There was a Church Service on Saturday 28 January 2017.
The Service took place at 11am in St. Peter’s Church Watford as usual.
The Opening Prayer was given by Peter Beardsmore
Hymns were led by Sueann Henderson
Hymn 1 – There is a Redeemer
George Henderson then led a Communion Service of Bread and Wine.
Hymn 2 – Majesty
Announcements were given by George Henderson and included:
* Eileen Howard is now at home and although being cheerful, she remains very weak. Please continue to pray for her and Robin.
*Please also continue to pray for Peter Buckley. His dementia is now progressing and he is less able to converse.
*Phillip Halford is not able to be here today. He has a problem with his shoulder.
*Irene’s friend Anna remains very ill.
*Wayne Mitchell, a pastor in the U.S.A., had a triple heart by-pass operation on 26th January. He should be able to return to full time work in 3 months.
*Two pastors have both died suddenly. Richard Morgan in the U.S.A and Chris Starkey in Canada. Please pray for their families.
Hymn 3 – Immortal Invisible
Intercessory Prayer was led by James Esom. He began by reading Psalm 23:
*We thank you that we can come here to pray to you.
*Please help Wayne to make a full recovery following his operation and be soon back at work.
*We ask you to help and comfort the families of Richard and Chris. Richard had been married for 61 years.
*We ask your intervention, help and healing for Eileen, Peter, Phillip, Anna, Graham Mitchell and Nancy’s sister Abby. Please also help their
families.
*You are a marvellous creator. We have all that we need in this country and can meet here in peace and safety.
*We are very grateful for our church and its leaders and that we are part of Churches Together in North Watford.
*Thankyou for all the work that our teachers of Young Peoples Church do.
*We thank Reg and his team for being willing to go outside in the cold to pray for people.
*Thank you to all the Street Angels also willing to stand out on very cold nights to help others.
*Please guide our Queen and Government with their decisions. We know that you care for all people and hear our prayers.
Hymn 4 – The Lord’s my Shepherd
The Sermonwas given by Cliff Neill.
During the ministry of Jesus, many people overcame obstacles to get to him. We read about one such woman in Matthew 15:21-28. Jesus and his disciples had travelled to a rich place on the coast, Tyre and Sidon, a foreign Gentile place. Maybe he wanted to spend some quiet time teaching his disciples. A woman of Canaan had a demon-possessed daughter. She was a Gentile who knew of Jesus and had the faith to go to him and cry out for help. Verse 22. Her first obstacle was that Jesus did not answer her and the disciples wanted her sent away. Verse 23. Jesus stated he was only sent to the lost house of Israel. Her second obstacle. The woman had tenacity and persevered, like we do in prayer. She worshipped him and cried out to him to help her. Verse 25. Jesus told her that it was not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. Her third obstacle. The woman replied that even
the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table. Verses 26-27. She knew she only needed and asked for a crumb to heal her daughter. This woman in humility, lowered herself in a time of prejudice against women and mental health. Jesus then acknowledged how great was her faith and her daughter was healed. Verse 28. That was a great test for the woman and a lesson for the disciples. Our Father delights when with his help, we come through trials and become more like Jesus.
The Final Hymn was Lord I Come to You after which the Closing Prayer was given by Irene Wilson.
Fellowship continued over refreshments in the Church Hall.