In our recent series in Genesis 4-11  - The descent of man - we saw the continued rejection of God and His Word. Every inclination of people's hearts is only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5). And yet at the very same time we saw the commitment of God to his world, and His grace at every turn - even in His judgements.

In our new series in Genesis 12-25 we're going to see God's promises to Abraham that are for the whole world. God's covenant, His bond of love, his sure promise to Abraham to bless him, and give him all good things is fulfilled in Christ Jesus and offered to us today. Surprising as it may seem, these ancient chapters could not be more relevant to us and are just what the world needs to hear.

The series title comes from hymn, Great is Thy faithfulness:

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

16th June Genesis 11:27-12:9
23rd June Genesis 12:10-14:24
30th June Genesis 15
7th July Genesis 16

We''ll be taking a break from Genesis and listening to 2 Thessalonians for 4 weeks

11th August Genesis 17:1-18:15
18th August Genesis 18;16-19:38
25th August Genesis 20-21
1st September Genesis 22
8th September Genesis 23:1-25:18

The talks will, as usual, be put online on the Sunday afternoon.

Church by the Bay have put together an audio recording of Mark’s gospel.

Mark’s gospel answers two important questions:

Chapters 1-8             Who is Jesus?

Chapters 9-16           Why did Jesus come?

But Mark is not just writing history: all the way through Mark is answering a third question:

What does it mean for us?

Think about these questions as you listen...

Listen to Mark's gospel

Please be aware this is an amateur production. We use the World English Bible (WEB)   - whereas normally at Church by the Bay we use the New International Version. We chose the WEB because it is copyright free and can be legally copied and distributed.

This recording is available on CD. If you live in Morecambe we’ll make and deliver you a copy for free. If you live further afield, we ask that you give us cost price (which including postage and packaging is £1.20 per copy). Get in touch!

Over summer at Church by the Bay we're going to carry on hearing God speak to us from the book of Genesis. These ancient chapters help us to understand our world today and the mess we're in, and why we desperately need God's promises.

5th May    Genesis 4 Murder and Vengeance
12th May Genesis 5:1-6:8 Death and Evil
19th May Genesis 6:9-8:19 Judgement yet Hope
2nd June Genesis 8:20-9:29 Promise yet Dishonour
9th June Genesis 10:1-11:26  Sin and Self-glorification 

The talks will, as usual, be put online on the Sunday afternoon.

The Bible is clear. The trouble is, we are not clear. And that means we need to handle the Bible with care.

The Apostle Paul, one of the first Christians wrote to his co-worker Timothy:

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)

So it is very possible to handle the Bible wrongly! And as Christians, we want to learn more and more how to handle the Bible rightly. And as we know God's Word better, so we know God Himself better.

For two Wednesdays, we're going to meet at Galloway's (see map below) to think more about how to read and handle the Bible with care! All welcome!

Wednesday 24th April 8pm
Wednesday 1st May 8pm

These meetings are repeated for the Mums' Group at the Strakers':

Friday 26th April 10.30am
Friday 3rd May 10.30am

April is Moorlands month at Church by the Bay!
Joe Standerwick, Danny Rurlander, Alex Yare and Chris Haley are coming over from our sending church Moorlands to preach God’s Word to us from Luke’s gospel. They’ll be teaching us how we can eat with Jesus.

We look forward to welcoming them to the right side of the river, as they continue to partner and support us.

Their talks can be found afterwards on our Resources page.

Son of God and Son of Man,

You were incarnate, did suffer, rise, and ascend for our sake;

Your departure was not a token of separation

but a promise of return;

Your Word, promises, sacraments, show your death

until you come again.

That day holds no fear for us,

for your death has redeemed us,

your Spirit fills us,

your love animates us,

your Word governs us.

We have trusted you and you have not betrayed our trust;

We have waited for you, and not waited in vain.

You will come to raise our bodies from the dust,

and re-unite it to our souls,

by a wonderful work of infinite power and love,

greater than that which bounds the oceans’ waters,

ebbs and flows the tides,

keeps the stars in their courses,

and gives life to all creatures.

