We will be celebrating Easter together as a church on Good Friday and Easter Sunday and would like to invite you to join us. Details of our services are below along with a copy of an Easter message that we will be delivering to all the houses in the village of Laleston.

Why not take this opportunity to come and join us to hear what the bible has to say about who Jesus is, why he came and what that means for you?

You can download a copy of our Easter leaflet as a PDF file or read below.

Friday 2nd April
10.30am Good Friday Service
Refreshments served following (hot cross buns, drinks)

Sunday 4th April
10.30am Easter family service (suitable for whole family)
6.00pm Easter evening service
Refreshments served following both services

When a plan comes together…

If you are old enough, you will remember the TV show, the A-Team. If not, you will be able to see what you were missing when the feature film remake is released some time this year!

The “team” were a bunch of former US soldiers who were available to help right wrongs in their explosive and usually highly unorthodox ways. Their leader, John “Hannibal” Smith was often seen looking on as cars exploded and bad guys scattered saying with a smile. “I love it when a plan comes together.”

There is something satisfying about making plans and seeing them work out as we hoped. Perhaps it is more your experience that things haven’t gone exactly to plan. There are so many unforeseen circumstances that can knock your well-laid plans sideways.

The Easter story, recorded for us by four eye-witnesses in the gospel accounts of the bible is full of drama and emotion. Much of that emotion is initially sorrow and grief but aggravated by disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. Jesus’ friends had so many hopes for him and what he would do. Most of them had only known him for a few short years and then all those plans seemed to have been dashed as Jesus was executed on the cross. They might have asked questions: “how could this have happened?” or “who was responsible?”

The bible gives us the fullest answer. Execution on a cross was a Roman practice and as the governing power it was their responsibility. So who killed Jesus? The Romans. But there is more to it than that.

The instigators of the whole chain of events that led to the death of Jesus were not Roman but Jewish. In all four gospel accounts, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem is followed closely by Jewish disapproval and the desire to kill him. It is not difficult to see why they wanted him out of the way as he often exposed their hypocrisy. So who killed Jesus? The Jews. They handed him over to the Romans. But there is more to it even than that.

This verse is from a sermon the apostle Peter preached soon after Jesus’ death and resurrection:

“This man [Jesus] was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.” (Acts chapter 2 verse 23)

So although the Jews wanted Jesus dead and the Romans carried out the execution, all of this was encompassed by God’s plan. The people involved were not innocent of his death. It was a wicked, sinfully motivated act, but one which served God’s ultimate purpose to send someone who would save sinful people and make them right with God. Why would God do this?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John chapter 3 verse 16).

God’s loving plan to send a Saviour for sinful mankind came together at the cross, when Jesus died. The bible tells us that Jesus, God’s Son, carried the sin of those he would save and was punished in their place, so that all who believe in him might know forgiveness, peace with God and new life.

Why not join us for one of our special services this Easter to hear more of God’s amazing plan?

The March 2010 issue of The Bulletin looks at what happened on the steps of Wakefield Cathedral on 2 October 1997. This was a day which has had a lasting effect, not only the legal protection afforded to street preachers, but on the way in which preaching events are now treated by the police. Andy Banton of The Open Air Mission, outlines how this has since been working out in practice on the streets of Great Britain.

Dr John R Ling provides an analysis of the final guidelines the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued in respect of prosecutions for assisted suicide. Dr Ling also looks ahead 10 years to 2020, and offers his best assessment of what British society will be like then in respect of life issues. Although his prognosis in some areas is of further descent into moral chaos and public policy utilitarianism, he does see one or two hopeful signs.

Following victories in the House of Lords over the Equality Bill, Rod Badams answers the doubts of those who wondered whether the campaigning churches and groups were merely “defending their own corner” in opposing the employment restrictions the Bill would have imposed on faith-based charities. The Bulletin also sets out in detail the precise changes which the Lords made to the Bill, and which the government later accepted.

For more information of what’s going on in the church, take a look at our new calendar page.

If there are any items you think should be included on the church calendar, please use the contact form or email Jim (pastor) directly.

“Voltaire died in 1778, and his passionate defence of freedom of expression is legendary. However, in Britain today, Voltaire’s once firmly-held ideal is eclipsed by the all-conquering anti-discrimination agenda. In the light of that, Rod Badams considers the importance of the recent retention of the free speech clause in current legislation.

Assisted suicide has been a prominent issue in recent months, and Dr John R Ling looks at the implications of the guidance issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions in connection with the likelihood of criminal proceedings against those who help others to die. Dr Ling also takes us on a bioethical world tour, touching on issues which have arisen in China, Korea and the USA.

Sheila Stephen challenges us to find ways of encouraging Mums to relate better to their children, and of helping to protect vulnerable adults oppressed and isolated by social pressures and stresses.

The Bulletin also reveals that local authorities all over Britain are opposed to moving voting from Thursdays to week-ends. The government is due to pronounce on this any day now.”

It was a privilege to share with our brothers in Christ from around south India.

Among those telling their story are a convicted N. Ireland terrorist, a local man, disabled in a car crash as a teenager, a record-breaking Zimbabwean cricketer, a man who lost his daughter in the Lockerbie bombing, former drug addicts and a Welsh international rugby player. They will be telling their story of how their real lives were changed by Jesus.

Admission to all the events is free!

Why not take advantage of this unique opportunity and put the dates in your diary. Full details of the programme, the guests taking part and the venues are on the Real Lives website.

Saturday 10th May
5.00pm Tea (Laleston Gardening Club)
6.30pm Thanksgiving Service (Bethel)

Sunday 11th May
10.30am Anniversary Family Service
6.00pm Evening Service
All welcome, refreshments served following

We will be running a new series of courses very soon in conjunction with Broadlands Evangelical Church. Leaflets will be distributed over the next few weeks. The course is free and open to all. If you would like to enrol on a course, please contact us.

Developed over 10 years, Christianity Explored is an informal course for people who’d like to investigate Christianity or just brush up on the basics. It explores who Jesus was, what his aims were, and what it means to follow him by going through Mark’s gospel.

You won’t be asked to pray, sing or read aloud, and you can ask any questions you like. Or, if you prefer, you can just come along and listen.

Courses are run regularly, both daytime and evening and will be held in a suitable local venue according to demand.

To watch samples of the DVD’s used in the course, visit our Christianity Explored page.