After the choir had sung the introit, accompanied by Mrs. Pat Stubbs on the organ, Stefan, of the junior church, extended God's invitation to all.
After the opening prayer, the congregation joined in the Psalm for the morning which was number 842, 'The Lord is my shepherd'.
Nanette told the children that the reading for the day was of a king who invites many to a wedding feast and none turn up. Jesus taught in the form of stories and this is a warning that we have been given an invitation to be near him and we should not ignore it.
After the young people had left for their service, Mrs. Gwen Nicholl read from Matthew chapter 22 verses 1-14 and Philippians chapter 4 verses 4-9.
Nanette said that she had the power to be content with what Christ has given her. She remembers one spring in Merthyr which was very cold and snowy, but a few days before Easter the skies cleared, the sun came out and three daffodils on her windowsill burst into flower, reflecting God's love.
When Paul was in prison, friends from the church at Philippi, which was facing persecution, visited him and she likened it to the daffodils showing God's love.
Having faith is like being part of the wedding banquet. Many outside the faith think that it is a life of do's and don'ts.
In the Jewish faith, not wearing wedding clothes was a deep insult, but we have been given everything we need to participate. Jesus says: 'Your faith is to be enjoyed and lived in to the full'.
Everyone here today is invited to join the wedding feast. What prevents us putting on the wedding garments of God? Perhaps it is fear or anxiety. Can it be as simple as Paul says: 'Rejoice in the Lord'. Make our requests to him and thank him as we would a friend. So simple, but sometimes so hard. Rejoice in the Lord, I say Rejoice.
After prayers of intercession and the final hymn, all joined together in saying the grace and the choir sang a benediction.
Many thanks go to the Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head for her insight into a well-known parable, also to the choir and all others taking part in the service.
This Sunday's service is at 11 am and will be conducted by the Rev. John Potter. All are welcome.