The Rev. Peter Trow, URC ecumenical officer for Wales, led worship on St. David's Day. It was the last day of the Flower Festival and the church was filled with many beautiful daffodil arrangements, which had been inspired by the hymn 'Think of a world'. The bright sunshine of the day was equalled by the glorious colour of the flowers. In the words of the Rev. Trow, "We are here today to say thank you to God who has given us the beauty of these flowers. Let this be a 'thank you' day."
The choir, accompanied by Mrs. Sheila John, opened worship with the hymn, 'Ysbryd y Tragwyddol Dduw'. The young people's welcome was read by Dylan, "Croeso. Loving God, as we meet together to praise you, help us to listen and to learn."
The congregation then read a modern version of Psalm 29 by Eugene Petersen.
For his talk to the children,the Rev. Peter Trow had brought with him two extra daffodils. "How do we learn about these flowers?" he asked the children. Pulling one flower apart, he explained its botanical structure, one way of looking at it. "Or alternatively," holding the second daffodil, he said, "we can admire the pure beauty of the flower." Two different ways of seeing things, similarly there are different ways of looking at God's world. In their own worship, the children pursued this theme further.
Mr. Graham Stubbs then read from Genesis, Chapter 9, verses 8-17, 'God's Covenant with Noah', and Mark, Chapter 1, verses 9-15, 'The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus'.
In his address, the Rev. Peter Trow continued with the theme he had begun with the young people, by contrasting the evolutionist approach which is receiving so much publicity at the present time to that of the Christian way.
"The Christian is concerned with the beauty of life," he said, "with God at its centre."
There are many people, however, who look at the world and don't see God at all, they see the world only through their own experience, they see a world filled with cruelty and harshness. The Christian sees the beauty of nature related to the beauty of God. The Celtic saints understood that God is everywhere, this is God's world. Jesus came and died that we might know the truth of God's love for us.
After Holy Communion had been shared, the hymn 'Jesus we thus obey, thy last and kindest word', was sung. To conclude worship, the Grace was said and the choir sang the blessing, 'God to enfold you'.
Thanks go to the Rev. Trow for sharing faith with us.
This Sunday's service at 11 am will be led by Mr. Phillip Evans. Everyone is invited to join in worship and enjoy fellowship.