Hebron Baptist Church

Mr. Anthony Standing gave a warm welcome to worshippers last Sunday, leading the opening worship and prayers. The speaker, Mr. Brian Rogers, read from Nehemiah 8 v1-12. The pianist was Miss Helen Standing and the welcome and communion stewards were Mr. and Mrs. Taberer.

Mrs. Standing said that God's Spirit was upon the early church. They continued to face opposition. The apostles were arrested at the command of the High Priest but the angel of God came and released them, so they continued spreading the Good News. Arrested and questioned again, some wanted them killed but Gamaliel warned that if the followers of Jesus were speaking the words of God nothing could stop them. The apostles were flogged and then set free.

Stephen was one of seven Deacons appointed to care for the needy. There were those who sought his life, among them Saul of Tarsus who held their cloaks whilst they stoned Stephen. The believers continued to serve the Lord and their communities as the Holy Spirit enabled them. Most people at Hebron have only been worshipping here for a few years, so effectively we are a new fellowship of believers but we continue to serve and build on the work of past faithful believers and God will help us all.

Mr. Rogers began his message by asking, 'Why are you at church today? Hopefully, not because it is raining and you have no-where else to go.' A minister was fed up with the reasons people gave for not going to church so one Sunday he gave 10 excuses for not washing.

Referring to the reading, Mr. Rogers said the Israelites were celebrating their Sabbath. God's people gathered together, men, women and children. All ages identified with each other (like football supporters might do). The people were attentive for a six hour service! Today people can struggle to concentrate for just an hour, however long we listen, God can speak to us when we are attentive and have the right frame of mind.

The Israelites were there to glorify God's name. Ezra was explaining God's Word to the people. They had a time of worship to focus on God before Ezra expanded on God's Word, allowing the people to absorb the message.

Some parts of the Bible can be hard to understand and it is good to discuss it with others, as well as reading it for ourselves. It helps us to grow as Christians and we can learn from one another too.

The Israelites prepared themselves for worship, saying sorry for the wrong things they had done. We can all encourage and support each other, it is not the responsibility of one person.

Learning sections of the Bible is a means of encouraging ourselves and others, reminding us of God's faithfulness. The Israelites were joyful to be worshipping together and we should let our joy show appropriately and then it will be infectious.

This Sunday at 11 am, the speaker will be Mrs. LaDonna Mallams with activities for the young people during the message. Mid-week activities are Tuesday Club for young people at 6 pm at The Poppies and on Thursday in the church hall the craft group meet at 2.30 pm and Bible Study is at 7.30 pm. All are welcome.

METHODIST CHURCH

Last week was Trinity Sunday, the day we ponder the conception of our God being 'one in three', 'three in one' - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In suggesting a concept which could make it easier to see how this could be, the preacher on Sunday, Mrs. Ladonna Mallams, showed a Celtic symbol made up of three oval leaf shapes so entwined that you could start at one point and trace your finger around all their edges and return to the original place in one line.

We think, she said, of God the Father as the creator, Christ the Son as the redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the energiser.

This Sunday morning at 11 am the service will be led by Mr. Gareth John. A warm welcome is extended to all.

THOMAS MEMORIAL CHURCH

The service on Sunday at 11 am will be taken by Pastor Peter Morgan and will be a communion service. A warm invitation is extended to all.