Woodlands Road Methodist Church
Location: Intersection of Woodlands Road and
North Street, Timaru
Denomination: Methodist
Website:
www.methodist.org.nz
Church Services: 9am Temuka, 10.30 am Woodlands Road
Groups:
My own visit
Date: 13/2/05Service: 10.30am Holy Communion Service.
The building: The church is prominently situated at an intersection of major roads. Red brick building with high nave and classical windows framed with whitestone. However the absence of a tower, the utilitarian adjacent hall and other rooms mark it out as a Methodist Church. The foyer is in a newer style, but blends into the overall architecture.
The décor: The thick blue carpet gives the church a dignified yet comfortable ambience. The cushions on the wooden pews also have a decent width and are obviously high quality. The wood of the high ceiling is finished in a dark tone, while the wood otherwise used in the church is generally a lighter colour. Two banners adorn the otherwise bare white walls. Wooden panelling on the walls reaches to about shoulder height. On one side at the front of the church are the choir stalls – not used at the moment – and the organ. On the other side are the two pulpits, one beyond the other. One of these is obscured by the screen for the overhead projector. However, generally the lectern in the centre just among the first pews is used. Completing the church at its centre is the raised platform with communion railing around the altar. This backs onto the large wooden front that houses the (electric) organ acoustics. A cross hangs above the altar.
Flowers provide a more colourful contrast near the front of the church.
Smiling face at the door: Yes, but also a surprised look. I was handed the newsletter in the foyer.
Start of service: After singing some more hymns waiting for the minister to arrive, he did turn up and gave a general welcome. He then proceeded to a reflection on Lent, as remembering the climax of the Christian story.
Congregation (approx) 0-12: 4; 13-20: 2: 20-40: 2; 40-60: 3; 60+: 35
Liturgy: The liturgy used was all printed in the order of service. It tended to be specific for this service at the beginning of lent. Using some themes of traditional liturgy it couched them in modern language. Clearly it was not intended to be poetical but rather aimed towards expressing the overall theme. Liturgy was used for the Call to Worship at the start of the service, for the response to the offering, for communion and during the final blessing.
Music: Some hymns were sung before the service. The hymns sung during the service were both traditional and modern. Some words were displayed by overhead projector while the book “With One Voice” was used for other hymns.
The choir of 3 men and 4 ladies sang a song. They were certainly quiet enough to hear the violin playing some interesting parts.
Instruments: organ (large electric), piano, violin
Children’s Talk: The minister had the Yates gardening book with him. Looking at a variety of plants he explained that they grew from seeds. Seeds come in all shapes and sizes. But their shape does not necessarily reflect the size of the plant that grows out of it. What do you need to grow a plant successfully? After the children gave some ideas, the minister pulled out a pot, soil (potting-mix) and seeds (beans) which the children then planted.
The Bible is like the gardening book. It gives us instructions on how we should live to please God. Our lives are like the potting mix. God’s Spirit will grow within us just like these plants.
Sermon:
-Length: 11 minutes
-Method: The sermon was delivered
from the lectern with a dry, methodical voice. Both speech and
thought were quite clear and easy to follow.
-Bible reading: Matthew 4:1-11
-Content: Throughout our lives we face testing: blood test at the doctor, driver’s licence test, tests at school and university. Sometimes we even talk about having our faith tested. Here Jesus was tested in the wilderness. Often it is referred to as the temptation, but “temptation” is too strong a word in our modern vocabulary. It implies that one is tempted to succumb to evil. But the spirit led Jesus into the wilderness and God does not want any-one to succumb to evil.
This testing is a time of decision (William Barclay). Jesus went to the wilderness to sort out what it meant to be the anointed one. The testings are decisions in which Jesus determines his role and ministry. This testing for Jesus is his identifying with humanity.
So often we are tempted by our gifts. We often use them selfishly and not to please God or to help other people.
One example may be somebody with an exceptional singing voice. That person can aspire to wealth and fame or might use it in God’s service. This is not to suggest that we just use our gifts in the church. The attitude in which we make use of our gifts is important.
Example: Antique Road Show. The valuers are no doubt gifted people who will be paid for their services during the show. One of the experts is walking along the road and approached by a young man to appraise a piece of furniture in the car. The expert agrees and gives his undivided attention to the man and the furniture. He didn’t charge for this gift but gave it freely. This is an unselfish use of a gift.
In the bible passage, Jesus had just rejected the selfish use of angels, is now helped by angels. When we unselfishly use our gifts we receive God’s blessing. We can choose to take the easy way or we can choose to go God’s way. How do we use our gifts?
Other Highlights: Communion: After the liturgy people came to the front to receive bread and wine (grape juice). As a group they knelt down at the communion rail and the minister dismissed each group with a blessing.
Wrap-up: After the final song a benediction was said and then the Grace together. The sung three-fold Amen concluded the service.
After the service: I spoke with a few people about family, my job and music. The minister stood in the foyer talking to people and shaking hands as the congregation left the church.
Quality of morning tea: Morning tea was held in the lounge at the rear of the church. Certainly the biscuits were a bit more fancy, not just the plain dry kind.
Reflection: It does not seem the most energetic church. But people here do have a concern for each other and the community. What must be of concern is the low number of people in the church and their age. Is the minister really here to accompany seniors in their last few years? Of course one may commend them for soldiering on, for carrying on to be part of the church. One news item mentioned in the service was that the Methodist Synods of South and North Canterbury are joining together to create the Central South Island Synod. Is this a consolidation in the face of fewer churches and people? It may be a prudent move but also somehow signals retreat. The Methodist Church has affected many good things, not least through its Sunday School movement, and so it is hoped that this congregation will bear fruit as it continues to work in the community.
In contrast to the other churches in Timaru I have known this church for a long time and so it was not that easy to come here and do the assessment. I do hope that I have approached it with an open mind and was certainly moved by the welcome I received.
4 questions:
c)
Yes, but they do not form a complete guide. The commands and teachings of Jesus are important as well.
Through a democratic process: members are nominated for positions in a yearly meeting of the congregation. If there are more than one nomination a vote is taken.
The majority would probably say no.