In his weekly service looking at Ephesians, Presbyterian Moderator Rt Rev Dr Bruce studies Ephesians 3:1-13 under the theme, “A church with a message”. The Moderator reflects on the far-reaching implications of being a new humanity in Christ. He looks at the remarkable life of Lesslie Newbigin, a former missionary in India, and influential theologian who helped the church think about its mission in a secular world.

As in previous weeks, members of PCI’s 19 local presbyteries will take part in the service. Joining Dr Bruce this week are members of the Presbytery of Down. During the service Clerk of Presbytery, Rev Mark Spratt, minister of Kilmore Presbyterian Church in Crossgar, will be joined by Rev Dario Leal, Moderator of Presbytery and minister of First Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church. They will introduce the Presbytery in a short video, read from the Bible and pray.

The Down Presbytery consists of 21 congregations. It encompasses the area along the western shores of Strangford Lough, from Comber to Downpatrick. Its southern bounds run from Ardglass across to Clough. The main road from Clough to Carryduff then forms the western boundary. It has a worshipping community of just over 11,000 members. The oldest congregation within the Presbytery, First Comber, was formed around 1645.

Songs included this week include:

• Holy Holy Holy
• King of Kings
• Facing a Task Unfinished

At the close of the service, Tracey Johnston from Killinchy Presbyterian Church, will lead in a prayer for others.

Recorded in the Weir Chapel in Assembly Buildings in Belfast, the Moderator will continue to bring this service to the wider Presbyterian family during the summer months and into September.

Next week…

Next Sunday, the Moderator will be joined by members of the Presbytery of Ards, when the service will explore how this Church of which we are part, is a Church full of the Holy Spirit.