With a nod to the work of Charlie Mackesy, this week Cliff unpacks the concept of the Good Shepherd and themes of kindness, trust and vulnerability in relationships. The shepherd would be fully committed to his sheep, laying his life down for them and blocking the one gate to the sheepfold. As with us, his people, he is the one route through which they find freedom and hope and are kept safe too. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep because he understands and appreciates our true nature. Do you really know Jesus or just know of him? Are you ready to follow in obedience rather than being driven by fear?

John 10:1-18

Cliff Andrews

Sunday 22nd February

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As we celebrate the new life of one of our youngest church members, we also reflect on the advocate – the Holy Spirit – being sent to us by the Father. When the Spirit comes, he will guide us into all truth. Raising us like a parent raises a child. He only shares what He hears – words of love, forgiveness, grace, peace and joy from God the Father. The guiding, caring words of the Most High. We have all guidance and wisdom that we need and someone bigger and better than us to show us the way to go. How will we respond to our great advocate – as we raise our children, as we take God into the community, as we live out our faith in Him?

John 16:7-15

Martin Ceaser

Sunday 15th February

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This week’s sermon focuses on Jesus’ teaching just after one of the great feeding miracles. The people wanted to see him perform but they missed the point of why he was there. Who he was and why it mattered. This seemingly lowly carpenter’s son was claiming God’s approval and pointed the people towards Moses and being fed in the wilderness. The people only focused on short term satisfaction of the physical rather than the deeper spiritual satisfaction that can only be fed by Jesus. What needs do we have and are we looking to Him to satisfy?

John 6:25-54

Martin Ceaser

Sunday 8th February

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This week Nick unpacks the story of Jesus healing someone on the sabbath, helping us reflect on both who Jesus is and how he goes about his work. His claims and deeds seem to contradict the commandments, which really stirs up the local religious authorities. But his words are backed up by his actions – in this case a miraculous healing of the sick. Jesus, the Son, does the work of God, he brings life to others and he warns us to be ready for the judgement to come. Are you prepared to believe his shocking claims and what will your response be?

John 5:1-30

Nick Treby

Sunday 1st February

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With a little help from Boney M, Martin explores the story of Jesus and Nicodemus and what it means to be spiritually transformed. If we want to see God’s Kingdom and be part of His family, we need a second spiritual birth. Being born again brings freedom, belonging, meaning and hope. It’s an internal change that leads to external transformation too – with new understanding, standards, values, attitudes and loyalties. Not to mention the very authority of the one who has seen heaven because he came from there in the first place. So, have you been born again?!

John 3:1-15

Martin Ceaser

Sunday 25th January

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The story of Philip and Nathanael is our subject for this week as the disciples come to follow Jesus and go on to tell others the great news too. Nathanael is seen by Jesus, even before they had even met. It prompts Nathanael to realise just who is Jesus is and what he came to do. It is a radical, life-changing conversion. Jesus is showing us that God’s presence is no longer just a place but a person. But knowing about Jesus is not enough – we need to meet him, to experience his love and presence, to “come and see”… Are you ready for even greater things?

John 1:43-51

Martin Ceaser

Sunday 18th January

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This week Martin unpacks John 8:32 – our verse for the year. In these days of subjective truth, Jesus calls us to not just know truth but the truth. Objective truth is not connected to our own narrative, agenda, feelings and desires and objective truth leads to suffering and hurt for others. The one who was the truth – Jesus - lived the truth, spoke the truth and modelled the truth. We need to know the truth or we could actually find ourselves in opposition to Jesus. Do we know we need freedom? Have you cried out for help and found that help from Him? Are you growing in the truth of Jesus? It’s time to discover the truth and the freedom it brings.

John 8:31-38

Martin Ceaser

Sunday 11th January

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As we begin a new year and start our week of prayer, we’re celebrating new life with our latest baptism service. New Year is a time for resolutions – although these pledges often only address the symptoms rather than the root cause. To truly change we need to make the change in our heart. Only God can do this – and this only takes place when we experience Christ’s love and sacrifice for us. His love takes control of our hearts too, bringing a new spirit and a new reason to live and to hope.

Baptism Sunday

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Martin Ceaser

Sunday 4th January

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