Strawberry Tea for Breast Cancer raised a final total of £474. A big thank you to all who helped in raising this amount at the Liberty Cafe. Richard Mueller and Helen Cregan were married at Lamphey Parish Church. The speaker was Paul Dando and the worship was led by Matt Pickup, who himself was married only five weeks ago. Richard and Helen will live in Pembroke, but will continue leading the children's ministry at Grace. Following the service there was a reception at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel in the afternoon and evening. The day was one of serious fun for all who attended. On Sunday morning all arrived and almost on time, to hear Phil Prosser speak to Grace Church. He drew a parallel with our times when violent crime is increasing and an earlier period in history. Young people are dying on our streets because of lawlessness. The law and the judicial system seems unable to cope, unable to address the core issues. There seems to be a lost generation. There is a growing threat and fear of terrorism from religious extremism. We no longer have confidence as a nation in who we are and what we believe. In this earlier period, a man by the name of Habakkuk had a complaint about the violent and lawless times he lived in. The prophet complained to God and he did not like the answer he was given. He was told that the land was under a judgement from God because of wickedness. God was going to send a strong, evil and ruthless army to bring judgement on the nation. If we complain to God we may not like, or even reject his answer. We in the UK are under the judgement of God because we have forgotten who we are as a people. We have forgotten our Christian heritage and the things which made us great. We have abandoned God and his truth as revealed in the bible. Habakkuk was told that his land would be taken over for a time, but at the end of that period God would restore things. Christians are not living on a different planet to everyone else! If the country is under judgement Christians will be affected, too, and should respond as Habakkuk did. He prayed 'Lord I have heard of your fame, I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord Renew them in our day, in our time make them known, in wrath remember mercy'. We have heard of amazing things that are happening in various parts of the world in terms of growth of churches and miracles. We would say 'Do it here Lord! As you are doing elsewhere, and have done in the past. We deserve judgement, but in your wrath remember mercy'. The prophet trusted God whatever happened. If all resources are exhausted and all hope seems gone... Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my saviour. Our true riches are in God and he is the source of our joy and strength. Things may get worse in many aspects, but they will improve for those who trust God wholly. This is not a time for the faint-hearted, but a time requiring faith and boldness. Grace Church meet every Sunday at 10.30 am. This Sunday, August 26, they will be meeting in the Court House, Market Square.
