In the fifth part of our spring term series, "Kingdom Community: Living the way of Jesus together", Sue Glover spoke about a culture of grace, humility, and mutual accountability.

Passage: Matthew 7:1–6

Aim: To remove judgment as a barrier to authentic community.

Key emphases:

- “Do not judge” is not permissiveness — it is relational humility.

- Jesus teaches self-examination before correction (“log first…”).

- True community helps one another grow without shame. 

Applications:

- Teach short, simple language of accountability: “Help me see what I may not be seeing.” “Can I offer you something gently?”

- Practice confession and encouragement in missional communities.

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

In the fourth part of our spring term series, "Kingdom Community: Living the way of Jesus together", Sue Glover spoke about trusting God together in a world of anxiety.

Passage: Matthew 6:19–34

Aim: To help the community resist anxiety, consumerism, and comparison.

Key emphases:

- Anxiety is not just personal — it’s communal and contagious.

- Jesus offers a new community economy: simplicity, generosity, trust.

- “Seek first the Kingdom together.” 

Applications:

- Community practice: “Simplicity Week” (shared challenge: reduce, give away, practice contentment).

- Prayer exercise: share anxieties in triads, pray Matt 6:33 over each other.

- Encourage financial transparency and mutual support opportunities.

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

In the third part of our spring term series, "Kingdom Community: Living the way of Jesus together", Abi Lycett spoke about practicing faith together.

Passage: Matthew 6:1–18

Aim: To cultivate transparency and shared spiritual rhythms.

Key emphases:

- Jesus warns against “performing righteousness” for others.

- True community is built on honesty, humility, shared devotion.

- The Lord’s Prayer is a plural prayer (“our Father… give us… forgive us…”). 

Applications:

- Church-wide shared rhythm: Praying the Lord’s Prayer daily for 30 days.

- Encourage small groups to share honestly about spiritual practices.

- Introduce a corporate fasting rhythm (1 meal / month).

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

In the second of our spring term series, "Kingdom Community: Living the way of Jesus together", Andy Glover spoke about conflict, forgiveness and enemy-love within our community.

Passage: Matthew 5:21–26; 38–48

Aim: To embrace reconciliation as a central community practice.

Key emphases:

- Jesus moves from behaviour → heart → relationships.

- Anger, contempt, and unforgiveness corrode Kingdom community.

- Enemy-love starts inside the household of faith.

Applications:

- Introduce a church-wide practice of “quick reconciliation” (Matt 5:24).

- Teach simple reconciliation steps (listen → confess → forgive → restore).

- Community challenge: 1 intentional act of reconciliation this week.

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

In the first service of the New Year, our minister Andy Glover introduced the series for the spring term - "Kingdom Community: Living the way of Jesus together", with focusing on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.

Passage: Matthew 5:1–16 (Beatitudes + Salt & Light)

Theme: Identity as a shared community of contrast

Aim: To see ourselves not just as individual disciples but a people formed by Jesus’ values.

Key emphases:

· Beatitudes define community character, not just personal virtues
· “Blessed are the…” describes a community of mercy, meekness, purity, peace, courage.
· Salt & Light: Jesus assumes a communal witness (“you all are…”).

Applications:

· Small groups reflect: Which Beatitude is hardest to embody together?
· Create “community practices” for the term (mutual encouragement, shared hospitality, prayer partnerships etc.). 

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

This week at our Carol Service, Sue Glover spoke on the last part of our series on “The Names of God: Knowing Him, Becoming Like Him”, focusing on "Immanuel: God With Us", referring to Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23.

Theme: God Himself comes to dwell among us.

Old Testament Context: Immanuel as the sign of God’s presence and promise to His people in Isaiah’s time.

Fulfilment in Jesus: Jesus is Immanuel, God incarnate, bringing salvation, hope, and light into the world.

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

This week, Abi Lycett, spoke as part of our series on “The Names of God: Knowing Him, Becoming Like Him”, focusing on "Elohim: Creator God", referring to Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 19:1.

Theme: God as powerful Creator of all life.

Link to Jesus: “Through Him all things were made” (John 1:1-3).

Application: Seeing creation with wonder, care, and worship. Creator God made in His image so we are creative to reveal God’s creativity.

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

This week, Rachel Sims, with the help of some young people, spoke as part of our series on “The Names of God: Knowing Him, Becoming Like Him”, focusing on "Jehovah Shalom: The LORD is Peace", referring to Judges 6:22-24.

Theme: God’s peace amidst fear and chaos.

Link to Jesus: Jesus is our peace, reconciling us to God (Ephesians 2:14-17).

Application: Receiving His peace and bringing peace into our relationships. 

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

This week, Lucy Metcalfe spoke as part of our series on “The Names of God: Knowing Him, Becoming Like Him”, focusing on "Yahweh Rohi: The LORD is my Shepherd", referring to Psalm 23.

Theme: God’s care, guidance, and protection.

Link to Jesus: “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11-14).

Application: Following His voice and shepherding others with His heart. 

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk

This week, Sue Glover spoke as part of our series on “The Names of God: Knowing Him, Becoming Like Him”, focusing on "Yahweh Sabaoth: The LORD of Hosts", referring to Psalm 46:7,11 (“The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”)

Theme: God is our refuge, strength, and the mighty commander over all chaos and conflict.

Link to Jesus: Jesus is our ever-present help who calms storms and overcomes all powers (Mark 4:35-41; Colossians 2:15).

Application: Living with unshakeable trust that God is with you and fights for you in every trouble.

HBC is a church based in Chester with a vision to bring healing, wholeness and freedom to broken lives and communities as we expect great things from God and attempt great things with God.

As part of that, we pursue God’s presence as we help people to love, trust and follow the way of Jesus.

We gather at 10.30am on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month.

Find out more on our website - hbc.org.uk