At our service last Sunday on the 29th September our steward Margaret Maxwell welcomed Mr Robin Perry, a local preacher from Market Drayton Methodist Church. Robin introduced the first hymn “My Jesus My Saviour” and then offered up prayers of compassion for all those suffering from conflict. Especially all those casualties caught up in conflict in the Middle East.
The readings were presented together and comprised Esther 4:6-17, Jeremiah 1: read by Margaret Maxwell and Luke delivered by your correspondent. The Esther account finds her intervening peacefully, and successfully, on behalf of threatened Jewish tribes. The Jeremiah piece has the prophet reluctantly carrying the word of God to intervene in conflict. We Then had the hymn “Father Hear The Prayer We offer”
The Preacher’s theme for the day was ‘Such a Time as This’ and his sermon went on to explore these testing times we often find our selves in. Times which require much love understanding and reconciliation. Especially our need to focus on God. Human aims which we all aspire to but which do not come easily. Robin also offered prayers thanking God for the beauty of his creation. A beauty which is in full view from the window of our church which overlooks the Maer Hills and the verdant (if somewhat damp) pastures between them. We then had the hymn “Father hear the prayer we offer”. Robin’s sermon concentrated upon testing times we face and the need for compassion, understanding, love and reconciliation. There followed the hymn “O Though Who Camest From Above” Robin reiterated his main theme In Times Such As These which gave much food for thought. There then came the final Hymn “God is Working His Purpose Out”.