Opening service of new chapel - afternoon - opening of the service

[0:00] The church is providing this chapel. Dear friends, we desire to extend a very warm welcome to you each, to a matter of us today for these thanksgiving services.

[0:24] Realising the dependence upon the Holy Spirit, all through praise and thanksgiving, we pray the presence of the Lord may be known by all, in the time we are favoured to be together.

[0:43] In relating this brief record of the Lord's goodness to our care in the provision of this new building, it is the one desire that the name of the Lord, the word of the Lord, and the work of the Lord may be extolled.

[1:03] Deborah saying, there shall we rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, even the righteous acts towards the inhabitants of his villages in Israel.

[1:18] The Lord may be blessed if we are able to do the same. This new building stands, I believe, as a monument to a prayer-indicing, prayer-hearing, and prayer-answering God.

[1:36] This I trust you will see by this brief summary. It was in 1970 the church realised, following a survey of the building, we have now vacated, that something that would have to be done, due to its deterioration.

[2:00] For the benefit of those who may not know, while the history of the Baptist faith goes back to 1644, when a church was first formed, it was 1833, when the old building was converted from a tenement into a chapel.

[2:23] God has mercifully over the past 147 years preserved it as a place for worship, a house of praise, and a birthplace of precious souls.

[2:38] God has not heard of God. And a hundred years over the past 1446 so we came upon the doom of our church and we realized that there have been a monument, a nettoy and a disappear-and- chantryush, orНАMIS of Herald, and a free-and-mouse have beenано in the 80s all morning bringing up the world andichific word the pigiушки and theashenfps.

[3:01] As I mentioned, we as a church realised in 1970 that something that would have to be done, but what a great thing it was for a little wasetDER of strength to consider about building a new chapel. and what the past run it appears to be. However, we decided a building function to start it.

[3:15] This commenced October 24th 1970 with one pound. At the very commencement of this matter, as we decided the way it got before the law, it was felt in the light of how things were in the professing Church of God, with those who come into her solemn assemblies, our line of procedure was decided upon to wait only upon God for all we should need.

[3:51] Then, if the Lord inclined hearts to this work, and He reared for us a new chapel, there would be hope that God designed that truth would be preserved in this village to call Him to redeem a blessing.

[4:10] Then also, all the praise and the glory would be His alone. And we could in all things so as He say, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But unto thy name do glory, for thy mercy and thy true sake.

[4:31] For the very sound of a public announcement being made of our matter in hand, it was most encoded in to see how hearts were moved to help forward this great project.

[4:43] Thus the matter commenced. So we went forward, hoping and trusting in the word of the Lord, though given years before, and at the time all was hidden as to what it really meant, and what would be done.

[5:03] Yet how we have seen its unfolding over the past ten years or more. Fear not, O man. He's to have and rejoice.

[5:15] For the Lord will do great things. And what great things He has done. Early in the following year, A public meeting of church and congregation was called, To state what was intended, And to hear of any suggestions friends desire to make.

[5:38] From the close of that meeting, The word of the Lord, now unto him that is able, To do exceeding abundantly, About all that we are sourcing, According to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church, By Christ Jesus throughout all ages, World without end, Amen, Has followed us, Step by step, And has been as an anchor.

[6:12] For I know you must realize, There has been many ups and downs, Ins and outs. Faith has been sorely tried.

[6:25] Yet it must be said that the glory of God, In every need and every perplexity, In the end, God has done the exceeding abundantly for us.

[6:38] Let it be His name. From 1970 to 75, It was a time of praying and waiting, For a suitable site to be provided.

[6:51] Also whenever a site was provided, We should have the supply in hand to pay for it. It was our united desire that the cause of truth here, Should never be saddled with a heavy mortgage, That might take years to pay off.

[7:10] In this our prayers were answered. After exploring many channels, All doors been shut in finding a site.

