Civic Service

We gathered at 3pm, or in our case 5 minutes late, we had not allowed time to park in the overflow car park.  The recently formed community choir were singing.  We heard about all the event that the town council and churches together have been running, from Street Pastors to litter picks, and very briefly from the youth town council.  We were reminded that we were 'the salt of the earth' and that it is our generosity with our time that allows others to experience God's love and that makes Billericay a very nice place to live.
We took a vow to keep it that way, and even to make it better:
"We pledge for the future before us;
to respect the fragile earth and defend all who are weak;
to promote the ways of peace and heal the wound of conflict;
to make the sacrifice of service and honour all that is good; to build a safer and securer future for our children and show reverence for the gift of life.
This we pledge in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
We sang some great hymns, which when led by the choir were even better, and verses 1 and three of the national anthem (I was hoping for verse 6).
It was very different, I have never been to anything like it before.  It was good to hear all that is going on in the town, and to realise that there is a close community beginning to develop. If there is another one next year I will definitely attend.

Praise in the Park - Lake Meadows, Billericay, 11:00am

A proper English summer's day. Very warm, but dry because the thunderstorms had happened the previous night. Sun cream on. We carried our chairs through the town and joined the gathering throng in front of the open backed lorry trailer. The annual CTB service in the park always works better when the weather is at its best. Somehow, people are better able to praise when the sun is out. By the end it was clouding over, still warm but with a bit of a breeze. A very enjoyable service - nice and simple. In previous years, there has been too much else going on. Followed by a picnic, which we couldn't stay to, because the fun afternoon and barbecue at Christ Church requires our attention.

Praise in the Park - Lake Meadows, Billericay, 11:00am

It was not a pleasant morning. The rain varied from light to heavy as the clouds crossed the sky. I wondered what to wear, to keep reasonably dry, and reasonably cool. As I walked through the town in my bright orange cagoule, I was aware that I was, shall I say, rather noticeable. Despite my prayer, and that of others, I'm sure, the rain did not stop. We gathered in the park. Surprisingly, quite a few. We stood under the gazebos that had been put up for the following event - the SMB fun day. The weather didn't dampen the spirits of most of the people there, although the practicalities of keeping dry did mean that there was a different feel to previous years. We were there to worship God, and we did. I can't comment on the sermon, because I couldn't hear it properly, that was partly due to being further away than usual, and partly due to the sound of the rain. In Britain, we tend to think of rain as a nuisance, something that spoils our day, we begrudgingly say that we need it, and we know it's true, but does it have to be NOW? In the many other countries, rain is a blessing, and that is how it is seen in scripture. Take Matthew 5:45.