We sinners shall put on righteousness,

these mortals, immortality,

these natural bodies, spiritual bodies,

these dishonoured bodies, glorious bodies,

these weak bodies, bodies of power.

We triumph now in your promises as we shall do

in their performance,

for the head cannot live if the members are dead;

Beyond the grave is resurrection, judgment,

acquittal, dominion.

Every event and circumstance of our lives will be dealt with -

the sins of our youth, our secret sins,

the sins of abusing you, of disobeying your Word,

the sins of neglecting ministers’ admonitions,

the sins of violating our consciences -

all will be judged;

And after judgment, peace and rest, life and service,

employment and enjoyment, for your elect.

Father, keep us in this faith,

and ever looking for Christ’s return.

Church by the Bay men play footy on Tuesday evenings 8pm at the Globe (not Morecambe's actual stadium - yet - the pitches round the back). Plenty of parking. Cost between £2-3.50. 
All welcome. Standard variable. Friendly atmosphere. Bad tackles accidental. Pub afterwards.
Contact us for more info.

Why is Jesus' resurrection important? What happens after death for Christians? Where do we go?
This Easter we will be looking at 1 Corinthians 15 and seeing why Jesus' resurrection from the dead is such good news and what that means for our future.
We'll see that what awaits Christians is life after life after death!

Sunday 10 March  1 Corinthians 15:1-11    The Resurrection of Christ
Sunday 17 March  1 Corinthians 15:12-34  The Resurrection of the dead
Sunday 24 March  1 Corinthians 15:35-49  The Resurrection of the body
Sunday 31 March  1 Corinthians 15:50-58  The Resurrection victory

The talks will, as usual, be put online on the Sunday afternoon.

The Bible is one book, with one story, and one hero. And that hero ain't you. 
From Creation to New Creation we've sketched out the history of the whole world and seen how from beginning to end it is about Jesus Christ.

Part 1 can be listened to here, and it will help you follow by having a handout.

Part 2 can be listened to here, a handout will be helpful.

Part 3 is here with it's handout.

"And the things you have heard me say...entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:2-3

How are we going to reach the thousands of people around us here in Morecambe with the good news of Jesus Christ? 
The cavalry isn’t coming: it's down to us. Men who lead their families well. Men who are reaching other men. Men who are fulfilling their potential in Christ. Men enduring hardship together. Men soldiering together for God's Kingdom.

This term the men of Church by the Bay meet on two Friday evenings for food and challenging teaching.

Friday 17th May      7.30pm  Men and Men
Friday 21st June     7.30pm  Men at Work

Contact Gerry for more details.

In our Spring Sunday morning talk series, we're going back to the Spring of the world, the dawn of time when God created the heavens and the earth by His Word.
We're going to see the foundations of life, what went wrong, and how Jesus Christ will fulfill all of God's plans.

The talks will, as usual be put online on the Sunday afternoon.

Christians are on the margins of our society today. Sometimes mocked. Largely ignored. We're outsiders. We're not at home here. On Sunday mornings  (January 6th and 13th) we're going to be looking at 1 Peter 2 to see our identity in Christ as Church, which is given to us by God and what that means for living in this world.  And as we do that we'll find that people will notice us, will persecute us, will question us, and will even join us on our journey home. The talks will, as usual be put online on the Sunday afternoon.

If you can't pop in, in person, here are a couple of photos...

Our dates for Sunday lunch this term are:

Sunday 21st April
Sunday 2nd June

Sunday 30th June

Contact Bethany for more information.

Is there room for Christ in your Christmas?
The angel said "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
Why not make room to look again at the first Christmas with Church by the Bay? It could just be the good news you need to hear...

Christmas Family Services:
Sunday 16th December 10.30am
Sunday 23rd December 10.30am

Toddle through Christmas:
Saturday 15th December 3.30-5pm

Join us at Church by the Bay for a fun filled Christmas celebration for 0-5s and their parents.

