While we can’t gather together physically, we’ll keep this page updated with latest news and resources to help us to love God and love our neighbours. The most recent post is at the top of the page. Scroll down for previous posts.
Sunday evening online service
Welcome and devotional thought
Join in or listen along to the song below!
Prayer
Please join in as Rachel leads us in prayer.
Bible reading and sermon
The reading is from Revelation 3:14-22. Alan will read after a short introduction.
Final song
“When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast…” A great song for uncertain times. Please join in or listen along to the song below.
Links and Resources for Families at Home
As you gear up for being at home with the kids, I just wanted to hit you up with details of a few daily broadcasts and online resources that might help.
I’d love to hear feedback of how you got on with the materials we sent out for today, and how your families are getting on!
Love in Christ,
Dan
8.30-9am Monday to Friday
Come sing with me. With Olly Knight
https://www.facebook.com/ollyknightmusic/
11-11.30am Monday to Friday
Songs, Bible and fun for families. With Michael Tinker. https://www.facebook.com/michaeljtinker
Clayton TV
Video content including sermons, talks from Keswick and Word Alive, testimonies and more.
https://clayton.tv
Faith in kids – have loads of resources for parents
Blog with book reviews and teaching ideas
Podcast for parents and kids
Wonder of Easter family Bible times download (if you want a copy of the Wonder of Easter let me know – I’ve got a few)
Resources for Families, Children and Youth
Including articles, family devotion ideas, videos, music and podcasts
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/gracefamilieschildrenandyouth/
Your only comfort.
Where do you look for comfort?
The Heidelberg Catechism as put together in 1563 as a guide for youth work and as a summary of Christian truth to guide preachers in their work.
Like many catechisms, it takes the form of a set of questions and answers, and the first question goes straight to the issue of comfort.
‘What is your only comfort
in life and in death?’
The answer is rich and full of gospel encouragement. Here’s what it says:
That I am not my own, but belong body and soul, in life and in death to my faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.
This is rich truth for those living in troubled times and needing comfort for their souls.
A group of songwriters from Getty Music released a new song earlier this month that reflects on and rejoices in the first answer in the Heidelburg Catechism. You can watch it on YouTube below.
Christ is our comfort. He is our hope in life and death.
Upbeat Songs for Quarantined Kids (Free Playlist)
TGC have put together a great playlist of upbeat Christian songs for kids. Great for a dance party! Awesome cutlery made it on the list too! 😀 https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/upbeat-songs-quarantined-kids/
Songs of comfort for anxious souls
There are lots and lots of settings of the hymn Dave mentions, “A mighty fortress is our God” on YouTube. Here’s a slightly unusual one which reminds us that this is a truth that we are able to sing confidently even if we are not able to be together!
Good news for the groaning.
The creation we live in is a glorious ruin. Magnificent in its beauty and variety it is an eloquent testimony of the glory and power of the God who made it. But its broken down too. Ruined by sin, it’s no longer what it once was.
Sometimes we go through whole seasons during which we are insulated from the brokenness, but we all experience it sooner or later.
And right now feels like one of those times. I’m sure I’m not the only one groaning inwardly as I read the news. Right now we really feel that the world is broken, and we groan.
But there is good news for the groaning. It will not always be like this. There is lamb in Heaven looking as though he has been slain, and he is worthy.
This song by Andrew Peterson is a meditation on the good news that there is a new creation coming. I trust that it will encourage your hearts and help you feel the weighty preciousness of the good news even as you groan.