Sunday Service 5th July (via Zoom)
Song - The Father's embrace (You are my anchor) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4N1dcrBxFQ
That song talks about how we can trust God. He is our anchor, our refuge, a light to guide us, someone we can put our trust in, confident in his goodness. But it also talks about waiting and sometimes that can be hard.
God can help us persevere and we can help each other:
Video - Perseverance - https://youtu.be/9kTnrFLqZuc
God is on our side. He will help us even in the tough times and even when there's little to be cheerful about, there's always room for joy with Jesus. Happiness despite our circumstances because we know that Jesus is always with us - even helping when it's so hard we can barely take another step.
Song - I'm gonna jump up and down (Be happy) - https://youtu.be/WodvQf0Jo9s
Talk - We are considering just how we can more effectively encounter God and last week we looked at an encounter that Peter had with Jesus. It was very dramatic and miraculous and though that may be the case on occasions for us, our encounters are more likely to be of the more ordinary, everyday encounters. So this week we go to a story that illustrates the other end of the spectrum where Jesus comes to the home of Mary and Martha.
Too often we only expect to really meet with God at church but note here, this is in a home. It was ordinary, everyday life. Mary and Martha were at home and Jesus decides to visit. So what can we learn from Mary’s reaction?
Mary would have been involved in the ordinary activities of home life with her sister but when Jesus arrives she stops what she’s doing. To her nothing else was more important than her encounter with Jesus. Hospitality in Middle Eastern culture was so important to demonstrate care and welcome but even that went by the wayside when Jesus arrived. Martha found much to do, maybe getting the dinner, but Mary focused totally on Him. The question for us is ‘how much do we value an encounter with God? How much do we really want it?’ During this past week we have had one song which actually said ‘I am desperate for You’. Is that true?
Then we see she was not distracted by her sister. No doubt Martha, who was probably busy preparing food, would have made considerable noise to remind Mary that there was much to be done. She was obviously peeved that her sister had left her to do all the work. But nothing was going to distract Mary from what to her was the most important thing in the world – listening to Jesus. It was a question of priorities. Should she help her sister which was a good thing to do, or should she listen to Jesus? A difficult decision but she got it right. Listening to Jesus was top priority. There are many things around us that can distract us from getting close to God – things that are important, things that need to be done – how disciplined are we in our time with Him?
Then we see that she was totally silent. There is no record of Mary saying anything – she just sat and listened. Mary’s example is clear. If we really want to encounter God then we have to stop doing, focus on Jesus as a top priority and start listening rather than talking. And that’s not easy!
So how do we hear God’s voice?
There are many ways we can encounter God - reading the Bible is an obvious one as it is God’s word and He can use the story or even just the words to speak to us. Then there’s prayer itself which should be two way but listening is so often forgotten. Look at the world around – God’s wonderful creation – and allow it to speak to us of Him. Nearly all the songs we listen to on WhatsApp have amazing pictures to illustrate the words. One recently showed stars falling illustrating God’s abundant blessings falling from heaven to us.
God often comes to us in the ordinary, everyday activities of life. Much of my inspiration comes lying in the bath or before I get up in the morning. As I drive around and see all the rainbows in people’s windows they speak of hope and God’s wonderful promises. Friends too can be the voice of God in challenge, comfort, rebuke, encouragement – whatever God sees we need at the time.
Music and songs too are so powerful. Too often we just have them on in the background and fail to really grasp the meaning or allow the words to truly sink in and affect us deeply. Sit and listen and allow the music or words of the song to speak to you. Take time to work through them one phrase at a time.
Some of us may have bookshelves full of books gathering dust. I speak very personally here! Too many books that really haven’t seen the light of day. These too can be used to challenge us and draw us closer to God. Many, as you will read in the introduction, written from heartfelt passion and much personal experience, and prayer that the reader would be blessed. In my clear out I have come across books that have reminded me of things God has said in the past and this whole concept of encounters with Jesus came from a book I had read before but forgotten called ‘If you want to walk on water you have got to get out of the boat’.
So how do we encounter God? Let Him speak through every aspect of our lives – look out for Him anywhere.
Song - Beautiful Lord, wonderful Saviour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnacyH7wvk8
Song - The Father's embrace (You are my anchor) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4N1dcrBxFQ
That song talks about how we can trust God. He is our anchor, our refuge, a light to guide us, someone we can put our trust in, confident in his goodness. But it also talks about waiting and sometimes that can be hard.
God can help us persevere and we can help each other:
Video - Perseverance - https://youtu.be/9kTnrFLqZuc
God is on our side. He will help us even in the tough times and even when there's little to be cheerful about, there's always room for joy with Jesus. Happiness despite our circumstances because we know that Jesus is always with us - even helping when it's so hard we can barely take another step.
Song - I'm gonna jump up and down (Be happy) - https://youtu.be/WodvQf0Jo9s
Talk - We are considering just how we can more effectively encounter God and last week we looked at an encounter that Peter had with Jesus. It was very dramatic and miraculous and though that may be the case on occasions for us, our encounters are more likely to be of the more ordinary, everyday encounters. So this week we go to a story that illustrates the other end of the spectrum where Jesus comes to the home of Mary and Martha.