Saturday 15^th December 2012, 3.30pm-5pm
Galloway’s Centre, 91 Balmoral Road, LA3 1SS

There will be sparkly games, glittering crafts, a Christmas storytime, and yummy food as we take a toddle through Christmas.
Contact Bethany to find out more.

Then join us the next morning, Sunday 16^th December, for our Christmas family service at West End Primary.

Come and make your own family-sized Christmas Pudding to take home (and steam)!

Date: Tuesday 27th November
Time: 8pm
Place: More Music,  13-17 Devonshire Road, Morecambe, LA3 1QT

It costs £5 which includes all ingredients and a pudding bowl. You'll need to bring an apron, mixing bowl, sharp knife, peeler and wooden spoon with you.
There will be a short talk about the true meaning of Christmas, along with mulled wine, nibbles, coffee and mince pies.
Please RSVP to the friend who invited you asap and by Friday 16th November at the latest.
For more information contact Bethany.

Church by the Bay met up with Moorlands Church, Lancaster, for a brilliant Church Family weekend. You can't catch up on the conversations, the personal encouragements, the singing, the fun. But you can catch up on Jim Ramsay's talks on Acts 13-14! We were excited and challenged as we saw the Word of God unleashed in ancient Turkey: God's Word is powerful and will not fail. So will we give our lives for this mission?

Our first church weekend is on 20th - 21st October 2012. It is a joint weekend with Moorlands, our sending church. On the Saturday, we join them on their side of the river. On Sunday we are back in Morecambe for our meeting and a special Church family lunch.

We look forward to welcoming Jim and Lesley Ramsey from Sydney, Australia. Jim will be teaching us from the book of Acts. Some of us heard Jim on 1 Peter last time he was in the UK, and we benefitted a great deal. As well as Bible teaching, there will be lots of opportunities to meet old friends and make new ones, and plenty of time for activities or rest if you prefer.

Contact Chris for more information. Or download the brochure.

The Church men are inviting their mates to a beer and sausage tasting evening, with a short talk on how Jesus brings the good times. Friday 26th October 8pm, at Jon Lindsay's. It promises to be a great evening and costs just £5. Contact Gerry for more info.

"Why should I bother taking the time to investigate Christianity? Either God doesn’t exist, or even if he does it doesn’t really matter." Maybe that’s your view. Or maybe you have a friend who thinks that.

Either way this book will help you, or help you help your friend!

In the Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver got rid of all the extras and took people back to the food. And this book aims to do the same with God. To get rid of all the false ideas about God, and get back to the truth about God.

The writer asks: why does the ‘God question’ matter? Why should someone take the time to think about these things? Then he answers his question by showing us the alternative: what happens if we believe that there is no God. Life has no purpose at all. If we are just a collection of atoms, then life is meaningless! He goes on to show that without God - if it’s all just chance  - then we don’t have freedom or knowledge, and there is no such thing as right and wrong!

The alternative to God is so depressing, that God has got to be worth at least investigating! And he Ayers does just that. He shows us why Christianity can’t be just one option among many good ones – that Jesus claims to be the only way to God. He then shows us the evidence for Jesus: Christians aren't engaging in make believe! And finally he shows us why Jesus is worth believing in: because we really do need Him.

This book is our Church book for Autumn. We are selling it for just £5 on our church bookstall.  You can’t even get 2 coffees for that these days. We can read it and then give it away - and then buy copies to give people for Christmas!

We're meeting at 8pm on Thursday 13th December at the Strakers' to discuss the book. Contact Gerry for more information.

Church by the Bay have outgrown their home, and so we are moving! 
We are now meeting at West End Primary school, Chatsworth Road, LA3 1BW.
You'll find a warm welcome, and everything explained. Join in as much as you feel comfortable.
Come and see us in our new place!

Get in touch for more information.

Saturday 22nd September, 10:30am at Christ Church, Broadway, LA4 5BJ.

Celebrate their public promises before God to be a picture of Christ and the church!

This Autumn we will be hearing the King's Speech as we listen to Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount. First we'll see the speech preparation in chapters 3 and 4 of Matthew's gospel, before spending time considering the sermon itself in chapters 5-7. The series begins on September 16th. If you're away for a week, why not catch up on what King Jesus says?

