The Greatest Ever

Week 44

John 14: 1-14

As is my normal routine I began to write this on Saturday morning but didn’t get very far. Inspiration seemed to desert me, and I wasn’t sure how to finish the passage I was writing. Then, my boyhood footballing hero, Sir Bobby Charlton, Died.

Whether or not you’re a football fan you almost certainly know who Bobby Charlton was. He was a legend and the hero of millions of football fans around the world. In my mind's eye, I can still see him scoring goals from twenty-five or thirty yards, kicking a ball that was bigger and heavier (particularly when wet!) than today’s footballs with absolute precision whilst wearing proper football boots that were also much heavier.

His achievements in football were amazing. In a career that spanned nearly twenty years and 758 games, Sir Bobby was never sent off and received only two bookings, one of which took 32 years to be confirmed! So, it’s not surprising he was known as a real gentleman. He won 106 caps, scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup. He scored 249 goals during 17 years with Manchester United, winning the European Cup, three league titles, and the FA Cup.

As might have been expected over the last twenty-four hours since his death was announced his footballing colleagues have referred to him as the greatest of all time. “United’s greatest ambassador”. “A Champion”. One pundit said Sir Bobby had achieved “footballing immortality” and the Prince of Wales said he would be “remembered forever”.

But despite achieving footballing greatness none of those many accolades will get Sir Bobby Charlton into heaven. No one has an automatic right to a place in heaven and none of us can work our way there through even the very best works in life. Goodness is no guarantee and belief in God alone isn’t enough – even Satan believes! The only way is through the greatest ever.

John 14 records Jesus very clearly telling His disciples that He is the only way to heaven. “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me,” He said. God loves us all so much that he gave his only son to die an excruciating death on the cross so that we can all spend eternity with Him in heaven.

Sadly, we don’t all go to heaven, even if that is the popular opinion. We all have an individual choice as to where we want to spend eternity – and that’s a whole lot longer than this current life. It is in fact, forever. You may not have another tomorrow so today is decision time. What will it be? A life of abundance with Jesus or the absolute opposite – forever!

We don`t know whether Sir Bobby Charlton had already chosen Jesus but many of his friends in the footballing community said, “Rest in Peace” and I really hope that he does.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to be our saviour. Help us never to forget the sacrifice you made for us in your Son and to choose life with you forever.

Neil Bromage, 21/10/2023

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
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Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and when

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our service

The main service begins at 10.30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our worship leader. We typically have two songs followed by a children's slot. The children and youth will then normally go off to their respective groups. If you have children you will be able to spot and speak to one of the leaders - they will be wearing a bright yellow t-shirt! There will usually be a time of prayer and communion. We normally have another time of sung worship followed by a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. Sometimes there is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

When our team is available we serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 12pm, after the service. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

sunday services

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids/teens:

Creche - from approx. 6 months to 5 years (decided on a child by child basis)
Limitless Kids (4/5 - 11/12 years)
Limitless Youth (school years 7-11)

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for two worship songs and the “Kids slot” and then go to creche or Limitless Kids. Limitless Youth may go out at the same time as the children but sometimes stay in the service to take communion before going to their class. Children can be picked up by parents after the service ends (but not before 12pm).

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a couple of groups that meet every week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to Join a team.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries and regularly support various missionaries who are part of the Elim Missions work:

Toddlers & Co weekly group
Foodbag provision
Open Doors Team
Church in the Cafe
Youth Community Outreach

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at the church.

Best Wishes
The Gatehouse Church Team

About us

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you. (*Mandatory Fields)

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Telephone:

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Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.