Sunday 15th December 2024 - North Site

Speaker - Alice Le Blond

Alice unpacks the story of the Angelic Host appearing to the shepherds on the Judean hills near Bethlehem, and their response to the invitation to Come and See What the Lord has Done, encouraging us to respond with the same enthusiasm to the Lord's invitation to us.

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Luke 2 v 1 to 20

1) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2)  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3)  And everyone went to their own town to register.

4)  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5)  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6)  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7)  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8)  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9)  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10)  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11)  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12)  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13)  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14)  “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”

15)  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16)  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17)  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18)  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19)  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20)  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Recorded at North Site - 15Dec2024

Sunday 8th December 2024 - Carol Service at Central

Speaker - Alice Meads

Alice talks about the special invitation to us all at this Christmas season. It is an echo of the invitation extended to the shepherds on the hills around Bethlehem, and to the Magi far away in the East - Come and see what God has done!

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Luke 2 v 10-12

10) ...“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Matthew 2 v 9-11

9) ...and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10)  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11)  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Recorded at Central Site - 08Dec2024

Sunday 1st December 2024 - West and North Sites

Speaker - James Rankine

James continues our Christmas series with a look at four of the many Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled in Jesus.

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Micah 5 v 2

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

    though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me

    one who will be ruler over Israel,

whose origins are from of old,

    from ancient times.

--

Isaiah 7 v 14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

--

Zechariah 9 v 9

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

    Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

    righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

--

Isaiah 9 v 6-7

6) For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7)  Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

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Recorded at West Site - 01Dec2024

Sunday 24th November 2024 - West and North Sites

Sunday 1st December 2024 - Central site AM & PM

Speaker - Gemma Jones

Gemma introduces our Christmas series - "Come and See!" with a look at Mary's Song in Luke chapter 1.

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Luke 1 v 26 - 56

26)  In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27)  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28)  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”

29)  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30)  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. 31)  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32)  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33)  and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34)  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35)  The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36)  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37)  For no word from God will ever fail.”

38)  “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

39)  At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40)  where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41)  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42)  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43)  But why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44)  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45)  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

46)  And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

47)      and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

48)  for he has been mindful

     of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

49)      for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

     holy is His name.

50)  His mercy extends to those who fear him,

     from generation to generation.

51)  He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

   He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

52)  He has brought down rulers from their thrones

     but has lifted up the humble.

53)  He has filled the hungry with good things

     but has sent the rich away empty.

54)  He has helped His servant Israel,

     remembering to be merciful

55)  to Abraham and his descendants forever,

     just as he promised our ancestors.”

56)   Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

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Recorded at North Site - 24Nov2024

Sunday 17th November 2024 - All-In at Glenwood

Speaker - James Rankine

James relates some stories of real Kingdom encounters from across Cardiff over recent months, and encourages us to recognise that God is on the move, in our city, and in our nation.

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Ephesians 5 v 14-16

14)  This is why it is said:

‘Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.’

15)  Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 16)  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 

Recorded at Glenwood Church - 17Nov2024

Sunday 10th November 2024 - West and North Sites

Speaker - Alice Meads

Alice continues our study of the life of Jacob with a look at his reconciliation with his twin, Esau.

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Genesis 33 v 1-18

1) Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men; so he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two female servants. 2)  He put the female servants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph in the rear. 3)  He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.

4)  But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. 5)  Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. ‘Who are these with you?’ he asked.

Jacob answered, ‘They are the children God has graciously given your servant.’

6)  Then the female servants and their children approached and bowed down. 7)  Next, Leah and her children came and bowed down. Last of all came Joseph and Rachel, and they too bowed down.

8)  Esau asked, ‘What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?’

‘To find favour in your eyes, my lord,’ he said.

9)  But Esau said, ‘I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.’

10)  ‘No, please!’ said Jacob. ‘If I have found favour in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favourably. 11)  Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.’ And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.

12)  Then Esau said, ‘Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.’

13)  But Jacob said to him, ‘My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die. 14)  So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.’

15)  Esau said, ‘Then let me leave some of my men with you.’

‘But why do that?’ Jacob asked. ‘Just let me find favour in the eyes of my lord.’

16)  So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir. 17)  Jacob, however, went to Sukkoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Sukkoth.

18)  After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in Canaan and camped within sight of the city.

Recorded at West site - 10Nov2024

Sunday, 27th October 2024 - West Site

Speaker: Mark Crosby

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Acts 1 v 8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Recorded at West Site - 27Oct2024

Sunday 3rd November 2024 - West and North Sites

Sunday 10th November 2024 - Central AM & PM

Genesis 32 v 22-32

22)  That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23)  After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24)  So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25)  When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26)  Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’

But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’

27)  The man asked him, ‘What is your name?’

‘Jacob,’ he answered.

28)  Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.’

29)  Jacob said, ‘Please tell me your name.’

But he replied, ‘Why do you ask my name?’ Then he blessed him there.

30)  So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’

31)  The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32)  Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.

Sunday 27th October 2024 - North Site

Acts 2 v 42-47

Sunday 21st October 2024 - West and North Sites

Sunday 3rd November 2024 - Central AM & PM

Speaker - Matthew Meads

16)  When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’ 17)  He was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.’

18)  Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19)  He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.

20)  Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21)  so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22)  and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.’