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West View Baptist Church, Hartlepool

A family friendly church in the town of Hartlepool

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News

10th December 2017 By Office

Christmas at Filling Station

Friday 8 December saw our Filling Station Christmas meal with 50 friends joining us for a meal, some arts and crafts and music and videos. It is worth reflecting that we only started Filling Station in April and none of us knew where we would end up  with this project. We’ve made so many new friendships this year,  been able to offer help and support to a few people and for some just simply listened and cared. The impact of Filling Station can best be summed up in the words of a Christmas card we recieived from one of the families that simply said ” Thank you for making me and my family feel so welcome”.

Filling Station has been a project helped by the whole church and by visitors who’ve simply decided they want to help as well. Whether it is setting out the room each week, preparing and serving the food,  washing up and tidying up or providing entertainment for kids and adults everyone has played a role in making Filling Station work.

We pray for the Filling Station to continue to grow and serve the needs of both West View and the wider Hartlepool community. As an added bonus we did see Terry turn up as Santa Scruff or “Wurzel” as Matty  keeps calling him. We don’t take ourselves too  seriously at West View Baptist Church. Our last Filling Station for the year will be on Friday 15 December.

 

Filed Under: News

10th December 2017 By Office

On the Advent journey: Simeon’s Song

Ian Thompson led the worship again today with additional musical support from Jonny Hyde. Our pastor, Tim Hyde brought the word again today with the latest instalment on our journey through Advent. Tim started by asking us if we’ve been singing songs this week?

The focus this morning is on the song of Simeon. Simeon was righteous and devout. He’d been promised that he wouldn’t die until he’d seen the Messiah. He told Mary that her son would see the rise and fall of many things. Another elderly but devout person ,Anna,  spoke about the child Jesus to all. Tim asked whether anyone was fans of “One born every minute” or that other family favourite,  “Call the midwife”. Even if you are not a fan there is something about the birth of a child that is compelling.

It has been said that the greatest forces in the world are babies. They offer  hope and life and a future. Babies have the power to change the world, Tim illustrated this point by showing three paintings by Rembrandt.  Simeon’s Song of Praise was painted in 1631. Focus is on the centre where Simeon encounters this couple with a child. It shows clearly two young people on the fringes of Jewish life. These two teenage peasant parents cannot even afford the normal purification offering. They offer two doves because they could not afford the more customary sheep . The simplicity of the offering doesn’t stop folks celebrating. Anna and Simeon, though clearly the old and the widowed do not hold back. Simeon means “hearing one” or “one who obeys”. Unusually Luke is lavish in his description. He outlines two whole descriptive verses. This invisible old man was inspired. Luke is beside himself with excitement in the retelling of this encounter . Three times Luke outlines the Holy Spirit’s role here. We have to think about Simeon and how many hopeful prayers had he prayed over different children over the years. Then Simeon finds the one, he has the saviour of the world in his arms.

Rembrandt 1661

Nunc dimittis is the name for this song. It has been used for over 1500 years and used in daily prayer by many traditions. Calvin’s church sang this during communion. It is a  part of daily liturgy and often used as the final song in a service. Three themes are explored in Simeon’s Song ready to die, identify the child in his arms, descriptive and prophetic this child will be a light. He anticipates the reach of Jesus, and his role asthe comfort of Israel.

Rembrandt paints another picture 38 years later. Nowadays we would say that Rembrandt zoomed in on a key feature of the scene he pictured earlier. Simeon is the often described as the God-Receiver. His faith and actions remind us we too can receive the Saviour. Simeon takes us back to Isiah . Every phrase of the song is like pieces of a jigsaw, a jigsaw that revolves around and describes this child in his arms . In between those Rembrandt also paints Simeon’s Prophecy to Mary. Simeon changes key here sharing dark work about the sword. Anna reinforces this message.. These old people were filled with hope in their years of waiting and believing. They were f0lk who devoted their lives to prayer and hope. Some of the people who encourage us have been prayerful hopeful people, filled with the Spirit. Even when darkness is around God sends his son to experience this. We met Elizabeth and Zechariah. We’ll hear Mary’s own story at Christmas.

No matter who you are this story can be your story. Luke is keen to show a new era has dawned. As we live in the now in the darkness of advent, there is a need for ordinary people be waiting watching and praying.

That same spirits that inspired Simeon and Anna should inspire us. We need to reflect and pray on what chances will we get this season to bring light into darkness.

