The service on Sunday was conducted by the minister, Rev. Nanette Lewis Head. After the choir had opened the service, Nanette welcomed all those present and told us that it was to be a special service. The Psalm for the morning was number 100 (868) and after we had all joined together in the reading of it, Nanette asked the young people if they were any good at Lego; then told them that they would be thinking about building in their morning's worship. The congregation sang 'Morning has broken' and then Nanette said that it gave her great pleasure to welcome Christine and Mick Bridges who had asked for a special blessing on their 25th wedding anniversary. She also congratulated Sue and Ian Bonser on their recent 25th anniversary and Marion and Derek Griffiths on their forthcoming 50th anniversary. The readings were then given by Conor, Christine and Mick's son, and were Deuteronom,y chapter 11, verses 18-21, and Matthew, chapter 7, verses 21-29. Nanette said that we cannot but think of the devastation caused recently by the earthquake, flood and tempest in the Far East. Now there was talk of the authorities allowing parents who had lost their only child to have another one - but no child can ever be replaced. The use of parables was a common way of teaching in the Middle East in Jesus time. He was saying to his followers that the Kingdom of God is present now. The Sermon on the Mount is specific teaching to his followers. If you give good gifts to your children how much more will your Father in Heaven give to you. Today's gospel is a reminder that we cannot pick and chose who we do good for. We have to keep listening all our lives to His teachings and follow them. In the Scottish Highlands walkers and climbers build small cairns along the paths to show the way in the event of bad weather. We may find ourselves wandering though Jesus' teaching and need something to mark the path. Matthew leads us up the mountain until we find ourselves on the summit when the clouds roll away. What sort of houses are we building today? Are we reading Jesus' words and believing in them. Are we moving on and building strong foundations for society. After the singing of the hymn 'There's a wideness in God's mercy', Judy Brew and Margaret Dixon were received into membership of the church and formally welcomed by Tony Scullard and their elder. Holy Communion was served by the elders and worship concluded with the saying of the grace. This Sunday's worship, which will be Methodist Sunday, will be at 11 am and will be conducted by our own minister, the Rev. Nanette Lewis Head.
