Mr. Tony Scullard, church secretary, thanked Mollie for reading the words of welcome, and also Rev. Dr. David Owen, who was leading worship on Sunday. Dr Owen responded that it was good to be back at St. Johns.
David said that as it was 'Racial Justice Sunday', when the Christian church is asked to look at deepening its understanding of being one in Christ whatever nationality, colour or creed, this would be the theme of worship.
Psalm 67, 'Let God be gracious and bless us and make his face shine upon us', was the antiphonal reading.
Birthday greetings were shared with brothers Donald, seven and Daniel, four.
In illustration of the continuing theme, the children were given flags of the world and asked to read out the names of the different countries. These were only some of those who are all part of our world. Mrs. Gwen Nicholl read from Romans 12, 9, beginning 'Love must be completely sincere'.
David's comment was that "if we could all live by the principles of this passage the world would be a better place."
The text for the sermon was from Isaiah 28, 20, 'You will be like the person in the proverb who tries to sleep in a bed too short, to stretch out with a blanket too narrow'. Isaiah used this metaphor in speaking to the Israelite leaders, telling them that their views were too narrow. They needed to broaden their outlook to 'catch the vision' as the church is being urged to do today.
This text was used to examine the issues of our own day, living as we do, in a global community. Issues for the nations, for the churches and for ourselves.
He ended with the words "Thanks be to God for a most challenging metaphor."
Thank you to David for sharing it so fully and clearly with us. Thank you also to those taking part in the service, including Mrs. Pat Stubbs as organist.
Worship this Sunday at 10.30 am, to which all are welcome, will be led by Mrs. Alison Davies.