Our speaker this week was Connie Croly, who always brings an interesting and thought-provoking message!

Today was no exception when Connie posed the question, “Are you still alive?” Are we moving on with the Lord as individuals and are the churches we attend moving on too?

We have been set apart to follow Jesus wherever He leads.  How much is Jesus seen in us by others? We need to let the beauty of Jesus shine forth. Is God perhaps saying things to us in these days?  Our reputations are not enough!  Is the Holy Spirit evident in our lives and are we people seeking to further God’s Kingdom? We need to trust Him and to abandon ourselves to God remembering that whom God calls, He equips. He will strengthen us and give us all we need to accomplish His will. He is working His purposes out. We may have plans, but are we ready to change these plans? Our God is a God of surprises. Is this God’s moment for you?!

We have a choice and have been given free will to follow Him and do things His way. This is always the best course of action. We are privileged people so let’s be reckless in His service.  Let’s give God what is right, not what is left! God does not always call the qualified but He does qualify the called! So let’s follow our God – all is possible and nothing is too difficult for Him.

We sang one of Connie’s favourite hymns to close our service written by John E Bode (1816-74):

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou for ever near me’
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my Guide.

We have received details from our friend, David Wise from Shoreham Baptist Church regarding an event he is running on Saturday, 1^st February next year.

It is an event which will encourage and equip you to share your faith more effectively.

Interested? Click on the poster below for further details.

Martine Johnson, a member of our congregation, is in the process of making some cards to sell in our shop.

We thought you might like to see a couple of her paintings: The first one is called Faceless Angel and the second one, Spiritual Warfare.

Our friend Daniel Gitau has rung the UK to ask for prayer.

There are many pressures and unsettling things happening in the political sphere that are making Daniel’s position difficult and causing upset in the country. (e.g. Anti-government demonstrations calling for President William Ruto’s resignation and the dissolution of parliament, among other demands.  Also, Daniel tells us that doctors are on strike because they are not being paid).

Please do continue to uplift our friends in Kenya to our Heavenly Father on a regular basis. We know that prayer changes things.

After removing Saul, He made David their king. God testified concerning him: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

Acts 13 v 22 (NIV)

Remember: David wasn’t perfect, he made a lot of mistakes in his life but always repented of his sin. We are not perfect either and will make mistakes but God keeps on loving us.  Let’s keep short accounts with God and seek to please Him in all that we do.

The verse of the week is inspired by the teaching the previous Sunday.  If you would like to listen to a recording of the message then head to

https://downsbaptistchurch.org/resources/sermons/

Chris Roche will be leading our service this morning when there will be an opportunity to bring gifts to be distributed locally to those in need via the Woodingdean Food Hub.

The Food Hub says, “Tinned foods are the most useful, especially meat and any kinds of vegetables.  One significant appeal of these is they generally need very little cooking, so saving on energy costs.  Any in date food, not needing a fridge or freezer, is always welcome.  Also, any toiletries or household cleaners.  We are also beginning to collect special treats for Christmas.  So really, anything at all makes a difference and is very welcome.”

The service will be around an hour and is suitable for everyone, from the very youngest to the oldest.

Please do join us as we give thanks to God for His abundant provision and goodness to us and as we have the opportunity to support those struggling in these difficult times.

It was such a joy to witness the baptisms of three of our dear friends, Bob Leaver, Ruth Sherman and Sylvia Crompton.

Our Moderator, Bryan Pickard gave a brief explanation of what was about to happen before conducting the baptisms and then brought a timely word from 1 John 1 v 5 – 2 v 11. To listen to this message, head to: Sermons

All three participants told their story of how they came to faith and the recordings are below.

Sylvia:

Ruth:

Bob:

Lord, we thank you for the precious gift of baptism and that Sylvia, Ruth and Bob have been able to publicly declare their love for you.  Lord, we ask that you would bless them abundantly. We pray that you would work deeply within their hearts and souls to renew and refresh them each day. Guide their footsteps and give them a hope and a vision for the future. Father, cover and protect them now, encircle them with your promises and fill their hearts with joy. May this day be one they cherish and remember forever! Amen.

Margaret leads our online prayers for September.

Thursday Fellowship commenced its autumn session on 5th September with a visit by Phil Cook!

Please do consider joining us at 2pm in the Parish Room of the Holy Cross Church unless stated – we can assure you of a warm welcome! 

