Recorded in the Weir Chapel in Assembly Buildings in Belfast, this morning’s service continues with Ephesians 1:1-16, focusing on verses 9 and 10. “In recent weeks we have been looking at the letter of Paul to the Ephesian Church – and have been discovering how God has set out to bless his people with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We continue on this exploration today, looking at how we are called, both presently and ultimately to be a united church,” Dr Bruce said.
“But how can a united church even work, when we can’t agree amongst ourselves about the basics? And how much more difficult when we can’t agree about politics, ideas, language, history and the future? This was the reality of life in the church at Ephesus, and Paul faces the problems head-on. Today, we will look at what he said about it.”
Presbytery of North Belfast
As in previous weeks, the Moderator has invited members of one of PCI’s 19 sbyteries to take part. The Presbytery of North Belfast is one of the Church’s regional bodies and one of the three presbyteries in the city of Belfast. With approximately 13,000 people attending its 21 congregations, it stretches from the Shankill Road across Ballysillan to New Mossley and Glengormley to Rathcoole. The Presbytery then heads back down the Shore Road to Whiteabbey and Sinclair Seamen’s Presbyterian Church in the docks.
During the service, Rev Alan Carson, who is the minister in Abbey, Monkstown, and the Moderator of the Presbytery for this year, will introduce the Presbytery to us. Also participating today, is the Clerk of the Presbytery, Trevor Long, who will pray and read from the Bible.
Hymns and worship songs in today’s service will be:
- May the Peoples Praise You (Gettys)
- And can it be
- The Church’s One Foundation.
Next week…
Next week, the Presbytery of Coleraine and Limavady will participate, as the Moderator continues his journey through Ephesians. Reaching the end of Chapter one, he will be looking at the theme, ‘A powerful church.’