgia Words Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924
The words on the right are for singing Music Arthur S. Sullivan, 1842-1900
Words © Susan Jones 2018
1. Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banners go!
1. Onward sacred pilgrims,
Seeking to engage
With our mentor Jesus
On his pilgrimage.
He, the royal leader
Leads against the flow
Forward to engagement
Onward let us go
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Onward into war
With the cross of Jesus
going on before
2. At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee
On then Christian soldiers
On to victory.
Hell's foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.
3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the Saints have trod.
We are not divided
All one body we
One in hope and doctrine
One in charity
4. Onward, then, ye people;
Join our happy throng.
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song
Glory laud and honour
Unto Christ, the King
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing
Onward sacred pilgrims!
Seeking to engage,
With our mentor, Jesus,
Let’s write a new page
2. If we are authentic,
Darkness will retreat.
On then, sacred pilgrims
Aware, and with intent.
False foundations quiver
At this sign of strength
Pilgrims, lift your voices
Dissent and assent!
3. Like a pilgrim people
Moves the church on earth
Pilgrims we are treading
Where the church made birth
We are not divided
All including, we;
One in trust and one in love,
And in diversity.
4. Onward then all people
Join our happy throng
Blend with ours your voices
In reflective song
Celebration, love and peace
for all humankind
These, with great compassion,
May all people find.
BLESSING
We recognise the need to engage
To not allow our intention to slide
We go out in strength
To be as authentic as we can be through the power which is
the Love that surrounds us every moment of every day
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE “Processional March”
by C. Armstrong Gibbs (1889 – 1960)
THANK YOU Peter Franklin
Our Musician today
Unless otherwise stated all hymns are 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.
Add each part of the service. click the "add new" button to add the next hymn, prayer, blessing etc...
THANK YOU
Write the Thank You here