Monday Morning "Coffee and Carols"

We had our first Monday morning "Coffee and Carols" yesterday (the next one is 6th December), and it was a great encouragement to see both familiar and unfamiliar faces among those joining us.  

As well as chatting over hot drinks, people were invited to join in with the carol singing at 11am; and the Advent readings (from 2 Samuel 7:8-17 and Luke 1:26-38) reminded us that the birth of Jesus Christ was the fulfilment of a 1,000 year-old promise to David about a king who would rule forever:

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:30-33)

This also links the birth of Jesus with his resurrection, for a king that rules forever must be able to overcome death.  The authority of Jesus over death was something highlighted in last Sunday's service, looking at chapter 4 of John's gospel (verses 43-54), in which Jesus, simply by commanding it, miraculously heals a man's son who is close to death.  Here's a brief excerpt from the sermon:

"In chapter one of his gospel, John describes the Word who existed “in the beginning” and “was with God and was God”.  All things were created through this Word, and this Word contains the life that brings light to humanity.  

"John tells us (1:14) that this Word “became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  He's clearly telling us that Jesus Christ is this Word that was at the creation of the world and today gives to people Life and Light (with capital “L”s!)

"So, when Jesus Christ is born, he is not simply a heaven-sent messenger – he is the heaven-sent message.  In him, God’s promises become a person.  It is no surprise, then, that this life-giving and life-changing Word, having become a person, then speaks life-giving and life-changing words.  As Jesus declares that the son will live, even Death begins to feel intimidated..."

Sermon: The Glory of Unspectacular Obedience (Luke 3)

The last three years of Jesus' ministry, full of incredible teaching and miracles, were spectacular and memorable, and hence we find lots of details about those years recorded in the Bible.  

But there's hardly anything written down about the first 30 years of his life.  However, at the baptism of Jesus, we learn about the glory of unspectacular obedience, and in this sermon we consider how that can encourage us now to be holy.

Welshpool Community Church · The Glory Of Unspectacular Obedience (Luke 3)

A Christmas Message: God's Extended Household (Luke 2:22-38)

 After the challenging year we've had, many people are seeking comfort and consolation at this Christmas time.  In this sermon (recorded on Sunday 20th December), we look in Luke's gospel at a man called Simeon, who was also waiting to be comforted.  We discover why he was able to rejoice when he saw the baby Jesus and how the comfort he experienced is still available today to people from all walks of life.

Welshpool Community Church · Christmas Message: God's Extended Household

A Christmas Message: When Christmas was almost cancelled (Matthew 2:1-18)

How do we avoid feeling like Christmas has been cancelled this year?  

In this message, we look back at the time when King Herod set out to kill the infant Jesus - a time when Christmas really was almost cancelled - and we explore the story told by the gifts of the Wise Men and how, in Jesus Christ, we find a joy that we can cling to and a joy-giver who will cling to us.

Welshpool Community Church · A Christmas Message: When Christmas Was Almost Cancelled

A Christmas Message: A small gathering for a big event (Luke 2:8-20)

This year, many people have had to organise a big event where they have only been allowed a small gathering.  When the number of invitations are limited, then those who do get an invite must be particularly important in some way.  

In this Christmas message, we explore why God chooses to invite a few shepherds to one of the biggest events in history - the birth of God's Son.

Welshpool Community Church · A Christmas Message: A Small Gathering For A Big Event

Just Another Melodic Monday - Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

When we face the storms of life, it is good to know that Jesus Christ remains faithful as our Saviour and Lord; he is, as this song puts it, "the sure and steady anchor".  Whatever difficulties and weaknesses we experience, we can be assured of Christ's steadfastness.  

"Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor" is written by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell.

Sermon: Knowing Christ (1 Peter 1:20-21)

In this message, we learn about God's rescue plan for sinners and how Jesus Christ is "made manifest" today.

Welshpool Community Church · Knowing Christ

Just Another Melodic Monday - There was Jesus

Dolly Parton provides backing vocals to this song by Zach Williams, called "There was Jesus".  The song provides a testimony of the faithfulness of our Saviour in every situation.

Morning Worship Service, 31st May

Here's a link to a recording of our Morning Worship Service that was livestreamed on Sunday, 31st May.  The service includes songs, prayers and a children's talk, plus Tom Magness preaches from Isaiah 7 on the theme of "Faith vs. Fear".

How we can know and love Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:8-9)

If Jesus Christ lived 2000 years ago, how can we know him, let alone love him? We look at the answer to that question by considering Peter's words in 1 Peter 1:8-9, beginning: "Though you have not seen him, you love him."

Welshpool Community Church · How we can know and love Jesus Christ

The Promise of Praise, Honour and Glory (1 Peter 1:3-5)

In this sermon, we discover the reasons why Peter begins with an exclamation of praise for God. He writes of the clear and concrete hope we have because of God's plan, God's promises and God's power.

Welshpool Community Church · The Promise of Praise, Honour and Glory

Just Another Melodic Monday: Before the Throne of God Above

This version of "Before the Throne of God Above", performed by Joseph Bradshaw and Sandra McCracken, provides us with a soothing sound and encouraging words for the start the week.  

The song reminds us of the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ; that he is the "sinless Saviour" who "made an end of all my sin"; and he is also the "risen Lamb" and my "great High Priest... who ever lives and pleads for me".  He truly is "the King of glory and of grace"!

A Midweek Message: The Death of Christ

In this second part of our series, we consider the death of Christ as we focus on 1 John 4:10: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sin."

Jesus Christ came to die on a cross, so that the anger of God could be absorbed and the love of God could be outpoured.

A Midweek Message: The Life of Christ

This is the first in a four-part series, looking at the life, death, resurrection and ascension to Heaven of Jesus Christ.  We'll be considering why they are all so important to the Christian faith.

This first part is based on 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."  We learn that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life so that he could die carrying the sins of other people, and cover those people with his own sinless life.

Just Another Melodic Monday: Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

"Christ Our Hope in Life and Death" is a modern hymn by a group of songwriters from Getty Music.  It reminds us that, through the resurrection of Christ, we have a hope that enables us to sing in the face of death, for Christ has promised us a glorious future and a life beyond death's reach.

A Midweek Message: True Greatness (Matthew 20)

As we look at the gospel of Matthew, chapter 20, we consider how Jesus defines, describes and demonstrates true greatness.  "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant..." (v26).

A Midweek Message: Don't be strong and courageous (Joshua 1)

We're beginning a series going through the Book of Joshua, found in the Old Testament.  In this message, we recognise that Joshua is the one chosen by God to lead God's people into their promised home, and thus the book points us to a greater rescuer, Jesus Christ, who is able to lead us into an eternal inheritance.

A Midweek Message: God's Redemptive Ways (Ruth 4)

In this final message based on chapter four of the Book of Ruth, we consider what God is doing for His people through the actions of a redeemer and how that points us to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Midweek Message: Truth or Tradition?

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 15, Jesus challenges us to decide which is more important: the Word of God or the commandments of people? Truth or tradition?

He then teaches that sin begins with the heart, and so the heart must be changed if we want to be right with God. Tradition tries to change us from the outside-in, but truth changes us from the inside-out. In other words, it is truth, not tradition, that changes the heart.

A Midweek Message: Who is Jesus?

In this sermon, based on the Gospel of Matthew chapter 14, we consider the confusion that Herod experiences; the confirmation that Jesus gives; and finally the confession that the disciples make: "Truly, you are the Son of God!"