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Back in the saddleGet back in the Saddle 

Sunday, October 27th 2024 (week 85)
 
Romans 7: 14-25
 
The day after I passed my Driving Test when I was just eighteen years old, I had quite a big motor accident. I was driving the works’ Transit van and had just taken a load of old “u\s” televisions to the local tip before loading the van with nice brand-new colour TVs. I was no more than two hundred yards away from the warehouse when I hit a large truck coming in the opposite direction because I was on the wrong side of the road!
 
Thankfully, seat belts were not mandatory back in 1974 because if I had been wearing one it’s highly likely I would not have survived the crash. Instead, I was thrown to the passenger side of the cab as the impact completely crushed the driver’s side. The hospital patched me up and eventually sent me home, but it was a while before I was driving again, and I recall my father taking me out in his car to help restore my confidence.
 
Returning to normality can be difficult after a sudden change, adversity or mishap and getting back in the saddle can feel tough. The phrase originates from cowboys and other horseback riders needing to mount up again following a fall.
 
In our everyday lives, we can sometimes fall, in that we fall short of what we know is God’s best for us because we are all sinners. We let ourselves and Him down. Whether it’s the result of tiredness, stress, illness or our own wilfulness we are all capable of doing things that are not what God wants us to do. At those times, the disappointment we feel in ourselves, the grief at letting God down, or our own shame can all cause us to wallow in self-pity and even doubt our faith in Jesus and the forgiveness he has already imparted to us.
 
In today’s passage, Paul speaks encouragingly about his own struggles and the spiritual battle which goes on within us all. Whether we like it or not it’s a battle which will continue until we are perfected in Heaven for eternity with Jesus. When we fail, we need to repent. As Christians however, we can take heart from what Jesus has already said. In John 3:18 when speaking to Nicodemus Jesus reminds us that there is “no condemnation” for those who believe in him. He has already forgiven us and knowing that he loves us so much should spur us on to serve him even more faithfully.
 
However, God has yet more for us. In Romans 8:28 Paul also reminds us, “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.” God used my own failing of him, yes, my sin to bring about these words and I am unable to express the depth of my eternal gratitude here except to say, Thank you, Lord.
 
 
Prayer: Lord, thank you for choosing us, granting us your everlasting forgiveness and giving us a purpose in you.

 

Neil Bromage, 27/10/2024
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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