SLOW DOWN!

Week 43

Col 3:12-17

We all like a challenge and there are a number of television programs where contestants race to achieve a goal or find something before time runs out. Treasure Hunt with Anneka Rice used to be a favourite of ours. We would watch as Anneka, in her helicopter, followed a set of clues searching for often cryptic directions to her next location. In her race to beat the clock, she would sometimes fail to see the clues that were obvious to her television audience.

Our lives can be similar to Anneka`s experience. Speed seems to be the driving force for many and I confess that I have taken part in the race of life in the past as I tried to drive quicker and quicker towards a goal.

Unfortunately, the harder we try to make things happen more quickly, often running around chasing our tails, the more likely we are to make mistakes (and mine are many!). The capacity of our brains is amazing, but we simply aren’t wired to cope with the amount of information we often subject ourselves to. In driving ourselves faster we make decision-making more difficult and leave little or no room to satisfy our real needs. Even as I write these words, on a Saturday morning as usual, I`m conscious that I have a list of things to do today. Some are work-related, some are church things, and some are personal but I already know that I will not complete them all.

I have also found myself wanting my spiritual growth to speed up, knowing that I`m only a fraction of what God wants me to be. I read the passage in Colossians thinking, yes, I do need more compassion and kindness; humility? oops; gentleness and patience, okay probably; then there`s tolerance and forgiveness too. When am I going to display all these things I ask. And then, to make my list even longer Paul adds “love” to it. How much time does the apostle think I`ve got!

Thankfully, God reminded me recently that our transformation to the likeness of Christ is not a quick fix but a lifetime of quiet and often gradual change. It’s not a sprint but a marathon and sometimes it’s only as we look back that we can see just how far we’ve already come. Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us that “fast runners do not always win the race”, and 1 Corinthians 9 that we should run “in such a way as to win the prize”. To do that, we need to slow down and listen to what God wants to say to us.

Colossians 3:15 is one of my favourite verses. “The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.” (Good News version). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus offers us His help to know the right things to do in our lives but if we are going full steam ahead all the time how can we expect to hear His voice?

I had been impatient for quicker change but God reminded me it’s a journey that will take a lifetime.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you know us intimately and that your timing for everything in our lives is perfect. Please help us to turn daily to you for your guidance in every aspect of our lives.

Neil Bromage, 14/10/2023

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.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

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)

*Name:

Telephone:

*Email Address:
*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.