[7:21] Until suddenly this, Gamolia site was brought to our notice. Negotiations were entered into, And the site became ours, On February the 14th, 1976.

[7:38] We had enough in hand to pay for it, And a little despair. When we got the outline planning established, We then came to the need, Of obtaining the services, Of an architect and builder.

[7:57] In this we believed we saw the moving of the clouds, In the persons of Mr. Richard Packard, A building design and manager, And Mr. Ingeley-Galude builder.

[8:10] It was through their united encouragement, Design, And method and procedure, We were unable to seriously consider buildings.

[8:22] Relative to the design of this building, I believe you will see, It is a building of much detail.

[8:34] It was not an easy site to erect a building, Such as was needed. Also being in the conservation area, High standards of design and materials were required.

[8:50] I think you will agree with me. It needs much credit to Mr. Hackett for itself. The unique points about his construction were, It was so designed that as much voluntary labour as possible to be used.

[9:09] The entire timber structure of the internal walls was made off site and brought up, As required. Now to Mr. Cruz Builder, here again, We are a better gratitude.

[9:26] He desired no legal binding, But we went forward relying on one another's trust, Trusting in the law. And as we were able to meet the demands in its main structure, So Mr. Garou carried out the work.

[9:45] I would also mention Mr. Paul Reddington and Peter Staline Partners, Construction and Engineers, Who carried out their work at a minimum cost.

[9:57] One highly commendable thing has been, That Mr. Hackett, Mr. Garou, and Mr. Paul Reddington, There has been a united Christian approach to all matters.

[10:13] And we sincerely thank them either. So we started building, In the spring of 1977, And it has taken just over three years to complete.

[10:29] The estimated cost, Was approximately thirty-three thousand pounds. I am committed to the tradesmen.

[10:41] If I am committed, I would mention each of the tradesmen, Who have carried out their exemplary work. While not mentioning them by name, Yet, on behalf of us all, We thank you most sincerely.

[10:55] There has also been guests in its construction, Such as the firm, firm who carried out the extended brick cutting through all the windows free of charge.

[11:08] The friends who supplied the emulsion paint from internal decorating. And our friends who reside adjacent to this building with free use of electricity supply for over 18 months to which we extend our B32.

[11:23] There is something you may not know but the seats in the main chapel here are the original ones from the old building.

[11:35] They have been taken entirely to pieces and taken down to the original wood with the outstanding results to see today.

[11:46] The pulpit is the one which we have had moved from the old chapel. For we felt we wanted to retain as much as possible of these things that have been handed down to us from those that have gone before.

[12:02] While speaking of the pulpit I would like to say how we very much appreciated the current act of our Church of England friends who presented us with a pulpit.

[12:20] But we found as we went along that the present one could be safely moved and was in good condition. But I am very pleased to say that our friends at Mount Sturr's ethics have accepted this pulpit as a provision of God too then.

[12:38] And our Church of England friends were very happy that they should have it. Now we come to all voluntary labour.

[12:50] Here we come to a point which I must confess. I hardly know what suitable words to use. For their work has been immense.

[13:04] Yet it has been carried out with great skill, untiring determination, and with a will to the work.

[13:15] To you each I say as we now see the results of all your labour, we praise it all our hearts. God bless you. And we thank you.

[13:27] Also we acknowledge with much gratitude all the various gifts of articles for use in this new building which are greatly valued.

[13:40] While speaking upon the subject of the building, I would not overlook one very important part of it, which you will not see today.

[13:54] And that is the fact of the tree over which I am standing. We could have wished it had been possible for you to have seen it. But I would like to say the architect has gone to much pains to ensure a sound waterproof pool has been constructed.

[14:13] Though the pool is covered today, yet we do hope, if God's will, it will be one of the most unique parts of the building.

[14:25] As precious souls brought the grace to follow their Lord in the path of obedience. Now we come to the building fund, wherein the goodness of God has been wonderfully displayed toward us.