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock... But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. Matthew 7:24,26

Christians are on the margins of our society today. Sometimes mocked. Largely ignored. We're outsiders. We're not at home here. 1 Peter was written to Christians in a similar situation, and this Autumn, our small groups  - called Real Food (for an explanation see here) - will be looking at this book together. We're going to see that this world isn't meant to be our home. Instead, we are "on our way home". And Peter calls Christians to have our lives shaped by the future. And as we do that we'll find that people will notice us, will persecute us, will question us, and will even join us on our journey home.

Get in touch to find out more.

The early church met regularly to eat together, and we like to do the same. As well as different people sometimes meeting up during the week in various homes, every now and again as a whole church, we eat together. We do this straight after the church meeting on a Sunday morning. If you are visiting us, there's no need to bring anything, please do just come along!

Our dates for Sunday lunch this term are:

Sunday 21st October (part of our Church Family weekend)
Sunday 11th November
Sunday 9th December

Contact Bethany for more information.

Summer provides a great opportunity to take life at a different pace, and prepare for another year of serving God. Here's four things that the elders are encouraging the church family to do...

1. Rest

Take some time to rest, so that we are ready to work hard together for our second year of Church by the Bay.

2. Relate

As well as catching up informally and encouraging each other with the Word of God (as per our Six Steps to Encouragement course), we've got three summer get-togethers. These are great opportunities to meet up and enjoy one another's company and encourage each other, and to invite friends and family along.

Summer Social 1: Saturday 4th August 12:30pm Picnic at Happy Mount Park (near the swing boats) organised by the Gooches.
Summer Social 2: Wednesday 15th August 7:30pm Readings and refreshments (bring something you'd like to read) at the Ashes'.
Summer Social 3: Saturday 25th August 3pm BBQ at the Pitchers' senior.

3. Read

Our summer book is Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp. The book's subtitle explains the book's point: "People in need of change, helping people in need of

change." It follows on from the Six Steps to Encouragement course, where we saw that "God's word changes us and through us it can change others too." It is only God's Word that can bring about real heart change in people, and the author helps us to think about how we can counsel one another with God's Word, as he teaches the Bible as well as personal stories and examples. Get hold of a copy and read it with us!

4. Review

To help us read by having a date to finish it, and to help reinforce what we've read, there will be a book discussion meeting on Wednesday 29th August 8pm at the Strakers'.

If you'd like more information on any of these things, contact us: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

Our current sermon series is the book of 1 Thessalonians. The Christians in Thessalonica were a new struggling church, feeling alone and facing persecution. How do they know that they are a real Church? That they've got the real gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul the apostle writes to reassure these fledgling Christians that they are the genuine article and urges them to keep going. After our series on what the whole Bible says about Church (catch up here), we're honing in on one particular Church's situation, and we'll see just how relevant the Thessalonian Church is for Church by the Bay.

The talks are put online on Sunday afternoon. Listen to them here.

The book of Jonah is full of big things: a big storm, a big fish, a big vomit, a big city, big repentance, big anger, big heat, big wind, big plant, big worm...
But the biggest thing of all, is God's Big Rescue.

Join us over summer as we look at the book of Jonah on Sunday mornings:

Sunday 19th August  Jonah 1 God's big storm

Sunday 26th August  Jonah 2 God's big fish

Sunday 2nd September  Jonah 3 God's big city

Sunday 9th September  Jonah 4 God's big lesson

Toddle on the beach is our fun-packed sports themed summer event for 0-5s and their parents. It's on Saturday 7th July at 3pm-4.30pm. There will be games, songs, story time, medals and refreshments for children and parents, along with a taste of what Church by the Bay is all about: Jesus Christ.

We're meeting on West End beach, near the mast. If it's raining, we'll meet at Galloway's, 91 Balmoral Road, so come whatever the weather!

