The choir opened morning worship accompanied by Sheila Noot and words of welcome were read by Lara.
Our minister for the morning was the Rev. David Owen and after the first hymn he took Psalm 853 as his responsive reading. In his talk to the young people, he said that there had been a lot of talk about money recently. What did Jesus have to say about money? In India he had seen terrible poverty and told us of a wealthy business man who watched a nurse tending a leper patient. "I would not do that for 1000 dollars," he said, and she replied, "neither would I."
After the young people had left for their worship, Sue Powell read from Matthew, chapter 6, verses 24-34, and Rev. Owen followed this by reading from Timothy 1, chapter 6, from verse 7.
After the singing of the hymn 'My gracious Lord, I own thy right', the Rev. Owen began his talk by telling us of a cartoon he had seen of two people in a bluebell wood and one says that he so misses the smell of a brand new car.
Jesus taught us that money did not guarantee us the right of entry into the kingdom of heaven. Through the things of this world we come to appreciate spiritual things. Jesus enjoyed meals with friends, parties and weddings. Physical health had a top place in his mission. He recognised the use of money for paying taxes, give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and paying labourers in the vineyard.
The material world is God's world, but he sent us His son to be a part of it. But he also worried about the dangers of wealth. There is no corruption with money, only with people. It is what people do with what they have. Money is power and power corrupts. With a lack of money comes anxiety, but if God provides for the birds and flowers, how much more will he provide for us.
Covetousness and acquisitiveness are the most destructive of all things; the root cause of wars. Jesus warned against idolatry, putting something in first place above God. Do not lay up treasurers on earth, but in heaven. What should we do? Some say to give up everything, but renunciation for a Christian is using what we have to do good.
Stewardship is responsibility to others and to God. If you have not proved responsible with the wealth of this world, how can you be trusted with the wealth of God's world.
After prayers of intercession and the final hymn, the choir sang 'God be with you 'till we meet again'.
Many thanks go to Rev. Owen for his most topical sermon and all others who took part in the service.
This Sunday's service, to commence at 11 am, will be conducted by Rev. P. Trow and will include Holy Communion. It will be our Daffodil Sunday and will be followed by a faith lunch. All are welcome to join us.