WELCOME AND NOTICES

CALL TO WORSHIP:
The Spirit of God is calling in wind and whimsy.
The Spirit of Christ is calling in challenge and by example.
The Spirit calls, insistently and persistently, urging change
and transformation.
Despite any feelings of uncertainty even fear, we come to worship in hope and trust. We come, seeking, wondering,
hoping God will gift us with new life.

HYMN: Come in, Come in New Year Tune: Darwall WOV 147(ii)
Come in, come in New Year
with shining summer day!
Your promise calls us here
to celebrate and pray,
through Janu-ary’s open door
to stride with hopeful step once more.

Come in, New Year, and sell
your wares of chance and change:
engage us with your spell
to risk and re-arrange,
to feel the Spirit’s impulse beat,
to follow down a different street.

The calendar of Christ
will mark the seasons’ turn,
his story claim our trust,
his love be ours to learn.
For all the world, for young and old, we pray a year of peace unfold. ? Shirley Murray (CoC)
OPENING PRAYERS

STORYTIME

SONG: One More Step along the World I Go
One more step along the world I go,
one more step along the world I go;
from the old things to the new
keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
keep me traveling along with you.

Round the corner of the world I turn,
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see
you’ll be looking at along with me:

As I travel through the bad and good,
keep me travelling the way I should;
where I see no way to go
you’ll be telling me the way, I know:

Give me courage when the world is rough,
keep me loving though the world is tough;
leap and sing in all I do,
keep me travelling along with you: © Hope Publishing (VU)

INTRODUCTION TO THE READINGS

READINGS: Isaiah 42: 1-9 Jenny Brettell

Matthew 3: 13-17 Bernie Brettell

CAROL: Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
let earth receive its king;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns;
let us our songs employ;
while fields and streams, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love. C/A

SERMON: Hinge Events…

HYMN: Will You Come and Follow Me
Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same?
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
this I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
© Iona Community (CH4)
THE OFFERING
O God, we look at our feet and see the unfolding possibilities.
May we move in the direction of service.
We look at our hands and see a future of compassion.
May we seek to do the work of justice.
We look into our hearts and see love and the connection.
In this new year may we be shaped as a beloved
and loving community, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WE GREET ONE ANOTHER

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN: I The Lord of Sea and Sky
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord; is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night;
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain;
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word of them.
Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame;
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts are satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send? © OCP Publications (CH4)

THE BLESSING

ST MARTIN’S PARISH NOTICES for 12th January
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please stay for morning tea after the service.

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Next Sunday 10am. From Sunday 26th January, the services will be at 9am again.

ST MARTIN’S CHURCH FAMILY BBQ Sunday 26th January 12 noon at Sue & Peter’s, 106 Southampton Street. Please bring a salad and meat to share (the bbq and chef are provided!) plus a hat, seat/rug, plates and cutlery. Tea & coffee will be available. All are welcome.

WEDNESDAY WALKERS 15th January: An “unofficial” stroll – meet 9.30am in the carpark of South Library, Hunter Tce end. Coffee at ‘Red’. June 332 8874.

CRAFTY CRAFTERS Thursdays 10am-12 noon in the Lounge at Beckenham Methodist. New faces welcome ?. $3 per session. Beverley 332 7786.

FOOTCARE CLINIC: Next Session Monday 27th January 1-4pm at Beckenham Methodist. Please phone Joan 980 7467 to book.

THE PARISH OFFICE re-opens on Thursday 23rd January 2014.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz
BIRTHDAYS: Wed 8th Sue; Thu 9th Barry; Tues 14th Pauline

10.00 am Combined Services on:
29th Dec, 5th , 12th , & 19th January

Please note the changes in service times during December/January
Services return to normal on the 26th January.

The service will proceed unannounced

The Lighting of the Advent Candles

GATHERING:
Chris: The song of blessing began at creation, with the Spirit of God moving over the waters – the song was of goodness, gladness and peace.

