A GREAT SUNDAY!

Because I couldn’t go to the practice for the Worship Group last Wednesday, we got to Church just after 9.30 this morning to go through the various songs.  For that reason, I didn’t have much time to wander around and take any photographs, so just took the flowers and the cross and also one of the banners. 

Ross, our preacher this morning, is one of our own Church Members, and his sermon was upbeat, bearing in mind that he was preaching on the subject of the book of Lamentations in the Bible, which as its name suggests, is about lamenting.   However, he reminded us that God keeps His promises to us;  He is not a distant observer, but is at the centre of all that is happening in our lives and gives us hope for the future.  He also reminded us that we can pour out our hearts to God and that He brings order to the chaos with His hope at the centre.  

The verses in Lamentations 3 : 22 and 23, which I have put at the bottom of my collage, are a great reminder to us that whatever we are going through, because of God’s love we are not consumed by what’s happening.  They also remind us that God’s compassions never fail, but are new every morning and as the song says "Great is Thy Faithfulness".  This was particularly poignant because the husband of a dear friend passed away a couple of weeks ago, and it was her first Sunday in Church since then.  However, she and her husband shared a deep Christian faith, and although I could see from where I was standing at the front, that at times it was difficult for her, she was standing next to Mr. HCB, so I knew he would look after her.  

I am a member of the Pastoral Care Team and we try to be aware of what is going on with our various Church members, particularly if someone is absent for a while or if someone is ill, then we can lend a helping hand.  Of course, we don’t do this on our own, and can call on help from other members - and in fact, many people within the congregation are already doing many of the things the members of the PCT do.  The banner reminds us of the fact that we should love others as Jesus loves us and the cross is there to remind us that God is at the centre of our lives as Christians.

I am also encouraged that several of those who come to the Community Fridge regularly, have also started coming to Church and I hope they find friendship and acceptance being part of our Church family.  

Ross finished with this verse from the Bible:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
     the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 
          who comforts us in all our troubles, 
so that we can comfort those in any trouble 
     with the comfort we ourselves 
          receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1 : 3 & 4 NIV