Soup for the Soul at St Peter’s

Are you keeping in step?

Our ‘Soup for the Soul’ service on June 29 was especially memorable this year, as we delved into the words of Galatians 5:1,13-25 over a shared meal in fellowship with the Nobby congregation. Each table was asked to consider three questions in relation to the theme ‘Keeping in step with the Spirit’.

The pews were pushed aside and the church was filled with tables, each laden with snacks to be enjoyed throughout the service.

Sammie opened worship with prayer and the church band Soul Connection led us in the singing of Open the Eyes of My Heart.

The theme for the day was taken from Galatians in which God calls each of us to a life of freedom in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. For those who belong to Christ will see their lives prosper with the Fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The Sunday School had studied the Fruit of the Spirit in the weeks leading up to our service, so those who had children on their table (or a Sunday School teacher), undoubtedly had an unfair advantage!

Bruce gave a captivating children’s talk and explained that although trees only grow one type of fruit, as people filled with the Spirit, we have the opportunity to grow all the Fruits of the Spirit! Each of the kids were then eager to receive their ‘homework’.

During the meal, each table was encouraged to discuss the following questions:

1. What are you doing to keep in step with the Holy Spirit?
2. What are some things that hold you back from the fruit God wants to grow in your life?
3. What is the principal purpose of the Fruit of the Spirit?

After we tasted the pumpkin, pea and ham, and chicken soups, the tables summarised their discussions on a poster, and presented the main ideas to the group.

A common theme among the tables was identifying the simple things that hold us back from keeping in step with the Spirit, such as being ‘too busy’ for God and not having our priorities in order.

Other discussions touched on the purpose of the Fruits of the Spirit as a reflection of God’s character, and the natural outcome of a life that is being led by the Spirit.

The tables received prayer requests and were tasked with writing a prayer, before Dianne read them aloud.

Jack, one of our Sunday School students, blessed us for the week ahead, and the Fruits of the Spirit Song concluded the day.

The tune was so catchy, everyone left the church humming the melody – and if you asked them today to recall the song, it’s likely they’d still be able to sing it for you!

Images:

Table 1 (main image) – Don & Dianne Steffens, Meg & Trevor Eising, Wayne Uebergang, Rob & Gloria Hamilton

Gallery from left:
Table 2 – Linda & Selwyn Sippel, Sam and Cheryl Janz, Glenda Fechner, Paul Roberts, Ros & Bruce Von Hoff
Table 3 – Kev Loveday; Sammie, Zara, Jack, Paul & Erin Fuhlbohm; Caitlyn Uebergang; Leah Moore
Table 4 – Nathan Jurgens, Kathy Weier, Des & Lyn Jurgens, Karen Reynolds, Warren Venz, Mark Weier