What a great event this was! The weather was absolutely glorious, nearly 70 people came along and many stayed around afterwards and had a picnic. The emphasis was on fun, and it was brilliant to have so many children and families. We played games, including seeing how many jumpers the kids could get on the church wardens in a minute ( with hindsight not the best of ideas in 25 degrees heat 😂), and team Judy were the victors. All the children involved won sweets. The theme of the Service was the parable of the lost sheep and Reverend Jordan led the response, involving the children in the story, who then made sheep pictures with cotton wool balls and real sheep wool. Grown ups were invited to write a name of someone they would like God to reveal himself to, on animal themed post it notes on the “shepherd” flip chart. Our Cow Molly ice creams were then handed out to people in the congregation and around the playing field.Jordan led the hymns of How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace on his guitar, and Reverend Sara closed with Blessings.It was fantastic to witness everyone having such a great time and it is something we will definitely be repeating.
Today we welcomed Reverend Jordan Betts to Bradfield, accompanied by his wife Eleanor and little boy, Noah. We hope they enjoy their time worshipping with our Church family at Bradfield, and we are sure that Jordan will be playing a massive part in our discipleship growth.The Service was led by our focal Ministers, John & Naomi Marples, with Jordan doing the Talk. The readings were from Matthew chapter 28 and chronicles chapter 16. (Well done to Jack for his pronunciation of the names of the Levites!) We had some amazing hymns, chosen by John & Naomi, including Guide us O thou Great redeemer, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, Living Lord and How Great Thou Art. These really complimented Jordan’s Talk, and the theme of discipleship and following Jesus. It was lovely to hear everyone singing with such enthusiasm.Little Noah decided he wanted to “follow” his Dad and joined Jordan in the pulpit. This was such a lovely sight to see and we really hope he enjoyed his first Service in the place he calls the “Castle Church” .Before the Service, the Bellringers rang a quarter peal of Bob Doubles to Commemorate D Day, and the Ruby wedding anniversary of Richard and Jean Panniker. Congratulations to Lillay Bower on ringing her first quarter peal.
Dan continued the theme of Acts, and we looked at Acts 2 at the start of our Church year. Dan asked us to reflect on major news events that had influenced us in the past, and to then reflect on how the Day of Pentecost would have appeared to the people of Jerusalem. A lot of younger couples attended today’s Service, which was lovely to see. For those of them who are to be married in the near future, we wish you all the best at the start of your married life together. The new BCP leaflets are certainly making it easier to follow the Service, and were welcomed by our younger visitors today.Dan asked us to continue praying for the future of Bradfield Church as we start our new journey with Rev Jordan Betts and Rev Sara Goodman.
