ST. JOHNS CHURCH
With the words of the children's welcome, "As we sing together and pray together may we know once again the great power of Gods love for all," Sydney opened worship on Sunday. After thanking Sydney, the Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head invited the congregation to say together Hymn 281, "I lift up my eyes to the quiet hills,...so God is my strength and stay." With the help of the children's enthusiastic participation, Nanette used the parables of the lost sheep and the woman with the 10 coins to illustrate the feeling of being lost and found. We are never lost to God. He holds us in the palm of his hand. Let us rejoice together and share in this knowledge. This was the theme of junior worship. Mrs. Marion Griffiths read from the Old Testament, Exodus chapter 32, verses 7-14 and from the New Testament, Luke chapter 15, verses 1-10, "The Lost Sheep" and "The Lost Coin." These readings from the Gospel led us into Nanette's sermon. Jesus' story of the lost sheep, together with the lost coin end in joyful celebration, they seem to offer Jesus' vision of the perfect community, which rejoices in being restored to wholeness. The way of God is to lift up and restore, his shoulders are broad and strong. God's love is unchanging, we are all precious in his sight. Can we in today's turbulent world face up to the challenge that is put before us, can we forget the past, forgive the present, make things whole again and celebrate the future. God's love enfolds us and make us whole. Jesus has shown us the way. He told stories, he sang new songs, he painted pictures of life, he lifted burdens, and he raised people to their feet. Let us live by his example and rejoice. Thank you Nanette for sharing the words of the Gospel with us and helping us take from them. Let us rejoice in God's love with gratitude. The singing of the hymn 'Amazing Grace' was followed by prayers of intercession. In conclusion, the choir, accompanied by Mr. Alan Adams, the organist, sang the Doxology and the grace was shared. This Sunday, worship at 10.30 am will be led by the Rev. David Cardwell. All are welcome.
CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Teilo's, Five Arches - Saturday Mass 5.30 pm; Sunday Mass 11 am. St. Bride's, Saundersfoot - Sunday Mass 9.30 am. Priest: Canon Johnson (842692).
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KCF - TENBY
Ben and Soya Godwin together with Frank Howard provided a lively accompaniment for our time of praise. Colin Joy, one of the original founders of Kings Christian Fellowship, was our preacher for the evening. It is a sad reflection of the pressures that seem to exist in today's society that divorce rates are soaring. A resulting spin off is the decreasing number of couples who are able to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in celebration of 50 years of married life. Colin shared that he and his wife had recently been invited to a golden wedding anniversary and upon attendance found they were honoured by being seated at the head table. The couple celebrating their anniversary had thought they should be present because of a friendship that had spanned many years. Colin, when sharing some of the memories of that friendship, defined a true friend as one who knows all about you but loves you just the same. Colin then drew attention to John 15: 1-18, in which Jesus talks of the need to stay close to Him in order that a loving relationship can be built up in the resulting friendship. It should not come as a surprise that the Bible states that Jesus will have to say to certain people that He does not know them. This statement is not a declaration that He is unaware of them, but that He has not been allowed the privilege of a deep, close and intimate relationship with them. He is not able to say that they are true friends of His. As an instance of this, Colin recalled occasions when people came up to greet him and remind him of times they had met before. Colin accepted their observations, but because of the lack of a daily encounter with them or staying in close touch with them he was unable to confess he knew who they were. Jesus came with the express purpose of being a friend of sinners. He sees how much we are in need of friendship with God and He offers Himself as a friend who will not only love us and show us the purpose of life, but will also introduce us to God the Father. The only stipulation He makes is that we stay close to Him and allow Him to show us ways He can change us for the better. Jesus remains the true friend who knows everything about us yet loves us as we are. The question is whether we want Jesus to be our friend? If you want to a close friendship with Jesus then why not tell Him. You are welcome to