At The Right Time

Sunday 28th April 2024 (Week 67)

Galatians 4: 4-5

We all probably have favourite films that either excite or frighten us or are more sentimental and maybe even bring a tear to our eyes (yes, even a big lump like me!). One of my favourites is Apollo 13. It`s the story of the failed mission to the moon that followed the historic landing on its surface. But that`s not the only reason I like the film - there`s a scene in it that reminds me of how much faith mothers have in their children to do certain things and I know that my mum had that faith in me.

However, my all-time favourite film is Field of Dreams. The number of times I’ve watched it is adequately demonstrated by my wife commenting, “Not again!” She has a point. I must have watched this film at least a hundred times. One of the reasons is that there is a message in it for all of us that it’s good to be reminded of.

After Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) has ploughed under his crop of corn to build a “useless” baseball field because he believes his childhood hero (who is very dead by this time!) will come back to play on it, nothing happens. Seasons pass by, one after the other, but no one shows up to play.

The loss of the cornfield is costing Ray and his wife money they can’t afford, and they are discussing their finances over dinner. Keeping the baseball field “makes it difficult to keep the farm”. His wife tells him this just as their young daughter interrupts to tell her daddy, “There’s a man in your field”. Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) has turned up to play ball, just in time. The ongoing story sees Ray Kinsella keep both the baseball field and the family farm.

Timing is important in all our lives, whether it’s simply about arriving at work on time, getting to the church on time when getting married, or not missing the flight taking us on holiday to somewhere exotic. But it can also be vital in bigger things too.

The Apostle Paul played a vital role in advancing the message of the Gospel and God`s love for His people. Writing to the church in Galatia he reminds us that “… when the right time finally came, God sent his own son……….so that we might become God`s sons and daughters”. God could have sent Jesus much earlier, during the building accomplishments of the Egyptians, or the significant contribution of the Greeks, but instead He sent Jesus during the reign of the Roman Empire. Roman Roads meant that travel was much easier and if you could speak Greek, as Paul could, you would be understood almost everywhere. As a result, Paul was able to spread the Good News of Jesus to a wider audience.

God`s timing is always perfect. It was perfect for Jesus and Paul and it’s just as perfect in each of our lives today.

Father, thank you that we know we can trust your timing for everything in our lives.

Neil Bromage, 28/04/2024

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.