The notes are taken from the weekly Newssheet
Sunday 6 October Return to Sermon details page . . .
9.15 and 11.00 am - Don Morgan leading and Paul Davies preaching
Living to please God 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Paul tells us to live lives that are pleasing to God. This is not done through heroic deeds, by being a missionary or pastor, but by the way we live. Paul mentions three areas:
by maintaining marital integrity and sexual purity
by having brotherly love for one another, and
by minding our own business and working hard.
These three areas not only please God, they are also a witness to the wider world around us.
6.30 p.m. – Jo Pierce leading; David Collett preaching and leading Communion.
Ruth The Book of Ruth
The story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz takes place during a period of turmoil and war in Israel. It is a story of ordinary people and of contrasts; the faithful and the faithless, desolation and fulfilment. Yet despite the gulfs of time and culture between then and now, there are lessons for us all in this tale of love and loyalty.
Sunday 12 October
9.15 & 11.00 am – David Collett leading and Dr Samkutty preaching.
All-age team leading the first 15 minutes of both services.
The Mind of Christ Philippians 2:5-11
The Serving Jesus – the nature of his ministry was service and the motive was love
The Suffering Jesus – the measure of his ministry was sacrifice
The Submitting Jesus – the authority of his ministry was submission
6.30 pm – Colin Yarker leading and Steve Fenton preaching.
Elijah - Overcoming self-pity 1 Kings 19:1-18
Elijah was called by God [1 Kings 17:2], had a prophetic ministry, was a man of faith, courage and integrity, who saw dramatic answer to prayer[1 Kings 18:37-38]. Yet, here, we find him alone, sat under a tree, praying that he may die: “I’ve had enough Lord!” [1 Kings 19:4]. This passage shows God tenderly coming alongside Elijah in a moment of self-pity, to restore perspective and, in the process, develop his character.
Sunday 19 October
9.15 and 11.00 am Bernard Chandler leading; Steve Fenton preaching and leading Communion.
Hope in the face of death 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Grieving over the loss of a loved one is natural and necessary. But Paul urges the new believers in Thessalonica not to grieve as those who have no hope (v13). The reason for their hope is that Jesus died (v14) and rose again (v16), that Christ will return, and that the dead and living in Christ will be reunited to be with the Lord forever. This is not wishful thinking but the heart of the Gospel (cf. 1 Cor. 15:17-20).
6.30 pm
Kairos Ensemble
Dan Foster, student Pastor at Howlands Baptist Church Welwyn Garden City, will be leading the evening service with his jazz quartet Kairos Ensemble, playing highlights from the Passion Suite and Psalms inter-spersed with Bible readings and testimony. Comment: “What they do is inspiring both musically and spiritually and their presentation thought provoking and uplifting,” “The service was a great opportunity to communicate the Gospel in a way that is accessible to those who don’t know the story.”
Sunday 26 October
9.15 & 11.00 am – John Low leading, Steve Fenton preaching.
Waiting for Christ 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
In this passage Paul urges the Thessalonians not to waste time worrying about when the Lord will return but to concentrate on being ready for when He does so. They are not to be taken by surprise (4) but to be alert (6) and live their Christian lives ‘in the light’ (5). What does that mean for us? To live your Christian life distinctively, and to make it count as if each day was the last before Christ returns.
6.30 pm – Evening Worship. Steve Fenton leading and preaching.
Jonah - overcoming rebellion Jonah 1
As we continue our series on ‘character’ in the life of the believer we come to Jonah and overcoming rebellion. God told Jonah clearly what He wanted him to do (1:2) but Jonah went in the opposite direction! Apart from lack of compassion for the lost, Jonah was too proud to risk failure (4:2). Embracing, rather than resisting God’s will, is the only way to live for the believer. Whatever our personal preference, rebellion is never an option.
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