The Rev. John Potter made a welcome return to conduct the service on Sunday. The service opened with the singing of an anthem by the choir, accompanied by Allan Adams, and then the welcome to worship was read by Steffan. John said that the theme of his service was a quote from Philippians, 'A people of joy, the Man of sorrows'.

The opening hymn was 'Come let us join our cheerful songs' and the Psalm for the morning was number 831.

John began his talk to the young people by wishing them a 'happy holiday' and happy days to everyone. He said that when he was a boy in Kent the children's group was called CHHH, which stood for children's happy half hour, and they used to sing choruses, of which their favourite was 'I am Happy'.

The word happy appears seven times in the Bible, but the word joyful or joyfulness is there 207 times. Joy has a deeper meaning than happy. Although on occasions Jesus was thought to be a man of sorrow, he is the lord of all joyfulness.

After the children left for their classes, Mrs. Liz Storey read from Isaiah, chapter 53, verses 1-6.

John asked us to open our hymn books to number 831. He said that verse one was about Christ's divinity, verse two about his humanity. In verse three, he humbled himself and in verse four, God exalted him.

The spirit leads Paul to investigate the humiliation of Christ Jesus. The word 'form' in verses one and two is the inner essence, whereas in verse three, it means the outward appearance. It was not his appearance, but love which won over Jesus' followers. He chose to go on humbling himself. He never ruled from an earthly throne, but gave up things which he had a perfect right to.

Time and again through history, Christians have suffered for their faith, but crucifixion was the most terrible death, usually reserved for slaves. Unless he returns first, we will all die one day and maybe, in spite of modern medicine, in some pain; but Jesus' pain was so great. Alleluia what a Saviour.

After prayers of intercession and the saying of the grace, the choir ended the service by singing 'God be with you till we meet again'.

Many thanks go to the Rev. Potter, for his thought-provoking sermon, and to all others who took part in the service.

This Sunday's service will be at 11 am and will be conducted by the Rev. Nanette Lewis Head. All are welcome.