[14:45] How numerous have been the gifts into the Lord's treasury. From the smallest amount of the greatest, all have been needed to help all of this great project.

[15:02] To let you see that, as we sought as a people to labour in prayer and suffocation, we're thanked giving month by month for all our supply.

[15:20] Whether it was for a few pounds that were needed, or two or three thousand pounds or more. I think the following will speak for itself.

[15:32] Up to 1975, the building fund had reached 9,054 pounds.

[15:43] Up to the end of 1976, it had reached 12,885 pounds. And up to the close of 1977, the year we've commenced building, it had reached 21,553 pounds.

[16:05] Up to the end of 1978, it had reached 35,497 pounds. And up to the end of 1979, it had reached 41,568 pounds.

[16:24] And up to the present moment, it has reached 45,989 pounds, 87 pence.

[16:38] In speaking of this part of the amount received, you may have noticed, I have avoided using the word money.

[16:49] And for this sole reason, throughout the epistles, as you may well know, in all the various collections which are either made for the poor, part of the church or for the apostle himself, Paul, with the Holy Spirit, elevates all that was done in the cause of Christ or to Christ into a higher sphere and speaks of them as a service, a fruit, a gift, a sacrifice.

[17:26] This, friends, is what has been so evident in the numerous gifts received, whether expressed by word or letter or even anonymously.

[17:40] And of course, I must mention the little box in the chapel where approximately 19,000 to 20,000 pounds has passed through.

[17:52] For even in this, it has all been done over the past 10 years or more in such a way that we as deacons very rarely must confess that we saw anyone putting anything into that.

[18:08] All these things speak so loudly, I think you will agree, that it has been love to God, love to his truth, and love to the cause of Christ in our midst that we are able to announce this great acceptable service.

[18:31] Many of you may remember when we held a special meeting for Thanksgiving in respect to a sight having been provided. Mr. Hyde, who we are very pleased to have with us today, spoke from, Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

[18:59] For the same measure that ye meet with all, shall it be measured to you again? Friends, can we not say God has been blessed with thee through to his word?

[19:11] As we look back, are we any of us the poorer? No. But would we not with all our hearts seek to join the song of the redeemed above, worthy of the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing?

[19:40] If there is any sorrow or grief in our hearts, I believe I can perhaps voice the feelings of more than one. It is a grief we could not do more.

[19:52] But did not Isaac Watts rightly depend? Were the whole realms of nature mine, that were a present far too small?

[20:04] Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. So on behalf of us as a people, we with deep gratitude thank you in the name of the Lord.

[20:22] not forgetting whom we remember very tenderly, our friends overseas, who with many through affliction, distance, age and infirmity or other causes, prevent them being with us in these thanksgiving services.

[20:45] Now to the overall cost of this great project. The total cost of all up to the present moment is 43,617.55.

[21:01] In this we are unable to say precisely what the final bills to meet will amount to, but it could range, be in the range of 4,000 to 5,000 or a little above.

[21:17] However, to give the fullest information possible, our position is as follows. The balance we have in hand in our building fund is 2,571.68.

[21:33] And in our church account we hold about 800 pounds, making a total of 3,371.68. Which no doubt you are quick to realise, approximately 1,000 to 1,800 may be still required to cover all.

[21:54] There is just one cost I have not included, but this will not be required until the autumn, God willing, and that is 250 pounds for landscaping the site.

[22:07] Now dear friends, I want to speak on behalf of the church and the building committee. As stewards of this vast amount, I can say in all sincerity, we have sought to spend the money wisely and carefully.

[22:30] We have endeavoured by every means to obtain the most economical estimates and to assure no funds were wasted in any unnecessary expense, though sometimes it meant long and difficult negotiations.

[22:47] And of course I think it is appreciated by all that if it had not been for the hard work of our friends who have laboured and voluntarily, the cost would have been far, far in excess of what I have stated.

[23:06] So we trust you may feel in your heart of hearts this day, a sweet satisfaction with what you unitedly have enabled us to do.

