June 3, 2018
WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ON THE TERRACE
GATHERING
True compassion rises from our very depths
It is in the wrenching of the guts
It springs from the labouring womb
It is born of internal struggle
In which true compassion births mercy
As Jesus did, may we too be moved in our inner selves
And show divine compassion
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘El Shaddai Will Come to Help us’
Words © 2006 Jann Aldredge Clanton. Tune: Irby WOV 237
from Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians Eakin Press, Austin Texas
El Shaddai will come to help us, hearing every painful plea;
though the world around us rages, She will still our comfort be.
Holding all in loving care, She will every burden bear.
Through the midst of pain and sorrow, El Shaddai will nurture all;
She will come through swelling tempests, helping when we faint and fall.
Blessing from her womb and breasts bring all weary ones to rest.
El Shaddai with deep compassion will forever with us stay;
Giving guidance through each challenge, She will show the healing way.
Helping all our fears release, She will lead to hope and peace.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER and JESUS PRAYER Jim Cotter paraphrase on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Jennifer Bush-Daumec
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!
LIFE MOMENT Frances Porter
THE WORD IN TEXTS John Morgan
Hebrew Bible Deuteronomy 24: 17-22
Gospel Matthew 9: 35-38
Contemporary reading First stanza of The Charter of Compassion
The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks
REFLECTION ‘Compassion from the Womb of Life’ Susan Jones
OFFERING HYMN ‘Womb of all creation flowing’
Words © 2006 Jann Aldredge Clanton. Tune: Picardy WOV 418
from Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians Eakin Press, Austin Texas
Offerings for the work here and beyond this church and food for the foodbank will be received as we remain seated to sing this hymn
Womb of all creation flowing with your blessings everywhere,
Bring to birth in us deep caring that your fullness all may share.
Fill us with your gentle power that new ventures we may dare
Holy Darkness deep within us, nurture our creative seeds;
Bring our dreams to glorious flower as your peace our spirits feed.
In your centre we find wholeness as your grace fills all our needs
Loving Womb, your sacred darkness brings forth treasures night and day, Nourishing our deepest longing, casting all our fears away.
May we join your holy labour, giving Earth new hope, we pray
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH AS OFFERING PRAYER Please stand
We believe Compassion is the essence of what we call God;
the deep internal urge
to care for all
to show mercy to those who need it
to show love whether the recipient deserves it or not;
the deep internal force which brings forth
new relationship
new covenants of truth and justice
new life in all its forms.
We believe that as God acts so should we,
showing compassion even
to those we do not like
to those whom we may fear
and those who may hate and revile us.
We believe Compassion is needed for a world which is just and true,
a deeply held feeling shown in acts of mercy and kindness
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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Fiji and the Christian World Service partner, the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy in Fiji which aims to increase community awareness and action on economic justice, social issues and conflict resolution. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Carmel Sepuloni (Kelson electorate) and David Seymour (Epsom electorate). Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Khandallah Presbyterian Church.
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
St Andrew’s is an open community and all are invited to Christ’s table.
Wherever you are on your faith's journey, wherever you have come from and wherever you are going to, whatever you believe, whatever you do not believe, you are welcome to participate in the communion. This is God’s meal for all people.
COMMUNION HYMN ‘Here O my God I see you face to face’
Words © Horatius Bonar 1808-89 alt
Tune St Agnes CH 4 664
1. Here, O my God, I see you face to face;
here would we touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace
and all my weariness upon you lean.
2. Here would I feed upon the bread of God,
here drink with you the royal wine of heav'n;
here would we lay aside each earthly load,
here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiv'n.
COMMUNION LITURGY on card
Communion is served by intinction. You are invited to come to the front of the church and receive the bread, or a gluten-free cracker, taking a piece large enough to dip into the wine (silver cup) or grape juice (pottery cup). Eat the bread dipped in wine or juice.
In the centre one of the servers has a completely gluten free option of crackers and juice and wine. Please only use this if you need to be gluten free.
Or, remain in your seat to be served if mobility is difficult. If you don't wish to receive communion, please remain in your seat – we’re glad you are here with us.
CLOSING PRAYERS
HYMN ‘Too soon we rise’
V 3 Words © Horatius Bonar, 1808-89 alt V 4 Words © 2018 Susan Jones
Tune St Agnes CH 4 664
1. Too soon we rise, the symbols disappear;
the feast, though not the love, is past and done;
gone are the bread and wine, but you are here,
nearer than ever, still my Shield and Sun.
2. As we move out, the world calls to our hearts
Many are grieving, deep in dark despair;
Compassion moves within, eyes start to smart,
May we be brave and show Love’s always near.
BLESSING and SUNG AMEN
THANK YOU Peter Franklin
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.