Worship on Sunday was led by Rev. Nanette Lewis Head. Sophie, one of the young people, read the words of welcome after the choir, with Alan Adams as organist, had opened with 'Holy, Holy, Holy Lord'. Words of praise continued as the congregation read Psalm 118, 'O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good'. Nanette illustrated her talk to the young people with a story of two trees, growing by a river. The one which put its roots deep to draw up the water grew stronger and healthier than the other. This story introduced the day's theme, 'Setting roots deep in God's love'. When we meet for worship, pray alone or with others, we are putting down roots for our lives in God. Three passages of scripture were read by Mrs. Marion Griffiths. The first Jeremiah 17, 1-10. Jeremiah uses the analogy of trees. People who put their trust in human beings are like bushes which grow in the wilderness. Those who trust in God are like trees growing near a stream. The second reading was Luke 6, 20-26, 'God's blessing on those who follow him', and lastly 1 Corinthians 15, 12-26, 'Our ressurection', in which Paul speaks of belief in resurrection being at the heart of the Christian faith. Nanette led prayers, beginning with Paul's words, 'The truth is that Christ has been raised,' and in her sermon, she explained the theme for worship through these readings and asked 'Are we rooted in God?' 'Where do our roots lie?' Today, we face the same dilema that Jeremiah and Paul wrote about. 'Do we trust in God, or the world?' Do we accept God's blessings rooted in the faith of the beatitudes, acknowledging that faith is tested? Do we believe with Paul that 'If the Messiah is not raised your faith is worthless'? Thank you, Nanette, once again for challenge and guidance and to all who took part in worship. Before prayers of intercession, congratulations were sent to Mollie and Peter Neate on the birth of a grandson. All are welcome to join in worship this Sunday at 10.30 am, which will be led by Nanette.
