February 2nd 1907- February 2nd 2007

 

Centenary Celebration

 

“Unless the Lord builds the temple,

its builders labour in vain” Psalm 127

 

 

Welcome this evening as we remember and give thanks for the dedication of this church which took place on February 2nd 1907.

We give thanks today for the fellowship and communion we share here, and the witness of St John’s not only in the past, but today.  

 

Text Box: *******************************

Welcome

 

Opening Hymn: 76  Christ is Made the Sure Foundation.

 

A Poem by Roger Clayton

 

On a hill above the sea our church arose

Like Saint John in far-off Patmos

Evangelists they who with much energy

Had it built with help from the S.P.G.

 

Upon a bare plain it was set

Standing alone above the town

The bell still rings, a hundred years have gone

And faithful worshippers still come.

Two wars have passed and more,

The message has not changed, in sum,

For those who enter here you’ll find

A message leading you to peace divine.

 

Now hemmed in with buildings pressed

Travellers pass beside and down

Where runs the TGV in haste.

The belfry stands above, a worthy crown.

 

How worthy those who all these years have borne

The torch on high, wielded dusters, polished brass,

From Patmos where our Patron John did write

To Gibraltar where the Cathedral has its seat,

The chain of which we are a link goes on

Saint Raphaël, a challenge and a hope well met.

 

Centenary Hymn

 

1.We gather now to celebrate,

With joyful noise and grateful hearts,

A century of worship here

And Christian witness in these parts.

 

3.We pray for those who follow on

And hold the future in their hands,

That they will serve you faithfully,

Sharing your gospel in this land.

2.We thank you, Lord, for those who served

In years gone by within this place.

We know they all have their reward

For now they see you face to face.

 

4.All praise to God the Father, who

Has kept us steadfast by his grace,

To Christ the Son and Holy Ghost

Whose power motivates this place.

                                                                                                                  Amen.

Shirley Rowson, April 2006

 

Psalm 27

Of David.

 

    1 The Lord is my light and my salvation  whom shall I fear?
       The Lord is the stronghold of my life
       of whom shall I be afraid?

    2 Though an army besiege me,
       my heart will not fear;
       though war break out against me,
       even then will I be confident.

    3 One thing I ask of the Lord,
       this is what I seek:
       that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
       all the days of my life,
       to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
       and to seek him in his temple.

 

4 For in the day of trouble
       he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
       he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
       and set me high upon a rock.

5 Then my head will be exalted
       above the enemies who surround me;
       at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
       I will sing and make music to the Lord

6 Hear my voice when I call, O Lord;
       be merciful to me and answer me.
       My heart says of you, "Seek his  face!"
       Your face, Lord, I will seek.

 

Personal Memories:

 

Hymn: 310 Lord For the Years  

 

Reading: 1Kings 8: 22-23, 27-30

 

The Lord is my Shepherd  by Schubert

                     Sung by Joan, Diane, Shirley and Dawn

 

Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
       O Lord Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints,
       for the courts of the Lord;
       my heart and my flesh cry out
       for the living God.

2 Even the sparrow has found a home,
       and the swallow a nest for herself,
       where she may have her young—
       a place near your altar,
       O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

 

3 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
       they are ever praising you.
       They go from strength to strength,
       till each appears before God in Zion.

4 Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty;
       listen to me, O God of Jacob.
       Better is one day in your temple
       than a thousand elsewhere.

Reading : Ephesians 2: 19-22

St. John’s Today

Choir:  Alleluia by Mozart      

Reading: 1 John 4: 11-16

The Inspiration of St. John

Hymn.. 53  Be Still

Prayers and Thanksgiving

  To…                      We give you thanks O Lord
We respond...          And praise your holy name

The Blessing

Hymn: 422: Praise My Soul

Choir: Benedicimus Domino by Steve Dobrogosz     (You are invited to join in )