Too often we only expect to really meet with God at church but note here, this is in a home. It was ordinary, everyday life. Mary and Martha were at home and Jesus decides to visit. So what can we learn from Mary’s reaction?
Mary would have been involved in the ordinary activities of home life with her sister but when Jesus arrives she stops what she’s doing. To her nothing else was more important than her encounter with Jesus. Hospitality in Middle Eastern culture was so important to demonstrate care and welcome but even that went by the wayside when Jesus arrived. Martha found much to do, maybe getting the dinner, but Mary focused totally on Him. The question for us is ‘how much do we value an encounter with God? How much do we really want it?’ During this past week we have had one song which actually said ‘I am desperate for You’. Is that true?
Then we see she was not distracted by her sister. No doubt Martha, who was probably busy preparing food, would have made considerable noise to remind Mary that there was much to be done. She was obviously peeved that her sister had left her to do all the work. But nothing was going to distract Mary from what to her was the most important thing in the world – listening to Jesus. It was a question of priorities. Should she help her sister which was a good thing to do, or should she listen to Jesus? A difficult decision but she got it right. Listening to Jesus was top priority. There are many things around us that can distract us from getting close to God – things that are important, things that need to be done – how disciplined are we in our time with Him?
Then we see that she was totally silent. There is no record of Mary saying anything – she just sat and listened. Mary’s example is clear. If we really want to encounter God then we have to stop doing, focus on Jesus as a top priority and start listening rather than talking. And that’s not easy!
So how do we hear God’s voice?
There are many ways we can encounter God - reading the Bible is an obvious one as it is God’s word and He can use the story or even just the words to speak to us. Then there’s prayer itself which should be two way but listening is so often forgotten. Look at the world around – God’s wonderful creation – and allow it to speak to us of Him. Nearly all the songs we listen to on WhatsApp have amazing pictures to illustrate the words. One recently showed stars falling illustrating God’s abundant blessings falling from heaven to us.
God often comes to us in the ordinary, everyday activities of life. Much of my inspiration comes lying in the bath or before I get up in the morning. As I drive around and see all the rainbows in people’s windows they speak of hope and God’s wonderful promises. Friends too can be the voice of God in challenge, comfort, rebuke, encouragement – whatever God sees we need at the time.
Music and songs too are so powerful. Too often we just have them on in the background and fail to really grasp the meaning or allow the words to truly sink in and affect us deeply. Sit and listen and allow the music or words of the song to speak to you. Take time to work through them one phrase at a time.
Some of us may have bookshelves full of books gathering dust. I speak very personally here! Too many books that really haven’t seen the light of day. These too can be used to challenge us and draw us closer to God. Many, as you will read in the introduction, written from heartfelt passion and much personal experience, and prayer that the reader would be blessed. In my clear out I have come across books that have reminded me of things God has said in the past and this whole concept of encounters with Jesus came from a book I had read before but forgotten called ‘If you want to walk on water you have got to get out of the boat’.
So how do we encounter God? Let Him speak through every aspect of our lives – look out for Him anywhere.
Song - Beautiful Lord, wonderful Saviour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnacyH7wvk8
Sunday Services
Our Sunday service runs from 10:45am to 12 noon and there is an opportunity for a time of fellowship both before and after the service, with tea, coffee and cake/biscuits. The service is designed to have broad appeal, with a relaxed, informal style, a mix of older & more modern worship and mainstream teaching - explaining what the Bible means and how it can be applied to your daily life.
Children are very welcome. The last Sunday of each month is an all age service, when the children stay in church. On other Sundays they leave the service part way through for Sunday school - parents are welcome to help out on a regular or occasional basis with this, or stay in church. Occasionally, in addition, we also have some Messy Church services.
Most people dress smart/casual, but formal is ok too. We celebrate communion on the second Sunday of each month . Our building is wheelchair accessible, there is a hearing induction loop and also baby-changing facilities.
Please use the Contact Us page if you would like to know any more.
Our Sunday service runs from 10:45am to 12 noon and there is an opportunity for a time of fellowship both before and after the service, with tea, coffee and cake/biscuits. The service is designed to have broad appeal, with a relaxed, informal style, a mix of older & more modern worship and mainstream teaching - explaining what the Bible means and how it can be applied to your daily life.
Children are very welcome. The last Sunday of each month is an all age service, when the children stay in church. On other Sundays they leave the service part way through for Sunday school - parents are welcome to help out on a regular or occasional basis with this, or stay in church. Occasionally, in addition, we also have some Messy Church services.
Most people dress smart/casual, but formal is ok too. We celebrate communion on the second Sunday of each month . Our building is wheelchair accessible, there is a hearing induction loop and also baby-changing facilities.
Please use the Contact Us page if you would like to know any more.
After the service, from 12:15pm - 12:45pm, we can receive food for Kingston foodbank (who sort food to check that it’s in date and pack it into boxes ready to be given to people in need. Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, CAB and police identify people in crisis and issue them with a foodbank voucher. This voucher can then be taken to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days emergency food. Volunteers also meet clients over a cup of tea or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve their longer-term problem). You can find which food items are most needed at the moment here.
