‘WHO WE ARE’ - exploring together the characteristics that make us God’s church. In John 14.1-11 we will see how this longing can drive all we do as a church, and can anchor us from whatever may come against us.

In the upper room of John 13 we will see the full extent of the love in God’s heart - a love that bends the knee to serve his friends, but also a love that pursues those who want to be rid of him. We will see the heart of a betrayer (and it will look uncomfortably familiar) and we will see the heart of the betrayed (and it is like nothing in the world).

This Sunday we continue our series WHO WE ARE, exploring who we are as a church. This Sunday we will see the mindset that Jesus has established his church on. In John 13, we will see up close our God and King, whose coat of arms we bear as his church - a lowly servant, bent before us, utterly committed to our good. We’ll see him serving us; not in spite of who he is, but because of who he is. And we will consider what it will look like to follow after him, with this same mindset.

Listening to God’s word describe WHO we are as a church family.

1 Peter 1.18 - 2.3 & James 1.19-25

I challenge you to find a more heart-stirring passage than the one we’ll read together this Sunday - Ephesians 3.14-21 - It’s a prayer that brings us to our knees and directs our hearts to powerful love of our heavenly Father.

In the Prayer for a New Year we’re looking at this week - Ephesians 1:15-23 - Paul’s #1 prayer point is that we - i.e. Christian people - would know God more deeply. That’s what we’re going to be thinking about on Sunday!

we are challenged by a small prayer of Paul in Philippians 1:1-11. We see the motivation of love for the Philippians behind the prayer and we see the content of what he prays.

We make all kinds of resolutions at this time of year... but often they're driven by our desire to please the various people in our lives. Instead, let's let Paul's prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1 shape our approach to 2023. This sermon was originally in two parts at one of our all-age services.

As we begin a new year, we reflect on the wonderful truth that whether this year feels 'new' or not, our God is a God of fresh starts. He teaches us to pray 'forgive us our sins,' and he answers that prayer.

Our world really likes the idea of Christmas... and what it represents - things like joy and peace and togetherness. However, these are all abstract concepts that are never fully realised. The true story of the first Christmas is not about a concept, but about a person - Jesus Christ - who is grace, kindness and love.