Bulletin for Sunday 31st August 2008

A warm welcome to everyone who worships with us today.

Rev. Luke Smith will lead our 11.00 a.m. service with Holy Communion.

Our 6.30 pm Evening Praise will be led by Mr. Peter Vince.

11.00 Selby Street Morning Worship will be led by Mrs. Brenda Emms

Evening Praise

Words for meditation“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Romans 9: 15-16

News of the Church

Call to Worship

 H.P  486    Born in song

Prayers of Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving

The Lord’s Prayer

 STTL 7       As the deer pants for the water
Reading:  Jeremiah 15: 15 – 21 read by Joy Foster

Solo:       Margaret Fowler  “Green Pastures”        Wilfred Sanderson

Reading:  Romans 12: 9 – 21 read by Joy Foster

H.P   482    Your words to me are life and health

Sermon

STTL 78     Jesus put this song into my heart

Prayers of Intercession

Offering

STTL 147   There is a redeemer

Blessing

Thanks to our Accompanist today Inga Williams

 No "Dear Friends" this week due to publishing problems so instead there follows an extract from last weeks bulletin from Central Methodist Church, Capetown, our South African prayer partner church.

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

I have been catching up on some long overdue reading over the past few weeks and went back to read The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Chapter 7 of the book is titled “Sharpen the Saw – Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal”. The chapter begins with this simple and yet profound illustration: He writes:

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree. “What are you doing?” you ask.

“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”

“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”

“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”

“Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?” you inquire. “I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”

“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”

When last did you stop to sharpen your saw? Christians have this desire to serve, to be busy about the work of the Lord, and so often many Christians spend their lives so busy that they forget to sharpen their spiritual lives. This can happen if we stop for a moment, draw aside and connect with God whose work we are so busy doing. We see this kind of sharpening in the life of Jesus, that he found time to connect with the one who sent him in order to find direction for his ministry. Do find some time this week to connect with the One who sent you, and improve your effectiveness in serving.

Shalom

Themba