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.
Nehemiah ch.1 & 2
Zechariah 4
We have seen before that names in Scripture are very important and we can so easily just read them and overlook their significance. The first couple of verses of Nehemiah give us three names which speak to us.
Nehemiah means ‘The Lord comforts’. God knew that the people back in Jerusalem were in desperate need of comfort. They were struggling, as are many people today, and Nehemiah was God’s instrument. It was God’s comfort through Nehemiah. Comfort can come in all sorts of ways – words of reassurance, offers of help, a listening ear or just knowing that someone cares. Look for opportunities to be a ‘Nehemiah’ in these days.
However it was certainly no comfort for Nehemiah! He had left comfort for hardship. He had a good job in the palace. He was well looked after and comfortable. Sometimes being a comfort to others means losing our own comfort.
Nehemiah was the son of Hacaliah which probably means ‘Wait for the Lord’. This period of lockdown has certainly been a period of waiting. Waiting can be passive when we simply do nothing and just wait for the present circumstances to end. But it should be an active time when we use that time to rethink and plan for the end of present circumstances.
Nehemiah received the news of a discouraged people who were finding it so hard to keep going in a situation which seemed endless. But he didn’t immediately jump up and head for Jerusalem. Instead he took time to mourn. He was emotionally moved by the plight of these people and he wept. He fasted and prayed. He knew that by himself he couldn’t solve the problem. Even the fact of release from his job was a tricky matter and he needed a few miracles along the way. In fact it was four months from hearing the news before he left for Jerusalem. He truly waited for the Lord and in that time I have no doubt started to plan for what lay ahead.
After arrival in Jerusalem, he still waits and plans. He didn’t arrive and immediately get stuck in. He still waits by seeking to find out the reality of the situation before beginning the actual task. Waiting is not wasted time so long as it is used to find out God’s purpose.
Then there is Hanani or Hananiah, the brother of Nehemiah. After everything had been completed, Hanani was put in charge in Jerusalem. His name means ‘The Lord is gracious’. So many times in Scripture we are reminded of His grace. It is by grace we are saved (Eph.2:5); we are ‘called by grace’ (Gal.1:6); by His grace we have been given encouragement and hope (2Thess.2:16); we are strengthened by grace (Heb.13:9); and in the midst of difficulties Paul was assured that God’s grace was all that he needed (2 Cor.12:9). Grace simply means unmerited favour. In other words all the blessings that God has in store for us we don’t deserve but He still longs to give them to us anyway.
Past history of the people of Israel says the Lord should have given up on them. They constantly deserted Him and trusted idols. They looked to their own strength and in their comfort thought they could live without God. Yet still, He longs for them to return to Him and follow His ways because He knows that is the best way. So the Lord is gracious, the Lord comforts and we must wait for the Lord.
Haggai and Zechariah were the key prophets at a time of rebuilding and I therefore believe they have much to say to us. Last week we looked at Haggai, so this week it’s Zechariah. Zechariah was born in Babylonia and as a young man, returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem. As part of a priestly family, the rebuilding of the Temple would have been so special and have meant a great deal to him.
In chapter 4 we read of the fifth vision that Zechariah was given and God is reminding the people of their divine resources through the Spirit. We may have a lack of resources, humanly speaking, but to constantly dwell on that only leads to despondency. At the same time we need to constantly remind ourselves of God’s resources available to us. Paul was called to preach ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ’ (Eph.3:8) and he gets carried away as he considers the ‘depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God’ (Rom.11:33).
In this vision these riches are represented by a lampstand – that which gives light or shows us the way. Whilst here on earth Jesus described Himself as the Light of the World. Light is needed where there is darkness. The Holy Spirit, described as the Spirit of Truth, we are told will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). He is the one who brings light into our darkness – awakens us to the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
As Paul puts it ‘you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord’ (Eph. 5:8). He is the one who continues to reveal more of just who He is, His character, as well as His purpose for us both individually and as a church.
Light also shows up flaws. A vase which is cracked may not show up until it is held up to the light. When the sun shines brightly we can see all the dust and dirt in our homes. God shines His light into our lives to uncover all that needs to change and to show us a better way. We see throughout Scripture that God leads His people in the right path as they listen to Him and He has promised to guide us too. Isaiah 58:11 says ‘The Lord will guide you always’. It’s no wonder that a lamp was kept burning constantly in the Temple as a reminder of God’s desire to constantly shed light on our lives.
In Zechariah’s vision the lamp was kept going by two olive trees – a constant flow of oil. Oil is a representation of the Holy Spirit who is constantly available. It was the Holy Spirit who would empower the early disciples as they set about sharing the good news of Jesus and all that He had accomplished on the cross. Here in Zechariah we then have one of the most powerful statements in the whole Bible. A statement which was to be an encouragement, even a command, to Zerubbabel who was seeking to lead a demoralized and weak people – ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit’ says the Lord Almighty.
