Porangahau Parish Centenary Service 1975

Centenary of the Parish of Porangahau

Thanksgiving Service

In the
MEMORIAL HALL
PORANGAHAU

SUNDAY, 28th SEPTEMBER, 1975

Parishes Churches
St Michael and All Angels, PORANGAHAU
All Saints, WEBER
St Peter’s, WALLINGFORD

FORM AND ORDER OF SERVICE

PROCESSIONAL HYMN

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me his praise should sing?
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise him for his grace and favour
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness.

Father-like, he tends and spares us,
Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Angels, help us to adore him;
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun, and moon, bow down before him,
Dwellers all in time and space:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

When all have taken their places, then shall the Bishop of Waiapu, the Right Reverend Paul Reeves, commence THE LITURGY, the congregation standing.

THE PREPARATION

Bishop:   The Lord be with you.
People:   The Lord bless you.
Bishop:   This is the day which the Lord has made.
People:   Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Bishop:   Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse our thoughts by your Holy Spirit, so that we may truly love you and worthily praise your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

– 2 –

All:   Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us.
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.   Amen.

(SIT OR KNEEL)

Bishop:   Hear God’s word to all who turn to him through Jesus Christ:

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Bishop:   Let us then draw near with true penitence in full assurance of faith, and make our confession to our heavenly Father.

All: Almighty Father, Judge of all men, we have sinned against you in what we have thought, and said, and done. We have sinned in ignorance; we have sinned in weakness; we have sinned through our own deliberate fault. Forgive us for our Saviour Christ’s sake, and help us to serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your name. Amen.

Bishop:   Almighty God, our merciful Father, who has promised forgiveness of sins to all who truly repent, turn to him in faith, and are themselves forgiving; have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

– 3 –

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

Bishop:   The Lord be with you.
People:   The Lord bless you.
Bishop:   Let us pray.

Bishop:   Almighty God, we praise and thank you for your servant Francis Telling Simcox whom you called to be the first Vicar of Porangahau that he might establish and strengthen the Parish upon sure and lasting foundations; grant that we, who have entered into this inheritance may be mindful of his zeal and labours, and ever strive to win all the people of the parish to the loyal and loving service of you and your Church, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Most gracious Lord, we offer before Thee on this day our heartfelt thanks for your many blessings over the one hundred years of the life of this Parish of Porangahau. We thank you for the faithful ministry of your pastors and the dedicated service of your people and we pray that your Holy Spirit may continue to guide the hearts and minds of those whom you shall call to witness to your Name in this place. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Then the people being seated the Reverend J. K. McGechie shall read

THE EPISTLE, 1 CORINTHIANS III : 7 – 14

Thus it is not the gardeners with their planting and watering who count, but God, who makes it grow. Whether they plant or water, they work as a team, though each will get is own pay for his own labour. We are God’s fellow-workers; and you are God’s garden. Or again, you are God’s building. I am like a skilled master-builder who by God’s grace laid the foundation, and someone else is putting up the building. Let each take care how he builds. There can be no other foundation beyond that which is already laid; I mean Jesus Christ himself.
If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, and fine stone, or with wood, hay and straw, the work that each man does will at last be brought to light; the day of judgement will expose it. For that day dawns in fire, and the fire will test the worth of each man’s work.

(STAND)

– 4 –

The Bishop of Aotearoa shall then read

THE HOLY GOSPEL, ST. JOHN IV : 32 – 38

People:   Glory to you, Lord God.

Jesus said, ‘I have food to eat of which you know nothing.’ At this the disciples said to one another, ‘Can someone have brought him food?’ But Jesus said, ‘It is meat and drink for me to do the will of him who sent me until I have finished his work. Do you not say, “Four months more and then comes harvest?”
But look, I tell you, look round on the fields; they are already white, ripe for harvest. The reaper is drawing his pay and gathering a crop for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
That is now the saying comes true: “One sows, and another reaps.” I sent you to reap a crop for which you have not toiled. Others toiled and you have come in for the harvest of their toil.’

People:   Praise to you, Lord Christ.

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfilment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. Who proceeds from the Father and Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
(SIT)

– 5 –

THE SERMON
The Bishop of Waiapu

(STAND)

AN ACT OF THANKSGIVING
The Reverend T. J. Tuhiwai.

Minister:   Behold now praise the Lord
People:   All ye servants of the Lord.
Minister:   Lift up your hands in the sanctuary.
People:   And praise the Lord.
After each sentence following shall be said by all where indicated *
People:   Lord, we thank you. *

We thank you, Lord, for your Church sent into all The world to set forth the eternal praise of your Name.
*
For the missionaries who came to this land and for the Response of the Maori people to your Gospel.
*
For George Augustus Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand; his unceasing labours for your Kingdom, his wife leadership in the organisation of the Church’s life and work, and for his faith and vision in providing for its future needs.
*
For William Williams, first Bishop of Waiapu, and his successors, for their leadership and inspiration in the cause of your Gospel.
*
For Charles Nairn, Ashton St. Hill, John Davis Canning and George Hunter in their provision for Ministry in this Parish and for all your faithful servants who with them and after them, have maintained your work and witness in this place.
*
For the labours of all your servants who have been responsible for ministry in this Parish over the past 100 years.
*
For those who have worked to erect and maintain the Churches and buildings in this Parish dedicated to your Glory.
*
For the work and witness of your people over the years and for the evident tokens through their lives of the power of your Holy Spirit in forwarding the glorious Gospel of your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Now sit or kneel for THE INTERCESSIONS.

