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NOWNow means NOW! 

Sunday 26th May 2024 (Week 70)
 
Mark 1:14-20
 
I don`t know about you but I can procrastinate with the best. I`m a writer after all. Ask any writer and they will tell you that they’ll do just about anything but write; make a cup of coffee, take a call from a friend, walk the dog, mow the lawn, etc. And yet, writing is what I`m called to and the thing I want to do most (well, ok, maybe that should be fishing!).
 
Churches can be a bit like that too. PCCs, committees, or whatever sort of leadership group you`re used to, can sometimes meet time and again before anything seems to happen. “I thought we were going to appoint a youth leader?”, “Didn’t we decide not to use that old hymn again,” “Shouldn’t we have a different brand of coffee?” And so it goes on. If you`ve ever been a part of a decision-making group you can probably hear all the lingering questions that float around the ether of committee life.
 
The poet Edward Young said that procrastination is “the thief of time”, and I can identify all too easily with that. Example: it`s taken me many years to move ahead with writing these devotionals. In doing so I`m aware that I have at times ignored or missed completely, a direct instruction from God who, when he calls us to a task expects us to respond immediately.
 
When Simon and his brother Andrew were fishing on Lake Galilee and Jesus, whom they had not previously met, said to them, “Come with me”, these first disciples responded “at once” and “immediately” to his call. A little further down the shoreline James and John responded in the same manner. Immediately.
 
Unfortunately, and too often I`ve said, “Well, okay Lord, if that`s what you want me to do please give me some clear direction”, each time showing a lack of faith instead of remembering that God's work done in God’s way will never lack God’s provision.
 
God's “yes” means yes, His “no” means no, and “go” exactly that. He doesn`t say to us “I want you to do this, what do you think?”
 
The simple fact is that many of us are frightened that the task is too big, that we are inadequate, not old or young enough, or that maybe we`ve just heard God wrong (though at the twentieth time of being told I really should know better!). But God promises to be with us always – that means in whatever we do, wherever we go He will be with us. And if He can help me overcome my fear in writing these notes He can help you overcome yours too.
 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us with the confidence we need to fulfil the tasks set before us. Set us on fire with your enthusiasm to do what God has already prepared us to do.
 

Neil Bromage, 26/05/2024
Glenys
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.

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 team. We typically have two songs followed by a children's slot. The Limitless Kids and Limitless 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.

New to church

 

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.  The Limitless Youth group 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 Limitless 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 Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader.

Serving and volunteering

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

Other ministries

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

Toddlers & Co 

Food bag provision

Open Doors Team

Church in the Café

Youth Community Outreach

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at the church. You can connect with us using the form below.

Best Wishes
The Gatehouse Leadership Team

 

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