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Dear Friends, Summer is here - and we do seem to be doing well with warmth and sunshine so far! In the summer, the pace of life seems to slow down a little bit and some of us may be packing our bags for a well-earned break. Whether you're heading to the coast, the countryside, abroad or simply enjoying some days off at home, I pray this season brings you rest, refreshment, and some much-needed time with those you love. But let me gently remind you - while we might take a break from our routines, we never take a holiday from God. Spiritual rest is not the same as spiritual neglect. In fact, times of relaxation can offer some of the best opportunities to draw closer to the Lord, without the usual demands of daily life pulling us in every direction. So here are a few simple encouragements as you enjoy this summer season: Stay connected with God. Take time for prayer and Scripture each day, even if it’s just a few quiet moments with a coffee in hand and our Bible open. Pack a good book. Holiday time is perfect for getting stuck into that Christian book you’ve been meaning to read all year. Whether it’s a devotional, biography, or something to strengthen your faith, use the time to be nourished spiritually. Find fellowship wherever you are. If you’re away on a Sunday, look up a local Church to visit. It’s a joy to worship with the wider body of Christ, and you never know who you might encourage just by being there. And speaking of Sundays... just because the Pastor is away on holiday doesn’t mean you should be too! Church doesn’t stop when I’m not in the pulpit - God’s people still gather, the Word is still preached, and your presence matters. It’s a sign of our love for one another and our shared commitment to worship the Lord together. So enjoy the break. Rest well. Make memories. But most of all, keep Jesus at the centre of it all. With every blessing for a joyful summer, Pastor Tim 
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Dear Friends, Easter is a time of great joy and celebration as we remember the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It reminds us of God's boundless love, who gave His only Son so that we might have eternal life (John 3:16). Through Christ’s victory over sin and death, we have been given the ultimate gift of hope, redemption, and new beginnings. As we gather to worship this Easter, let us reflect on the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for us. His resurrection is a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness and promise of new life. No matter what challenges or trials we may face, we can hold fast to the truth that Christ is alive. Because He lives, we, too, can face tomorrow with confidence and faith. This Easter, I encourage you to share the joy of the resurrection with those around you. Whether through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or invitations to our Easter services, let us be a shining light in our community, demonstrating the love of Christ in all that we do. May this season fill your hearts with peace, joy, and renewed faith. Let us rejoice together in the hope of our risen Lord! He is risen! He is risen indeed! Yours in Christ, Pastor Tim   Dear Friends,
As we approach our annual Week of Prayer, I want to encourage us all to reflect on the power and importance of praying together. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus reminds us, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” There is something truly special about joining as one body in prayer— lifting our voices in unity, seeking God’s guidance, and interceding for one another. Prayer is not just a routine; it is the heartbeat of our faith. It strengthens us, deepens our relationship with God, and unites us as a church. In a world filled with distractions and challenges, coming together in prayer reminds us that we are not alone - God is with us, and we have each other. I encourage you to set aside time this week to join us, at the inperson meetings and in spirit each day at 8am and 8pm as we seek God’s will for our church, our community, and our world. Let us approach this time with expectation, knowing that God hears and answers the prayers of His people. May this be a week of renewal, faith, and deeper connection with our Lord. With every blessing Pastor Tim  Dear Friends, Happy New Year! As we step into a brand-new year, we are reminded of the fresh opportunities God gives us to grow in faith, serve one another, and share His love with the world. A new year often brings resolutions and plans, but as believers, our ultimate focus should be on aligning our hearts and lives with God’s will. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:13 -14:"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." This passage encourages us to let go of past failures and distractions and press forward with purpose. God has new mercies for each of us every morning, and 2025 is no different. Whatever challenges or victories you experienced last year, know that God is walking with you into this new season. As a church, we are excited about the opportunities ahead. This year, we want to focus on deepening our relationships with God, strengthening our fellowship, and reaching out to those around us with the love of Christ. Whether through worship, discipleship, service, or outreach, there is a place for everyone to grow and contribute. I encourage you to take some time this week to pray and reflect on what God is calling you to this year. Perhaps it’s a renewed commitment to prayer and Bible reading, helping out in the regular activities of the church, or reaching out to someone in need. Let’s make 2025 a year of spiritual growth and impact, both individually and as a church family. Thank you for being part of this journey of faith. I’m grateful for each of you and look forward to seeing how God will work through our church in the months ahead. Let’s enter this new year with hope, courage, and a steadfast trust in the One who makes all things new. With my prayers for a joyful and purposeful New Year! In Christ, Pastor Tim  Dear Friends, You may have noticed that during the services I sometimes ask someone to come up to the front and do a reading. There are lots of reasons why I do that. I believe it’s good that others are able to take part in the service, it helps me and it is good for those who do the reading. But have you noticed, that when I read I always conclude by saying “So reads the word of God”? There’s no fast rule why I should, but I just want to remind folk that the words I have read are not mine but God’s Word. Yet, we would all agree that the reading of the scriptures is crucial in any act of public worship. Remember how Jesus Himself knew the importance of reading the Word of God in the place of worship - Luke 4:16. I say this because I have heard that there are an increasing number of churches that no longer include reading the Word of God as part of their worship. Instead they have the singing portion and then the preaching part. But this is unbiblical. Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:13: “Devote yourself to the public reading of scripture”. It is hard to misinterpret this clear instruction. However, I wonder how prepared we are when we listen to the scriptures being read out? Do we really believe there is power in the Word of God simply being read out? I heard a testimony of someone who was converted as he listened to the Word of God being read publicly in a church and by a minister who didn’t even believe the Gospel. He since has gone to another church, but this tells us of the power of God’s Word when it is read publicly. Apart from the obvious, the reading of God’s Word helps us to be prepared for the preached message. Yet, do not underestimate the power of God’s Word when it is publicly read. It is a pattern established with God’s people Israel, Ezra 8, carried on by Jesus in the synagogue, Luke 4, and continued by the early Church. Yours in Christ, Pastor Dear Friends, Two great words frequently used in the Christian vocabulary are "grace" and "mercy". Very often Paul would begin his letters this way, for example, 1 Tim 1 v 2, "Grace and mercy from God the Father..". These two very wonderful words carry the meaning of our salvation. Is there any difference between the two of them? Yes, there is. The word translated "grace" in the NT carries the thought of a gift. When used in connection with salvation it means an undeserved, free gift of God, without any possibility of ever earning it or of paying it back. This is clearly stated in Ephesians 2 v 8-9. "Mercy", on the other hand, is the expression of God's pity upon people steeped in the misery of sin. Far from being harsh and hard, God is the God of all mercy. It was because of His mercy that He planned man's salvation. So, at this stage of redemption, mercy preceded grace. Now there is no way of determining which act or word is the greater of the two. Rather it is a case of marvelling at these two great meanings in our salvation; of God bestowing His wonderful gift of salvation upon us, because He was moved by our helpless inability to receive salvation by our own means. As Paul puts it in Titus 3v5, we are saved according to the mercy of God, and justified by the grace of God. As Christians, let us continue to marvel at the meaning of these two words, that our God is a God of grace and a God of mercy. Yours in Christ, Pastor Tim  |
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