Family Service
at
St. Augustine's

2003 March 30

Key :

directions
instructions for congregation
movements during service
prayers and readings
sections of the service

THE SERVICE.

GIVING THANKS TO GOD

Helpers at back with 'sparklers' ready to proceed in

Jean at overhead projector

Please stand for the opening hymn
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
everyone is welcome to join in the procession

( organist repeat until 'sparklers' are all on table in front of altar )

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart,
I will enter His courts with praise;
I will say, "This is the day that the Lord has made !";
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

He has made me glad, He has made me glad;
I will rejoice for He has made me glad !
He has made me glad, He has made me glad;
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

( Muriel remains at front; others go to the back )

? ? ?

Please sit

Jean : Welcome

Toilets
cards
Murray apologies
Music available

Thank You, God, for Your creation

Muriel

Let us pray

Leader

We thank You for the sun so bright,
The starry skies and moon at night.

People

Thank You, God, for Your creation.

Leader

We thank You for the things that fly -
Insects, birds that soar so high.

People

Thank You, God, for Your creation.

Leader

We thank You for the mountains tall,
For river, stream, and waterfall.

People

Thank You, God, for Your creation.

Leader

We thank You for fields where we can run free,
The flowers, and fruit that grows on the tree.

People

Thank You, God, for Your creation.

Leader

We thank You for animals wild and tame -
The sheep, cat and lion with glorious mane.

People

Thank You, God, for Your creation.

Leader

We thank You for whales that swim in the sea,
The eels and the fishes and things we can't see.

People

Thank You, God, for Your creation.

Leader

We thank You for People wherever they are,
for friends who are dear, and for all spread afar.

People

Thank You, God, for Your creation.

Muriel

Please stand for the hymn
All things bright and beautiful.

Chorus
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

1. Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

Chorus

2. The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning
That brightens up the sky :

Chorus

3. The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

Chorus

4. The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water
We gather every day

Chorus

5. He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Chorus

????

Please sit
( helpers ready at back to bring in tractor, sheep, fruit etc, Graeme or Pam and Jean stay at front and come forward at appropriate time )

Thank You, God, for Your provision

The Harvest offering

"God provides food for all who honour Him" : Psalm 111 verse 5.

Thanksgiving for the earth's produce, and for those who work with it :

Leader

Thank You for the sun and the rain that helps our food to grow

point to sun

Thank You for farmers and vegetable growers who help our food to grow

Matthew places tractor on altar

Thank You for shepherds and stock men who look after the animals

Abbee places sheep on altar

Thank You for fruit trees and the harvesters who pick the fruit

Hermione places fruit on altar

Thank You for all who work in factories and bakeries where food is produced

Jan places bread on altar

Thank You for truck drivers who transport supplies from place to place

Cole places truck on altar

Thank You for those who work in shops and supermarkets which sell the food

Pam or Graeme places shopping basket on altar

Thank You for all who prepare our food

Jean places cooking pot on altar

People

Thank You, God, for Your wonderful provision.

? ? ? ?

We invite you all to bring your donations for Devonport Christian Care and Auckland City Mission and place them on the altar table now.

( organist to play "thank You, God, for this fine day" whilst the people bring their gifts forward )

Thank You, God, for people who serve us

( Muriel sneaks to the back )

Please remain seated for the play :

Grandma's visit

( The "children" come to the front then Grandma comes from organ with her packed suitcase )

Children

Hi, Grandma - it's lovely to have you come and stay !

Matthew

Have you brought us some presents ?

Grandma

Ummm, wait and see.

Abbee

Grandma did you get me that book ?

Cole

And what about my Computer Game ?

Hermione

Yes, and I want cricket gloves ?

Abbee

Did you remember ?

Hermione

Hey, Grandma, let's see what's in your suitcase !

Abbee

I'll open it !

Cole

No, I will !

Hermione

No, I asked - let me do it !

Grandma

Mmm, why don't I do it.
( she opens the suitcase and hands a present to each child; children tear off paper )

Abbee

Ooo, you did get my book - I'll go and start it right now !
( runs off )

Cole

Wow - It's the computer game ! Quick, let me get on the computer !
( hurries away )

Hermione

Oh, look, it's cricket gloves ! I must go next door and show them to Ben !
( runs off )

Matthew

Ooh, this is lovely - an Action Man !
( runs off then hurries back gives Grandma a big hug )
Thank you, Grandma !

Grandma

Umm, thank you - hugs are so special.
( Grandma and Matthew go down aisle chatting together ).

? ? ? ?

Please stand for the hymn
Thank You, Lord

1. Thank You, Lord, for this fine day,
Thank You, Lord, for this fine day,
Thank You, Lord, for this fine day,
Right where we are.

2. Thank You, Lord, for families,
Thank You, Lord, for families,
Thank You, Lord, for families,
Right where we are.

3. Thank You, Lord, for work and play,
Thank You, Lord, for work and play,
Thank You, Lord, for work and play,
Right where we are.

4. Thank You, Lord, for pets to love,
Thank You, Lord, for pets to love,
Thank You, Lord, for pets to love,
Right where we are.

Hermione

Please kneel for the prayers.

Hermione

Thank You, Lord, for everyone who works so hard to provide food and clothing for us.

Matthew

Thank You, Lord, for our homes and families.

Cole

Thank You, Lord, for pets.

Abbee

Thank You, Lord, for school.

Muriel

Thank You, Lord, for doctors, nurses and hospitals and all who look after us when we are ill.

Jan

Thank You, Lord, for friends.

People

Thank you, God, for people who serve us

( Jan stays at front, other prayers go to back )

? ? ?

