Worship for the last Sunday of the year was a group pastorate service with friends from Amroth, Narberth, Penally, Pembroke, Reynalton and Templeton, joining with St. Johns, and was led by Rev. Nanette Lewis Head. Nanette thanked Lara for reading the words of welcome, following the introit by the choir, with Mrs. S. Noot as organist. The church was still decked for Christmas and Nanette pointed out that the hymns were carols and asked the question 'Why sing carols after Christmas?' She told the young people the story of a grumpy old man who got cross with a carol singer who came after Christmas. The boy said that he could not come before as he had chickenpox. This bought a smile to the old man's face and he said we are still in the 12 days of Christmas, so why not, and they sang together. Nanette welcomed visitors, those on holiday and friends from the pastorate, thanking them all for their support during the past year and asking God's blessing as we work together as a pastorate. Nanette also wished bon voyage to those members travelling abroad in the near future. Mrs. Eluned Brown read from St. John's Gospel, chapter 1, from verse one 'In the beginning the word already existed, the word was with God and the word was God.' Nanette dwelt upon this passage in her sermon, saying that there was no nativity story in John, but instead there was this hymn to God and his son and the love which embraces all people, not just in the 12 days of Christmas, but throughout their lives. Two young people, Rachel Bonser and Lara Thomas, led a meditation on the words of this well-known carol. Closing words from Nanette were 'How much we are loved and how little we appreciate it, we have all our lives to receive Jesus as the light of the world.' The final hymn was 'Lord for the years your love has kept and guided.' We look back on another year of celebrations and look forward to God's blessings in the days to come. Thank you, Nanette, for the service and your spiritual guidance and pastoral care in past years. Thank you also to all who took part in this worship. This Sunday at 11 am, Nanette will again lead the covenant service, which will include Holy Communion. All are welcome.