– 6 –

Then shall the Reverend Peter Mann lead the congregation in

THE INTERCESSIONS

After each petition or group of petitions shall be said:
Minister:   Let us pray to the Lord.
People:   Lord, hear our prayer.

And at the conclusion of the Intercessions:
Minister:   Let us pray in silence for our own needs.
Minister:   Hear us Lord
People:   Lord, hear our prayers.

Then shall the Bishop of Waiapu continue with the Liturgy, the congregation standing.

THE OFFERTORY

Bishop:   Brethren, we are the Body of Christ.
People:   By one Spirit we were baptised into one Body.
Bishop:   Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
People:   Amen.
Bishop:   The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People:   And with you also.

OFFERTORY HYMN

Now thank we all our God,
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who from our Mother’s arms
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours to-day.

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.
(Third verse next page)

– 7 –

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,
When earth and heaven adore,
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore.

Bishop:   To you, Lord, belongs the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory and the majesty.

People:   All that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours, and of your own we give you.

Bishop:   Come, Holy Spirit, Sanctifier, everliving God, and bless us and these gifts prepared for your use.

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Bishop:   The Lord be with you.
People:   The Lord bless you.
Bishop:   Lift up your hearts.
People:   We lift them to the Lord.
Bishop:   Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
People:   It is right to give him thanks.
Bishop:   It is right indeed, it is our joy and salvation, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, at all times and in all places to give thanks to you through Jesus Christ your only Son;
For through him you have created all things from the beginning and made man in your own image;
Through him in the fulness of time you redeemed us, when we had fallen into sin, giving him to be born as man, to die on the Cross, and to rise again for us, setting him in glory at your right hand;
Through him you have made us a holy people by sending forth your holy and lifegiving Spirit; Through him therefore with the faithful who rest in him and all the glorious company of heaven, joyfully we praise you and say:

People:   Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

(SIT OR KNEEL)

– 8 –

Bishop:   All glory and thanksgiving to you, Holy Father, because you gave your only son Jesus Christ, To be the one perfect sacrifice for the sin of The world, that all who believe in him might have Eternal life.

The night before he died on the cross he took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, gave it to his disciples and said;
Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you; do this to remember me.

After supper he took the cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and said; Drink this, all of you, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins; do this as often as you drink it, to remember me.

People:   Glory to you, Lord Christ, your death we show forth:
your resurrection we proclaim:
your coming we await:
Amen; Come Lord Jesus.

Bishop:   Therefore, Father, looking for the coming of your kingdom, we now celebrate the memorial of our redemption with this bread of life and this cup of salvation;

Accept us unworthy though we are; accept us in him we pray, with this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

Grant that this bread and wine which we receive may be to us the body and blood of Christ; Fill us with your Holy Spirit and by his grace and power make us one in the body of Christ with all who share these holy things:

People:   All glory and honour to you almighty Father, here and everywhere, now and forever. Amen.

Bishop:   As our Lord has taught us, we pray:

People:   Our Father in heaven:
holy be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us to-day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the test
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours now and for ever.   Amen.

– 9 –

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Bishop:   The bread we break is a sharing in the Body of Christ.

People:   We who are many are one body, for we all partake of
The one bread.

THE COMMUNION

Bishop and People:   We do not presume to come to your holy table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your great mercy. We are not worthy even to gather the crumbs from under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the body of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen.

People:   Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world,
grant us your peace.

Bishop:   We invite you: visitors to Porangahau, members of other Churches, those newly confirmed, people of the parish, all of you who so desire:

Draw near and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

THANKSGIVING AND DISMISSAL

Bishop:   Almighty and everliving God, we thank you with all our hearts for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
We thank you for your love and care in assuring us of your gift of eternal life and uniting us with the blessed company of all faithful people.

– 10 –

People:   Therefore, heavenly Father, keep us steadfast in your holy fellowship. And now we offer ourselves, soul and body, to serve you faithfully in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

Bishop:   Go forth into the world in peace.

People:   We go in the name of Christ.

FINAL HYMN

Thy hand O God, has guided
Thy flock from age to age;
The wondrous tale is written,
Full clear, on every page;
Our fathers owned thy goodness
And we their deeds record;
And both of this bear witness:
One Church, one faith, one Lord.

The heralds brought glad tidings
To greatest, as to least;
They bade men rise, and hasten
To share the great King’s feast;
And this was all their teaching,
In every deed and word,
To all alike proclaiming
One Church, one faith, one Lord.

And we, shall we be faithless?
Shall hearts fail, hands hang down?
Shall we evade the conflict,
And cast away our crown?
Not so: in God’s deep counsels
Some better thing is stored;
We will maintain unflinching
One Church, one faith, one Lord.

Thy mercy will not fail us,
Nor leave they work undone;
With thy right hand to help us
The victory shall be won;
And then, by men and angels,
Thy name shall be adored,
And this shall be their anthem:
One Church, one faith, one Lord.