Alan: People rebelled, the chords became dissonant,
but God’s people sang, “Bless the Lord, O my soul…”
and some heard the prophets’ promise of hope in a child.

The song of blessing was sung by the angels,
a song of great joy of Messiah, the Saviour.
The song goes on, never silent,
ever true, the promise fulfilled.
And we continue the song, a song ever new.

CAROL: O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him
born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing choirs of angels,
sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above,
“Glory to God
in the highest”:
O come, let us adore him…

Yea, Lord, we greet thee,
born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given:
Word of the Father,
now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him… C/A

WELCOME

A LITANY FOR THE RE-LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE.
On a day like this 2000 years ago a child was born in hope to change the world. Today– somewhere – a child is being born in hope
to change the world; and light shines.
Today – somewhere – someone who is ready to do harm pauses and remembers a child from long ago… and chooses hope and peace instead of violence. Today– somewhere – someone who is lonely and afraid is comforted by a stranger… and knows a moment of hope and love; and light shines.
Today– somewhere – someone who is hungry and cold receives the gift of food and clothing… and knows hope, feeling full and warm.
Today – somewhere – someone who has been a prisoner is released… and knows hope and freedom; and light shines.
Today – here and there – people choose to act with peace, with love, with generosity, with mercy… and Christ is born again in hope;
and light shines. (adapted from Seasons of the Spirit)

THE CHRIST-CANDLE IS RE-LIT

STORY-TIME WITH THE CHILDREN – Alan

CAROL: And Did You Did See Him, Little Star
And did you see Him little star,
long, long ago?
and was it you, I wonder, shone
on manger low?
And did you see the shepherd men,
when angels sang?
‘Peace on the earth, goodwill to all,’
the message rang.

And did you guide the three wise kings
with shining light?
and bring them to the holy Child
on that great night?
And will you still shine down on earth,
though from afar,
and lead us back to Bethlehem,
O little star? © The estate of Helen Clyde (CoC)

READINGS: Luke 2: 8-20 Ken Cree
Matthew 6: 19-21

REFLECTION: Alan

THE OFFERING
Gifted by your grace,
we offer you what you have given us, O God;
and pray that these gifts may be used for the sharing of love,
the doing of justice, and the giving of peace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

CAROL: Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
let earth receive its king;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns;
let us our songs employ;
while fields and streams, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love. C/A

THE BLESSING

CHRISTMAS GREETING: We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas x 2
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Now, bring us some figgy pudding;
Now, bring us some figgy pudding;
Now, bring us some figgy pudding
and a cup of good cheer.

We won’t go until we get some;
We won’t go until we get some;
We won’t go until we get some,
so bring it right here.
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. C/A

May you have joy this Christmas –
The joy of celebrating Christ’s birth.
May you have hope this Christmas –
The hope of a world renewed.
May you have peace this Christmas –
The peace which all people can share.
May you know love this Christmas –
The gift of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

A very warm welcome to this
Christmas Eve Service

CALL TO WORSHIP: (from the back)
Sssh. Can you hear it?
An expectant silence, a hushed anticipation,
as if the very galaxy is holding its breath.
There are some truths even the stars know,
like darkness, like loneliness
and how the night can be a living thing.
And how once, long ago,
the night waited in wonder
along with the darkness
and the loneliness,
for the sound of a baby’s cry,
for the miraculous to come to the earth.

CAROL: Once in Royal David’s City
Once in royal David’s city
stood a lowly cattle shed
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven
who, with God, is over all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall;
There among the poor and lowly
lived on earth our Saviour holy.

