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Harvest Thanksgiving Services at Seymour Street Methodist Church

Pictured against tasteful floral decorations at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Seymour Street Methodist Church last Sunday morning are the minister, the Rev Brian Anderson (right) and the guest speaker, the Rev Aian Ferguson, President Designate of the Methodist Church in Ireland (left).

Pictured against tasteful floral decorations at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Seymour Street Methodist Church last Sunday morning are the minister, the Rev Brian Anderson (right) and the guest speaker, the Rev Aian Ferguson, President Designate of the Methodist Church in Ireland (left).

The guest preacher at the Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Seymour Street Methodist Church last Sunday morning was the Rev Aian Ferguson who originally comes from the Seymour Street Lisburn congregation. Presently minister of Carrickfergus Methodist Church, he is designated to be the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland for one year from June 2008 in succession to the current President, the Rev Roy Cooper, minister of Newtownards Methodist Church. The Rev Colin Meneely was the speaker at the evening service.

The minister, the Rev Brian Anderson led the services. At the morning service the choir sang the anthems 'Praise God', 'Remember' and 'All things bright and beautiful'; the congregational hymns included 'Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation' and 'My heart is filled with thankfulness'. The anthems at the evening service were 'God sends us refreshing rain' and 'Praise my soul, the King of heaven'; the congregational hymns included 'Come ye thankful people come' and 'Great is thy faithfulness'.

In his sermon, based on Psalm 103, Mr Ferguson and reflected on two main things:

  • 1 'The Call to Praise God', explaining that David calls himself and all God's works to praise Him.
  • 2 'The Reasons for Praising God', explaining that David spells out what God does - He forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies and renews. He then went on to explain that David spells out what God does not do - He does not treat us as our sins deserve.

Mr Ferguson concluded by emphasising that the challenge was to realise the greatness and goodness of God and therefore to live a life that praises and pleases God.

07/10/2007