Contact us to let us know you're coming: info@churchbythebay.org.uk or 07597 386 370

Why do Christians bother getting out of bed on a Sunday? Why do we encourage each other to come? And what about if I feel like doing something else on a Sunday morning?

At Church by the Bay we recently spent our Bible teaching time on Sundays thinking about what the whole Bible says about the Church. Normally we will go through a book of the Bible, or a section of the book. But occasionally we take time to reflect on a big Bible theme, such as this one: the Church.

We saw that the what the Bible tells us about Church doesn’t just tell us about why we meet on Sundays. We found out that Church is why we are here on earth! As we discovered God’s purposes for Church, we discovered God’s purposes for our lives and God’s purposes for the universe.

As a new church, it was great to think about what Church really is according to God, to set us on the right path, in line with what God is doing on this earth.

If you're part of Church by the Bay, but missed any of the talks or you're thinking about being part of Church by the Bay, then do catch up here.

There is a wet weather plan so we will be going ahead, whatever the weather.

Photos from our recent Jubilee Church Family lunch

Photos from our Beach Church Family lunch

Ordinary preachers speak ordinary words - but the remarkable thing is when the content is the Bible and its application to our lives: God is speaking!

That means that we'll want to come, and we'll want to listen well. But how can we do that?

Listen Up! by Christopher Ash is the only thing out there about listening to sermons: good job it's brilliant. Succinct theology with lots of practical application is combined in just 34 pages. Less than an hour's reading for a lifetime of help listening to sermons.

This is what every pastor would like his Church family to read.

Available for £1 at Church by the Bay, or £1.50 + p&p from the Good Book Company

To follow up the Sunday talks and get us thinking even more about living as Church, we are encouraging our Church family to read this book: Everyday Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. It's thought-provoking and has lots of practical ideas to use, or to inspire other ideas. We're selling it at just £6 - or you can buy online from Amazon.

The whole Bible is God's Word and we are committed to listening to every word.
Many people find having a Bible reading plan helpful to

This plan, devised by Chris Haley of Moorlands Church, Lancaster.

It covers the whole Bible in 3 years and

Bible Reading Plan

On Sunday June 3rd, Church by the Bay join Morecambe's record breaking attempt for the longest street party in the world!

We'll be on the Prom after the church meeting from 12 noon. Our tables will be between the Midland and the Eric Morecambe statue: where the Dome used to be.

There will be entertainment, lunch and look out for some Church by the Bay souvenirs!

Come and join us! Let Hannah know: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

Why do Christians bother getting out of bed on a Sunday? Why do we encourage each other to come? And what about if I feel like doing something else on a Sunday morning?

At Church by the Bay we're starting a new series thinking about what the whole Bible says about the Church. Normally we will go through a book of the Bible, or a section of the book. But occasionally we will take time to reflect on a big Bible theme, such as this one: the Church.

We’re going to see that the what the Bible tells us about Church won’t just tell us about why we are here on Sundays, it will also tell us why we are here on earth! As we find out God’s purposes for Church, we’ll find out God’s purposes for our lives and God’s purposes for the universe.

This will be a great series as a new church thinks about what Church really is according to God. It should set Church by the Bay on the right path, in line with what God is doing on this earth.

If you're part of Church by the Bay, or thinking about being part of Church by the Bay, then do commit to coming every week for the whole 8 week series. If you are away, then take the time to catch up here. The talks are normally put online on the Sunday afternoon.

At Christianity Explored, we find out about Jesus' life and death and see why only that finally makes sense of our own life and death.

Find out more here.

Andy Bruno, James Glass and Andy Goody will coming over from our sending church in Lancaster: Moorlands. We look forward to welcoming them, as they continue to partner and support us.

Their talks can be found afterwards on our Resources page.

The first is Sunday April 22nd. We will gather at the beach after our morning meetings, round about 12 noon. We'll be eating together and playing beach games. Do bring friends and family along. (We'll be at the bit of beach near the West End Gardens).

Other dates for Sunday lunch this term are:

June 3rd: joining in Morecambe's attempt to break the world record for longest street party
June 24th: joining Moorlands our sending church.

