Do you know what we are here for as a church? As a church family we are all committed to making disciples of Jesus. It’s on all our service sheets in the top right corner as a reminder! We all do this by prayerfully speaking God’s word to ourselves, to one another and to people who don’t yet know Jesus.
Read moreIn 1 Corinthians, Paul describes God’s people, (that’s us if we believe in Jesus!) as the body of Christ. “Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.” (12:27). Now the thing about a body is that every part has something important to do for the body to work properly; and that
Read moreHappy New Year! How many times have you said that so far these last few days? And does it feel like it? Does it feel happy and exciting … or a bit daunting and scary? Are you looking forward to opportunities or dreading the challenges? Are you expecting sadness or joy? Are you expecting to
Read moreDear Friends, The waiting for Christmas is over. The presents are unwrapped. Multiple mince pies have been consumed. The turkey sandwiches are finished and the family games have got boring. What is left to look forward to now!? As I write, my wife Rachel and I are waiting eagerly for the imminent arrival of our
Read moreDear Friends, Most of the time I don’t give much thought to Bethlehem, but in my mind I travel there every Christmas. And I enjoy singing, “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie.” But what is it like to be a Christian and to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem today? The latest
Read moreDear Friends, As I sit at my computer on the eve of this week’s General Election, there is the real danger that I will write something that looks very foolish in the light of the result that will be known by the time you read this. What kind of government will have been elected? Whatever
Read moreDear Friends, I heard of an older lady who, as she receives bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper, says quietly to herself, “Until he comes” – from Paul’s words that “whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26, NIV). Indeed, the Lord’s
Read moreDear Friends, For some, the question of which candidate to vote for in the upcoming General Election was decided long ago. Others are still wondering which way to cast their vote. I am still not sure myself, although it won’t surprise you that I am not going to tell you whom to vote for. However,
Read moreDear Friends, In the last couple of weeks the North and the Midlands have witnessed torrential downpours described as “almost biblical” – presumably a reference to the flood in Noah’s day. It has certainly been awful, with thousands forced to leave their homes, at least one person tragically drowning, and some discovering that their...
Read moreDear Friends, Last week I came across an article with that title, and thought I’d better read it. What do you think it says is the hardest job of all? A parent? A teacher? A doctor? An MP? Those would all be good candidates. However, given that the article appeared in the latest edition of
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