It was a bright, crystalline spring day in London when we gathered for an abundant Sunday morning service, complete with the introduction of eight new members, two baptisms, the Lord’s Supper and a sermon from our guest preacher Rev Ben Spivey, followed by our monthly congregational lunch.
These proceedings commenced when Pastor Kevin formally welcomed eight new people into membership. Our sisters Julia, Soyeon and Cecilia and brothers Nhan, Toby, Sebastian, Ivan and Haolin stood at the front of the church to be brought into membership, witnessed by the congregation. Kevin began by sharing an interesting fact about each member-to-be which they had chosen themselves, providing an insight into each individual. Kevin then presented the four customary vows of membership of LCPC, to which they collectively assented in front of their brothers and sisters in Christ, officially joining our number. It finished with the elders proceeding to the front and extending each new member the right hand of fellowship, a heartening and encouraging picture for all witnesses, for which Kevin thanked God in the following prayer.
Two of our new members, Toby and Nhan, were also baptised. Pastor Kevin spoke of the meaning of this sacrament before presenting further vows to the two men, to which they once again assented in front of the congregation of witnesses. Kevin then baptised Nhan, sprinkling him with water, following which he baptised Toby in the same manner. The ceremony closed in prayer for these two believers and beloved new additions to our church family.
This service was further enriched by visiting friends and family of our new members, as well as other visitors, old friends returning and new friends joining us for the first time. We were delighted to welcome back Rev Ben and Mrs Kirsten Spivey and their children, visiting us from the US, with Ben being our guest preacher in this service. He preached a sermon, ‘Divinely Sent Dissatisfaction’, that continued our pastor Andy’s new series in Ecclesiastes, which was a blessing to those gathered. It has also been a true pleasure to spend time with the Spiveys over the last week and get to know them more. After Ben’s sermon, we partook in communion, and closed the service singing praise that rang throughout St. Botolph’s and out into the gloriously sunny day beyond its doors.
At the conclusion of the worship service, our congregational lunch began with the usual chorus of tables and chairs scraping around the room in arrangement for the communal meal. New and old friends ate the food brought by members of the congregation together, the conversations punctuated by children chattering, and the following full stomachs fuelling the people for the rest of the Lord’s Day to come.
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