come and join us as we seek to develop and deepen that friendship. We meet at 5 pm in Augustus Place Community Centre (opposite the multi-storey car park). Further information on 01834 861777 or 861400. HESED CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Tomorrow (Saturday), starting at 10 am, an all day conference is being held in Augustus Place, focussing on the autumn festivals of the Old Testament, and how they relate to Jesus and his anticipated return. Teaching starts at 10.30. All are welcome to attend. Telephone Rev. Peter Richmond on 01646 681805 for further details. Sunday services occur every week at 4.15 pm in Carringtons Restaurant, The Atlantic Hotel, Tenby. This Sunday at 6 pm members will be attending Emmanuel Gospel Church, Manorbier to celebrate the baptisms of new believers. A torrential downpour on Sunday afternoon kept some regulars away from last week's service, so it was a select group that assembled in Carringtons Restaurant to worship God in songs and prayers and to hear Rev. Peter Richmond's final part of his series on the prophet Amos. The fellowship heard how Amos' listeners, despite their air of respectability and their impressive state religion, were breaking the two most important commandments: Love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbour as yourself. Pastor Peter listed some of the aspects of Amos' society. They included selling rubbish and passing it off as food, over-valuing produce, undercutting the weaker opponent, placing high demands on poorly paid employees, and showing no mercy to a poor man who couldn't pay a small debt. "Today it's called standard business practice," the Pastor commented, "but God still calls it sin." Amos' Israel was to reap what it had sowed. As well as being taken into captivity, the nation would be deprived of God's word, and as Jesus later quoted, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Mr. Richmond ended on a note of hope, however, saying that the prophecy contains a promise that God will preserve a remnant of people faithful to him, with which to rebuild. An interesting Bible study in Tenby on Tuesday concentrated on the infamous 'sin of King Jeroboam'. Basically this king put politics before God's word, and in trying to modify the institutions of God himself, Jeroboam was guilty of a blasphemous deception. A discussion was held as to whether, historically, the church has fallen into the same trap as this ill-advised king. The evening ended with prayers.
DEER PARK CHURCH
At the family service on Sunday morning, the door steward was Mr. Dene Hardwick. Mrs. Jacky Emlyn gave a welcome to all and opened the service with a reading from Cor. 15 v1-4. Mrs. Myra Hopkins led the worship with Songs of Praise, which were accompanied by Nan on the keyboard. Tommy D'Ortez read the first of the passages of scripture relevant to the morning's sermon, which was Gal. Chapter 1 v1-12. Family news was announced by Mr. Bryn Rees and the congregation was saddened by the news of the sudden death of the Rev. Terry Peasley. Condolences are sent out to his family and friends. Mrs. Ann Pattenden led the open prayer time and for the second Sunday, prayers were offered for the people of Beslan in their sorrow and for the ability to forgive our enemies. Pastor Tom Torok's sermon was preceded by the second reading, Gal. Chapter 2 v1-2 and v11-16. Within the early Christian Church there was much controversy as to whether Christianity was to remain the preserve of Judaism, tied to Jewish practice and the strict adherence to it's law. Paul asserted that his commission to preach the Gospel or the 'Good News' of Jesus came directly from his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and not from the Apostolic church in Jerusalem. His views were recognised and Paul was given equal status with Peter, although the two were on occasion to find themselves as antagonists on this issue. Paul's gospel preached to the Gentiles is different from that of the Jerusalem Church. He viewed Judaism as the vehicle through which Jesus is brought to the world. He recognised that to tie Christianity to Judaism would inevitably lead to the death of the Gospel. No man can ever achieve redemption by strict adherence to the law. Jesus alone brought redemption for all by His death on the cross. It is our faith in this that gives us the promise of life eternal and brought about a 'New Age' in which we live as followers of God in a New Covenant and as part of a world wide church. Housegroups meet on Tuesday at 7.30 pm. For details, ring (01834) 843392. A Prayer breakfast will be held on Thursday at 7.30 am. This is held in the rear hall of the church. This Sunday, the family service will be at 10.45 am and the preacher will be Mr. Ken Wilson.