[23:19] Lastly, we would remember with deep gratitude, each of you who are helping forward in any way with these services today.

[23:33] Dear friends, in submitting this humble testimony to the goodness and faithfulness of a gracious God, I trust it may strengthen our faith to trust Him more, love Him more, and to the triune Jehovah be our everlasting praise.

[24:22] We will now sing the first hymn on the hymn sheet. hymn number 1 And will the great eternal God on earth establish His abode And will He from His radiant throne avail our temples for His own?

[25:11] peace out peace out and we hold on peace out in silence peace out peace out Thank you.

[26:08] Thank you.

[26:38] Thank you. Thank you.

[27:38] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[27:50] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[28:02] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[28:14] Thank you. Thank you. Good faith.

[28:41] Good faith. Good faith. Amen. Reading God's holy word from the prophecy of Jeremiah, the 31st chapter down to verse 26.

[29:04] The prophecy of Jeremiah, chapter 31, reading to verse 26. At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

[29:33] Thus saith the Lord, the people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness, even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.

[29:48] The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

[30:01] Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built. O virgin of Israel, thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabernets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

[30:21] Thou shalt not plant vines upon the mountains, yet thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria.

[30:33] The planters shall plant and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day that the watchman upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God.

[30:51] For thus saith the Lord, sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations.

[31:01] The Lord, sing with gladness for Jacob, and shall be adorned with the nations.

[31:31] And shall be adorned with the nations. And shall be adorned with the nations. The Lord, sing with gladness for Jacob, and shall be adorned with the nations. And shall be adorned with the nations. I shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble.

[31:52] For I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. hear the word of the Lord O ye nations and declare it in the isles afar off and say he that scatter Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd doth his flock for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord for wheat and for wine and for oil and for the young of the flock and of the herd their souls shall be as a watered garden and they shall not sorrow any more at all then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance both young men and old together for I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their sorrow and I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness thus saith the Lord thus saith the Lord a voice was heard in Ramah lamentation and bitter weeping

[33:38] Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children because they were not thus saith the Lord refrain thy voice refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy work shall be rewarded saith the Lord and they shall come again from the land of the enemy and there is hope in thine end saith the Lord that thy children shall come again to their own border I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus thou hast chastised me and I was chastised as a bullock and accustomed to the yoke turn thou me and I shall be turned for thou art the Lord my God surely after that I was turned

[34:44] I repented and after that I was instructed I smote upon my thigh I was ashamed yea even confounded because I did bear the reproach of my youth is Ephraim my dear son is he a pleasant child for since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still therefore my barrels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord set thee up way marks make thee high heaps set thine heart toward the highway even the way which thou wentest turn again O virgin of Israel turn again to these thy cities how long wilt thou go about

[35:47] O thou backsliding daughter for the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth a woman shall compass a man thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel as yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof then I shall bring again their captivity the Lord bless thee O habitation of justice and mountain of holiness and there shall dwell in Judah itself and in all the cities thereof together husband men and they that go forth with flocks for I have satiated the weary soul and I have replenished every sorrowful soul upon this I await and beheld and my sleep was sweet unto me the Lord bless his holy word to us and teach us to pray

[37:03] O great and eternal God who art glorious in all thy ways and in all thy works and which ways and works we have observed and in a particular way this afternoon yea this day have gathered to acknowledge we would fall down and worship before thee O Lord may we be moved by the experience described by one of our poets dissolved by thy mercy I seek to the ground and weep to the praise of the mercy

[38:10] I found Lord O we pray most gracious Lord that thou will cause us to feel in our gathering today and in all that it means to us and particularly particularly to the church that gathers here regularly and the congregation with it Lord we pray that we may see mercy from beginning to end and may the mercy of the Lord be upon us even throughout this day Lord we thank thee for all thy benefits we have heard read to us the account of thy wondrous works over a period of ten years and Lord the reflection upon these things and the recollection upon them of those who are more intimately connected may well produce in our souls the spirit of humility the spirit of worship the desire in the soul which desires to lift thee very high