Simeon's Prophecy to Mary
Simeon’s Prophecy to Mary

Will our words be filled with praise and hope? Tim prayed that we may we be willing and open to receive the coming one. We closed by offering thanks that we’ve been chosen and that we will be guided to bring hope and light to others

 

Filed Under: Sermons

3rd December 2017 By Office

On the Advent journey. Zechariah’s song

Another great service with Ian and Amanda providing the music and worship lead. Our pastor Tim Hyde brought today’s word, continuing on the Advent journey. He started by thinking about the songs and tunes we hear whilst out shopping at this time of year. Have you found what you’re looking for by U2 was playing in one store and seemed sadly apt as people become increasingly desperate to find a particular gift for someone.

Zachariah’s song, sometimes referred to as the Benedictus, shows God’s plan interweaves with routine ordinary life. Zechariah was old, a priest and he and Elizabeth were childless. Imagine the pain they carried through life. In a society where children were a sign of blessing and success this must have been a trial for them.

They were from the same kinship group as Mary. Given the role of Zechariah they must be Levites. Zechariah has it even tougher when he is muted by Gabriel when he doubts the message he is given. Ready to burst with excitement and yet he’s muted! Imagine at that moment he can’t speak and he has to wait 9 months for the fulfilment of the promise. Living with the hope God would fulfil the promise. Zechariah is unmuted and lets rip exuberant praise.

The words he wrote setting out John’s name are displayed at the  Church of St John in the Mountains in Israel. 

The Promise fulfilled in the birth of John. It was both a promise and a threat as he came as the refiners fire to purge people and make them pure and clean. Zechariah’s song looks for redemption and salvation through the forgiveness of sins. John and Jesus will bring light to those in darkness. We don’t normally think of judgement and usalvation together. Here the ultimate goal is to create peace and freedom for all the families of the earth. The words are outside the church of St. John in the mountains.. the birthplace in Israel. Maybe these words help us feel the long years of silent prayer and hope. Zechariah is a reflection of a new sign from God, acting out his own prophecy.

Tim asked us all to reflect on how long people have  prayed for changed, hoped for something to be different, for God to intervene in issues like apartheid, Mugabe, the toppling of the Berlin Wall. We’ve all known of people praying for relationships to be restored. Countless stories of people on their knees in prayer. We cannot say everyone’s prayers have been answered. Life deals some tough things at times but folks like Zechariah never give up hope or stop trusting . We all know older people who stay faithful to the end, people like Bob and Elizabeth Patten. Giving us all knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins. God is coming says Zechariah. Better watch out, better not cry may be familiar call at Christmas but it is not the Jesus message, not fire and brimstone but the incredible peace, the peace that runs all through Luke’s gospel. By the time these words are written by Luke the Roman Empire is not a peaceful place, Jerusalem is destroyed, both John and Jesus are put to death but preach peace to the end. We have a God that came down for us. A light shone in the darkness, it is about being transformed. All of these are a fulfilment of the prophecy in Joel. Luke’s tells the story of real people hesitating at times between faith and doubt. Both big and the little stories matter to God and he delivers on his promises.

Filed Under: Sermons

2nd December 2017 By Office

Xcel conference 2017 (Part 2)

As promised we’re continuing the reflection of the themes that were explored when Ian and Terry attended the Xcel Mens conference in Bradford.

In 1 Chronicles we explored the idea of success and whether or not we all actually knew what it was we were fighting for. We were offered the story of a group of America’s most successful  men from 1923 who were alleged to have met at the Edgeware Beach hotel in Chicago. Howard Hopson, Ivar Kreuger, and Richard Whitney were just some of the 8 or so attending. Whilst this meeting of the rich and famous seems to be in historical doubt, the names of the business leaders definitely show what happened as the American business and finance sectors went into decline. Within a few short years some of these men were poverty stricken, some had committed suicide, some were in prison for criminal acts committed trying to hold on to their “success”. They did not experience the peace that Jesus brings. They were measuring success in terms of financial riches. We’re all rich in Jesus. We need to unleash the lion of our faith and belief. We need to fight the uncommon fight that often flies in the face of how others measure success. God sends us brothers that become warriors along side you. They may not look like it at the time but they will be the ones who will stand shoulder to shoulder through the tough times. Understand what it is you are prepared to fight for. Make a list, family, friends, beliefs, principles, be clear in your own mind. Success depends on faithfulness to God but you also need to be wary. Success can breed complacency and lead you to try to rely on your owns strengths and talents. We see Saul deep in fear contrasted against David’s courage. So many strive for wrong success. Success is being a man after God’s own heart.   In 1 Chronicles we see David on the threshold of a huge decision. This is the point at which Saul’s influence is over. Saul wanted all the trappings of richness. David on the other hand remembers his humble beginnings. Remember the simple things in life,  serving at tables, washing dishes. Fill your life with great purposes and great things. Get things under control get rid of addictions. Remember that whatever Jesus is not Lord over is what the devil will try to break you with. Remember Jesus was raised as the son of a working man as well as being the son of God.