Contact Hannah for more information: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

His talk can be found afterwards on our Resources page.

For the next few weeks, we're having guest speakers from our sending church as we look at 1 Kings 16-19

For more information on our Toddler event click here.

For more information, or to let us know your coming, contact us: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

07597 386 370

understood as fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Luke 24:44-45). We saw that we are very quick to read ourselves into the text as Solomon, whereas we should first see Solomon as a failed king pointing to the greater Solomon (Matthew 1:1; 12:42) that we need: King Jesus.

All this reminded me of 1 Samuel 17 and the story of David and Goliath. Very often people have read this story and applied to ourselves as if we were David fighting our 'Goliaths'. But that is to miss that the Bible is first about Jesus. Why not have a read of the attached document to find out why we are not David.

Why we are not David: 2 page summary

Why we are not David: 8 pages with references

Our next Church Family lunch, is on Sunday 11th March from 12:00 onwards. A chance to enjoy some good food and to get to know each other better. We'll be having a question time on Mark's gospel so far. No need to bring anything...apart from your questions!

Our two sessions preparing for 1 Kings, have now been summarised for those who missed it, or those who were there but would like a quick review. See how 1 Kings gets us ready for the One King!

A 6 page summary is here.

A 1 page list of take home points is here

Church by the Bay got ready for the midweek Real Food series in 1 Kings, last Wednesday, with the second instalment of the Royal Story - seeing how 1 Kings gets ready for the One King.

If you missed it,  you can listen to the session here: The Royal Story II

You'll need: to ask God for help; an open Bible; your brain in gear; a pen; and a handout!

The Real Food groups start Wednesday 25th January at 8pm, looking at 1 Kings 1-2: 'The Kingdom Established'. The young mum's Real Food group meets on Friday 27th January at 12 noon.

Listen to the session here: The Royal Story I

Click here for the handout.

Don't miss the next session: The Royal Story II, Wednesday 18th January at Galloway's 8pm.

Got questions about the meaning of life? Ever wondered why we are here? Or maybe you're no longer satisfied with what you've been told by others and want to find out for yourself what Christianity is really all about?

Our new Christianity Explored course is for you. It starts on Thursday 12th January. There's no singing, praying or pressure and we welcome any questions.

See here for more details.

Come and join us this Christmas at Church by the Bay to hear the first Christmas story.

18th December: Matthew 1:18-25 Jesus, Immanuel
25th December: Matthew 2:1-12   The King of the Jews, the Christ

To find out what happens on a Sunday morning click here.
We meet at 10:30am at Galloway's - we hope to see you there!

If you've got any questions on any of the above: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

On Sunday 4th December we have our Toddle Through Christmas - fun for toddlers and their parents, as they see who is at the centre of Christmas. With music, craft, snacks and storytime.

On Tuesday 6th December is our Christmas card-making evening at 8pm. Come and get crafty and hear one woman's story of why Christmas matters to her.

On Friday 9th December is our Men's Christmas pub trip 8.30pm at Fayre and Square (next to the Platform).

Starting on 11th December is our Christmas series in Matthew's gospel...

11th December: Matthew 1:1-17   Son of Abraham, Son of David
18th December: Matthew 1:18-25 Jesus, Immanuel
25th December: Matthew 2:1-12   The King of the Jews, the Christ
1st January: Matthew 2:13-23 God's Son, a Nazarene

To find out what happens on a Sunday morning click here.
We meet at 10:30am at Galloway's - we hope to see you there!

If you've got any questions on any of the above: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

Come and join us as we make Christmas cards, listen to Christmas music, eat Christmas nibbles and listen to one woman explain why Christmas is so important to her.

All materials are provided. At Peta’s house.

For more information: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

Venue TBC

A chance for Church by the Bay men to get together and chat before Christmas and invite their friends.

For more details: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

For more details: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

In Acts chapter 2, Peter, one of Jesus' best friends, preaches the first Christian sermon.  He has explained that Jesus is the Lord and the Christ, and that he died to bring forgiveness of sins, and that people need to repent – turn back to God. And 3000 people did just that. And this is what they did...

