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Redmire PoolBucket Lists 

Sunday, November 3rd 2024 (week 86)
 
Ephesians 1:3-14
 
A few years ago, the idea of “bucket lists” became popular. It is simply the top ten things someone might want to do before they die. Most lists include travel, a new experience, often something extreme like skydiving, learning a new skill or connecting with someone not seen for a long time. Revisiting my own list from 2015, I can see that only two of ten items have been ticked off and some may now be out of reach – playing in a Pro/Am golf tournament with Jimmy Tarbuck, as my knees are well beyond golf these days! I am determined, however, to fish the legendary Redmire Pool in Ross-on-Wye (pictured).
 
It used to be that most people wanted either, to write a book or run a restaurant, which is still often true. I`ve done both, but both were not rewarding experiences. To one I am well suited, to the other I was not. Unfortunately, not all the things we might choose to do in life are good for us. The sooner we understand the things are good for us and will bless our lives rather than ruin them the more rewarding our lives will be.
 
We all have desires but don`t always recognise the impact of having everything we might want. I am all too aware that if I lived in a large country manor house, drove a Ferrari, and had the body of Adonis (rather than Mr Blobby!) I could easily become puffed up with pride and that would become my downfall. Whereas God already has something much better for me, something that will bring me infinitely more satisfaction and blessing.
 
We know that God “alone” knows the plans he has for us and that His plans are for our good rather than disaster (Jer 29:11). But God has already given to believers in Jesus Christ every blessing in the heavenly world and that with all His abundant wealth will supply all our needs (Phil 4:19).
 
Each one of us has already been gifted by God with everything we need to live a truly fulfilled and blessed life. God made us, formed us, gave us all a particular set of gifts and abilities and made us what we are for a reason and each one of us is unique. He has created everything about us, whether we are Christians (yet) or not, and given us our intellectual skills as well as our practical ones. Put simply, everything we are and have is God-given. If God doesn’t give it to us He doesn`t want us to have it because it won’t be helpful to us.
 
We only need one thing on our bucket lists to enable us to have the best life possible – Jesus. Together with His Heavenly Father, they have everything we need for this life and the life to come. Nothing else will ultimately benefit us. We need to stop wanting more of everything in life and instead desire more of Jesus.
 
Now, where’s my fishing rod………
 
Prayer: Jesus, please help us to remember that you are all we need.

 


16

Neil has been a Christian for nearly thirty years and prior to joining Gatehouse Church spent all his Christian life at Christ Church with All Saints Blackpool, where amongst other things he was a leader in their Campaigner Ministries children and youth work.

Neil is an award-winning and widely published writer. Over twenty-five years he has written for a range of mainstream media including The Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph, Daily Mail, and Financial Mail on Sunday as well as Reuters and numerous magazines. How To Books published his first non-fiction title 100 Ways to Make Your Business a Success and he has recently added The Great British Property Scam.

He has also taught Creative Writing extensively for Blackpool and the Fylde College, The WEA, and Lancaster University and launched www.seasiderswrite.com a community-based creative writing project funded by Arts Council England. Writing as C.J.Neill he is also a published novelist.

You can find out more at www.neilbromage.com or drop him an email at neil@neilbromage.com

 

Neil Bromage, 03/11/2024
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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