The choir opened the service, which was taken by Rev. Nanette Lewis Head, with the singing of 'Holy, holy, holy'. A welcome to the service was given by Rachel Bonser. The chosen Psalm for the morning was number 854, which was read aloud by all.
Nanette said that each time she read this Psalm, she thought of the plenteous grace of God's goodness and the misuse that has been made of it. Marian Griffiths read from Isaiah, chapter 55, verses 10-13, and Matthew, chapter 13, verses 1-9 and 18-23.
Nanette talked about the well known story of the sowing of the seeds. Were you a pessimist or an optimist! What if someone asked you to share, would you give them a portion from the half full or the half empty glass. It matters how we see things. We should go out to share our faith, like the seeds which fell on fertile ground, which involves reaching out to people. Many people wonder if anything will come of the sharing of faith. They are the pessimists.
The first people to hear this story would see the sower every year and know the outcome of his labours. Everything that Jesus said about the seeds laying on rocks, thin soil, thistles and fertile soil they all knew. This was nothing new, but it was Jesus' explanation of the parable which was different. Jesus said that all they had been hoping and praying for was really here.
A Christian life is not easy. We have to nourish it and have God's words take root in our lives. What God will make of our efforts we cannot dream of. The service concluded with the hymn 'God in his love for us lent us this planet', after which the grace was said one to the other and the choir sang the Benediction.
Many thanks go to Nanette, the choir, Alan at the organ and all others who contributed to the service. This Sunday's service will be at 11 am and will be conducted by the minister, Rev. Nanette Lewis Head.
All are welcome.