Rev. Michael John welcomed all to the morning Eucharist at St. Mary's Church. The first and processional hymn was 'The Church's one foundation.' The first reading was given by Mrs. Jane Perry from the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah speaks of Jerusalem - you shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord.
Mrs. Nicole Evans gave the second reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians. St. Paul reminds us that to each is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good. Through the Spirit, one is given the utterance of wisdom and knowledge, prophecy, discernment and interpretation of tongues.
The singing of Psalm 36 followed the readings. The third reading was given by Rev. Dennis Baxter. The Gospel John relates the story of the wedding in Cana of Galilee when Jesus turned the water into wine. Realising that the wedding was running out of wine, Mary told her son Jesus "they have no wine." Jesus replied "My hour has not yet come." Mary turned to the servants and said "Do whatever he tells you."
The sermon was given by Rev. Donald Pope. He is often asked "how did you become a Christian?' He was brought up with religion - Methodist, Congregationalist, Baptist and Salvation Army. At 17, he was confirmed into the Anglican faith. He entered the priesthood and remembers vividly Rev. Edwin Morris telling him to answer his calling and to 'trust and obey.'
He refers back to the wedding in Cana. If we had been told to fill four giant 30-gallon jars - would we have done it? Taking water to the steward of the feast was against reason, but the way Jesus gave the command must have made them trust and obey.
The same must have happened at Capernaum when Jesus told the man to return home - your son will live. Again at Bethany, Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus asking him to come as their brother Lazarus was dying. Jesus arrived two days late and was admonished by the sisters. Jesus goes to the tomb and orders the stone to be rolled away. Would we have done this? Opening the tomb would not have been pleasant, an affront to their religion and inclination. Christians have been called to trust and obey.
Serve God in many and varied ways. W. E. Sangster stated in a Palm Sunday sermon 'The Lord has been using ordinary men ever since and doing mighty things. The Christ who made use of a donkey - a despised animal at that time - will make greater use of you.'
Rev. Michael John led the prayers. Christ calls us to be people of thanksgiving. Let us pray for all according to their need. Let us pray for peace in the world He created.
The offertory hymn was 'Songs of thankfulness and praise.'
Rev. Michael led the Communion at the High Altar. All are welcome to come for Communion or a blessing. During Communion, the choir sang the Motet - 'O Jesu Blessed Lord'. The final hymn was 'Immortal, invisible, God only wise'.
Before asking us to 'Go forth in peace in the name of the Lord', Michael wished Nicole Evans a very happy 60th birthday - I can't believe it.
The recordings for the CD, Sounds of St. Mary's, will take place on January 25 and 26. On Sunday, January 28, there will be a Candlemas Service of Light at St. Mary's at 6 pm. On Monday, January 29, at 7 pm - a meeting to discuss the Flower Festival. On Tuesday, February 13, the PCC will meet. Would all church groups hand in their annual reports by then please.