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

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?

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.

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

Friday 21st March
10.30am Good Friday Service

Sunday 23rd March
10.30am Easter Morning Family Service
Service suitable for the whole family
6.00pm Easter Evening Service

Refreshments served following both services

For more information contact Jim:
Tel: 01656 659825

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Forgiveness

“In Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:9)

Substitution

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Love

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

This Easter, as you see the symbol of the cross, think of Jesus Christ, the Son of God suffering not in weakness, but in power, being punished in your place to bring forgiveness from your sin. All this he did simply because he loves you. And what does he ask of us in response?

“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

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.

Big Brother, X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing … TV seems to be full of programmes for wannabe celebrities, yet out of the thousands who long to see their name in lights, there’s only one star at the end of them.

But when the stardom fades and everyone’s moved on to the Next Big Thing, what then?

Jesus, the Son of God, started life in an innkeeper’s stable with a feeding trough for a bed. There were no paparazzi or headlines to announce his arrival. On the surface of things, this was just the ordinary birth of an ordinary boy to poor Jewish parents.

But that’s not to say there weren’t pointers as to who this child was. The shepherds were visited by one of God’s messengers, an angel who told them that the boy would be a Saviour. The choir of angels that followed, sang of God’s glory and favour to sinful mankind through this child.

Then there were the mysterious visitors from far-off Eastern lands, the Magi or wise men. Their gifts were unusual gifts for a newborn! But they hinted at who this child really was.

Why is all this important? Because without the star of Christmas, there really isn’t anything else to celebrate.

The bible describes Jesus’ coming in this very simple way: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Tim. 1:15).

Why not join us for one of our special services to find out more about the real star of Christmas?

Tue 18th December
7.30pm Carols@theRec
(Bridgend Recreation Centre, Free Admission)
www.carolsatrec.co.uk for more information

Sun 23rd December
10.30am Christmas Family Service
(Children taking part)
6.00pm – Traditional Carol Service
(Refreshments following both services)

Tue 25th December
10.00am Christmas Morning Family Service

For further information, contact Jim:
phone: 01656 659825
email: jim