Christian Unity Octave - 3

Today we are visiting Smithton Free Church which is located close to Culloden Forest on the east side of the City of Inverness. The building has been recently expanded in order to cope with a growing congregation. Last Sunday new elders and deacons were ordained during the Morning Service. The new building can accommodate up to 400 people.



When most people think of worship, they think of a service on a Sunday morning. However, worship is not just seen in corporate worship services but also in the way we live our lives to the glory of God. Romans 12:1 tells us that we must offer our bodies as a “living sacrifice”. While we believe worship services are very important to the life of Christians, worship must also take place Monday-Saturday. Worship is essentially us giving glory to God, our Creator, Saviour, and Sustainer.

Our worship services are based on the Bible; we read from it, preach from it and even sing from it. We sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and are led by a precentor, who is often accompanied by a piano. The other element of our services is prayer. Before we enter the service, there is an opportunity to give back to God part of what he has given to us by means of a monetary offering. These offerings are presented to God as an act of worship by the minister in prayer.

Worship Services
Sundays — 11:00am (with créche) & 6:00pm
Wednesday Prayer Meeting — 7:30pm (fortnightly)

Heavenly Father,
you have called us in the body of your Son Jesus Christ
to continue his work of reconciliation
and to reveal you to mankind:
Forgive us the sins which tear us apart;
give us courage to overcome our fears
and to seek that unity
in truth, holiness and love
which is your gift and your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

So now to our hymn.

Thy hand, O God, has guided
thy flock, from age to age;
the wondrous tale is written,
full clear, on every page;
thy people owned thy goodness,
and we their deeds record;
and both of this bear witness;
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Thy heralds brought glad tidings
to greatest as to least;
they bade men rise, and hasten
to share the great King's feast;
and this was all their teaching,
in every deed and word,
to all alike proclaiming
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

When shadows thick were falling,
and all seemed sunk in night,
thou, Lord, didst send thy servants,
thy chosen sons of light.
On them and on thy people
thy plenteous grace was poured,
and this was still their message,
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Through many a day of darkness,
through many a scene of strife,
the faithful few fought bravely,
to guard the nation's life.
Their gospel of redemption,
sin pardoned, man restored,
was all in this enfolded:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

And we, shall we be faithless?
shall hearts fail, hands hang down?
shall we evade the conflict,
and cast away our crown?
Not so: in God's deep counsels
some better thing is stored;
we will maintain, unflinching,
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Thy mercy will not fail us,
nor leave thy work undone;
with thy right hand to help us,
thy victory shall be won;
and then, by all creation,
thy name shall be adored,
and this shall be their anthem:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.



Happy Sunday!