Please sit

Thank You, God, for Your blessings

Jan

In Bible times there was no cure for leprosy and everyone suffering from leprosy was excluded from their community and village.

They lived in caves or in the wilderness and were not allowed to get close to any other person.

Some were lucky and their families still cared enough for them to bring food close to where they were living, but others did not have anyone willing to help.

If, for any reason, they needed to move through a village or near to other people, they had to ring a bell and shout "unclean, unclean" so that people were warned that they were near and could move out of the way.

Sometimes other skin diseases were mistaken for leprosy.

If any of them thought they were healed, they had to go to the local priest and show him that they were now healed; he would then give them permission to move back into the village.

Our Bible story is about Jesus and ten lepers and is taken from Luke Chapter 17 verses 11-19

One day Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. He was going into a village when He was met by ten lepers

( Jesus walks down side aisle to front )

Ten lepers come down other side aisle.

Lepers ( Pam or Graeme, with the bell )

( P or G "ding ding" with bell" ) Unclean, unclean
( "ding ding" with bell ) Unclean, unclean
( "ding ding" with bell ) Unclean, unclean
( "ding ding" with bell ) Unclean, unclean
when at front they turn towards congregation and cry
Jesus ! Master ! Have pity on us !

Jesus ( Muriel )

Go to the Jewish priest and show him that you are healed

Lepers turn to go back down middle aisle
They look down and realise that their leprosy has gone - joy and excitement
Nine continue down aisle
Tenth leper starts down aisle then turns back and throws herself at Jesus feet

Tenth leper

Thank You, thank You, Jesus, for making me whole !

Jesus

Didn't I heal ten people ? Where are the other nine ? Does only this foreigner return to thank Me
( Jesus reaches down to the leper and helps him up saying - )
Stand up and go, your faith has made you well.

Jan

Thank You for Your healing power, thank You for the love, joy and peace that flows from You to Your followers. Teach us how to receive these blessings from You.

People

Thank You, God, for the wonderful blessings You give to Your people.

? ? ?

Please stand for the hymn
If I were a butterfly

( During this hymn Jan returns to the back )

1. If I were a butterfly, I'd thank You, Lord, for giving me wings -
And if I were a robin in the tree, I'd thank You, Lord, that I could sing -
And if I were a fish in the sea, I'd wiggle my tail and I'd giggle with glee, but

Chorus
I just thank You, Father, for making me 'me'.
For You gave me a heart and You gave me a smile,
You gave me Jesus and You made me Your child,
And I just thank You, Father, for making me 'me'.

2. If I were an elephant, I'd thank You Lord, by raising my trunk -
And if I were a kangaroo, You know I'd hop right up to You -
And if I were an octopus, I'd thank You, Lord, for mine fine looks, but

Chorus

3. If I were a wiggly worm, I'd thank You, Lord, that I could squirm -
And if I were a billy goat, I'd thank You, Lord, for my strong throat -
And if I were a fuzzy-wuzzy bear, I'd thank You, Lord, for my fuzzy-wuzzy hair, but

Chorus

? ? ?

Please sit

Thank You, God, for making me 'me'

Please sit for theTestimony.

Jean

Thank You, God, for making me 'me'

After Muriel has given her testimony, there will be an opportunity for those who desire it to take one or more of these lavender sprigs as a thank offering. They may either be placed on the altar as a thanksgiving to God or taken to give to someone as a special thank-you.

I will now bless these sprigs.

Lord Jesus, thank You for all that You do for us. I pray Your blessing upon these lavender sprigs, that all those who give them and receive them may receive a special blessing. Amen

Muriel Jones

Testimony

PAUSE

( organist plays "Give thanks" whilst people collect their lavender sprigs )

Jean

Please stand for the Hymn
Give thanks with a grateful heart

( Jan please come to the front ready to lead the next prayer )

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son.

Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One,
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son.

And now let the weak say, "I am strong";
Let the poor say, "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

And now let the weak say, "I am strong";
Let the poor say, "I am rich",
Because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks � give thanks � give thanks.

Jan

Please sit or kneel for the prayer of Thanksgiving from the New Zealand Prayer Book.

Eternal God, compassionate and merciful,

we Your unworthy servants give You humble thanks for all Your goodness and loving kindness to us and to all people.

We bless You for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life :

but above all for Your boundless love in the redemption of the world by our Saviour Jesus Christ;

for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us that due sense of all Your mercies, that our hearts may be truly thankful,

and that we praise You, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving ourselves to Your service, and by walking before You in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, to Whom, with You and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, now and forever.

Amen

( Collectors ready - Hermione, Matthew, Abbee and Cole Muriel please help if needed )

? ? ? ?

Please stand for the Hymn
Now thank we all our God.
There will be a voluntary collection during this hymn.

1. Now thank we all our God,
With hearts, and hands, and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers' arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

2. O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us,
And keep us in His grace,
And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

3. All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son, and Him who reigns
With Them in highest heaven;
The one, eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore;
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Leader receive the collection and place on the altar

? ? ?

Please remain standing for the Blessing

? ? ?

Blessing

( Hand out 'sparklers' to children and hearts to adults as they leave )

Those taking part

Children Abbee McNeil
Cole Bason
Hermione Jones
Matthew Jones
Grandma Pam Kirkham
Jesus Muriel Jones
Lepers Abbee McNeil
Cole Bason
Matthew Jones
Graeme Thomas
Organists Graeme Thomas
Pam Kirkham
Overheads Jean Creak
Reader Jan Chapple
'Tenth' leper Hermione Jones

We invite you to join us for a cuppa in the Hall at the end of this service