Our minister, the Rev Jon Sermon, led our service last Sunday at Danbury URC. Elder Aimee Whitbread said there was no need to introduce Jon, as we all know him well already, but she could thank him for coming today to lead worship.

Jon reminded us that next Sunday we meet at Great Baddow URC when he will again lead worship. He said we do not see him in Danbury that often and it was important for continuity in ministry that we meet together more frequently.

He added that the service would be followed by a barbecue, for which he will be chef. Jon also reminded us that our Bible studies restart on Monday, and we shall be studying healing ministry. Jon then opened with words from Psalms, "I watched patiently for the Lord's help, then he listened to me and heard my cry", and then the hymn There is a Redeemer, Jesus God's Own Son.

Jon asked David Whiteing to read a Bible passage from John's Gospel, and told us that although he had already set us many challenges today, he would ask us to read the remainder of the chapter in our own time. The story was about Jesus healing the blind man, and this blind man had found out about Jesus in such a dramatic way. Jon said it was better to experience Jesus than only to know about him.

However much our journey through life has experienced God, there could be more, and Jon encouraged us to read our Bibles, attend Bible studies, listen to the sermons and always be on the lookout to deepen our experiences with God. Jon said that there was now a hint of what was about to happen in the service, with the bread and wine spread out on the table, that we were about to share communion together. After the service we held our usual time of fellowship with refreshments prepared by Margaret Whitehead and Llywela Davies.

As mentioned earlier, next Sunday we shall be worshipping at our sister church of Great Baddow, to be led by the Rev Jon Sermon, at the later time of 10.45am. There will not be a service at Danbury. On Sunday September 23 David Pennicott will lead our service at the usual time of 9.45am.