Young Church

Messy church did what it said on the tin today. I finished the day covered in paint glue and stickers, smelling of smoke after making my first ever s’mores, and eating fruit kebabs.

We had rice investigations in the tuff table, ink pad and stickers card making, rainbow streamer pictures , peace doves and sensory paint pouches.

We did the story of Jesus calming the storm and finished the day roasting marshmallows round a fire pit. Mark was kept busy writing risk assessments whilst I assembled fire fighting equipment. Of course nothing set on fire , everyone was fine and enjoyed their s’mores experience.

The great thing about messy church is that it attracts different parents and children every time we do it. We all help out at each others churches and somehow always come up with different things to do. .

Abi, Yvette and Amanda led today’s service and the word today was brought by Viv Neville.

Our songs today were Be Still, How Great is Our God, O Jesus I have promised, If You Climb to the top of a mountain, Take Me To the Holy of Holies, Cornerstone, Blessed Be Your Name, I speak Jesus and Open the eyes of my heart Lord.

Deuteronomy 5 31:33 played a key part in today’s service. Viv had ended up changing what she was bring to the church today and it is powerful that two people were given exactly the same passage. Viv reflecting on the fact that Pastor Cliff Henderson from New Life had also been reflecting on the fact that over the years we all invite countless people to church for different types of community events. Do we then see those folks come to church? Not always but we continue to hope and pray that these events touch people in some way. Viv reflected that at times she had been very emotional in the hours leading up to this service. The core message today was very much around “ “Take the land he has given you”. Viv drew our attention to Daniel 12 , Go your own way, live life simply, Put distractions aside and work, pray and read your Bible. Viv talked about the fact that this is very important and she often has to turn her phone off to cut out distractions. In terms of going your own way, do you know what it is? If you do write it down, commit to it. Think about the parting of the Red Sea. God had to push the mighty waters aside so his people could continue on their path.

Viv recapped on her previous visit and message to West View Baptist Church. She highlighted the way in which John the Baptist was preparing the way of the Lord. Viv encouraged us to think about taking the Lord outside the walls of the church. Praying into every area of our lives.Viv had been helping someone battling with addiction and that person was now entering rehab. She had walked outside their home praying and covering them. She brought the situation to the Lord in praise and worship.

Viv also reflected on the fact that there are places in the community where we still cannot share the Word. Do we share our evangelistic ideas with others? Remember God often only gives us the first step, not the full map. Big and small ideas are equally important.

Do we know when God is prompting us? When something is from God the idea will come and keep coming. Every day for 6 weeks an idea that Viv had early in ministry kept coming and coming, like the roaring of a lion. It would not go away. Viv’s idea eventually came to fruition and ran for 11 years. 40 people helped to make it so. Remember though that there is a season for everything. Nehemiah had lots of obstacles to overcome in achieving his goal. He was opposed all the way but fulfilled what was needed. You will find people to help.

Viv shared her new initiative to prayer walk the whole of Hartlepool. Her and her fellow prayer walkers have divided the town into smaller areas. Through Facebook and Whatapp etc they are reaching out to supporters. There is a place for everyone who wants to help prayer walker or prayer warrior.

Viv also shared the events happening in the revival at Asbury University where students stayed in chapel after a service was supposed to conclude on 8 February 2023. 11 days later the service still continued. Mini revivals are springing up elsewhere.

Viv and her fellow prayer walkers ended up covering the Fens in cars. Like the shadow of the cloak of Jesus and the apostles, praying for the homes they pass and pause outside brings hope and healing. Pray especially for the spiritually sick. Viv then encouraged a small group to leave the church for 10 minutes to pray for the homes around us. Write down the issues and encouragement we want from and for the estate.

Messy Church

We were joined by friends from the other Baptist churches in Hartlepool and the families and children of West View for a Messy church afternoon exploring things we love and doing arts, crafts games and cake and sandwiches.