The first Temple was built by Solomon who had might and power but this time that was in short supply. Looking to themselves they had already failed. They started and gave up. They just didn’t have the strength to go on. God says that doesn’t matter because I have all you need. We are back to the same message from Haggai – put God first. If we learn nothing else, let this message sink in deeply. All our planning can be of no value at all unless we seek God first. I don’t know about you, but I have certainly come to the end of myself. If we are to truly rebuild then we must spend time seeking God’s purpose and His strength for the task.
Following this amazing statement, Zechariah speaks of a mighty mountain (v7), but it’s a mountain that is made level. We have a mountain to climb but it’s also a mountain that can be levelled. After the Transfiguration, Jesus and His three disciples came down from the Mount to meet with the other disciples who were struggling to help a very sick boy. Asking why they had been unsuccessful Jesus says ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you’ (Mt 17:20).
And there’s even more encouragement for us in verse 10 – ‘Who despises the day of small things?’ says Zechariah. We live in a culture, even within the church, where big is better. It is so easy for us to be discouraged, although at a recent Ministers’ meeting they were extolling the virtues of being small! The sense of family, the ability to know everyone and really care for each other. However, small can also be made to feel insignificant.
The people of Israel, were feeling that what they were seeking to do was insignificant. The temple was nothing like the last one. It all seemed so futile, not good enough, Yet God was in it and that was all that mattered.
There is really only one thing to be remembered from today … not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. Notice, this statement is endorsed not just by the Lord, but by the Lord Almighty. Nothing is beyond Him. Nothing is impossible to Him. Let’s truly rejoice in that. Lift our heads high and walk tall trusting in the Spirit to lead us on.
Not by might, not by power,
But by My Spirit says the Lord.
Sometimes fears can hide your vision.
The loss of purpose chains you down.
You think I’ve forgotten all you’re dreaming of,
But how could I forget the one I love.
These mountains shall be removed.
I’ll build my temple in you,
And what I’ve promised shall be done.
I can see your heart is tired
And your courage has worn thin.
You wonder how long you will have to hang on,
But when my love comes in, you’ll be strong again
Zechariah 4
We have seen before that names in Scripture are very important and we can so easily just read them and overlook their significance. The first couple of verses of Nehemiah give us three names which speak to us.
Nehemiah means ‘The Lord comforts’. God knew that the people back in Jerusalem were in desperate need of comfort. They were struggling, as are many people today, and Nehemiah was God’s instrument. It was God’s comfort through Nehemiah. Comfort can come in all sorts of ways – words of reassurance, offers of help, a listening ear or just knowing that someone cares. Look for opportunities to be a ‘Nehemiah’ in these days.
However it was certainly no comfort for Nehemiah! He had left comfort for hardship. He had a good job in the palace. He was well looked after and comfortable. Sometimes being a comfort to others means losing our own comfort.
Nehemiah was the son of Hacaliah which probably means ‘Wait for the Lord’. This period of lockdown has certainly been a period of waiting. Waiting can be passive when we simply do nothing and just wait for the present circumstances to end. But it should be an active time when we use that time to rethink and plan for the end of present circumstances.
Nehemiah received the news of a discouraged people who were finding it so hard to keep going in a situation which seemed endless. But he didn’t immediately jump up and head for Jerusalem. Instead he took time to mourn. He was emotionally moved by the plight of these people and he wept. He fasted and prayed. He knew that by himself he couldn’t solve the problem. Even the fact of release from his job was a tricky matter and he needed a few miracles along the way. In fact it was four months from hearing the news before he left for Jerusalem. He truly waited for the Lord and in that time I have no doubt started to plan for what lay ahead.
After arrival in Jerusalem, he still waits and plans. He didn’t arrive and immediately get stuck in. He still waits by seeking to find out the reality of the situation before beginning the actual task. Waiting is not wasted time so long as it is used to find out God’s purpose.
Then there is Hanani or Hananiah, the brother of Nehemiah. After everything had been completed, Hanani was put in charge in Jerusalem. His name means ‘The Lord is gracious’. So many times in Scripture we are reminded of His grace. It is by grace we are saved (Eph.2:5); we are ‘called by grace’ (Gal.1:6); by His grace we have been given encouragement and hope (2Thess.2:16); we are strengthened by grace (Heb.13:9); and in the midst of difficulties Paul was assured that God’s grace was all that he needed (2 Cor.12:9). Grace simply means unmerited favour. In other words all the blessings that God has in store for us we don’t deserve but He still longs to give them to us anyway.