For he is our life-long pattern;
daily when on earth he grew,
he was tempted, scorned, rejected,
tears and smiles like us he knew.
Thus he feels for all our sadness,
and he shares in all our gladness. C/A
OPENING PRAYER

RE-LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES OF HOPE, PEACE, JOY AND LOVE
Over the weeks of Advent… We lit the candle of Hope for all who spoke of the hope to come, for all who believed in the promise;

the candle of Peace seeking light for our path, and the dream
of justice and peace in the world;

the candle of Joy for all who share good news of God coming
among us – God’s messengers and prophets, shepherds and wise ones;
friends, neighbours, strangers;

the candle of Love remembering all who protected the life
of Bethlehem’s new baby – all who support and care for new life today…

SUNG RESPONSE: (Tune: Silent Night) Remain seated
Candle light, sacred light, mystery flames, burning bright, Hope, joy and peace are the gifts of this night. Love poured out over all within sight, Shine your light in our world; shine your light in our world.
© 2006 Catherine MacDonald, Gathering

Invitation to Bethlehem: Know you are invited!

AN OLD TESTAMENT READING OF PROMISE
(From Isaiah 11: 1-4a,5-6 & 9:6)

CAROL: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly – Remain seated
Infant holy, infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing,
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is born for all.
Christ the babe is born for all!

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you.
Christ the babe was born for you! C/A

Invitation to Bethlehem: A Long, Long Time

AN OLD TESTAMENT READING OF PROMISE (Micah 5:2)

CAROL: O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see you lie!
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by:
yet, in your dark streets shining
the everlasting light,
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in you tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to all on earth.

How silently, how silently
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming;
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him
still, the dear Christ enters in. C/A

Invitation to Bethlehem: God Sent Many Invitations

READING: From Luke 1: 26-38

Mary and Joseph’s Invitations

READING: Matthew 1: 18-25

CAROL: What Child is This? – remain seated
What child is this, who laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing,
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Babe, the Son of Mary!

A Singing Telegram

CAROL: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night,
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
all seated on the ground,
the angel of the Lord came down
and glory shone around.

‘Fear not’, said he (for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind),
‘glad tidings of great joy I bring
you and all humankind.

‘To you in David’s town this day
is born of David’s line
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
and this shall be the sign:

‘the heavenly babe you there shall find
to human view displayed,
all meanly wrapped in swaddling clothes
and in a manger laid’. C/A
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

We’re Still Invited

A TIME OF QUIET

THE LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE

CAROL: O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold him
Born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Sing choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above,
“Glory to God in the highest”:
O come, let us adore him…

Yea, Lord, we greet you
born for our salvation;
Jesus, to you be glory given:
Word of the Father now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore him… C/A

Acknowledgement: Invitation to Bethlehem is adapted from
Christmas Plays by Evelyn Minshull. Used by permission.

25 December 9.30 am Christmas Day Service

10.00 am Combined Services on:
29th Dec, 5th , 12th , & 19th January

26 January 9.00 am Morning Worship

Please note the changes in service times during December/January
Services return to normal on the 26th January.

(The service will proceed unannounced)

WELCOME AND NOTICES

1st READING: The Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth ~ Anneke Howie
(Isaiah 9.2,6,7)

HYMN: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free,
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us for ever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring. C/A

ADVENT CANDLE-LIGHTING – June Service
On the first Sunday of Advent we lit the Candle of Hope; a hope expressed by the prophets and continued in the hearts of God’ s people. (The Candle of Hope is relit)

Two weeks ago we lit the Candle of Peace, reminding us of God’s call
to live in loving relationship with the world and with all who share it with us. (The Candle of Peace is relit)

Last Sunday we lit the Candle of Joy, anticipating a New Zealand Christmas – a warm Christmas – as we journey towards Bethlehem,
and remember with joy the birth of the Christ Child.
(The Candle of Joy is relit)

Today we light the Candle of Love
reminding us of the love of God which enveloped the world
in the birth of the Bethlehem Baby,
a love which continues to surround us today.
(The Candle of Love is lit)

OPENING PRAYER

CAROL: O Little Town of Bethlehem (Remain seated)
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see you lie!
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by:
yet, in your dark streets shining
the everlasting light,
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in you tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to all on earth.

