What is written on paper does not justify the C.E. service held in Upper Clonaneese Presbyterian church on Sunday 6^th February.  So, rather than reading this report if you prefer to be at the event, whip out your 2012 diaries and pencil in Clonaneese C.E. service, Sunday 5^th February 2012 at 7.15pm D.V. 

 

This service is held annually on the first Sunday in February (purely so we don’t forget the date!), which is preceded by a lot of practicing, organisation, technical work and most importantly prayer! 

 

The theme for this year was Saving Grace and this was evident as the evening progressed.  To launch our service we were led by the musical talents of the praise band and singers to the popular well known choruses: ‘My Troubled Soul’, ‘Jesus Messiah’, ‘Servant of God Most High ’and ‘Moment by Moment’.  During the singing we were reminded of the verse in Colossians 3:16

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

 

After a prayer we sang our first hymn: ‘The Greatest Day in History’ (O Happy Day.)  The Young People and Young Adults (YP/YA) choir under the leadership of Mr Andrew Condy sang the two part song, ‘You are Holy’ with the males taking the singing lead for a change!   The welcome and announcements were given by Mr Ivan Duff, Clerk of Session and he handed the evening over to Simon Clarke (Young Peoples/YP), who led the service.  Simon welcomed Miss Gillian Ferguson (Irish President) and invited her to open in prayer.  Surprisingly, this was her first time at our C.E. Sunday even though she had attended other events.  Hopefully, it will not be her last!

 

Our theme was introduced via video featuring the song, ‘Your Grace still amazes me’ with images and the following verses highlighted:

v     Ephesians 2:8 & 9

v     Titus 2:11

v     1 Peter 5: 5b – 11

 

The sketch was performed, or rather being prepared on stage by the young people running behind the strict military schedule as usual!  The outline of the sketch was a last minute.com sketch on the theme Saving Grace.  Although, there were plenty of enthusiastic volunteers willing to be involve they were a little bit miffed about what exactly grace entailed.  There were all sorts of strange acting, from asking about Grace the name, an army ‘Saving Grace’ (adapted from ‘Saving Private Ryan’) or a protest ‘Save our Grace’.  Until it was realised that a sketch was unnecessary, all the work had already been done.  That was what Grace is about.  Jesus had already done the work when He went to the cross and died for our sins. We don’t need to do anything.

 

Following the sketch the girls YP/YA group sang ‘I am amazed’, singing about the Saving Grace that covers sin.

 

To testament how the Grace that covers sins changes lives five video testimonies were shown.  These were testimonies from John Neill (Senior), Kerry Jones (YP), Albert Colbert (Senior), Clare Gilmour (YP) and Gary Johnston (YA).  Each person from these different sections of C.E. were able to attest of God’s Saving Grace, and His Grace, Strength and Help through tough and difficult times.

 

Stephen Colbert YP prayed and the YP/YA choir sang two pieces: ‘How can I keep from Singing’ and ‘As High as the Heavens’ (The Voice of Hope).  Both songs speak of Praising God through the tough times, in particular the chorus of ‘As High as the Heavens’ iterate this fact:

 

You are the voice of hope, the anchor of my soul.

Where there seems to be no way, you make it possible.

You are the prince of peace, amidst adversity

My lips will shout for joy to you the most high!

 

Following this the hymn ‘I know not why’ was sang and the offering was collected for the C.E. project (promoting C.E. in the South of Ireland).  Lydia Condy (YA) prayed after the collection and for the speaker.

 

Hilary Colbert (Senior) read from Acts 9:1-18, the account of Saul’s Conversion. Dr Evan Sharkey (YA, President of Armagh and South Tyrone President) spoke on the theme and Saul’s Conversion.  The first question he asked has been voiced by a famous Christian author; Philip Yancy, ‘What’s so amazing about Grace?’ and it is an important question to ponder.  According to the Oxford Dictionary, Grace is defined as: the free and unmerited favour of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.  The Bible also gives us a number of definitions, for example, Ephesians 2:8:

 

For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God.

 

It is definitely not of our own doing as Romans 3:10 and 3:23 clearly highlight.  No one can ever reach God’s high standard. 

 

So Evan posed the question, who better to talk about Grace, but Paul?  This was the same Pharisee that approved the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1).  This proves that no one is beyond the saving Grace of God. Jesus spoke directly to Saul.  However, Paul could have ignored Jesus’ conversation with him, but he trusted in faith. It is a gift that we must accept. 

 

Evan ended with these challenges for those who have accepted God’s Grace:

v     Are you being effective for Christ?

v     Are you being used by God?

 

The evening was finished with the hymn ‘Where He leads I will follow’ and Evan closed in prayer.