Past history of the people of Israel says the Lord should have given up on them. They constantly deserted Him and trusted idols. They looked to their own strength and in their comfort thought they could live without God. Yet still, He longs for them to return to Him and follow His ways because He knows that is the best way. So the Lord is gracious, the Lord comforts and we must wait for the Lord.
Haggai and Zechariah were the key prophets at a time of rebuilding and I therefore believe they have much to say to us. Last week we looked at Haggai, so this week it’s Zechariah. Zechariah was born in Babylonia and as a young man, returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem. As part of a priestly family, the rebuilding of the Temple would have been so special and have meant a great deal to him.
In chapter 4 we read of the fifth vision that Zechariah was given and God is reminding the people of their divine resources through the Spirit. We may have a lack of resources, humanly speaking, but to constantly dwell on that only leads to despondency. At the same time we need to constantly remind ourselves of God’s resources available to us. Paul was called to preach ‘the unsearchable riches of Christ’ (Eph.3:8) and he gets carried away as he considers the ‘depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God’ (Rom.11:33).
In this vision these riches are represented by a lampstand – that which gives light or shows us the way. Whilst here on earth Jesus described Himself as the Light of the World. Light is needed where there is darkness. The Holy Spirit, described as the Spirit of Truth, we are told will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). He is the one who brings light into our darkness – awakens us to the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
As Paul puts it ‘you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord’ (Eph. 5:8). He is the one who continues to reveal more of just who He is, His character, as well as His purpose for us both individually and as a church.
Light also shows up flaws. A vase which is cracked may not show up until it is held up to the light. When the sun shines brightly we can see all the dust and dirt in our homes. God shines His light into our lives to uncover all that needs to change and to show us a better way. We see throughout Scripture that God leads His people in the right path as they listen to Him and He has promised to guide us too. Isaiah 58:11 says ‘The Lord will guide you always’. It’s no wonder that a lamp was kept burning constantly in the Temple as a reminder of God’s desire to constantly shed light on our lives.
In Zechariah’s vision the lamp was kept going by two olive trees – a constant flow of oil. Oil is a representation of the Holy Spirit who is constantly available. It was the Holy Spirit who would empower the early disciples as they set about sharing the good news of Jesus and all that He had accomplished on the cross. Here in Zechariah we then have one of the most powerful statements in the whole Bible. A statement which was to be an encouragement, even a command, to Zerubbabel who was seeking to lead a demoralized and weak people – ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit’ says the Lord Almighty.
The first Temple was built by Solomon who had might and power but this time that was in short supply. Looking to themselves they had already failed. They started and gave up. They just didn’t have the strength to go on. God says that doesn’t matter because I have all you need. We are back to the same message from Haggai – put God first. If we learn nothing else, let this message sink in deeply. All our planning can be of no value at all unless we seek God first. I don’t know about you, but I have certainly come to the end of myself. If we are to truly rebuild then we must spend time seeking God’s purpose and His strength for the task.
Following this amazing statement, Zechariah speaks of a mighty mountain (v7), but it’s a mountain that is made level. We have a mountain to climb but it’s also a mountain that can be levelled. After the Transfiguration, Jesus and His three disciples came down from the Mount to meet with the other disciples who were struggling to help a very sick boy. Asking why they had been unsuccessful Jesus says ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you’ (Mt 17:20).
And there’s even more encouragement for us in verse 10 – ‘Who despises the day of small things?’ says Zechariah. We live in a culture, even within the church, where big is better. It is so easy for us to be discouraged, although at a recent Ministers’ meeting they were extolling the virtues of being small! The sense of family, the ability to know everyone and really care for each other. However, small can also be made to feel insignificant.
The people of Israel, were feeling that what they were seeking to do was insignificant. The temple was nothing like the last one. It all seemed so futile, not good enough, Yet God was in it and that was all that mattered.
There is really only one thing to be remembered from today … not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. Notice, this statement is endorsed not just by the Lord, but by the Lord Almighty. Nothing is beyond Him. Nothing is impossible to Him. Let’s truly rejoice in that. Lift our heads high and walk tall trusting in the Spirit to lead us on.
Not by might, not by power,
But by My Spirit says the Lord.
Sometimes fears can hide your vision.
The loss of purpose chains you down.
You think I’ve forgotten all you’re dreaming of,
But how could I forget the one I love.
These mountains shall be removed.
I’ll build my temple in you,
And what I’ve promised shall be done.
I can see your heart is tired
And your courage has worn thin.
You wonder how long you will have to hang on,
But when my love comes in, you’ll be strong again
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.
