Acts 10: 44-48

Surprised by God.

Stereotypes are nothing new. Early Church believers had fixed ideas about who was included in their community and their ideas were challenged so that the Church could grow. Can we open our minds, hearts and doors to new people? Like the apostle Peter, we may be surprised by what God has in store.

Acts 1: 1-11

Ascension Sunday

Ascension Day comes ten days before Pentecost (or the Sunday after Ascension, only seven days) though a festival in its own right, Ascension marks the beginning of a period of preparation for Pentecost and a time to emphasise the vertical dimension of our faith, not simply 'gazing up into heaven' but looking towards God for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit who brings spiritual gifts which bear fruit in the church's life.

Acts 2: 1-21

Pentecost

On the day of the Jewish festival of Pentecost, Jesus’ disciples experience being filled dramatically with God’s Holy Spirit. This power and life spills out into the whole of creation. Peter says that this is the culmination of many centuries of waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promise, made known through Old Testament prophets. The disciples are amazed at the scope of God’s love and see a glimpse of what the future might hold in God’s kingdom. We are invited to consider our part in continuing the widening of this kingdom. We take the opportunity today to dream dreams and explore our vision.

Genesis 1:1-3, John 1:1-5, 14, Matthew 3:16-17

Communion Service. Trinity Sunday

Through the Trinity, we learn that God is, in essence, relational. Even before creation, God existed in perfect loving community within the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God created humanity out of the overflow of this loving communion, and desires us to know him, which is why the Father sent the Son and the Holy Spirit to us. The Trinity helps us to grasp more of the depth and breadth of who God is, through the three aspects of the Trinity: knowing God as our loving parent; Jesus as Saviour and Lord; and the Holy Spirit who empowers, convicts, teaches and fills us daily.

Titus 2:3-5, John 13:1-17, Acts 2:42, Luke 9:23

Discipleship: Introduction

If someone shows you a piano for the first time, you shouldn't expect to be instantly able to play like a concert pianist!  As it is with music, so it is with Christian life.  Discipleship is about observing God in others and working with the Holy Spirit to effect positive change within your own life.  And after a lifetime spent with God you are overjoyed to realise how much more there is to learn. or too young?  God calls people of all ages into His service and even today, we tend to underestimate the potential impact of the people at both ends of the age continuum. But this is unbiblical! God calls us to do important things at every age!

John 8:31-32, 2 Timothy 3:16, Matt 4:4, Romans 10:17, Jeremiah 15:16

Discipleship: The importance of Scripture

If we meditate on God's word then we're richly rewarded.  This is evident in the way that we live, the way that we think and the way that we act. How do you find your way around the bible?  How should we read/interpret it?  Where's a good place to start?  What resources are available? Is there a memory verse we can learn? And how do we pronounce those odd names? Come and find out more.