Continuing our series in the book of Acts, Chris this week speaks on Paul’s travels after the dramatic events in Ephesus. We have seen over the course of his missionary journeys that Paul has partnered with many others, here he prepares to (temporarily!) leave the mission field and return to Jerusalem with a group composed of fellow mission workers from many of the churches he has visited and helped to establish. We see that from the very beginnings of its history the church draws together those from many different backgrounds, social classes, ethnicities, and giftings, all to work as one for the common goal of making Jesus known.

Susan leads the rest of the service as we share Communion together and Pete and Nick lead our sung worship.

Our series in Acts continues. Last week we saw the Holy Spirit descend powerfully during Paul’s stay in Ephesus, this week we see the response of those in Ephesus unwilling to open up to Paul’s message and renounce their idols. Chris speaks on how as Christians we are called to reject that which society at large holds in high regard, whether that is money, power, position, or anything else that holds us back from embracing the good news of Christ whole-heartedly.

Karen leads the rest of the service as we continue to respond to the Spirit’s powerful presence amongst us. Pete and Nick lead our sung worship.

Today we carried on in our study of the book of Acts, hearing about Paul’s second visit to Ephesus and the extraordinarily powerful way the Spirit fell on the believers in that city. Those that heard the good news were convicted by the Holy Spirit and abandoned the false teachings and practices of their earlier lives. Chris speaks on what a powerfully transforming influence being filled with – and continuing to be filled with – the Holy Spirit can be as we pray for one another in an unusual (but Biblically sound!) way.

Andy leads the rest of the service as we have our final YWAM update and Mike leads our sung worship.

We continue our study in the book of Acts by Chris looking at the second half of chapter 18. In this installment we see Paul partnering with Priscilla and Aquila, leaving Corinth to make a first visit to Ephesus on his way to report back to the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch. We also meet Apollos who was preaching Jesus’ teaching with great passion and eloquence but had yet to hear of the resurrection, Priscilla and Aquila taking him under their wing and preparing him for his own missionary journey to Achaia. How can all of those events speak to us as a church in the 21st century? Well, rather well as it turns out!

Ant leads the rest of the service whilst Pete leads our sung worship.

In the latest entry into our series in Acts we see Paul coming to the city of Corinth for the first time. In contrast to the culture and modernity of Athens Corinth was – to borrow Chris’ words – a cesspool full of immorality and sin. Paul initially journeys there alone and preaches the Gospel almost in his spare time between working with Aquila making tents before being joined again by Silas and Timothy after which he was able to totally devote himself to his teaching. Later he gets thrown out of the local synagogue and decides to plant a church right next door! God calls us to preach his word regardless of our circumstances and we are reminded that He is always with us in our endeavours.

Susan leads the rest of the service as we receive an update on our mission of the month for October, YWAM, and Pete leads our sung worship.