Even people who know the Bible well might be unfamiliar with the name of the Old Testament hero highlighted in the pastor's talk on Sunday afternoon.
Rev. Peter Richmond spoke about Shamgar, God's 'unknown warrior.' Judges 3:31 reads: "After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel."
While Moab presented a military threat to the Jewish people at that time, ordinary lives were also made a misery by the constant raids of Philistine bandits. Not only did they deprive farmers of their harvests, they had also succeeded in removing from the land all the Israelite weapons, along with the blacksmiths who could make them.
Shamgar just used what was in his hand - a long pole with a point on one end and a shovel on the other - and God granted him a victory that kept the Philistines away for hundreds of years!
"What's in your hand?" asked the pastor. "A staff, like Moses? A sling, like David? A basket of loaves and fish? Within this story lie three simple yet powerful success secrets: Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can." Songs and prayers followed.
The mid-week house group studied family responsibilities as expressed in Ephesians, chapter six. There was also a discussion on the importance of keeping commitments and how to deal with the 'Pembrokeshire promise.' Bread and wine was shared.
Sunday services take place in Carringtons Restaurant, The Atlantic Hotel, every week at 4.15 pm. For more information please visit http://www.hesed.co.uk">www.hesed.co.uk