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts chapter 2 verse 42)

They devote themselves to four things:

1. First they devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching. That’s the teaching that the apostles - Jesus' friends - got from Jesus. And it included the Old Testament which Jesus showed them was all about him!

And so at Church by the Bay we devote ourselves to the Bible – where we have the Old Testament which is about Jesus and the New Testament which is the apostles’ teaching from Jesus. So we have lots of Bible when we meet. Bible readings and a Bible talk and songs that are grounded in the Bible’s teaching.

2. Second, they devote themselves to the fellowship - to each other. They love each other and they share their resources of time and money with each other.

And we aim to have a real community feel, as Jesus’ people, we try and love each other, and not just on Sunday mornings but during the week too. We are a family, and so we try and live like a loving famliy!

3. Third they devote themselves to the breaking of bread.

Probably this is sharing meals, rather than the Lord’s Supper in particular – although of course the Lord’s Supper of bread and wine would originally have formed part of a meal.

We share refreshments before and after our main meeting on Sunday , and in our homes during the week amongst the church. Next week we’re going to have a church family lunch straight after church. Do please join us. There's no need to bring anything. But please see Hannah if you would like to bring something. We also regularly share the Lord's Supper on a Sunday morning.

4. Fourthly, they devote themselves to prayer.

They were so thankful to God for sending Jesus for them, and they realized they were wholly dependent on Him for everything, that praying was really important.

And so prayer is a big part of our meetings on Sundays and also when we meet during the week, and when we catch up for coffee informally. Our next prayer meeting is Monday 21st November at 7 am.

We aim at Church by the Bay to devote ourselves to the Word of God, each other, eating together and praying...and we pray that we will carry on devoting ourselves to these things.

For more details email us: info@churchbythebay.org.uk

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

C. T. Studd

On Sunday 6th November, the whole Church family - babies and children too - will be meeting 4pm-6pm to pray for the work of Church by the Bay and to pray for the growth of the gospel (the good news about Jesus) more widely. This meeting is for everyone who considers Church by the Bay as their church - or is thinking about it.

It was on 31^st October 1517 that a man called Martin Luther pinned to the door of the church in Wittenberg his 95 theses (statements) of what needed to be changed in the church.

Martin Luther read the Bible in its original languages and he saw that the Bible said that Jesus did everything for our salvation, and we cannot do anything to earn God’s love. Churches had moved a long way from the teaching of Jesus and his apostles, and so the Bible teaching that began to happen was like a lamp shining in a very dark place. Luther's 95 theses that he wrote and pinned to the church door were seen as the beginning of this 'back to the Bible' movement.

And so the Reformation brought accurate teaching of the Bible for the first time for hundreds of years. Ordinary people again heard the true gospel (good news) about Jesus Christ. Now, that is something really worth celebrating on 31st October!

But we've also been seeing that Jesus can deal with these evil things. He can get rid of evil, and he can defeat death! He is the one we should be celebrating!

So what should Christians do when people knock on your door on Hallowe'en evening all dressed up? 
Ignore the doorbell? Open the door and explain why you won’t give them anything?

Or...you could give them some really nice sweets and the best treat of all - an invite to come and hear the good news of Jesus.

We'll be taping the invite below to the sweets we give to make sure that the flyer sticks with the best sweets in the goody bags!

Friday 4th November 8pm at Jon Lindsay's. Come along and bring your mates.

NB non-alcoholic options also available.

Email info@churchbythebay.org.uk to let us know you're coming.

Email info@churchbythebay.org.uk to let us know you're coming.

Email info@churchbythebay.org.uk to let us know you're coming.

And it's our final World We All Want on Thursday 20th Oct - at the Strakers'.

at 7am Monday at the Strakers'. Breakfast is provided. We'll finish at about 7:45am. If you need to leave early for work, that's fine.

We'll be praying particularly for people in our town.

Jackie and Al shared with us how they had become Christians and were a real encouragement to us.

Have a listen to their testimonies:

Al's Testimony

Jackie's Testimony

More information here