St Martin’s

The vicar the Rev Andrew Moreland presided at the 9.30am service of Holy Communion and reader Elizabeth Moreland preached the sermon. Elizabeth based her talk on the reading set for the day and was taken from Paul’s letter to the Romans concerning Paul’s call for Christians to be born again.

Elizabeth emphasised that this ‘rebirth’ asked each of us to be aware of the power of the Holy Spirit and to know that our relationship with Jesus comes about through our ‘rebirth’ into that love of God which fills each of us with his strength and understanding.

Jean Donovan led the prayers and assisted with the distribution of communion. Edna Burton accompanied the hymns on the piano, Janet Lamb and Julie Stephenson were sidespersons, and Janet together with Hazel Hall served refreshments at the end of the service.

Schools worker Bruce Clark was the speaker at the all-age service at 11am, which was led by Steve Raettig. Bruce kept the children and adults fully engaged with a series of activities and songs on the theme of the heart and its centrality to our faith. The heart can respond to things beyond the grasp of the brain, and it is our hearts that respond to the loving heart of God.

Esme Raettig read the two commandments and Steve Raettig led the sung worship with John and Sue Grice (guitar and bass) and John Taylor (drums). Liz Cremer was the sidesperson and Wendy Haslam and Chris Birch served refreshments after the service. spoke of the love God has for us. She went on to say that when Jesus was in the desert for 40 days he was sustained by God’s words, “you are my true son with whom I am pleased” and that God looks at each one of us and says you are my dear child and I am delighted with you.

Diane also spoke about fair trade and God’s message of fairness and how we sometimes have to look at human values and that by supporting fair trade even in a small way we can help other people out of poverty.

The service on Sunday is at 10.30am and organised by members of the church and will include favourite hymns and bible readings everyone is welcome. ly club is open to all, and spectators are always welcome.

Further details can be obtained from Eddie Bell on 01723 862518 or Chris Gibson on 01723 866101.