Hato Anaru o Te Parehua
Founded 1840
Order of Service
20 August 2017
Pentecost 11
Liberation
Welcome to St Andrew’s on The TerracE
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 here.
Please join in the congregational responses printed in bold italics.
Please stand if you are able, for the hymns and the offering prayer.
We usually sing the hymns without announcement.
To use the loop system in the church, turn your hearing aids on to the appropriate setting.
Printed copies of the reflection are available at the back of the church for people with extreme hearing loss. For others they can be picked up at the end of the Gathering.
Please note your nearest fire exit.
The church and hall have been earthquake strengthened. In an earthquake: drop, cover and hold.
GATHERING
There are many ways we can be confined;
by thought, by regulation, unjust laws or internal attitudes.
There are many who might confine us;
ourselves, close friends, family, society, church and state.
It takes courage to break free
and to risk the hard work to liberate others.
We reflect on our history of breaking free, breaking out;
celebrating the Spirit’s freedom and liberating power
PROCESSIONAL HYMN ‘Our delight is in the broadness’
Words: © Susan Jones 2014-2015
Tune: Praise my Soul. Used by permission
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 giv’n 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 or gay;
Grace be giv’n 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 giv’n 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, list’ning on the way;
Thanks be giv’n for our affections,
celebrate them night and day.
WELCOME
Kia ora tatou.
Kia ora.
PRAYER
JESUS PRAYER on card
LIGHTING THE RAINBOW ROOM CANDLE
TIME WITH THE CHILDREN Dawn Cowdry
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
Hebrew Bible Exodus 1:8-2:10
Epistle Romans 12: 1-8
Contemporary reading ‘Exodus and Aotearoa New Zealand’
From The Old Testament in Aotearoa New Zealand, by Maurice Andrew p. 88
It is significant in this connection, that, although exodus may not be a frequent theme among Pakeha men in Aotearoa New Zealand today, it can be for women. They also can see themselves as needing to be liberated from oppression. In her contribution to a 1993 collection of essays commissioned by the Women’s Electoral Lobby, Penny Jamieson, now Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, writes of the quest for liberation, and continues, ‘the people of Israel left Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, wandered through the desert for some forty years and reached the Promised Land. Since then the Exodus song has been the archetypal song of freedom, for women too…’, and she quotes Miriam’s song in Ex. 15:20. She goes on: ‘In Aotearoa it became a vehicle of spiritual energy for the Maori people in the Land Wars of the last century. It has also found its way into the explorations of women seeking to understand and authenticate their own relationship with the Christian story. Kate Sheppard spoke of the quest for the vote in terms resonant of the biblical quest for freedom: “Although we have been political outcasts, the Promised Land is in sight.” In Rachel McAlpine’s novel, Farewell Speech, the character Kate Sheppard says, ‘As the Red Sea divided for Moses, so the land opened wide for us.’
Although we have no means of tracing the history of the exodus, there is absolutely no doubt that it has acted as a dynamic model among many different peoples in different spheres and has itself played an active part in effecting liberation. A sober, historical account in the modern sense might not have achieved this; the genre of biblical narrative concentrates on the circumstances of and struggle with oppression.
RESPONSE
For the Word in scripture,
for the Word among us,
for the Word within us,
we give thanks
REFLECTION ‘Liberation – salvation here and now.’ Susan Jones
HYMN AA 109 ‘O the Spirit she moves on the water’
Words © Cecily Sheehy. Music Cecily Sheehy arr. Jenny Bennett
O the Spirit she moves on the water,
and her breathing is felt far and near,
O the Spirit she gave us a birth and a life.
Do you see, do you hear?
And she sweeps us all up in the flame of her love, she is here!
La la la ….
O the Spirit she’s dark and she’s brooding,
unpredictable, wild without fear,
She can roar with the power of a hurricane wind.
Do you see, do you hear?
And her silence becomes so profound we forget she is there.
La la la ….
O the Spirit, the great liberator,
living energy, given to all
Till at last we surrender our life to her –
and we hear and we see:
Being one with creation and life and the Spirit are we.
La la la….
OFFERING PRAYER (said together)
Response: 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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Lois Robertson
CIRCLE OF PRAYER
We think today of the people of Bulgaria and Orthodox Churches throughout the world. In New Zealand, we remember those in Parliament, and today we name Craig Foss and Jo Goodhew and the members of their electorates of Tukituki and Rangitata. Here in the Central Presbytery, we pray for the leaders and people of Knox Fitzroy Presbyterian Church and St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, New Plymouth
PRAYER FOR ST ANDREW’S on card
HYMN ‘Deep in the human heart’
Words © William Livingstone Wallace Tune: Diademata
Deep in the human heart
The fires of justice burn;
With visions of a world renewed
Through radical concern.
As Christians we are called
To set the captives free,
To overthrow the evil powers
And end hypocrisy.
This is our task today,
To build a world of peace;
A world of justice, freedom, truth,
Where kindness will increase;
A world from hunger freed,
A world where people share,
Where every person is of worth
And no-one lives in fear.
Taking the step of faith,
We leave the past behind
And move into the future’s world
With open heart and mind.
By grace we work with Christ,
As one community,
To bring new hope and fuller life
To all humanity.
BLESSING
SUNG AMEN
POSTLUDE “Nimrod” from the Enigma Variations
by Sir Edward Elgar (1857 – 1934)
THANK YOU Peter Franklin
our musician today
Unless otherwise specified all our music is used by permission CCLI Licence 3341550
Words/music to new hymns and gathering statement, prayers or affirmations 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 worship and small groups without seeking permission. Please acknowledge the source.
There is a 2-hour parking limit on the street in the Wellington CBD on Sundays.
