St Paul’s Presbyterian

Location: Highfield, Timaru: established suburb of older, better houses. Generally considered one of the better neighbourhoods
Denomination: Presbyterian
Website: www.presbyterian.org.nz
Church Services:
Groups:

My own visit

Date: 29th August 2004

Service: Morning Worship (09.45)

The building: Red brick and white stone church with nice bell tower (didn’t hear the bells ring, though).

The décor: The walls are wood-panneled to about head-height, above that white-washed. Still the wooden beams stand out. The church is carpeted throughout. The fans on the ceiling forced air downwards throughout the service. At various places throughout the church flowers provided splashes of colour. Children’s videos and books were displayed on a stand at the back.

Smiling face at the door: A few people said “Good morning” right on the way in. I was handed the bulletin, with a friendly smile. One member of the congregation came to talk to me when I was sitting alone in my pew. When she heard which family I’m from, we talked about music.

Start of service: First a call to worship and then we were welcomed to the service on a gloriously sunny morning.

Congregation (approx) 0-12: 7; 13-20: 0; 20-40: 5; 40-60: 15; 60+: 100

Liturgy: Just the call to worship and the response to the offering, printed in the bulletin. Responses were there, but not very enthusiastic. They had the peace with shaking of hands. Very joyful and not uncomfortable.

Music: A mixture of traditional and modern hymns. The congregation sang with gusto when it came to the traditional ones, but the modern hymns were not easy to sing and the congregation could not get into them. Singing for new hymns was very thin, though there was some effort made up front (by some in the choir) to get into the swing of things with clapping and rhythmic accompaniment.

During the offering collection the choir sang a piece of music. All songs and hymns were projected onto the screen by powerpoint. Those that were not in the hymnbook were printed in the order of service for people that could not read the words on the screen

Instruments: piano and electric organ. Percussion for one piece.

Children’s Talk: Possibility. I think the minister used apple seeds and branches (couldn’t see from the back). What is the possibility that this should become an apple? There are so many things that could happen. Do we ourselves realise our potential? What are the things that hinder us? (answers: laziness, fear of failure, it’s easier).

Sermon:
-Length: 14 min plus re-reading of psalm.
-Method: Based on bible readings. It included reference to a personal story. For the Old Testament readings she focused on the specific passage, taking a more general view of the whole book (Luke) for the New Testament section. The preacher had a kind, but also urgent voice. The sermon was followed by some quiet time for reflection.
-Bible reading: Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81.
-Content: Jeremiah 2:4-13. God has a plan, a potential for us. The choice is ours to do what God wants us to do, or go on oblivious. We should respond to the calling of the Spirit. Israel had a special relationship with God, but rejected this relationship and God. God had saved Israel, but the people lacked appreciation and thankfulness, it even embraced other gods. Today, even in a different culture, God still demands loyalty, both personally and as a church, which has to express itself in justice and compassion, not some religious action. (also asked question: what is it in human nature that leads us away from the source of hope and life? Not directly answered).

Psalm 81 is a sermon in itself, probably for a festive occasion. It emphasizes that people would not listen. God’s pain is obvious. God does not want trouble for his people; no, these things happen as a result of our choices. Oh, that his people would really listen! We are capable of singing songs and saying words, but then we do not really live up to them.

Again in the story of the Transfiguration we are told to listen. Today we are bombarded by so many competing voices. In all this competition there is the pained consistent voice of God evident in Psalm 81 calling us: follow me.

If we look at the gospel of Luke, we see a Jesus that turned the world upside down, who shows a new way of living. Jesus disturbs and shows a new and changed order of things. Nowhere in the gospels is there any suggestion of remaining the same. Christ’s message is that of a radically new existence. Our call is to a new life in Christ, but never a comfortable life. Will we walk in God’s way or walk in our own way?: the choice is ours.

Other Highlights: The prayer of intercession seemed to be heart-felt, very ecumenical and reaching out to the wider world, nevertheless short and concise. It touched me.

Wrap-up: Hymn and benediction.

After the service: I was spoken to by others as soon as I left my pew. General introductory talk, but also being commented on my voice. People hoping that I would come to this church again. I spoke to one person in particular at length and asked a few questions.

Quality of morning tea: The tea was nice and the cups good. It was served outside the church in the sun-shine. There were also plenty of places to put down the tea-cups. Biscuits were few, nothing flash, but well beyond the simple dry variety.

Reflection: I thought it was a very good sermon and morning tea in the sun was just great. The church seems to be involved in ministry to families, but younger people do not seem to be represented among the congregation during the service. Such a sermon always begs the question whether we walk the talk. Can we as church, as families, as individuals live out the gospel? Do we show in our lives that we follow Jesus?

4 questions:

1. How, would you say, is Jesus’ death relevant to our salvation?
   1. Jesus’ death was a ransom to the devil, thus freeing us sinful humans from the devil’s rule.
   2. God is offended by sin. Jesus offered himself on the cross as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. His blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all people.
   3. God judges sin. He took the consequences of sin upon himself in Jesus’ death and reconciled us to himself, showing his justice and love.
   4. In his death Jesus showed solidarity with the oppressed and persecuted of the world, exposing human cruelty and showing another way.
   5. Jesus’ death was just a consequence of his ideas of love and acceptance clashing with rigid Jewish legalism. It inspires us to lead a liberated life, even in the face of opposition.
   
   c)
2. Should the ten commandments be an authoritative guide for Christian living today?
   Presbyterians and especially ministers affirm and take a vow that the Old and New Testaments are the supreme authority. But that does not imply that the Bible is necessarily taken literally.

3. How are leadership positions/positions of responsibility allocated in this congregation?
   There is the session of ordained elected elders. Elders are ordained for life, but if they ask for it they may take some time out from session duties. A board of managers looks after finance and property. Members of the board are elected on an annual basis. Other people are appointed by the minister for more ad-hoc short-term needs.

   The congregation supports a paid position in Christian education. Applications for that position went through a normal employment process with CV etc. There are also volunteers working in some areas (including with children). These are usually vetted for their suitability and reliability.

4. Would this congregation be happy to bless the union of a gay couple?
   There is a very broad theological range within the congregation. There would probably be some who would be very much against it, while others would be happy to bless the union of a gay couple. The average person would probably be in favour of civil union for all couples, but not for gay marriage. Marriage is the bond between a man and a woman. But one also has to consider issues of natural justice and therefore support unions for all people.