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Minister: Rev Silvia Purdie BA BTheol Church Office: 2 Macmillan Avenue Cashmere, Christchurch, 8022 Telephone 332 7129 Fax: 332 7130 Website: www.cashmerechurch.org.nz

Sunday 3rd December 2017 First Sunday in Advent – Christmas Communion

Preacher: Silvia Purdie

A very warm welcome to you all, whether this is your first time or thousandth time in church. You are welcome whatever your age, gender, marital status, disability, poverty or wealth, race or sexuality. You are welcome whether you have a deep and mature faith in Christ; are uncertain and still seeking; or have no faith. If you are new to church, please do not hesitate to ask one of those on duty if you have any questions.

The Family Room is at the front left of the church, and those with younger children are welcome to use this, or to stay in the service, as they choose.

You are invited to stay for Morning Tea, which will be served in the Lounge after the service.

Mission Statement Cashmere Presbyterian Church will make the life and teachings of Jesus

Christ known and will share in God’s loving purposes of truth, justice, peace and wholeness for all people and the world.

God is at work in particular ways

for those with eyes to see

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Order of Worship (Congregational responses are in bold italics)

Please stand as the Bible is processed in.

Lighting the Advent Candle (Annette McAdam) Today, this first Sunday in Advent, we light the candle of hope Come, light of the world Open our eyes to see your glory even when it is hidden. Come in the little things and everyday. Shine your hope in our hearts. Amen. Opening Hymn 193: O come O come Emmanuel ‘Song to the Holy Spirit’, by James K. Baxter (excerpt) Lord, Holy Spirit, You blow like the wind in a thousand paddocks, Inside and outside the fences, You blow where you wish to blow. Lord, Holy Spirit, You are the sun who shines on the little plant, You warm him gently, you give him life, You raise him up to become a tree with many leaves. Lord, Holy Spirit, You are the bright cloud in whom we hide You bring us to our Brother Jesus To rest our heads upon his shoulder. Lord, Holy Spirit, You are the kind fire who does not cease to burn, Consuming us with flames of love and peace, Driving us out like sparks to set the world on fire. Lord, Holy Spirit, In the love of friends you are building a new house, Heaven is with us when you are with us. You are singing your songs in the hearts of the poor Guide us, wound us, heal us. Bring us to the Father. Prayer of confession

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Prayer Song (remain seated): Open our eyes, Lord

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus To reach out and touch him, and say that we love him Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus

Notices Passing the Peace We offer each other the ‘right hand of fellowship’ as a sign that all are welcome and accepted by God. Carol: The stars danced, the angels sang (by Barbara Gillard)

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 heavenly 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 …

Kids Box Bible Readings (Reader: Helen Leadbetter) Isaiah 64:1-8 (p.726 OT) Mark 13:24-33 (p.65 NT)

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Sermon: God is at work, in particular ways, for those with eyes to see Offering Our freewill offering to support the mission and Church of Jesus Christ will be received. As God gives to us, so let us give to God and to all those who wait for the love of God in so many ways. Donations for the Food Bank are placed in a supermarket trolley. Dedication of the offering (please stand) Hymn 200: Come, thou long-expected Jesus (elders come forward) Advent Communion (from Isaiah 64:1-9) O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, The mountains will quake at your presence. May your name be made known through all the earth The nations will tremble at your presence. No ear has heard, no eye has seen but you meet us when we walk in your ways. In our sin we were cut off from you In our failings we fade away like dead leaves. Even our best is worthless when you hide your face from us. Deliver us from our sins for you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our potter remember us, your people! … Open the eyes of our hearts that we might see you in your risen glory. O come, O come Emmanuel. With the people of God through every age, in every nation we praise you: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. … Sing 676: The Lord’s Prayer (while the elders receive Communion) Please remain seated while we share in Holy Communion. All are welcome to receive the elements of bread and grape juice. We pass these around the rows; if you do not wish to receive just pass them on.

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Closing Hymn 201: Lo he comes with clouds descending Advent Blessing Be alert, be awake, be ready, for the Lord is coming! Be watchful, take note; open your eyes for the Lord is here! Listen carefully for his voice in the crowd and in the stillness. Be on the lookout for his hand at work, for God is at work. Look and you will see his love in action. Be ready to notice God’s grace making space for hope, and his peace shimmering on the water. Amen, amen, amen (sung)

Please remain standing as the Bible is processed out. Thank you for sharing in worship this morning. Please come through to

the hall for morning tea.

Helpers for Christmas events

We need:

• More volunteers to do the Door Duty and the readings at both the Christmas Eve 11.30pm service, and Christmas Day at 9.30am.

• extra readers for the Christmas Music Service on 17th December.

• People to attend the carols at Rhodes on Cashmere, on Thursday 14 December at 3.30pm

• Volunteer singers to join in with the Carols to Homes, on Monday 18th December. Meet at the church at 6.30pm.

If you are able to help with any of these please advise Gail or Silvia.

Family Service & Barbecue: Sunday 10 December All are invited to this service, and to stay afterwards for the Barbecue and shared lunch. Sausages & bread provided; please bring a finger food contribution towards the lunch.

Red Spot Offerings

Today we have the opportunity to lift the giving to our church budget by using our RED SPOT envelopes, an important part of our total annual freewill offering. Red Spot envelopes may also be given any other Sunday next month, and all contributions will be welcome.

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Handel’s Messiah will be presented by CBS Music in St Mary’s Pro-

Cathedral, Manchester Street, on Sunday December 10, at 2 pm. Soloists will be Elizabeth Emeleus, Louisa Pilkington, Theo Moolenaar, Wally Enright, Ken Joblin and Chris Whelan. The Cathedral Orchestra will be led by Natalia Lomeiko, with continuo accompaniment by Ellen Doyle and Barry Brinson. Don Whelan will direct. Admission is by programme donation of $20 and $15, available at the door.

Alpine Presbytery Weekly Newsletter: a copy of the newsletter

is placed on the notice board each week. If you would like to subscribe to receive this directly by email, please let Gail know.

CHURCH ROSTERS

This week – 3 December Next week –10 December

Door Duty Annette McAdam Warren Campbell Kirsty McAdam Andrea Campbell Chris Wright Ian Gray Offerings Kirsty McAdam Warren Campbell

Counting (volunteer, please) Andrea Campbell Morning Tea Ian & Frances French-Wright Judith & brain Irwin

Filter coffee Shirley Wilson Ngaere Brownlie

Bible Reading Helen Leadbetter Jenny Bailey Candle Lighting Annette McAdam Alan Simson

Food Trolley Bill Swan Ian Shaw

Tuesday 5 December 9.30am Quilts & Bits Craft morning 7.00pm Parish Council Wednesday 6 December 4.00pm Children’s Christmas Choir Thursday 7 December 10.00am Pre-school music