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Side by Side 

Sunday, January 26th 2025 (week 96)
 
Romans 7: 14-21
 
I was recently told the story of a man who has shared every working day with a workmate he doesn’t like for over twenty-five years. They share a works van, driving considerable distances from early morning to carry out scheduled works at various locations. They undertake the work together and then make the long journey home together in their employer's van, which is limited to 60mph.
 
There are many instances of well-known duo’s who allegedly did not like each other. Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Lennon and McCartney, and Simon and Garfunkel are all known to have disliked their “partner”.
 
These examples of living with someone we may not like remind me that I, too, have a similar daily battle that goes way beyond mere dislike. My enemy is much stronger than either Lennon or McCartney, Martin or Lewis and I am often pulled in directions I don’t want to go. Negative voices, doubt, greed and lots of other unhealthy things can fill my mind and draw me away.
 
The Apostle Paul suffered similarly and acknowledged his problem in Romans 7. “…..I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” I am sure we all recognise Paul’s dilemma.
 
Fortunately, Paul went on to show us an alternative way of life when we live by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5: 16-18, he said, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then, you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.”
 
The power of the Holy Spirit in our lives cannot be emphasised too much, but all too often, He is suppressed. I know that happened for far too long in my own life. It is only being part of a spirit-filled church family that has finally enabled me to recognise His presence and allow Him to work in my life.
 
We need the Word of God so much, but without the Holy Spirit, we will be lifeless and ineffective.
 
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your Word and sending your son to die for us and thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us.

 

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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, 26/01/2025
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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.
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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 serving 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.

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Getting connected

 

Connect 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 Connect 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 or help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can register your interest to Join a team.

Other ministries & courses

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

Toddlers & Co 

Open Doors

Church in the Café

Alpha courses

Global missions

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at the church.

Best Wishes
The Gatehouse Leadership Team

WATCH OUR CHURCH INTRODUCTION VIDEO

 

Connect with us

 Are you new at church or a first time visitor?

Connect with us by filling in the form with some details and also let us know what areas in the church you are interested in. Our team will send you further information.  If you would like prayer, fill in your details below and your request will be forwarded to our Prayer team. 

 First time guest at church
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I'm interested in

 Salvation
 Limitless Kids
 Limitless Youth
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 Joining a Connect group - Visit the Connect page
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 Serving in the church - Visit the Get involved page
 Alpha Course (Introduction to Christianity) - Visit the Alpha page
 Other
 
 
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