For all the wrong reasons, sheep have been in the limelight of the news media. So it seemed appropriate for Pastor Tom Török to focus our thoughts on Jesus as being Himself the gate of the sheep pen. Eastern shepherds build a relationship with their flocks like owners have with their dogs. That is probably because sheep are not simply fattened for slaughter, but are kept in good condition for their wool and milk.

Tom mentioned that, at night, the shepherd would lie down across the gateway and his own body became the barrier to keep the sheep and the hyenas out. He stressed that Jesus is the only entry point to God's blessing. Apart from the Saviour who is also the Good Shepherd, all our good works and religious observances are of no use.

Our access to God as penitent sinners is through the suffering of Christ and the blood he shed when he died for us on the cross. Then we were reminded of the security gates used at airports to check intending passengers for metal weapons. They help to vet unwanted baggage! Likewise, a gate can keep bad things out as well as make good things safe. That is why, in previous centuries, many walled towns and cities had gates that were closed each night.

In the same way that a shepherd leads his flock out of the pen so God leads people out of the world into His kingdom. The meaning of the Greek word 'ecclesia' is used for the church and has a sense of being 'called out'! Jesus who calls people to him wants them to leave their harmful practices behind.

Morning worship included the welcoming of several visitors by Mrs. Ann Robinson as door steward and by Mrs. Carol Widd (church deacon). Mr. Bryn Rees (church deacon) conducted the prayer time during which an ill woman in western Ireland and the countries close to Belrussia were prayed for as well as an ill church member in New Hedges.

Miss Sara Török conducted family news. Among other items was the invitation to attend Bryn's 70th birthday party tea in the Church Hall at 7.30 pm between services.

After that celebration, the evening service began. The preacher was Rev. Dr. David Pusey, minister of Hebron Baptist Church in Saundersfoot, but Rev. David Cardwell conducted the singing of favourite hymns chosen by Bryn and was ably accompanied by Miss Gloria Lewis on the piano with aplomb versatility.

Tom likened Bryn's faithfulness to that of Abraham's servant Eliezer and read extracts from Genesis chapter 24 to suverse 16, by pointing out we are included in the 'whoever' - but there is a deadly warning to all who do not believe, they will surely perish!

He quoted part of Romans chapter 5, verse 5 'God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us'. This is the secret of being 'high' in the new creaturehood possible in Christ. He explained that in chemistry either a sodium atom is in a so-called 'ground state' or it is loaded with energy to be in a so-called 'excited state'. There is no intermediate state. That is what is meant in chemistry by a 'quantum leap'. He applied this chemistry to the fact that either we are a Christian or we are not.

Just before the last hymn, daringly, mention was made that problems in worship are often caused by the musical input.

Anyone wanting details about the Youth Club or Bible Study Groups is invited to ring Tom Török on Tenby 845838.

This Sunday, Mr. Ken Wilson will preach at 10.45 am and Mr. Gerald Duffett at 6 pm. All are most welcome to attend.