Bethel Church Blackheath (West Midlands)

Today Ruth shares Part 2 of her message titled 'Lessons from a picture'. She reminds and encourages us to remember how God wants us to : Pray BIG, Worry small, Trust God, Love one another, Laugh more, Stress less, Have faith, and Rejoice and be Grateful, in all seasons of life.

Today Ruth starts part 1 of a two week series titled 'Lessons from a picture'. She shares some spiritual lessons we can all learn from the contents of a picture her dad was bought for Christmas last year, and how God has used this in her own life

Carol talks about being crazy and how we do crazy things.
Within the BIBLE, there are lots of crazy things, such as the serpent talking, a donkey talking. God uses crazy stories to show his might, such as Noah building the ark.
It was crazy who Jesus chose, fishermen, tax collectors. There are crazy stories in the New Testament, such as Zacchaeus.

God is crazy for you.

Today we remember the story of doubting Thomas but is that all there is to know about him? Join us as we learn more about this disciple who took the gospel to India where he was martyred for his faith.

Matthew 28:6 ‘He is not here, for He has been raised just as He said’. Just as He said. Jo reminds us why these are four of the most reassuring and comforting words in the Easter Story and in God’s word.

When thinking of God’s greatness, we often point to creation. In his Good Friday podcast, Howard considers this and Gods greatness in sending Jesus on a rescue mission for sinners.

This weeks podcast has three mini messages from Linda Prince, Joe Stonelake, and Laura Plant, looking at Revelation Corinthians.

On this Mother's Day, Tony talks about the unseen women in the bible, who go unnoticed and the are forgotten.

A short bible study into the gospel accounts of the argument between the disciples about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

How many of us feel we are on the victory side with all that is going on in the world at the moment, when we have a loving God who answers prayer.
At times, we don't know how to find God when we need him most. Has God left us despite his promise that he will never leave us?

Jesus’ temptation in the desert showed us he was victorious over sin and temptation. When we face temptation of our appetites, ego, or ambitions he shows us how to resist, and that he is with us!

This week, Sue shares her testimony and how faith, hope, and love are part of our lives and how through these, we will grow and have peace through God. This message reminds us of what God has done for us.

In the final installment of the Growing with God series, Jo explores the importance of developing an eternal perspective on our worldly circumstances. Jo also reminds us of our calling to have an eternal impact on those around us.

In Part 2, Jo builds on from Part 1 by exploring the importance of growing in both the knowledge of God and also his amazing grace. Jo talks us through key differences between the old and new covenant and prompts to remember the price that Jesus paid.

In Part 1, Jo encourages us to get serious about growing in knowledge and understanding of who God is and who we are in him in 2024.

This morning, we have 3 members of the church congregation sharing their thoughts. They are Pam Clift, Tom Button, and Vanessa Whitfield.

This morning, we have three short messages looking at different characters involved with the nativity.
The first message is from Callum Whitfield looking at Joseph. Paul Evans gives the second message, looking at the shepherds, and the final message is by Amy Pearson, who is looking at the wise men.

Colin starts off by reminding us that our names are written on Jesus's hands and Jesus will not forget us. The proof of this is Christmas. Colin asks us to questions.
1) Where is he?
2) Who is he?

Have we found Jesus?

This week at our Carol Service, Carol says the nativity according to chocolate by David Keen.

As we enter the time of Advent, Gwen reminds us that we are living in a world full of sequels and how Christmas time is part of God's series of events. Everything happens in God's time.

Tony talks about how, in the right hands, we can achieve fantastic things. He tells us about Jesus's hands and how he has creative hands, compassionate hands, and how Jesus wants us safe in his hands.

Mark tells us that in these days where there are many turbulent events going on, we need to' Keep calm, stay humble and watch God'. Mark reminds us that no matter what is happening, God is still in control.

On this remembrance Sunday, Colin asks us Does God forget? And Does God have tattoo's, as he reminds us that we need to remember God, just as he has instructed us to do.

Tom talks about how God provided for the Israelite people as they wonder through the desert after they leave Egypt, by providing them Manna, on this Manna House Sunday. God wanted the lsraelite people to depend on him.

