With the sun shining, friends were welcomed by the door steward, Mr. Bryn Rees. The introductory section of the service was led by Mrs. Phyllis Duffett.
The songs and music were in the capable hands of Mrs. Tessa Ovenden, Mrs. Ann Pattenden and Miss Barbara Willcox. These ranged from some old favourites such as 'Will your anchor hold in the storms of life' written in the early 19th century to the more modern 'In Christ alone my Hope is found' written in the 21st century.
The junior church was presided over by Mrs. Helen Hills. After the prayer time led by Phyllis, the lesson and sermon were given by the Rev. Bill Lewis from Milford Haven.
Bill read Romans chapter 15 and based his sermon on the words in this chapter written by the Apostle Paul who was addressing Christians 'For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.'
Bill reminded us 'that hope was not a vain wish, but was a steady belief that God's purposes would work out.' God was the God of Hope; he took illustrated examples from the Old Testament by citing the examples of Abraham becoming the Father of the nation of Israel, of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and later the return of the Jews from exile in Babylon.
In the New Testament examples being the death and resurrection of Jesus, the spectacular growth of the Christian Church from such small beginnings, the conversion of Saul from a persecutor of the Christians to a leader in the early church. Examples in recent history of hope being the collapse of communism and the resolution of racism between black/white in South Africa.
Parents Toddlers will meet as usual on Thursday. For activities during the week, ring 01834 843392.