CHURCH SERVICES
Services for the Rectorial Benefice of Tenby with Penally, Gumfreston and New Hedges this Sunday (Trinity 15) include: St. Mary's, Tenby - 8 am Holy Eucharist; 10 am Tenby Arts Festival Eucharist and Civic Service; 3 pm Battle of Britain Commemoration Service; 6 pm Said Evensong and Sermon with Hymns; 8 pm Concert - Anniversaries and Ceremonies. St. Nicholas and St. Teilo, Penally - 8 am Holy Eucharist; 9.30 am Sung Eucharist (Family Service). St. Anne's, New Hedges - 11 am Morning Prayer; St. Lawrence, Gumfreston - 11 am Holy Eucharist. St. Julian, The Harbour - 4 pm Evensong.
Tenby and District Bridge Club
Results, Wednesday, September 8: 1. Carmel Wiseman and Peter Oeppen 69.23 per cent; 2. Binnie Job and Kay Clements 58.97; 3. Jill O'Sullivan and Wally Heaton 57.37; equal 4. Renee Cox and Cindy Middleton and Liz Crockford and Kevin Thomas 56.41. Friday, September 10: 1. Marnie Owens and Kevin Thomas 75; 2. Gladys and Robert Irvine 57.50; 3. Sheridan Bradley and Ray Bowen 47.50. Duplicate bridge is played every Wednesday and Friday evenings commencing at 7 pm sharp, at the Cresselly Cricket Club. New members are always welcome. For membership, ring club secretary, Lee Collier, on 01834 871753. For partner information, ring Coral Jones on 01834 814164 For transport, ring Bert Barnikel on 01834 842944.
VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE GROUP
The September meeting was held at the Avenue Centre, Tenby, on Tuesday. Following a welcome by chairman, John Webb, the roll call was taken with 18 members being present. A short business meeting took place when the date and venue for the Christmas dinner was discussed. Tuesday, December 14, seemed to suit everyone, and the Gower Hotel, Saundersfoot, was the chosen venue, provided it was available. A large print radio and television guide was brought to the attention of members, and Eva Rich apologised for the late arrival of this week's Talking Tenby Observer, once again due to problems with the post. The speaker for the afternoon was Visually Impaired project worker, Tom Forgaard, who continued telling everyone about his travels, this month referring to the time he spent in New Zealand. He had travelled extensively in both north and south islands, surfing whenever possible, and also worked for some six months in a Community Centre where mentally handicapped people were taught independence and helped to live normal lives. He described wonderful scenery and finished his talk with a native song which everyone joined in singing. John Webb thanked Tom for his interesting talks, and following a welcome cup of tea served by Saundersfoot Inner Wheel ladies, the raffle was drawn, with Miss Iris Roblin winning first prize. The date of the next meeting is Tuesday, October 19, and secretary Margaret Walker will be letting everyone know the details in due course. If any visually impaired person in the area is interested in joining the group, please contact Margaret on 843464.
LABOUR PARTY
Tomorrow (Saturday) morning at St. Teilo's Church Hall, Tenby, the local branch of the Labour Party will hold their first meeting of the autumn/winter season. Coffee and biscuits will be served from 10.45 am, followed by a short business meeting. The guest speaker at 11.30 am will be Nick Ainger MP. He will cover many topical issues and answer questions. Harry Gardiner will display the photographs he took at the summer lunch party. Members will be able to order prints. It is hoped that as many teams as possible from the Tenby, Saundersfoot, Penally, St. Florence, Manorbier area, can attend the constituency quiz and social evening to be held at the Cricketers Arms, Pembroke Dock, at 7.30 pm, on Friday, October 1. Please give your names at the meeting or contact Mollie on 843147, Marjorie on 842604 or Norman on 811137. There will be excellent prizes and a bumper raffle.