Sunday 2nd August 2026 - Live

Welcome back to Church everyone! Today is our Gift Day as we raise funds to replace the carpet on the stage, the main runner and the banner. Rev Allie Moore will be leading our service and Rev Anne Clements continues our sermon series called 'Ruth - The Whole Story'. This weeks title is 'Naomi - Suffering and Lament'. The Series: - The story of Ruth begins with famine and loss but ends with redemption and hope. Over six weeks we'll discover how this remarkable little book reveals God's faithfulness and points us to Jesus, our ultimate Redeemer. Overview: The book of Ruth is only four short chapters long, yet hidden within its pages is the story of the whole Bible. Set during one of the darkest periods in Israel's history, Ruth begins with famine, loss and uncertainty. At first glance it appears to be the story of one struggling family trying to survive difficult circumstances. But look closer and you will discover something much bigger. Through the lives of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, we encounter the great themes that run throughout Scripture: creation and fall, exile and homecoming, suffering and hope, redemption and restoration. This small story echoes the larger story of God's dealings with humanity and ultimately points us beyond Bethlehem to King David and beyond David to Jesus Christ. Throughout this series we will discover that God is often at work in the ordinary moments of life. In fields and homes, in grief and waiting, in quiet acts of faithfulness and hidden obedience, God is weaving together His purposes. Even when He seems absent, He is never inactive. Even when life feels chaotic, He is still writing a story of redemption. As we journey through Ruth together, we will see how God brings hope out of despair, provision out of scarcity and redemption out of brokenness. More importantly, we will discover that the same God who was at work in Ruth's story is still at work in ours today. Aim: To help the church understand how the book of Ruth fits into the grand story of Scripture and to grow in confidence that God is still at work redeeming lives, families, communities and creation itself through ordinary acts of faithfulness and trust. Key Themes: • Redemption • God's hidden providence • Covenant faithfulness (hesed) • Life outside Eden • Suffering and lament • Belonging and inclusion • Ordinary faithfulness • The Guardian Redeemer • Kingdom hope • Jesus the ultimate Redeemer Sermon: - Naomi - Suffering and Lament Naomi returns to Bethlehem carrying grief, disappointment and questions. She no longer sees God's goodness and asks to be called Mara—bitter. Yet even in her pain God is already at work. This week explores suffering, lament and what faith looks like when God seems absent. The reading is from Ruth 1 v19-22 Please subscribe if you haven't and get notifications of all our upcoming videos and streams! #fvfc #churchonline #sundayserviceonline #livesundayservice #ruth1 #revalliemoore #ruththewholestory