Worship on Sunday was led by the Rev. D. Hammon. A good friend of St. Johns, he has led worship many times; it is always good to share faith with him.

After the Introit, sung by the singing group and accompanied by Mrs. Sheila Noot, Isobel welcomed the congregation with the words, "Lord prepare our hearts to receive your message today. Help us to be willing to listen to your voice."

The congregational Psalm was Psalm 126.

The Rev. Hammon's theme for worship on Sunday was 'Preparing for the Preparation', and with that in mind he asked the young people if they had ever been to a wedding?

"There are some very special people at a wedding," he said. "Besides the bride and groom, there are the bridesmaids. In Jesus' day, they had a very important role to play. They provided the light."

In the Parable of the ten young women, five women were prepared and carried extra oil for their lamps, but five were unprepared and had no extra oil, so when the bridegroom eventually came, their lamps went out and they missed the wedding.

"Are we prepared for Jesus?" Amidst all the frantic preparation of ordering the turkey, putting up the decorations and buying presents, let us remember, 'Jesus is the reason for the season', and be prepared for him."

The young people then left for their own classes to begin their practice for the Nativity play.

Mrs. Bron Hurlow's first reading was taken from Paul's 1st letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 5, verses 1-11, 'Be ready for the Lord's coming'. Her second reading was from Matthew, chapter 25, verses 1-13, 'The Parable of the Ten Young Women'.

"Although it is never too early to think of something as good as Christmas or the Advent season," began the Rev. Hammon in his address, "let us remember that the spiritual preparation should be more important than the secular."

In the parable read by Mrs. Hurlow, we are told about the sudden unexpected arrival of the bridegroom and the lack of preparation by the five young women. It is when the unexpected happens that we need inner resources; it takes preparation.

The purpose of the Advent season is to prepare for the coming of our Lord. Maybe his second coming is what we should also be thinking about. How many of us are prepared? Where God is concerned, never put off what can be prepared today so that we will each be ready to meet him when the day comes.

After prayers of intercession, the final hymn, 'Come let us sing of a wonderful love, tender and true', was sung, and in conclusion the Grace was shared.

This Sunday's worship at 11 am will be led by the Rev. Norman Gilbert. Everyone is welcome.

It was with much sadness that the members and friends of St. Johns heard of the death of Mr. John Mathias James, of Rosedown Farm, Templeton. Sympathy is extended to his sisters, Mrs. Vera Williams and family.