This week in our Acts series we see the focus shifting from Peter to the spread of the Gospel to the north of Israel in Antioch (on the modern day Turkish/Syrian border) and Barnabas’ mission to bring encouragement and teaching to the newly-named Christian community there. During his time in Antioch Barnabas recruits Saul, who the apostles had previously sent to Tarsus, to join him. This initial spread of Christianity may have seemed random and disorganised but – as Chris encourages us – God often uses disorder to bring forward his purposes. What apparent disorder can we see today that God is working through?

Andy leads the rest of the service as we invite the Holy Spirit to take away all our inhibitions and Lynne and Dave lead our sung worship.

This week in our Acts series we find Peter returing to Jerusalem from Caesarea and reporting back to the church what had happened before and during his visit to Cornelius. We see a reiteration of his belief that God has opened up the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles, and Chris looks at why this may have been a challenge to the Jewish believers. He also explains that – as most of us in the west are Gentiles – in accepting Jesus we are also grafted into the (historic) people of Israel and can share in their promised inheritance.

Susan leads the rest of the service whilst Pete and Nick lead our sung worship.

We continue with our study of the book of Acts this week as Chris leads us through Acts 10. Up until now the church had been composed of what we would now call Messianic Jews – Jews who have accepted the grace of Jesus. But now with Peter’s vision and visit to Cornelius it is abundantly clear that the message is not just for the Jews but the Gentiles too. God reveals to Peter that his gift of the Holy Spirit is for all, Jew and Gentile alike. And thank goodness for that, because it means us too!

Karen leads the rest of the service as we pray for our Mission of the Month, Home Mission, whilst Mike and Lynne lead our sung worship.