PENTECOST 2011

Pentecost 2011 saw a very full hall of people and started with asking the question - What is Pentecost? The children were invited to help us explore what it meant, and Captain Ian shared how very much it is the birthday of the Christian Church, which means we have a party everytime we meet, because Jesus Christ is among us. We explored how its about the living Jesus being at work in us and through us. So we looked at parties and the children helped us by thinking about the fact that when they go to parties they have to dress up. So, the children gathered people together to dress them up so they looked right, but we recognised that actually to this party God wants us to come just as we are. Then Captain revealed his party trolley with un blown up balloons and ripped flags, a bit of food etc. But we realised that actually thats the danger sometimes when we come to God, anything will do. The one thing we did remember was a candle, but it was not lit, and party bags, but everyone complained there was nothing in it. But we were reminded that can be the danger, we expect so much, but may well give so little. People were encouraged today to give what they could, and God would indeed fill it with so so much. From here the band supported us in singing - His Loving Touch - and they did great despite many being away. The singing group sang All that I am. The drama group performed a drama looked at the way church should and should not be done and the right and wong attitudes some people have. The band played Teach me how to love Thee. The worship group led us in singing The Spirit lives to set us free, and O God of burning cleansing flame. Prior to the opening of The Word, which had been read by Jo Howard, Shelley sang His Provision. God's Spirit fell at this point, with many tears being shed by people. In brief the captain spoke about the Power that we need and invited people to come forward to receive that Power, many many people came forward in response to the invitation, as we sang Spirit of the Living God, and the words of the song by Shelley - Holy Spirit, promised presence fall on me; Holy Spirit, make me all I want to be; Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Give Your Power to me O Holy Spirit. We concluded with the hymn O Thou who camst from above.

In the afternoon we enjoyed creative Pentecost at Messy Church