[39:37] Lord that we might touch the glorious heights of David the very glorious heights of Nebuchadnezzar when he said I will extol thee O God and Lord may that spirit be found in our souls as we gather for worship today that we desire to do nothing less than to extol thee for thy wonderful works in providence and in grace Lord we thank thee for the blessing that has attended thy people here and that thou hast given them a willingness to work an ability to work and hast sent those unto them who have been capable of rendering that good and proper service which has brought the matter well nigh to its conclusion and now

[40:50] Lord the place is reared now for some time thy people here have been without an under shepherd to care for their souls O Lord we pray that that might be fulfilled in blessing I will bless thee and that there might be given unto them sent unto them a pastor after thine own heart so that the whole matter may be complete Lord we may plead that which is written I will give you pastors after my own heart and we pray that it might be yet a further time of rejoicing that is reserved to us in the womb of the future to see a servant of thine established who shall go out in amongst them and shall be a means of much blessing in this place

[42:12] O Lord we pray that our beloved friends here may have wrought in their hearts by the eternal spirit a deep a right and proper exercise in regard to this important matter and Lord as they have been able to disregard though in a right way the supply for the rearing of the building so may they be able to go forward and by thy help and grace invite according according to him to whom thou will clearly say arise anoint him visit thee Lord may they go forward taking no thought for the morrow but being fully persuaded that thou will supply them with that means to sustain a servant of thine amongst them we do pray dear

[43:24] Lord for thy servant for deacons here we thank thee for the help wisdom and grace that has been given to them hitherto and we pray that it may be continued we pray Lord that thou will regard the various causes of truth represented amongst us at this gathering Lord God we do pray that they each may be prospered that they may each see the glory of God manifested in their midst and that they may be satisfied only with thy mercy Lord we do pray that it might please thee to make this a special day not only of thanksgiving but of double thanksgiving in that thou would work effectively and effectually in the hearts of some that it might be even the birthday the spiritual birthday of one or another

[44:34] Lord thou art able to make such things to be coincident we pray Lord it may be so by good pleasure

[45:44] Romans have been prevented, some through sickness and weakness. Lord, we commend them to thee, and we pray that the spirit that we would earnestly seek to feel here may also be felt in their hearts.

[46:04] And now, most gracious Lord, we pray as to make those words that might be spoken, that we may be favourable with the blessing of Asher, that we may dip our foot in oil, and be made acceptable unto the brethren.

[46:33] Pardon all that we have asked amiss, and if we have forgotten to ask thee for certain things which are important and necessary to us today, or if we have forgotten to ask thy mercy and blessing upon any person, Lord, remember such things, and remember such persons, and grant them the blessings that they need, and pardon our sins of omission.

[47:02] And so, most gracious Lord, we look to thee, depending upon thee, being willing, by the grace of God, to venture to be not, that Christ might be exalted in the hearts of many.

[47:25] Pardon our every sin, and when we beg it in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

[47:44] Let us sing the second thing. Amen. The second thing.

[48:08] Glorious things that thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God, He whose word cannot be broken, forms thee for his own abode.

[48:21] On the rock of ages founded, what can shape thy sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, thou mayst smile at all thy foes.

[48:34] Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

[49:14] Amen. Thank you.

[50:14] Thank you.

[50:44] Thank you. Thank you.

[51:44] Thank you. Thank you.

[52:44] Thank you. Thank you.

[53:16] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[53:27] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[53:39] Thank you. Take the wish of Zion teaching I should face a temperament.

[54:05] And the world is my own. I will draw in my face.

[54:30] I will draw in my face.

[54:43] I will draw in my face.

[54:56] I will draw in my face.

[55:09] I will draw in my face.

[55:22] I will draw in my face. I will draw in my face. I will draw in my face.