Last Sunday, Mr. Anthony Standing was the worship leader and gave a warm welcome to the congregation which included visitors. Mr. Standing prayed for the victims of the earthquake in Indonesia and especially for Nia the eight-year-old girl sponsored by the Crusaders who lives in Yogyakarta. Mr. Richard Standing read from Hebrews chapter 1. Miss Helen Standing was the pianist and Mr. and Mrs. Gunston and family were the welcome stewards.
Mrs. Standing told the story of two Brazilian boys who lived in a shack on wasteland in Brazil along with 30 other families. Their church fellowship bought the land giving the families some security.
One day the church announced it wanted to build a community church for services, a kids club and health and agricultural training programmes. The elders asked for pledges equal to the cost of bricks.
There was little response until the two boys pledged 200 bricks. The elders were unsure how the boys could pledge so much, but then discovered that the boys already had the bricks stacked behind their shack. The boys had dreamt of living in a proper bungalow and week after week scavenged for bricks in the town nearby. They were looking forward to building a new home, but willingly gave all that they had for the good of others.
The young people were encouraged to follow God's prompting and to give him first place in their lives. Later the young people learnt how Nehemiah responded to the challenge to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
The speaker, Mr. Geoff Beckingham, began by saying that God's word is still applicable to us today. The Hebrews started to grow weary, but were encouraged to keep going when tempted to give up their new Christian faith and return to old habits.
If we are tempted to do the same, Hebrews chapter 1 is for us. The Hebrews are reminded that Jesus became a man to reveal himself to us, bridging the gap between God and man and fulfilling the promises of the Old Testament.
Jesus the Son of God is 'Heir to all things', Creator of the universe and the visible expression of God's glory. He is the exact representation of God, maintaining the universe. He has dealt decisively with sin and is now seated at the right hand of God. Jesus was active in creation and is eternal and is worthy of our worship. Do we treat Jesus as less than God? Do we lack faith in what He can do? Do we disregard His way in our behaviour? Is Jesus first in your life?
Paul writes: 'Make Him first, where He deserves to be'.
This Sunday, communion will be celebrated following the service at 11 am. At 2.30 pm, Hebron will lead the United Churches Pentecost Service on the harbour. Mr. Geoff Beckingham will be the speaker at both services. If wet, the service will be held in Thomas Memorial Church on the High Street. There are no mid-week meetings this week.
Next Sunday the speaker will be Mrs Yona Pusey. Everyone welcome. For further information, please call 811697.