Sermon: Warnings to avoid woe (Matthew 23)

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 23, Jesus warns about the dangers of religious hypocrisy and teaches that we can respect someone's role or title, without condoning or copying their bad practices.  In this sermon, we consider what religious hypocrisy might look like and how we are to avoid it.

Welshpool Community Church · Warnings To Avoid Woe (Matthew 23)

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 - Church (Take Me Back)

In Ephesians 2:11-22, the Apostle Paul describes how, through the reconciling work of Jesus Christ, we are able to find a solid foundation and a spiritual family in the church.

But later, in Revelation chapter 2, we find a letter written to the church in Ephesus where Christ warns them (verse 4): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."

"Church (Take me back)" is a testimony song by Cochran & Co. about a person who had drifted away from church and from the cross.  The words of the second verse of the song struck me:

Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost

Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross

It's not a trophy for the winners

It's a shelter for the sinners

And it's right where I belong

Let's pray that, with so many church worship services now being made available to watch online, there will be many coming back to Jesus Christ and the love they had at first.

Sermon: Facing the World (1 Peter 1:13-19)

In this message, we discover how the Christian hope of heaven can help us to face the world, and how we will live in the world if we are conscious of the cost of our hope.

Welshpool Community Church · Facing The World

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".

Just Another Melodic Monday - Worthy, Worthy

It's interesting that, in response to lockdown restrictions, so many churches are now recording songs of worship and putting them on YouTube.  It's an opportunity to hear Christian hymns and songs that are new to us.  "Worthy, Worthy" is a song I've not heard before which draws us to praise an infinite and awesome God who has made himself known to us.

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (1 Peter 1:10-12)

What was the Holy Spirit doing before Jesus was born? And if the Christian faith is all about Christ, why should we bother reading the Old Testament? We consider the answers to these questions and others in this sermon, based on 1 Peter 1:10-12.

Welshpool Community Church · The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

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

God's Purposes in Our Suffering (1 Peter 1:6-7)

We can trust God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and thus we are able to hold onto joy even when we suffer. In this part of his letter, Peter writes that God has a purpose in our "various trials" - he is proving the genuineness of our faith so that we will be ready for the day when Jesus Christ returns.

Welshpool Community Church · God's purposes in our suffering

Just Another Melodic Monday - Bluegrass Special!

Keith and Kristyn Getty are well known for their Christian worship songs.  During the lockdown, they've been sharing "Family Hymn Sings" on their YouTube channel, and the most recent was a bluegrass special!  Be encouraged as the whole family sings some classic hymns.

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"!

Spiritual Growth, Episode 4: Love

In this Bible study, we first recognise God's plan for Christians to grow up spiritually, even when experiencing suffering. Then, we look at 1 John 4:7-11 and 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 and consider how important Christian love is in the life of a believer: "...and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love..."

Just Another Melodic Monday: Your Will be Done

Here is the latest song from CityAlight, called "Your Will be Done", encouraging us to trust in the Lord during this pandemic.  In their own words from their YouTube channel: 

"There is a God who is still ruling on the throne, and He is our good and loving Father.  If there is anything in which you can put your trust at this uncertain time, let it be the will of your loving Father.  Church, in the chaos - in bedrooms, living rooms, hospital rooms, and virtual rooms - let us lift our voices in prayer and sing, 'Father, not my will but yours be done!' "

A Monday Message: Be Encouraged and an Encourager (Psalm 118)

This is a recording of the sermon from the first service to be live-streamed from our lounge last Sunday morning.  Even though we weren't able to meet together as a church, it was still wonderful to be able to connect with so many people over the internet!  

The message was based on Psalm 118, and explored the encouragement of community; the encouragement of testimony; and the encouragement of the gospel.

A Midweek Message: Evangelical Distinctives

In this sermon, Roger Davies explores the Gospel of Luke chapters 23 and 24, and provides a list of  Christian beliefs that are also "Evangelical Distinctives".

Just Another Melodic Monday - How can it be?

Here is a wonderful acappella song by the Doxology Vocal Ensemble called "How can it be?"  The song expresses wonder at the grace and mercy that we find when we turn to God and ask for his forgiveness: "Oh, the grace reaching out for me - how can it be?"

Just Another Melodic Monday - Who is like the Lord?

CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) provides the pathway and resources for churches to legally use Christian songs and videos for church worship.  They regularly update their Youtube channel with live performances of worship songs, and here is one example - "Who is like the Lord?" by Highlands Worship.