Our service last Sunday focused on a most talented hymn writer and composer, Bernadette Farrell, born in 1957 in Yorkshire. She studied at Kings College, London and the Guildhall School of Music. She wrote in various styles, always Scripturally based, and is much admired here and in North America.
Our preacher, Ian White, urged the children to think positive approaching each day hopefully. Neil Barnett read Psalm 46 – God is with us – and John 2 – Christ’s first miracle at the wedding of Cana. Ian read from Ecclesiastes 3 – God’s timing.
In prayer Ian gave thanks for music’s power to evoke emotion and spiritual experiences. Later we prayed that God’s love put a song of joy in the hearts of those for whom life is hard.
Hymns are important in Methodism. Like Isaac Watt and Charles Wesley Bernadette Farrell’s hymns are exceptional.
Ian spoke of a funeral taken for a man who had no family. Only the staff from his care home were present. Their work and kindness are grossly undervalued yet so important. He urged us to be kind to others and to ourselves. Kindness is remembered.
Our worship concluded with a shared blessing praising God for the gifts we receive through the talents of others.