Encouragements
I feel like Easter is always the best event in a church sense. I find this time of year so encouraging; the sun starts to come out (or this year it’s at least teased us), egg hunts bring the community together and as disciples, we are reminded of the promise His death and resurrection means to us. It is a time to know we are loved, forgiven and supported. So I find it such a time of encouragement. Egg Hunts Firstly, we had a weekend of Easter Egg hunts which was truly… Read More
Our First Baptism Of 2023!
Jesus said, ‘…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’ John 10.10 Last weekend we had the pleasure of having a Sunday Celebration focused around baptism. We had two members of our church family get baptised, Joe & Hayley. We also had a family who had expressed wanting to baptise their son a few years ago, but for whatever reason, didn’t go ahead with it at the time. Then last week when they heard we were having a Baptism Celebration, not only did they want their son to be… Read More
A Huge Thank You…
Finally, the last week of January is here and we made it! Payday is in sight! But as a true digital native, I want to take this opportunity to have a little #throwbackthursday moment and reflect on our Christmas period. I don’t know if anyone else felt it, but because it was our first Christmas season out of lockdown, I had forgotten how hectic it gets with meet ups and parties. But in the midst of all the fun and frivolity, we had some really beautiful moments that built on Christmases past…. Read More
Making Room For The Marginalised
It’s the last week of Advent and Christmas is just 4 sleeps away! This week’s devotional scripture is: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the… Read More
Making Room For Community
We’re in the 3rd week of Advent and as we continue with our devotional we are looking at another verse from Luke: When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she… Read More
Making Room For a Promise
This week we are looking at the first devotional of Making Room In Advent. It talks about the parallels between ‘Zechariah waiting to have a child. Israel waiting for the Messiah. A barren couple and a barren nation.’ How often do we have to wait for what we think has been promised to us? How long will we have to wait for His second coming? But perhaps those are the wrong questions. Perhaps the right question to ask is, what does God need me to learn and/or who does God need me… Read More
What Are You Thankful For?
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thanksgiving is most definitely an American holiday but I’ve always loved the idea of having a day to focus on the positive things in our lives. The blessings that the Lord has afforded us, despite always falling short of His expectations. As we close out the year, the first year in a while without lockdowns, there are lots of things we could focus on that could bring the mood down…. Read More
Every Little Helps
In last week’s blog, we looked at how we can turn to God in our stressful times, especially in this financial and political climate. However, though we know and appreciate the power of prayer, sometimes, we need actual, physical help. Whether that be to access resources or ways to entertain our kids in the holidays (that doesn’t break the bank). With that in mind, this week, we want to give practical things that can alleviate some of the stresses many are feeling within the Borough at the moment. So if you know… Read More
Peace Be With You…
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:6-7, (ESV) Stress. It is something that is guaranteed in this life. Whether it be financial stress, especially in this current climate. Or stress in the work place, where, though the pandemic taught many lessons about the importance of work-life balance, our culture is centred on working hard to… Read More
God’s Steadfast Love
Last Sunday we read the last part of Mark in the devotional we have been reading since the start of this term. We focused on Mark 15:1-33 and when reading through, I found it quite powerful. In this part of Mark, we realise how fickle people can be; those who once broke bread with Jesus, those who shouted “Halleluiah” as He entered Jerusalem now shouted, “Crucify him!” Despite all those that did Him wrong, Jesus still allowed His crucifixion to happen to save us from our sins. Though we had let God… Read More
