Recorded in Belfast in Assembly Building’s Weir Chapel, Dr Bruce looks at Ephesians 5:15-21 and explores how the work of the Holy Spirit is so important to the life of the church.
“Praising is good. You might think that praising is for the benefit of God who delights in it – and this is true, but as we look at Ephesians chapter 5 today, we’ll discover there are other benefits too, Dr Bruce said.
“The Holy Spirit was given to the church at its birthday on the day of Pentecost. The people who witnessed this were curious or critical – but Paul helps us see that the Holy Spirit does a deep work in the church, and that we are the better for it. This morning I will be reflecting back on the dramatic events at Pentecost, and want to demonstrate how the Spirit fills his people, helping them to be wise, not foolish, to discern God’s will, to be thankful and to show mutual respect in the church.”
The Moderator is joined this week by members of the Presbytery of South Belfast, one of the three presbyteries in the city. During the service Presbytery Clerk, Rev Morris Gault, minister of Cooke Centenary Presbyterian and Presbytery Moderator, Rev Kathryn Viner, minister of Malone Presbyterian Church, will introduce the Presbytery in a short video, read and pray. The service also includes a short video from Derryvolgie Halls, taken this week as students arrive for the new term.
Presbytery of South Belfast
The Presbytery of South Belfast runs from Townsend Street Presbyterian Church at the corner of Townsend and Divis Street, which is at the most northern point of the Presbytery. It then stretches from there up the line of the M1 to Kilmakee in the Seymour Hill estate.
It then travels eastwards to Ballycairn and onto Saintfield Road Presbyterian, from there the Presbytery follows the Saintfield Road itself towards the city centre. The Presbytery includes within its boundary Queen’s University, the city centre, several hospitals, PCI’s Union Theological College and the administrative heart of the Church, Assembly Buildings.
Songs and hymns in this week’s service include:
- All creatures of our God and King
- May the mind of Christ be my Saviour
- O breath of life comes sweeping through us
To help respond to God today, Rev Brent van der Linde, one of PCI’s military chaplains leads in prayer for others.
Next week…
Next week, Dr Bruce will explore how this Church, of which we are part, needs to be an ordered Church. We will be joined by members of the Route Presbytery, which extends across much of north County Antrim.