Ruth courageously takes the initiative, and behind the scenes, God is also at work to provide. God wants us to welcome the outsider and care for the vulnerable.

Mark Gibson - 22/10/23.

The continuation of our series on the book of Ruth looking at "Beauty for Ashes" with guest speaker Ellie Hart, sharing a sermon titled The Return.

Ellie Hart - 15/10/23.

Key verses: Ruth: 1:1-5; Judges 19-21.

Setting the scene for the book of Ruth, introducing some major themes, e.g. hard times in the nation and our personal life call for a response. God has plans for redemption which we can trust.

Mark Gibson - 8/10/23.

Key verses: 1 Chronicles 15:16-16:6

Central to the account of the return of the Ark is David's facilitation of intimate encounter with God through prayer and worship. Themes explored:

• The place of praise/worship in our discipleship.
• The significance of corporate worship.
• Intimacy, and cultivating a 'vital relationship' with God.

Erica Richmond 24/09/2023

Pastor Paul Rogers shared a short prophetic message with the church.

Sunday 1st October 2023.

Making Church a Home and not just a House. Is the Home ready for the Prodigals to come back and what do we need to do to ensure it is?

David’s realisation that we must all walk in obedience to God’s ‘prescribed ways’ (1 Chr.15:13)

What could this mean for us as individuals and at a corporate level?

The Ark as a symbol of God’s presence and favour among his people. Why knowing these is vital to our existence as individual disciples and communities of faith. ❖ Why operating in our own strength and presumption is not how we facilitate the favour of God (CF the unsettling example of Uzzah)

From the series "A Word to the Wise" from Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:1-11; 2:24-25; 3:9-13; 5:18-20; 6:9; 8:15

Vapour/smoke has a temporary and fleeting nature which could encourage contrasting postures towards play and pleasure. 1. What’s the point in enjoying anything because it will eventually disappear? 2. I’m going to pursue as much pleasure as possible, while I have the opportunity. Is there a healthy balance to be found of not clinging on too tightly to things that bring us pleasure and making them idols (ref. Isaiah 44) but coupling this with a genuine enjoyment of the simple things in life and acknowledging them as gifts from God? If we give ourselves completely over to pleasure, satisfaction will be temporary and Monday morning always comes around. The teacher tried to find pleasure in lots of different areas, some of them not bad in and of themselves, but this only filled his life and didn’t bring fulfilment to it. This said, life is hard work, throws up all kinds of challenges and the teacher acknowledges that God has placed this burden on us so it’s important we enjoy ourselves in amongst our toil and hardships. A posture of total trust in God helps us to enjoy life as we actually experience it as opposed to pursuing how we think it ought to be.

Ryan Baxter 27/8/2023

From the series "A word to the Wise" from Ecclesiastes.

Key Verses: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 2:12-16; 7:1-25; 8:1; 8:16-17; 9:13-10:4; 12:9-14

'Hebel' is an enigma/paradox and in life, particular actions don't always lead to the outcomes we expect. This brings into question what the point of wisdom and knowledge is when it can often be the case that there is little or no reward to demonstrating these qualities. This is a direct contrast to the Book of Proverbs where the general rule of thumb is that certain wise actions should result in positive and logical outcomes. However, even amongst the teacher’s scepticism, there is an underlying acceptance that cultivating and protecting wisdom in our lives is good for us but that ultimately, human wisdom has its limitations. The author in the closing poem fully endorses the teacher’s wisdom but concludes that we shouldn’t spend all our time trying to solve life’s existential puzzles and instead, fear the Lord and keep his commandments.

Paul Rogers 20/8/2023