If you are staying for an after-church activity, you can to move your car into the car park, or move to a new space on the street.
We welcome all visitors and invite you to stay for morning tea or coffee.
Please sign the visitors’ book at the back of the church.
We hope you enjoyed worshipping with us. At St Andrew’s we want you to feel at home—to join in with the activities of our community of faith, or to come and find your own spiritual place in your own time. If you would like more information about St Andrew’s or to explore becoming a member or associate member, please fill in one of the welcome leaflets (at the back of the church) and hand it to a minister or a welcoming team member.
AUDIO REFLECTIONS
Sunday reflections are usually available on our website.
http://www.standrews.org.nz/sunday-gathering/orders-of-service
GENEROUS GIVING
St Andrew’s depends on the generous giving of members and friends. If you would like to make a donation or support our work through planned giving, please contact our Parish Office or Treasurer. Bank account for donations is: St Andrews on The Terrace, BNZ Lambton Qy, 02-0534-0004022-02
SUNDAY ROSTERSA folder with an outline of each duty is now kept on the back table. If you are unable to do your rostered duty please arrange a swap/substitute and inform the office. Thank you.
Thanks to this week’s volunteers
Welcoming / Jeni Bryant, Judith Cowley
Sound / Tony Cowdry
Offering / Jon Schrader, Margaret Pannett
Coffee/tea / Caroline Glass, Katrina Harper, Mike Wespel-Rose
Time with the Children / Dawn Cowdry
Readings / Margaret Rushbrook
Prayers of the People / Lois Robertson
Musician / Peter Franklin
Rainbow Room Helper / Wendy Matthews
On duty 27 August
Welcoming / Molly Seah & Lloyd Jobson
Sound / Frank Cook
Offering / Graham Howell, Joan Tyler
Coffee/tea / Jon Schrader, Linda & Norman Wilkins
Time with the Children / Margaret Rushbrook
Readings / Valerie Rhodes
Prayers of the People / Margaret Rushbrook
Musician / Vivien Chiu
Rainbow Room Helper / Roger Jones
This Week and Coming Events at St Andrew’s
Sunday 20 August 10am Sunday Gathering led by Susan Jones
Wednesday 23 August Cuppa and a Chat from 10.30am in the Centre
Wednesday 23 August 12.15pm Lunchtime Concert | Noelle Dannenbring (piano)
Thursday 24August 12.30pm Centering Prayer in the Centre
Sunday 27 August 10am Sunday Gathering led by Susan Jones, with Margaret Rushbrook
followed by Exploring the Faith study session
ST ANDREW’S COMMUNITY NOTICES
NEWCOMERS AND INFORMATION EVENING
Friday 25 August, in Conference Room 1 from 7-9pm.
This evening is for parish councillors, pastoral partners and most importantly for anyone who considers themselves to be a newcomer to St Andrew’s on The Terrace. During the evening you will receive information about belonging to St Andrew’s, have an opportunity to ask questions for clarification and a chance to meet each other. The evening will be followed on Sunday 1 October with a welcome for newcomers during the morning service.
Any newcomers unable to attend on 25 August please let Susan know so that she can ensure you have information about belonging to St Andrew’s and can make your choices about how to connect with the community. Tea/coffee and nice eats will be served from 6.45pm onwards, so it would be helpful if you would RSVP to by Tuesday 22 August please. If you are unsure about your status as a new comer, please come anyway, get informed and have some fun!
YOU DON'T BAKE CAKES? BUT YOU WILL BUY SOME?
Asking for Volunteers to run a cake stall late November or early December to sell Christmas Cakes, shortbread and gingerbread. Or you might like to sell some at your work place? Also Volunteers to help with cake packaging, icing gingerbread Christmas trees and Gingerbread people (no skills required - maybe a group meeting in November?). Volunteer sign-up sheets at the back of the church. All donations of butter, dried fruit, eggs or spirits welcome - or donations to buy them. Order forms for buying goodies will be out in a week or two. Also would like the loan of some medium (15 cm) sized baking tins - sizes at the back of the church along with 3 sample cakes, so you know what will be available.
Contact is Maxine Cunningham - .
HEALTH AND SAFETY
We have reduced the number of chairs stored in the foyer and the back of the church to increase the space available for morning tea and to reduce risk. We are planning to have only 20 chairs at the back of the church and 40 in the foyer. These need to be stacked only 5 chairs high to be safe. Please do not carry more than 2 chairs at a time. Chairs do move around a lot in this place! If you can tidy them away when you see them out of place, that would be helpful. Only shift chairs if your body can stand the strain! Thank you! Susan
WIDER CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NOTICES
PEACE MOVEMENT AOTEAROA
Sunday, 20 August to Saturday, 2 September - Tumanako! Children's Art Works for a Peaceful World: 2017 commemoration of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Tumanako! is an exhibition commemorating the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attack in 1945. Marking this year's 72nd anniversary, local children's art expresses their hopes and dreams for a peaceful world to thrive in. Also it recognises the 30th anniversary of NZ becoming nuclear free. Artworks from children aged 8-15 years from all over New Zealand. Exhibition opens 1pm on Sunday, 20 August, at Wharewaka, and runs at the Central Library until Saturday, 2 September. Organised by SGINZ, more information is available at http://www.sginz.org/HiroshimaHope70
YOU ARE INVITED
The Hit & Run Inquiry Campaign is gathering at the Wellington Cenotaph on Tuesday, 22 August 2017 at 12.30 pm to mark the seventh anniversary of Operation Burnham and call on the New Zealand government to launch an independent inquiry to find out what happened. Nicky Hager has confirmed that he will join us to speak. Please join us. https://www.facebook.com/events/318484771946737/