In Ephesians 6 we see Paul summing up the last of his four letters from prison.  He probably wrote this around AD 60-62 and he’s painting a picture of the glorious power of Jesus. We get to God because of what Jesus did for us. Many people think Chrisitians are somehow doing God a favour by following him. Nothing could be further from the truth. We fall into the wrong hands if we get all righteous and self satisfied. Learn from each other and keep each other on the right path. The older folks in the church can warn the younger folks what the evil one will try. The enemy schemes to get you and C.S Lewis in his Screwtape Letters illustrates this well. Different things work on different people. Struggles with finances, addictions, sexual atttractions, these are old battles that will be faced by your children and their children. Be able to say “Get behind me Satan, I knew you were coming. My friends in my church community warned me.” Remember you will need to take your stand over and over. Visualise the scene from Braveheart. .. You will have to hold, hold, hold. Stand firm, stand honest and stand with integrity. Paul in describing the armour of God is probably writing, looking at the soldier he has been shackled to. He wasn’t discouraged at being in that situation. Far from it. He wrote and encouraged others. He kept serving.  The shield of faith he describes is critical piece for all of us. A recent example of why this was needed was demonstrated at a civic reception where people were able to have 3 minutes telling their local official what they thought of their work. Over and over and over again people heaped abuse and complaint on the officials, not once pasing to reflect on the good stuff. This is what the enemy does, throwing venom and fire your way. You have the shield prepared and dampened to protect you from fire. You are a child of God, brand new in Jesus drawing on the strength of the word of God.

In 1 Timothy we looked at the importance of reading things in context, getting things right to teach and preach. Timothy did not see himself as a warrior but he fought with faith in his core. So  many men have unhealthy interests in conflict and enjoy arguing. Don’t go picking fights. Save your energy for the fights that pick you. There will be plenty of them. Think  about the uncommon things you are fighting for. Remember we just getting started, we’re beat up but we know how to build up. Take hold of eternal life. Unleash  the lion for family for future generations. The enemy makes mileage from poor decisions, bad relationships and bad temper. We need to walk  by what we know in our spirit. Love your wife and family like Christ loved the Church.

Filed Under: Conferences, workshops and courses

2nd December 2017 By Office

How do I come to Church? What will happen when I get here? Is there anyone like me?

These were all questions posed to the Filling Station team by a relatively new visitor. Our friend had been to Filling Station before and he professed to be a believer who’d had a faith encounter earlier in his life but now “wasn’t living right” to use his own words. It’s easy to lose sight of how difficult it can be to pluck up the courage to enter a church. The even tougher part is that even if you get through the first set of doors there’s often another set or two to negotiate before you enter the church hall or worship space. One of the reasons we like our new inside doors in West View is that you can at least see through them and have a peek at what you’re getting into before you push the door open. Our doors are there simply to keep the heat in, nothing more. They’re not there to put people off from joining us, and I hope they’re not there to keep the public safe from us. Our services are at 10:30 on a Sunday, children are very welcome and do let us know if you need help getting to church.

 

So what can you expect when you join us on a Sunday. Well quite often something different to what you might imagine. Most of the time our church is organised in a fairly traditional way with chairs set out in rows facing the front of the church where people speak and lead the music and worship. Occasionally though you’ll  find us set out in a café style environment with everyone sitting round tables enjoying cake and coffee. In either situation you will be welcomed to church. None of our seats are reserved so you are free to sit wherever you feel comfortable. The service normally consists of a mixture of readings of scripture from the Bible, prayers and several worship songs ranging from traditional old hymns to songs we might all be hearing for the first time that day, and a speaker sharing a message from the Bible.We’re led by a worship band of singers and musicians and we use a projector to shows the words for songs, readings from the Bible and sometimes videos.  People are encouraged to join in the prayers and the singing but you’re also equally welcome to just sit or stand and listen. Sometimes we’ll have a communion service, but someone will happily explain what’s happening and you will be invited to join in if you wish. We always leave space at the end of our service for coffee, teas, biscuits (sometimes cake!) and a chat.

We have a separate Young Church room with activities and anyone with kids is more than welcome to have their kids join in.  You are welcome to stay for the full service. You’re also welcome to simply pop in for a little while and then leave again if you feel like it.

Is there anyone like me? Well I can promise you we’re all different. We come from lots of different backgrounds with different life experiences, good and bad. We like to listen and we definitely like to talk.  We’re also not bad at helping people either.  So feel free to pop in on a Sunday at 10:30. Stay until our service finishes at 11:45 or pop  out earlier if you wish.

Filed Under: About the church

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