Last Sunday I had the privilege of being able to preach in St Peters – I realise that for some/many this was too soon after coming out of hospital – but the Lord enabled! It was great to be able to preach on knowing God. Here again is the full service from St Peters –
I loved the singing of Ps 19, Crawford’s new children’s song ‘God Made Me; the info re the camps from Deuan and Paula, the farewell to Lucy, Michelle talking about prayer triplets, the prayers for the sick and mourning, the reading of God’s Word – I love the cries of the children, the confusion re the reading. This is what church is – a glorious varied messy community focused on Christ.
This weeks quote from the sermon is from Calvin (who else?!)
“God is in himself invisible; but as his majesty shines forth in his works and in his creatures everywhere, men ought in these to acknowledge him, for they clearly set forth their Maker: and for this reason the Apostle in his Epistle to the Hebrews says, that this world is a mirror, or the representation of invisible things.”
(if you want the sermon only you can get it from St Peters Website or listen here – I think this is especially appropriate for those who ask how we can know God.
Again if you wish to send me any feedback re the recording of the services it would be appreciated – we are going to extend the experiment for another month before deciding if we should make this a permanent fixture – e-mail me at theweeflea@gmail.com
For some reason we were not able to record the whole of the evening service but here is Hamish’s sermon on Psalm 129 – well worth listening to:
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
“This is what church is – a glorious varied messy community focused on Christ.”
Indeed as the body of Christ – some of which occurs in organised religion.
I’ve listened to the sermon but not the full service.
Today, I attended yet another funeral service of an older lovely sister in the Lord, in a CoE church established in 11 th Century. She been married for 63 years. One of her sons, a minister in the CoE took the service. Over the years she been to numerous funeral services, but invariably her comment was that there was no good news in them. She loved Jesus and was always talking about Him and couldn’t wait to meet Him.She wanted the service to be focused on the Good News of Jesus. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she was besotted with Him (in a lovely, not cranky way) even though she’d had a brain tumour 20 or so years ago and subsequently heart disease and two strokes and in some later years some dementia. She done “door knocking” and was involved in other evangelistic outreach during her life. Even at the end of her life, “Why Jesus?” booklets were placed the pews for people to take away.
In death, she wanted the gospel to be preached, and it was, faithfully by her son , based on her choice of scripture, John 1:1-13. There were humanist service that offered no hope, services that offered false hope: either by everyone going to heaven or by getting there by good works but there is only one way, a gift not earned, but by grace, believing and an invitation was given to believe and receive.
As we sung her last choice of song, “There is a Redeemer” her husband was raising “holy hands” in praise to her Redeemer and his.
This is but a round about way to say that the first hymn was a one sang at her wedding, (and at my dad’s funeral many years ago) “All things bright and beautiful.” It not only reminded me of your sermon but emphasised its truth. Who indeed could deny it. This also came after listening to scientific talk on BBC Radio 4 on carbon throughout the universe and the “Big Bang. On listening to some of it my wife’s comment was, “how can such intelligent people not believe there is a God?” It is, as you say, only through the “Knowing God and and rejecting that knowledge” in Romans 1: 18-23.
Here is that fitting reminder: All things bright and beautiful
Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Dear David
I should also have said that your sermon was great. The whole service was very special.
By the way we have mutual friends in Wayne and Miriam Cowpland.
Jackie Rowe
Sent from my iPhone
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