Bethel Baptist Church

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 latest issue (Mar 2010) of The Bulletin, published by the Affinity Social Issues Team is now available over on the Affinity website. Here’s the blurb on what’s in this issue:

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.

The notices for March and April are now available. Download a PDF file of the notice sheet.

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