Rediscovering the awe of God Part 2

Revelation 4

Speaker: Simon Downing

Today Simon will be bringing us the second message on this short series, entitled, “Rediscovering the awe of God Part 2.” In today’s reading from Revelation Chapter 4, we are given a glimpse in Christ’s glory. We are taken through john’s vision into the very throne of heaven. God is on the throne and is orchestrating all of the events that John will record. Contrary to what you may sometimes feel, the world is not spinning out of control: The God of creation will carry out his plans as Christ initiates the final battle with the forces of evil. John shows us heaven before showing us earth so that we can focus on God’s greatness. As we read John’s words, we are compelled to bow down in awe of Him. He gives us the strength to stay strong and not be frightened of future events.

The second Sunday series – Inspirational words

You are mine

Isaiah 43:1-7

Speaker: Derek Robinson

This Sunday evening is our monthly slot for an Inspirational Word from the Scriptures. Tonight, we will be listening to God speak to us through the prophet Isaiah as God reminds us of His purpose in creating mankind. We were made by God and for God. We were made to bring glory to Him. God’s reminds us that, “He formed us, He created us, He redeemed us and He called us by name”. His words resonate in our hearts as He says to us, “You are mine!” Please don’t miss this message.

Rediscovering the awe of God

Ezekiel 1

Speaker: Simon Downing

Today Simon will be bringing us a message based on Ezekiel’s vision that revealed God’s absolute moral perfection to the Israelites who were then captives in Babylon. God made it clear that He was spiritually and morally superior to their corrupt and compromising society. Consequently, because God is morally perfect, He can help us to stand firm and live our lives in a way that honours Him rather than compromising with the world’s values. When we focus on His greatness, when we stand in awe of Him, He gives us the strength to overcome sin and to reflect His holiness.

The First Sunday – Devotional Communion

Isaiah 46:1-5

Leader: Simon Downing

This evening we will be holding our monthly Devotional Communion around the Communion table. Our text for this service is Isaiah 46:1-5 in which God reminds that He is the one who made us and carries us when we are struggling. He is the one who sustains and it He who has rescued us through. Now that really is worth remembering and celebration together. Please join us.

 

The First Sunday – Family Service

Labels of Life

2 Corinthians 6:18

Speaker: Simon Downing

Today is our monthly family service and so, as you look around the congregation, you might spot some new faces. Do make them feel welcome and part of our family. As you look around, I am also sure that you won’t find anyone who is exactly the same as you. It is somewhat reassuring to know that we are all unique and, although we all made in God’s image, we are still all different. This is one of the many wonders of God’s creation. In our world people are often labelled by categories as it they were products on the shelf. Some labels are useful but labelling people can be misleading and even hurtful. It’s good to know that the LORD does not look at the things man looks at. He doesn’t label us in the way we do. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7) Today take the opportunity to see beyond the labels that we sometimes use to define people by and, in doing so, challenge the stereotypes that often go unquestioned. In God’s eyes every one of us is special. Every one of us is beautiful. He loves every one of us! It’s what’s in your heart that counts.

Mandate III: Loving the Lost

Luke 10:25 – 37

Speaker: Simon Downing

As we continue into this new decade, the leadership team and I have been praying for the Lord to give us His direction for the church. In particular, how can we turn our vision to love God, love each other and to love the lost into meaningful, Christ-like action. Over the last two weeks we looked at the first two pillars of our vision – Loving God. And Loving each other. In today’s talk, we will be looking at the third pillar – Loving the lost. In our reading today, Jesus teaches an expert in the Law, what it really means to love your neighbour as he tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It is a familiar story, but do we really take Jesus’ message to heart and live our lives accordingly?

Mandate I: Loving God

Luke 10:38-42

Speaker: Simon Downing

As we begin a new decade, the leadership team and I have been praying for the Lord to give us His direction for the church. In particular, how can we turn our vision to love God, love each other and to love the lost into meaningful, Christ-like action. Consequently, over the next three Sunday mornings, I will be talking about some very important fundamentals of how we believe we are meant to implement our vision into our every day lives. Please make every effort to be here for all the services. This morning, I will use Jesus’ visit to Mary and Martha as our starting point. Both of these women loved Jesus and delighted themselves in serving Him. One of these women was working her fingers to the bone, the other just simply sat at Jesus’ feet listening to His words. Martha, in being so busy, was actually neglecting her guest. Each one of us has to ask ourselves are we a Martha or a Mary. Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you’re not spending any time with Him?

The second Sunday series – Inspirational words

Everything will be new

Revelation 21:1-5

Speaker: Clive Bennett

This Sunday evening is our monthly slot for an Inspirational Word from the Scriptures and since we are still at the beginning of a New Year the topic we are considering is “Everything will be new”. It is true that no matter what resolutions we make for the coming year we will probably end up getting what we have always got by doing what we have always done. It is God’s intention that, one day, things will not just be better and improved but totally, totally, new. So, this evening we will worship together and explore just what is planned for us in the future and lift our eyes to the one who promises: “I am making everything new”. There’s no greater inspiration or anticipation than that is there? Clive.

The First Sunday – Devotional Communion

Nehemiah 1:4 – 11

C. T. Studd once wrote, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” What better way could there be to start a new decade than be coming together around the communion table and celebrating what Jesus did for us at Calvary and what He is going to do for us when He returns? Why not join us as a family of believers around the Communion Table this evening as we recall Jesus’ great sacrifice for us.

Family service

New Year – New focus

Hebrews 12:1

Speaker: Simon Downing

Not only is it a New Year but it is a new decade. A chance to weigh up the past and look forward to a different future. The archbishop of Canterbury urged people to make personal connections with others in 2020 to create a new unity in a divided society.
In his new year message, Justin Welby said: “Let’s go for a heroic new year’s resolution. Let’s resolve to reconnect. To reach out to just one person we don’t know, or from whom we have drifted apart. “Pick one person. Pick up the phone. Send them a text. Meet them for a cup of tea. Make that connection. Let’s begin cementing our unity one brick at a time.”
This sounds very similar to our vision for our proposed “Open House”. Why not make this your new year’s resolution too, but unlike most resolutions, let’s all make a determined effort to make it happen?