As the sunlight poured into our church last Sunday Michael Shingler began our service by thanking God for the sunshine and rain that make our world so fertile and we sang Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty. Rod read part of Psalm 22, David laments feeling deserted by God, and Richard read from Mark 15, the death of Jesus.
In these passages both David and Jesus experience the desolation of feeling abandoned by God yet we learn that God is always there. He never leaves us. He shares in our difficult moments and our joys. Mike asked where God is in our lives? Do we acknowledge his presence? Do we have moments of feeling alone and unable to cope? We must trust in God’s love and unceasing care. When faced with difficulty we should ask God to walk with us. He is waiting and there if we listen.
Mike led prayers for those who are suffering the consequences of conflict, illness and distress and we sang Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Mike gave a blessing and prayed for the party from our circuit who have been visiting fellow Christians in Petrosani, Romania.