For our final service of the year, in lieu of a “traditional” message we return to a style of reflection on God’s word that we previously used for our summer series. We take a close look at Simeon and Anna’s responses to meeting the infant Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem and think about the…
Christmas carols, Bible readings, Video, a Christmas message and prayers. Video featured in this service https://youtu.be/lVt14Ug-GOs?si=MaiigrG2XGJ6xPL5
We continue on the journey towards Christmas by lighting the forth candle on our advent wreath, this year representing love. Chris speaks on the word given to Joseph by the angel of the Lord in a dream leading to his decision to marry Mary. We discover the love of Joseph, Mary and most of all,…
We continue on the journey towards Christmas by lighting the third candle on our advent wreath, this year representing joy. Chris speaks on the word given to Mary by Gabriel and her subsequent visit to see Zechariah and Elizabeth. In this we see the three aspects of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, all present, working as one and inviting Mary to participate in God’s great plan. He then contrasts it with the act of communion, the Lord’s Supper, where at the other end of Jesus’ earthly life we are all now invited to participate in that great plan of God.
Andy leads the rest of the service thinking about the origin of the word joy and its importance in the Bible whilst Lynne and Dave lead our sung worship.
Ant leads our all-age service for December, choosing the theme of wonder as his subject for this month. God has many names in the Bible, at this time of year we focus on the name Immanuel, God With Us, and the wonder that Jesus’ coming brings into our lives.
Mike leads our sung worship this week.
This week we held our annual Science Sunday service where we invite a guest speaker to join us (through one of Chris’ many science contacts!) and explore the intersection of faith and science. This year we are joined by Andy Boston, a physicist by training, who has worked in the energy sector for several decades, latterly heading up a government-commissioned group to look at how the energy industry can more easily transition to green alternatives. Andy speaks on where our energy comes from, both in terms of our physical and spiritual needs.
Chris leads the rest of the service as we light the first candle on our Advent wreath (yes, it is that time of year already), and Pete leads our sung worship.
This Sunday we celebrated the baptism of Freya Griffiths. Freya gives a powerful testimony on how God has helped her in her life and follows the example of Jesus by going through the waters of baptism to symbolise the inner change that God has made and affirm her commitment to him. Chris speaks on the place that baptism has in God’s plan for the world and gives an opportunity for those that have not yet fully accepted Jesus to take that tentative first step in trusting God.
James leads the service whilst Pete and Nick lead our sung worship.
In this chapter of Acts we see Paul and Barnabus move from Iconium to Lystra and Derbe in their mission to spread the good news to the Jews and Gentiles in the region of Galatia. Chris speaks on how they manage to do this in spite of stiff opposition from some Jews and significant misunderstanding from many of the other people they meet. We are reminded that in our own evangelism people may not have the same view of God that we do and are challenged to make the gospel accessible to them.
Susan leads the rest of the service as we take time to reflect on God’s word and Mike leads our sung worship.
Our All Age Service for November continues our theme of looking at Old Testament Heroines. This month Shona focusses on Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. Hannah was considered barren and unable to have children, yet she never gave up praying to God for a child. How can we be persistent in prayer?
We also pause with the rest of the nation to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.
Lynne and Dave lead our sung worship this week.
We continue in our series in Acts this week, focussing on Paul and Barnabas’ preaching to the Jews and Gentiles in the towns of Galatia. We see how, just as in Jerusalem, many of the Jews rejected their message of salvation through Jesus and began to persecute those who believed, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul taylors his message to his audience, he doesn’t tell them the whole gospel just the bits they need to know at that time. A handy tip for when we ourselves are called to evangelise!
Andy leads the rest of the service, Trevor introduces our mission of the month for November – Mercy Ships – and Lynne and Pete lead our sung worship.