Simon refers to a book by John Blanchard, where he looks at the cross and what the cross means.
For some 2,000 years Christianity has had a symbol that is universally recognized – a simple cross. Yet the cross represents not the character, life or teaching of the founder of Christianity, but the gruesome way in which he was put to death while still in his early thirties.

On this Bethel Church Blackheath's Church anniversary Andy asks us the question are we just doing church stuff or are we following Jesus.
Are we effective and productive for God as we look at 2 Peter 1 v3 - 8, where God has given us everything we need for a Godly life.

Looking at Isaiah 55, we see how God, through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, invites us all to come to the Water of Life and drink of the free gift of salvation.

Our guest speaker, Wayne, asks the question, "What are we worth?" As we look as Psalm 23. He reminds us that Jesus was willing to pay the ultimate price and die for us. Jesus said he is the Good Shepherd, is the Lord Your Shepherd?

Today, Callum explores different types of rest, physical, social, and spiritual rest, and explains how God gives us this rest.

We all go through times in life when we are tempted to ask God ...Why? When something unexpected happens in our lives, or in our world, it's natural for us to ask God why it happened. Ruth challenges us today to think about whether God wants us to start asking Him a different question.

This weeks podcast is from various people of the Bethel congregation sharing about blessings or answers to prayer in recent weeks.

During this weeks podcast, we are reminded that Jesus is King of Kings.

During the coronation each new monarch of the UK swears allegiance to Almighty God, and asks God to help them as they seek to serve God, church and country. They also are required to serve they country.
As King Charles arrived for the coronation service he was reminded that he came as a child of God, in the name of the King if Kings. King Charles reiterated that he came to serve his kingdom, following Jesus's example.

This weeks podcast we are blessed by three different members of the Bethel Blackheath congregation sharing.

Linda starts by sharing about how Grace is shown in people's life, through wisdom.

Paul shares about gifts, a free gift from God, eternal life. He explains that some people do all good things, but they haven't accepted Jesus as their saviour and to become a Christian. Paul refers to a song in his message, which is called, "I wish we'd all been ready "

Pam shares for our final thought for today about how we are scared when we go and witness about Jesus.

Sue tells us the story of a five year old who is born into royalty and privilege. This prince will have a very blessed future. Things all of a sudden change when his father and grandfather are killed in battle and the child is crippled due to no fault of his own.
In one day, this boys life changed forever. We can go through life changing events, but we must not be afraid. We are not worthless.
David had made a covernet promise to his friend Jonathan that they would take care of each others family.
We have been searched for by the King. We have been saved because of someone else.
We don't have to earn God's love.
Because of God's promise, we are restored to God's table. There is a placemat with your name on it.
If we restore something is made to be better. Our Restoration will be restored if we accept Jesus

Howard talks about why we need to be a witness for Jesus and gives three examples from the New Testament of the different ways we can be a witness, through words and actions. Howard also ask’s us if we are a witness for Jesus in or lives.

Simon wants to remind us how important first impressions are when it comes to the fundamentals of Jesus's teachings. How the gospel plays a big part in those first impressions.

Following on from Tony Shaw' s God is Still in control podcast from last week, we here the other side of the story from Becki's perspective.

Through a difficult week, Tony reminds us that God is Still in control.

Mark asks , "How changeable are we?" Everything around us changes, but are we willing to change. Mark talks about Elijah and how everything around him changed, but he didn't turn against God.
We need to remember what's important. Remember wherever we find ourselves in life. God is with you. He never leaves us. We are saved by grace by God's amazing grace, by the goodness of God.

Jo reminds us that we are all specially and specifically gifted by God to fulfil his work here on earth, serving him in our churches and local communities. However, we must be eager, ready and available to live out this calling.

Feet. They get our body to the place where service is needed by learning that we need to sit at His feet
Worship at His feet
Serve at His feet and with Joy
Follow in His footsteps.

On this father's day, Tony asks us the simple question Do we know the Father?
We are reminded of the love in God, the Fathers heart, how God the Father wants to spend time with us.

As Mark refers to the scripture where God calls Samuel, we are asked if we are listening to God, are we in tune to God listening out for when he calls us.
God is interested in us, and that is why he was willing to send Jesus to die for us.
Is Jesus beside us no matter what we are going through.

On Pentecost Sunday, Jo reminds us of the need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and the importance of being found in Christ if we are to share gods love to those around us