2015 service for week of prayer for Christian Unity

On Saturday, 24^th January 2015, some 60 plus Christians of three different Christian denominations were join together in worship at the Chapel of the Église protestante unie de France in St. Pargoire in the Hérault.

 The service formed part of this year’s “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”, an annual event involving Christian communities across the world and from almost every denomination. Each year, a different country selects the “theme” and this year it was Christians from Brazil. They chose the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, as the Bible reading.

This year’s service was organised by us (the English church in St. Pargoire), thus providing Roger with the opportunity to practise his French.  Departing from previous year’s, our service was bi-lingual with the Order of Service being prepared in English and French. André de Winne, who gave Roger’s sermon in French, ably assisted Roger. Bobbie and Nigel gave the readings in English. But perhaps the bravest of all were Ros, Terry, Alison, Bobbie and Vincent who sang a harmony at the service to illustrate Roger’s sermon, with only minimal time to practice!  And it came together at the last moment……..

In his sermon, Roger talked about Jesus showing us how to approach those who are different from us, for instance Christians of another denomination.  Jesus broke the taboos of his time by talking to somebody who was both a Samaritan and a woman; but most important he offered her the gift of eternal life. 

God made us wonderfully, gloriously different from each other and we should value those differences, singing different tunes as it were but making a harmonious whole.  Unity in diversity should be our aim.

Joining Roger, as Celebrant’s were Pasteur Jean-Paul Nunez of the Église protestante unie De France and Père Jean-Louis Lignon of the Catholic church.

After the exchanging of peace between members of the three churches, and this being France, wine and aperitifs were on offer.

For those members of the church who for whatever reason could not attend the service but would like to reflect upon the message of Christian Unity, you will find the order of Service on the church website under church paperwork.