5th September – Phil Cook

12th September – Sue Cunningham

19th September – Beverley McArdle (BHCM Care Homes)

26th September – Graham Dawson

3rd October – Connie Croly

10th October – Claire Withams (Hospital & Ambulance Chaplaincy)

17th October – Members’ meeting

24th October – Jane Leaver

31st October – Malcolm Haines

7th November – Books Alive

14th November – Sue Cunningham

21st November – TBA

28th November – Roger Case, Rosemary & Tom Batts (Seaford Baptist Church)

5th December – Ann Dracott

12th December – Carols, Candles & Cake

For further information head to the following link:- Thursday Fellowship

If anyone is interested in exploring the possibility of being baptised, either in the sea or alternatively in a local heated swimming pool/baptismal pool, please do speak to one of the Church leaders.

They would also like to hear from anyone who might be interested in participating in a Christianity Explored course. Please be assured that there will not be any pressure or commitment made by making an enquiry.

You can also fill in our contact form by clicking on the link below should you wish to know more:

Contact Us

To know God and to make Him known

A WORSHIPPING CHURCH OF PEOPLE WHO PRAY AND FOLLOW THE TEACHING OF THE BIBLE.

Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14 v 6

A WITNESSING CHURCH OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE OUR FAITH IN WORDS AND ACTIONS.

Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” Luke 10 v 27

We welcomed back Graham Dawson to our meeting who brought a very pertinent and thought-provoking message from Exodus 33 v 7-11 focusing on verse 11a, “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”

Moses, the man of prayer, would go out to the Tent of Meeting to commune with God.  There was such intimacy – real honesty and heart to heart communication.  Do we yearn for that intimacy with God? Prayer should be at the centre of everything we do!

Jesus said in John 15 v 14, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” Is Jesus your best friend? Friends and particularly best friends, share their life experiences with each other.  There is that closeness, that desire to spend time with each other. How much time do we spend in His presence?

We were reminded of the verse in James 4 v 8, ‘Come or draw near to God and He will come or draw near to you.’ Jesus is always waiting and inviting us to come close or for some, closer.  Do you need to spend more time with Him? Prayer is God’s idea, He initiated it and it is a ‘ritual’ for us to enjoy. Graham said that “Prayer is being unbusy with Jesus!”

Graham challenged us by asking if we really wanted to know Him! We need to practice the presence of God in everyday life even the mundane just like Brother Lawrence the 17th Century French monk.  Open yourself up to more of His presence but beware because the more you get to know God, the more you will want Him!

It was a very blessed afternoon.  The readings, songs, thoughts and Graham’s message dovetailed together so beautifully – The Holy Spirit was definitely at work!  We had an opportunity to be still and to reflect before singing Noel Richard’s song, To be in Your presence, to sit at Your feet, where Your love surrounds me, and makes me complete. This is my desire, O Lord. To rest in Your presence, not rushing away; to cherish each moment, here I would stay.  This is my desire O lord. May that be our heart-felt prayer this week.

We welcomed Beverley McArdle who is the leader of the Care Homes team at Brighton & Hove City Mission.

Beverley has been leading a series over the past 6 months on Psalm 23, focusing on a verse a month. Beverley felt led to share some of the thoughts that had impacted her during that time.

We commenced by reading the Psalm all together in the old King James Version which is the one that is most memorable to older people who have been brought up with reading scripture. It was a truly beautiful moment – there is power in speaking out God’s Word especially all together! It seemed to personalise the truths written by David the psalmist and brought hope, confidence, peace and refreshment to the soul. Have you tried reading from the Bible out aloud? Why not start with Psalm 23 and allow God to speak to you?

Verse 1. Do you know God as your Shepherd?

Verse 2. Do you know that He desires to lead you into green pastures and provide you with rest and all that you need? Trust Him!

Verse 3. His work is perfect and He longs to restore us. In Him we are new creations!

Verse 4. He will protect us, strengthen us and uphold us and will not leave us nor forsake us whatever life throws at us!

Verse 5. He lavishly spreads a table before us.  Sin and death are defeated and we can look forward to a new life with Him in eternity.

Verse 6. We are offered a perfect dwelling place with Jesus.  In God’s house there are many rooms and He has gone to prepare a place for us – a better place – an eternal home – guaranteed!

May this beautiful Psalm touch you as you read it and may you know His comfort, His presence and His peace today and in the days ahead.

Blessings!