On Sunday, worship at St. Johns was led by Mr. Philip Evans. It was good to have Mr. Evans leading the service again, his honest and enthusiastic approach to his faith an inspiration to us all. Mr. Alan Adams accompanied the choir as they sang 'Spirit of the Living God' and Steffan from Junior Church read the young people's welcome, "We are God's children, each and everyone of us. We come to this worship not in fear, but with joy in our hearts. May the Holy Spirit meet with us today."
The congregation then read Psalm 51, "Have mercy on me O God in your enduring goodness."
"Today I am going to talk a little about light and its importance," Philip told the children. Once as a child he had been asked if he had 'seen the light', not knowing then what that meant. He explained to the children the importance of Jesus being the light of the world. Then using a small blue light which seemed to pop up everywhere, jumping from hand to hand and out of ears, Philip totally held the children's attention. Have you seen the light? Taking on a completely new meaning.
"Church should be fun," he told the young people, and it certainly had been for children and adults alike, judging by the laughter throughout the church, everybody wondering what the 'blue light' was.
Before leaving for their own worship and to begin preparation for the Christmas Nativity, the children sang 'Give me joy in my heart' with real vigour.
Mrs. Mollie Neate read from the 1st book of Samuel, chapter 2, verses 27-36. Her second reading was taken from the New Testament, Paul's letter to Timothy, chapter 2, verses 1-16, 'A Loyal Soldier of Jesus Christ'.
In his address, Philip spoke of the problems currently facing us all. He spoke of today.
"The Church is about today, he said. "We are God's warriors in today's world. Is it not time that we stood up against the atrocities that surround us? Who is going to be brave enough to stand up against greed and inequality?"
We as Christians are becoming the minority; it is time for us to stand up and be counted.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if we at St. Johns got the reputation of being God's warriors?" he asked.
A challenge for each one of us, can we rise to it, and in so doing encourage our young people to be God's warriors too.
Thank you, Philip, for inspiring us with you enthusiasm.
The young people then returned to share in the last hymn, 'Who is on the Lord's side'.
The Lord's Prayer concluded worship.
This Sunday's worship will be at 11 am and will be led by Mr. P. Vickery. All are welcome.