We like it when people say yes to us. Our lives are punctuated with lots of ‘yeses’ – they mark out the great moments of our lives and story. The Christian faith can be thought of as a loving God who says ‘yes’ to us time and again and who demonstrates his love by sending Jesus to live amongst us to share our life. Jesus then invites us to share his, following his example and becoming like him as much as we can – saying ‘yes’ to those we meet as we live out his good news.
We have the opportunity to say ‘yes’ to God every day – the Apostle Paul encourages us to present ourselves as ‘living sacrifices’ in his letter to the church in Rome. Within the Church of England, the service of confirmation is perhaps the clearest one at which we are able to say a big ‘yes’ to God, as promises made over and for us at our baptisms are confirmed in our own voice and by the Bishop laying his hands upon us.
On Sunday 15th December we’ll be holding such a service at St Mary’s Kings Worthy at 6.00pm. +David Williams will join us as we share in word, song and around the Lord’s table with those who have chosen this time in their lives to be confirmed. Because of it’s importance we’re not holding a 10.00am service that morning, but hope that you will join +David as he preaches, confirms candidates and presides at Holy Communion with us. Can I ask you to do two things?
Please pray for the confirmation candidates between now and then – that all that they have pondered on and learnt in their preparation might help and strengthen them as they are confirmed.
Please come and stand with them by way of support and encouragement by being at this most special service. It would be a way in which we can say ‘yes’ to God and our friends by joining together in a service which will have wonderful music as well as +David’s unique ministry amongst us. We’ll share refreshments with the candidates and Bishop David at the end of the evening.
I hope you’ll plan to be with us on 15th December.
Revd Paul