The service on Sunday at St. Johns began with the choir singing the Introit, 'Holy, Holy, Holy,' accompanied by Mrs. Sheila John. This was followed by an enthusiastic welcome to worship by Molly. "Come Holy Spirit come. Fill us with your grace, bind us together. Help us to see your love in each other. Make our worship here a sign of your presence." The Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head thanked Molly and added her own welcome to the congregation with the words, "Let us love one another," the words of the new commandment as spoken by Jesus to his disciples. The congregation then read Psalm 148. After talking to the children about 'rules' in their lives, which included Jesus' 'rule' to love one another, she asked them, "If people looked at you, how do you think they would know that you love God? The children explored this question and brought in their own ideas during their bible study in junior church. Mrs. Sue Powell read from the New Testament, John Chapter 13, verses 31-35, and Acts Chapter 11, verses 1-18. These portions of scripture led us into Nanette's address. "As we approach Pentecost, how do we explain the inexplicable," she asked, "except in a rush of images from the world we already know, the wind, the flames, the dove." The disciples spoke of a powerful wind rushing through the house. The power of the Holy Spirit has been given to each of us by God to enable us to follow Jesus and to know him as our Lord. Jesus shows us the way, he commands each one of us to love one another. The way of faith is not always easy, in our busy lives we often miss the moments of God's blessing when the spirit is at work. Let us always be open to God's love and the reality of the resurrection and the living of Christ in our lives. Let the Holy Spirit fill each of us with God's love. The Sacrament of Holy Communion was then shared with a blessing for the children. It was a joyous conclusion to worship as the choir sang, 'Let us walk in the way of the Lord,' accompanied by clapping from the congregation. Thank you, Nanette, for once again inspiring us with your words and leading us in faith. Thanks also go to Mrs. Sheila John, Mrs. Sue Powell and Molly for their contributions. This Sunday's worship will be at 10.30 am and will be led by the Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head. Everyone is welcome.
