Perfect Timing

Week 48

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

I don’t like being late and will often set off for an appointment much too early. The result is that I often waste time hanging around for the appointed moment to arrive. My quirkiness has, however, been beneficial in that as a writer and journalist I never miss a deadline. Deadlines energise me and drive me on. But I must confess that I will almost always wait until the last possible time to begin the task!

One of the many things I’ve written about over the years is what manufacturers call JIT. It stands for “Just in Time” and is now a feature in most supply chains. It simply means that components and goods are not bought until needed. They turn up at the assembly line just at the right time. But it is not perfect. When the system works well it is seamless and nothing is wasted on unnecessary lingering stock. When JIT doesn`t work the production line grinds to a halt and the business doesn’t make money because their timing was out.

Time is something we are all given freely but we don’t always value it as we should. We can view it as both good and bad and sometimes wish we had more or less of it. The writer Henry James (amongst others) said about a letter he wrote, “If I’d had more time, I would have made it shorter”. It is also a reminder that nothing made by man is perfect.

God’s timing is perfect. He told Prophet Habakkuk “…..it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.” (Hab 2:3).

I have seen God’s perfect timing so often in my life. A long time ago we were within days of being homeless when two people entered our life. This couple, who didn`t really know us, offered to provide a financial guarantee on a rented house for us. A while later, when we were about to move from a different rented home the landlord unfairly charged us three hundred pounds to replace a carpet. I wrote an article for a Sunday newspaper about the event, and they paid me three hundred pounds. When our old and dilapidated car was written off by our elderly neighbour reversing into it, I was asked to write a motoring column for a small unknown magazine. The result was that every Monday morning for the next two years, a motor manufacturer delivered me a brand-new car to test drive for a whole week. And then, at a time when a business had failed and we had absolutely no money a cheque arrived in the post from an anonymous donor with a note from the sender saying, “God has blessed them and now they would like to bless you…..though really it is an expression of God’s love and care for you”. All these things could not have happened at a more perfect time.

Psalm 1 speaks about our lives as followers of Jesus and reminds us that if we are walking in step with Him we will also “… bear fruit at the right time,” God’s perfect time.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that we know you have our lives in your hand and a perfectly timed plan for each one of us. Please help us to wait upon and trust you for all our needs.

Neil Bromage, 19/11/2023

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.
Click here to see more.

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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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*Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

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