Welcome to the Howick-Pakuranga Parish METHODIST CHURCH OF NEW ZEALAND Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa Church established: Howick 1852 Pakuranga 1963 PRESBYTER: Rev Freddy De Alwis 24 September 2017 Welcome to our Service of Worship led by Rev Freddy De Alwis Tea & Coffee is served after the service. All welcome. If you are a newcomer, please speak to the steward at the door, or contact the church office on 576-2407
Please ensure your cellphone is off Welcome and introduction: Sentence: Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety. I say to the Lord, You are my Lord; all the good things I have come from you. Ps 16:1-2. Introit: May the God of new beginnings Call to Worship: Psalm 116 (selection) I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: O Lord, save me! The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints. I will sacrifice a thank-offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord in your midst, Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! For ever and ever! Amen. New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Hymn: Christ be our light 1. Longing for light, we wait in darkness, Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see. Chorus: Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.
2. Longing for peace, our world is troubled. Longing for hope, many despair. Your word alone has pow r to save us. Make us your living voice. 3. Longing for food, many are hungry. Longing for water, many still thirst. Make us your bread, broken for others, shared until all are fed. 4. Longing for shelter, people are homeless. Longing for warmth, many are cold. Make us your building, sheltering others, walls made of living stone. 5. Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong. Let us be servants to one another, making your kingdom come. Children s time: Prayer of Confession: In this world of plenty, O God, we have chosen to live lives not of poverty: We have hoarded our blessings, and have kept more than our share of abundance, causing others to know the hard reality of need and want; Please, forgive us, Gracious God We have failed to care adequately for the world's abundant resources, Bringing scarcity and pain to our planet; Please, forgive us, Gracious God We have denied the goodness that we enjoy, and have forgotten how to be grateful, making ourselves miserable and hurting others; Please, forgive us, Gracious God (Pause) Remind us, O Lord, of all the good things that we have received; Remind us how to enjoy the blessings we experience; Remind us that giving is a source of pleasure and plenty; Remind us that there is enough to go around. And teach us to follow Christ in the ways of love, self-giving and compassion; Even as You have forgiven us in Christ. Amen. Hymn 86: Tell out, my soul First Reading: Psalms 116: 1-14 (page 675) Reader: Philippa Smith
Choir Anthem: Everything that has voice Second Reading: Matthew 20:1-16 (page 1075) Second Reader: Deepa De Alwis Reflection: Hymn: Right to work and right to living wage Here in the busy city (HOS 56 Shirley Murray), Tune Aurelia 1. Here in the busy city now let the Church be seen Where lesser gods are worshipped in money and machine; Where news is but sensation, the Good News hardly heard Now let the Church take action in living out the Word! 2. In policies and planning the Church be there to speak To moderate the powerful, to argue for the weak: Where law must sit in judgment and love is little known, There at the crisis centre the Christ concern be shown. 3. Where litter chokes the gutter and people go to waste, Where joblessness is bitter and living lost its taste To underleavened people the proof of rising yeast, In lives devoid of flavour be saltiness released. 4. Here in the busy city God walks on every street In generous or greedy, the honest or the cheat, And daily we must offer the good that goes unpriced With vigour and with vision the lifestyle of the Christ. Prayers of the People & Intercessory Prayers: Contemporary Lord s Prayer: Let us pray together: Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the people of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen.
Offertory & Offertory Prayer: Announcements: Hymn 378: Be Thou My Vision Benediction & Grace: Go now to spread God s love beyond this place We go in faith and thanksgiving And may the God of love give you grace; The God in Christ give you mercy; And the Holy Spirit lift up your hearts. Amen. Thanks be to God. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen, Amen, Amen. The flowers for today were arranged by Julie Ding Please pick up a copy of the September Touchstone from the foyer table Remember in prayer: Geoff Wilkinson. Mexico City after the devastating earthquake, and Caribbean Islands rebuilding after hurricanes. Annual Reports Could all convenors, please send in their annual report to the church office by the 8 th October. This gives time for it to be collated and printed and given out a week before the Annual Congregational Meeting at the end of October. Thank you. Barn Sale: The next barn sale is on Saturday 30 September at 8am, with hopefully fine weather! Parish Council Meeting: Thursday 28 September at 7pm.
Afternoon in the Country Sunday 8th October 2.00pm onwards A warm invitation to everyone, especially new members, to spend the afternoon at John & Lana Peat s home, 130 Point View Drive, East Tamaki Heights Relax, enjoy the view and cuddle the lambs! See the new triplets! Delicious afternoon tea (no plate required) Wander around the large garden Bring your family, bring your friends An opportunity will be taken to celebrate John s 90 th birthday. All Welcome Bible Reading Rosters Please pick up your copy from the mailbox on the foyer table. Women s Fellowship The next meeting of the Women s Fellowship will be held on Tuesday 3 rd October at 10.30am. There will be a trading table, and a small plate towards lunch is appreciated. All welcome. The Last Word Do you want to live to a ripe old age? Well think about this.. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than kiwis. Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than kiwis. Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Kiwis. Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than kiwis. Conclusion: Eat and drink what you like. It s speaking English that kills you.
Coming Services ~ Sunday 10.00am Oct 1 Holy Communion Led by Rev Freddy De Alwis 8 Led by Freddy De Alwis DATES AHEAD: SCHOOL HOLIDAYS Monday 7.00pm Mixed Badminton Tuesday 9.45am Ladies Badminton Wednesday Thursday 7.00pm Parish Council Friday Saturday Sunday 9.15am Choir practice Early Childhood Centre: Mon Fri 8.45am - 11.45am; Mon Thurs 12.45pm - 3.15pm email: info@trinitykindy.co.nz website: trinitykindergarten.school.nz Phone: 577-4959 Rosters for Next Week Communion Preparers: Communion Servers: 10.00am Society Stewards: 10.00am Host/Hostess: Floral Arrangements: 10.00am Reader: Morning tea: Pastoral Visitors: Barbara Schlumpf Dorothy Hancock, Paul & Sina Paea Frank & Frankie Jones Tonkin family Anne Mowles Mickey Teo, Susana Tonkin Clive & Philippa Smith Joan Gordon Church Office Secretary: Shirley Peat Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 12 noon phone: 576 2407 fax : 576 5930 e-mail: trinity-church@orcon.net.nz web: http://www.trinitypakuranga.methodist.org.nz address: 474 Pakuranga Road. PO Box 82 056 Highland Park