The service was lead by Mr Richard Selby, a lay preacher in the Bury Circuit. He introduced himself and gave a brief overview of his work with the Message Trust.

The hymn ‘Light of the World’ followed which was accompanied by the Band.

Prayers, including the Lord’s Prayer, were then said.

In the All Age Talk, discussion with the congregation focussed on exciting events in the past week. The point was made that the most exciting thing God did for us was to die and that the message of his sacrifice should be shared with everyone.

The next hymn, ‘The Spirit Lives to set us free’, was again accompanied by the Band.

Brian Smith lead the Prayers of Intercession which were in three sections including a prayer by Christina Rossetti.

‘Great is the Darkness’ was the next hymn.

This was followed by two bible readings from Dennis Kirkham, Matthew 9:35-38, and Glennys Astley Corinthians 1:10-18.

The hymn ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’ came next.

The Sermon. It started with a focus on the problems we currently see in the world both locally and nationally. Jesus saw similar problems and he helped alleviate them with deeds and words. We should follow Jesus’s example to spread the message of the Cross. The preacher then explained how the Message Trust focussed on helping children and young adults who faced problems to change their lives for the better through a variety of means so that they too can become disciples of Christ.

Prayers followed and the concluding hymn ‘Go forth and Tell’ was sung.

The service ended with the blessing.

Kindly written by Norman Lowe.