Our Sunday service followed a now familiar beginning.
After the welcome and call to worship we were invited to thank God for our many blessings and the people were given the opportunity to name those things they were thankful for. These were many and varied, covering the issues that are familiar to humans everywhere but it was good to be given the time and opportunity to think about them, whether we spoke aloud or just said a Thank You in our hearts.
Sometimes in the rush of the day and week, we forget to put aside time to dwell on the riches we are given.
Then there was the call for the Lord of Life to show us the way through the trials and tribulations that come upon us: another reminder to keep looking to the source of all wisdom. I found this a lesson in itself as my inclination, in times of trouble, is to curl up in a defensive ball.
The hymn" All people that on earth do dwell" followed, reassurance that our faith in God is well founded and that while the Almighty is to be shown due respect, we can approach Him in a joyful way. A little ball of Christian theology neat wound up in a song.
The Bible reading Mark 5:25-34 was then delivered, followed by Helen's dramatic presentation of the event. It's interesting that the story came so alive when the woman in the reading was given human form and the story acted out in a way that where the woman had been unable to find help for her ailment, many present would have had similar experiences.
We knew that woman.
What do I remember of that little play? The woman was no wimp. She had been able to make her own way but even so, she wasn't immune from problems.
A big problem.
Then there was the hint that maybe people saw the fault being with her. How many times are we quizzed on diet, exercise, attitude etc, etc, as though every ailment came down to lifestyle.
But she had complete faith. She knew. And it wasnt easy; there were obstacles, not the least being the crowd but she kept focus on what needed to be done, and who who could do it for her.
And Jesus said to her "Go in peace".
Peace.
We were then reminded, as we approached the table that Jesus was the host at this table to others in the congregation with whom we might disagree; host at this table in other churches; in different parts of the world and in Heaven with those who have gone before- this was a holy moment but I had a very ordinary thought, " This is a crowded table, tuck your elbows in."
The hymn "all the hungry, all the thirsty" also with it's inclusive theme, raised hope for the church we might be and emphasized the need for each of us to move over a little to make space for others at the table of God's family.
There followed the communion with our focus on what we were there for and the gift we were receiving. On that day for me: food for new life.
We greeted each other with peace and the enthusiasm to do so, spoke of lives that had soaked up all that had preceded. As did the prayers that followed with messages of support going out to those around us, locally and globally, followed by the Lord's Prayer- assurance of our daily needs being looked after.
The logical conclusion to this is the freedom given to us, more than fully expressed in the words of the last hymn - Oh for a thousand tongues to sing. There wasn't a thousand of us but heartfelt enthusiasm made up for that, all drawn together at the end by the blessing and the three-fold Amen.
Sealing a something of great honesty and truth.
I think more than one person present felt as though they might have touched the hem of Jesus garment. The delighted smiles seemed to day so.
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