Mandate II: Loving each other

John 13:31-35

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. Last week we looked at the first pillar of our vision – Loving God. In today’s talk, we will be looking at the second pillar – Loving each other. In today’s reading the Apostle John, tells us that as Jesus steadfastly continued towards the cross, He stressed the importance of loving each other. Without Jesus to guide them, the disciples would feel lost but if they loved each other in the way that Jesus loved them, Jesus emphasised that they would continue to grow more like Him. Jesus added that this love should be so tangible and visible that others would see that it came from a supernatural source and want to know more.

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?