Salt and light was Rev. Rob Cotton’s theme for our service last Sunday. We began with Charles Wesley’s hymn: O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise.
In Matthew 5, read to us by Ros Chatburn, Jesus was starting a revolution – a new way of thinking about the rules that govern our lives. Like salt he wants us to be preservatives, disinfectants and fertilisers in doing God’s will. Adulterated salt is worthless. The Israelites had become bogged down in observing the laws of Moses missing the point of what God requires of us. How we live our lives is what is important. We must shine out for Christ, be a beacon of hope to those around us.
After prayers of thanksgiving and entreaties for our churches locally and worldwide, for guidance in justice and peace for national leaders, for healing and peace for the sick and bereaved, Rev. Rob, assisted by Jill Harrison, served Holy Communion to all who love the Lord. We sang Make me a channel of your peace, a prayer of St Francis of Assisi, and Rob concluded our worship with a blessing.