The Rector, Fr. Paul, led the Harvest Festival Evensong in St. Leonard's Church, Loveston, on Thursday, October 11. The preacher was Rev. David Reed, retired priest from Cosheston.
The Old Testament reading was Deuteronomy 26.vv 6-1 and from the New Testament, Luke 8.vv 4-15. Fr. Paul first thanked all involved for the beautiful decoration of the church for Harvest. For his sermon, Rev. Reed highlighted verse 6 from Psalm 67, 'Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us'. In a wide ranging sermon, Rev. Reed reminded us that we need to share together as workers for God's purpose. On Friday evening, we all enjoyed the Harvest Supper which was held in the Jeffreyston Church Hall. After a sumptuous meal, we were entertained in a grand style. Fr. Paul thanked everyone involved for their hard work and generosity in making the supper such a success.
Fr. Paul led the morning Eucharist Service in Jeffreyston Church on Sunday, the 20th after Pentecost. The readings were: Jeremiah 29.vv 1 and 4-7, 2. Timothy 2.vv 8-15.
The Gospel reading was Luke 17.vv 11-19, where we read of the healing of 10 Lepers. Fr. Paul highlighted verses 17 and 18 of the Gospel reading 'Then Jesus asked, "Were not 10 made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"'
He also drew our attention to words from verse 9 of the reading from Timothy. 'But the word of God is not fettered'. Fr. Paul reminded us that, as Christian people, we need to thank God for all mercies which he freely gives us.
At the end of the service, Fr. Paul was proud to show the congregation the well made worksheets and booklets made in the Sunday School showing the process of thanking God. Then Ralucca, Emma, June and Lorna came out to the front of the church and gave the story of the healing of the 10 lepers. The closing prayer was read out by Vali.
Fr. Paul, assisted by Rev. Sylvia Temple, led the Eucharist service, which followed in St. James' Church, Reynalton. The earlier readings were repeated. In her sermon on the reading from Luke 17 Rev. Sylvia said that we need to count our blessings and examine ourselves for a response to God against the listing given in Psalm 103.
Fr. Paul, assisted by Graham Thomas, led the Harvest Festival Evensong held in the evening in St. Elidyr's Church, East Williamston. The preacher was Rev. Denis Baxter, curate at Tenby.
Fr. Paul first thanked all involved for the beautiful decoration of the church for Harvest. The reading from the Old Testament was Deuteronomy 26 verses 1-4 and from the New Testament, John 6, verses 27-35.
In his well presented sermon, Rev. Baxter reminded us that God provides two harvests, that of food and the other of souls, as outlined in the Gospel reading from John.
Afterwards we enjoyed refreshments provided by the faithful ladies of the church.
On Sunday morning, November 4, at 10.30 am, there will be a special Eucharist service at which all souls will be remembered. All are warmly invited and if you wish to have loved ones, who have departed, to be included, please inform Janet Williams, tel. 01646 651767 or Ann Vincent, tel. 01834 861940.
The services for this Sunday are: 9 am Eucharist, East Williamston; 10.30 am Eucharist and Sunday School, Jeffreyston; 12 noon Eucharist, Loveston.