Bi-weekly update 02/03/2022

Dear Church family,

As creatures made in God’s image, we’re created for relationships, both with God and with other image-bearers.

By God’s design, therefore, genuine relationships are the basis for all human flourishing. We learn in the Bible that sharing a meal together is one of the primary ways relationships are established, deepened, and enjoyed both with God and with others.

Think of the covenant meal the elders of Israel enjoyed with God on Mount Sinai. Moses records the spellbinding experience in Exodus 24:9–11:

'Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. . . . And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.'

One of the things I’ve missed in the lockdowns has been eating together. There is nothing like food to bring a family together. The same applies to God’s family.

So, I’m very pleased that this Sunday, the 6th March, we’re having our first Church family lunch. We’ll be meeting together around the Lord’s table and then going next door to the hall to enjoy lunch together.

And, on the subject of meals, remember the 19th March guest invitation dinner. Do keep praying for opportunities to invite friends and neighbours to come. Take an invitation card on Sunday to give to them. Or take a photo of it on your phone and send it to a friend who perhaps you haven't seen in a while. 

Your brother in Christ, 
Ian

No 10:45 am service Sunday 19th December 2021

Sadly , due to circumstances beyond our control, there will be no 10:45 am service or Junior Church this Sunday 19th December.

The good news is that the Candlelight Carol Service is still going ahead at 6:30 pm in the Main Building, so we look forward to seeing you there for carols, the foretelling of Jesus’ birth throughout the Bible, and maybe a few mince pies afterward!

Also, don’t forget about the Children’s carol service at 4 pm on 24th December. Why not bring your little ones to hear a fun re-telling of the Christmas story with carols and activities for the whole family!

Bi-weekly update 24/11/2021

Dear Church family,

This Sunday is Advent Sunday when we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first coming to redeem us by remembering His return to establish His kingdom.

Paul speaks of Jesus’ two comings in his letter to Titus (2:11-13) in these words:
‘For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ …’                                                                                                        Titus 2:11-13
Jesus came 2,000 years ago to assure all who trust Him of acceptance and welcome, at His return.

This puts things into perspective:In an age where ‘now’ is all that matters, it reminds us that ‘then’ is more important.In an age of distraction, it reminds us that the one thing that’s necessary is to sit at His feet and listen to Him.In an age where many voices compete for our attention, it reminds us that His is the one voice that we must heed.In an age of leisure and pleasure, it reminds us that we’re to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and trust that will bring us the pleasure and rest we yearn for.In an age of self-indulgence, it reminds us that really what we need is self-control.Advent Sunday is the perfect opportunity to ask ourselves: ‘Would I be ready to welcome Him if He came back tonight?’, ‘Are my loved ones and neighbours ready for His return?’, and ‘Might they appreciate an invitation to our Christmas celebrations?’
Your brother in Christ, 
Ian

Bi-weekly update 10/11/2021

On Sunday the 21st November Phoebe Woodcraft is going to be baptised.It’ll be the first Baptism we’ve had at Church for some time, and something special to look forward to. Please pray for Phoebe, who is going to speak about how the Lord has been at work in her life to bring her to this significant point. And please pray for her Dad, Adam, who is preaching that day.Baptism is known as a ‘Dominical ordinance’ – something that Jesus, our Lord, has ‘ordained’ or commanded His followers to do. His last words recorded in Matthew 28:19 are: 
‘Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit …’                                                                                                        Matthew 28:19
We hear the Good news of who Jesus is and what He came to do in the preached word.

And that same message is ‘spoken’ in the act of Baptism – it’s a sacrament – a picture of the new, eternal life that we have when we come to Jesus as Lord and ask for His forgiveness.

It’s a good opportunity to invite friends and family to Church. And please come and join our autumn Passion for life training series in the Parish Hall, on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 ( for a simple meal at 6.30 ) and discussion from 7pm – 8pm. 

And with Christmas ahead, we have more to celebrate and sing about – please have a chat with Denise if you might be interested in joining the Choir this year? And with Jon who needs help on the tech team. 
Your brother in Christ, 
Ian

Little Nippers

Little Nippers is for children from birth to school age and their parents or carers.

It’s led by Ruth & Niccola who met at Little Nippers when their girls were tiny Little Nippers themselves! Many of the toys change week by week, alongside the craft which ranges from lovely take home pieces, to painting and creating that helps develop fine motor skills in little people’s hands. From cars to dinosaurs, houses to an alien space station, there’s something for everyone.

There’s a short singing time with refreshments for the children at 10.30. Throughout the morning there are a range of teas, coffee, hot chocolate and lovely biscuits available to the adults.

Term times from 9.30 – 11.30 every Monday.

Bi-weekly update 27/10/2021

Dear Church Family,

We’re celebrating harvest late this year on Saturday 13th November at 7 pm in the hall with a harvest supper – it’s always a great opportunity to thank God for his goodness.

November is also the month of remembrance. This year many of us are remembering lost loved ones and opportunities. The pandemic reminds us how fragile life is; and how our plans are in God’s hands. Both harvest and remembrance remind us that life is God’s gift. He gives us our lives, and he came to give His life for us to have eternal life with Him.

In John 4:35f, Jesus gives ‘living water’ to the Samaritan woman at the well; she tells everyone about Him, and the whole village comes out to find him; as he saw the crowd coming towards him, Jesus said:
‘Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper may rejoice together.’                                                                                                        John 4:35
Our privilege is to point the sick and dying to the Life-giving healer: Jesus Christ. Knowing Him makes us thankful for this life, and all that sustains it, and thankful for those who have died trusting Him because for them the best is yet to come.

A friend’s mother died recently; she followed Jesus and he was able to say her life now is ‘better by far’ than her life before she died.

There is great reward and joy in making Him known; so as we begin to plan ahead for Passion for Life 2022 please keep Tuesday Evenings from 6:30 pm (for food) or 7 pm (for the training session) free as we seek to equip ourselves with the tools to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
Your brother in Christ, 
Ian

Bi-weekly update 13/10/2021

Dear Church Family,

All the seasons have their charm. Autumn is a lovely time. The colours are beautiful and the days are crisp; good for getting things done.

For some it is a challenging time. As the days get shorter, we prepare for the clocks to go back an hour on 31 October.

Halloween is also coming up on the 31 October; the pre-christian Druids apparently told people to dress up like goblins and witches as a disguise to divert the evil spirits’ attention away from their feast to mark the end of the summer light and start of winter’s darkness. 

The coming of the Gospel made all that unnecessary. Jesus is the Lord of light and life who banishes the darkness before the feet of all who follow Him:Jesus says in John 8:12:
‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’                                                                                                        John 8:12
On October 31 this month we’re having a ‘light party’ to celebrate the victory of Jesus Christ over the powers of darkness. Your children and grandchildren are warmly invited to come – the invitation is below.

As the nights get longer, Jesus is the one who banishes the darkness of sin and death and fear. He is the light we have to share in this season of celebration and joy, as this spoken word by Glen Scrivener explains … Your brother in Christ,
Ian
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