There is a creche in the Parish Room today during the 9:30 am service. Amanda and Veralene are ready to look after any babies and toddlers while parents take part in worship. Since Sunday School is on a break, children and youth will stay in the main gathering.
Today we read of the testing of Abraham’s faith. It is a profoundly important Bible passage, because faith is the foremost response that God wants from us. It is by faith that we gain the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection: “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Rom. 3:22).
What exactly is faith? A good way to understand it is that having faith in God means treating God as reliable. We all like to be believed, and trusted, even if our track record isn’t great. How much more, then, does God, who cannot lie, want us to believe him when he speaks! So Sarah is commended for “considering him faithful who had promised” (Heb. 11:11).
Our God is a God who makes promises – promises which are found in the Scriptures. Our part is to treat God as reliable, by believing that his promises are true. I am praying that God will help us to do this more and more.
In brief, please keep praying for Martin E. Robinson (with wife Emma and baby on the way) as he prepares to join our staff team from 2018. Our evening service will be held in the Parish Room during July and August. If you would like the opportunity to purchase and dedicate a new hymn or prayer book to a friend or family member, this can be arranged through the church office.