How silently, how silently
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming;
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive him,
still the dear Christ enters in. C/A

2nd READING: The Birth of Jesus Announced ~ Jeannette Beaumont
(Luke 1:26-35)

STORY-TIME

3rd READING: The Birth of Jesus ~ Barbara Meier (Luke 2: 1-7)

CAROL: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Infant holy, infant lowly,
for his bed a cattle stall;
oxen lowing, little knowing,
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
nowells ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Christ the babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
vigil till the morning new
saw the glory, heard the story,
tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you.
Christ the babe was born for you! C/A

4th READING: The Shepherds Go to the Manger ~ Rob Meier
(Luke 2: 8-16)

CAROL: Angels, From the Realms of Glory,
Angels, from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o’er all the earth;
heralds of creation’s story,
now proclaim Messiah’s birth:
come and worship
Christ, the new-born king,
come and worship,
worship Christ, the new-born king.

Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
watching over flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant Light… C/A

We Suspect Angels ~ adapted from Cloth for the Cradle (WGWG)

5th READING: Wise Men are Led by the Star ~ David Beaumont
(Matthew 2:1-11)

CAROL: The Stars Danced, the Angels Sang
The stars danced, the angels sang
the night God came to earth.
The whole vault of heaven rang
to celebrate his birth.
We will dance, we will sing,
we will praise our heav’nly King
at his birth!

Mary, his mother smiled
to see her babe new born.
Shepherds came hurrying,
left their flocks forlorn.
We will dance, we will sing …

Wise men who saw his star,
knew their Lord was here,
came with their offerings,
incense, gold and myrrh.
We will dance, we will sing …

We too will give to him
gifts of love and praise.
Dance for him, sing for him,
rejoice in him always.
We will dance, we will sing … © Barbara Gillard (CoC)

6th READING: From John 1

THE OFFERING
Transform with your love, O God, our homes,
our families, and our friendships .
May your love go to work through our gifts ~
May the light of the Christ come at Christmas;
bringing hope to the disadvantaged,
bringing comfort to the broken hearted,
bringing peace to the troubled,
bringing community to the lonely,
so that your cherished ones
may receive a blessing this Christmas,
and in the new year ahead. Amen.

AN ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

A BLESSING

CAROL: Joy to the World
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
let earth receive its king;
let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Saviour reigns;
let us our songs employ;
while fields and streams, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love. C/A

CWS Appeal Week 4: Love. In Sri Lanka, small farmers are finding it much harder to support their families. Where once there was water to share, wells are drying up and streams disappearing. Out of concern for their livelihoods, and in recognition of the hunger that haunts them, MONLAR had mobilised support. They have cultivated a network of groups and farmers to lobby for fairer government policies and stand up against land and water grabs. Together they are putting on the pressure to restore the land to the people while building an economy with an ecology based on love and care for the earth.

NOTICES
A very warm welcome to all who worship with us today. Please join us for morning tea following the service.

THE NEW READERS’ ROSTER is available today– please check to see
if there’s one for you.

CHRISTMAS & JANUARY SERVICES:
24 December 7.30 pm Christmas Eve Service
(Beckenham Methodist Service at 11.30 pm)
25 December 9.30 am Combined Christmas Service

10.00 am Combined Services on: 29th Dec, 5th , 12th , & 19th January

Sunday 26 January 9.00 am Morning Worship

“UNOFFICIAL” WALKS Wednesdays 8th & 15th January: Meet at 9.30am in the South Library carpark, Hunter Tce end. Coffee at “Red”. June 332 8874. There are no walks on Dec 25 or Jan 1!

CRAFTY CRAFTERS resumes on Thursday 16th January. Beverley 332 7786.

THE PARISH OFFICE re-opens on Thursday 23rd January 2014.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE: www.stmartins.org.nz

STOP PRESS: ST MARTIN’S CHURCH FAMILY BBQ 26th January 12 noon at Sue & Peter’s 106 Southampton St. More details later.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK & BEYOND: Sun 22nd Lyall; Mon 23rd Graeme; Wed 25th Isobel; Thu 26th Noeline (90); Tues 31st Jack; Thu 2nd Chris W.