Church Service on 12 April 2014 at 11am
The Service was held in St. Peter’s as usual at 11am.
The Opening Prayer was given by Chris Esom
Announcements were given by George Henderson and included:
*Services for the next week:
Sunday 13 April Lord’s Supper 7 for 7:30pm St. John’s, Radlett
Tuesday 15 April First Spring Festival Service 11am Garston Community Church
Thursday 17 April Maundy Thursday 7 for 7:30pm Garston Community Church (NOTE: this is an amendment to the letter that went out by email)
Sunday 20 April Easter Service 11am Philimore Hall, Radlett
Monday 21 April Last Spring Festival Service 11am Philimore Hall, Radlett
*The Churches Together Watford Cemetary Chapel & Toilets Cleanup day went very well. Thanks to all those who came and helped.
*Bob Yule of Soul Survivor that we have prayed for several times, has died. There is a sympathy card at the front that you can sign after Services.
*We have several prayer requests:
Melvin Rhodes has had a recurrence of malaria from his days in Africa and is also suffering from cellulitis in his food.
Ruth Edwards has had a set back with diagnosis of malignancy in her spine. She will begin treatment soon.
Mohan Jayasakera has had a mild stroke and is in hospital in Perth, Australia, where he Pastors and from where he also looks after our congregations in Sri Lanka.
John Hanlon, husband of Maureen (Gaddes) has a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Hymns were led by Nancy Silcox with a theme of ‘Visit Us With Thy Salvation’:
Hymn 1. Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling
Geoff Sole gave a short Presentation, showing some photos of a life-sized replica of Noah’s Ark that they visited this week on a trip to Holland. He shared some analogies connected with Noah’s Ark, including the water being a type of baptism which is a symbol of our acceptance of God’s Salvation, and the Ark being a type of the Church.
Hymn 2. Jesus Is The Name We Honour
Hymn 3. Cleanse Me
Intercessory Prayer was offered by Bill Wilson, who began by reminding us of the words of some famous poems that invoke this spring festival season: All in the April evening…The sheep with their little lambs…I thought on the Lamb of God…going meekly to die. Also, ‘There Is A Green Hill Far Away’…outside a city wall, Where the dear Lord was crucified, Who died to save us all.
*It is a great gift to walk and talk with our creator—our loving, great, eternal God. We greet you and welcome you here among us.
*Thank you that you love us and died for us—mind-boggling. We bring before you some people that we love, to your throne of grace
*Valerie Philo, who is going into a Care Home—help her adjust
*Bob Yule, of Soul Survivor, who has died and we pray that you will comfort his family and his congregation mourning their loss. We give thanks for his life’s work.
*Poor Ruth Edwards, who has suffered so much already with cancer and has been diagnosed now with a malignant spine. bear her up, strengthen, comfort and heal her.
*John Hanlon with a painful and dangerous DVT for whom we request healing
*We pray for the families of those lost on the missing aircaft. It is so distressing for them not to know what has happened to their loved ones.
*Be with Melvin Rhodes, whom many of us know. Heal him of these recurring bouts of malaria from his years of service in the church in Africa.
*We pray for those who have never known Jesus. Bring them to you and use us to help with this mission.
*We pray for ministers and Christians working for peace
*Be with Terry of this community for whom prayers have been requested this morning at our Prayer Table outside.
Hymn 4. Wonderful Grace
Hymn 5. The Servant King
The Sermon was given by David Silcox looking at the Joy of Salvation. Joy is often mentioned in the same sentence with Christ’s crucifixion, suffering and death. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to run with patience, looking unto Jesus, who for the JOY set before him endured the cross and is now at the right hand of God. This week we will commemorate momentous events around Christ’s death for us but although sobering, are also joyous celebrations. He conquered death and through his death and resurrection gives us salvation.
Verse 1 begins wherefore…linking what goes before—Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, which contains a ‘great cloud of witnesses’ of which we are also included! The Biblical ‘Hall of Fame’ You are not alone on your Christian Walk.
We ‘lay aside every weight’—imagery from sports, as athletes run in very little clothing and even barefoot, laying aside anything that would slow them down, including the ‘sin that doth so easily beset us’! ‘Let us run’ indicates a present and continuous lifelong journey that takes patience.
Looking unto Jesus-focusing on him, keeping our eyes on him, not being distracted by life’s cares and trials.
verse 2 says ‘for the joy that was set before him’ – that is, our salvation. 2 Corinthians 8:9 says though he was rich, he became pour that we might become rich. Jesus willingly endured the smae, bearing our sins and the pain of his death, looking toward the joy of the redeption of all mankind, becoming the author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9). Today the symbol of the cross is not just that of death and ignomy, but one of glory, exultation and joy. The EMPTY cross in Church is a sign of triump over death. Something to celebrate.
The final Hymn was I Cannot Tell
after which the Closing Prayer was led by Sue Ann Henderson
Children’s Church took place during the Sermon time and was led by Ricki Fowler.
Fellowship continued over refreshments in the church hall.
