West View Baptist Church, Hartlepool

A family friendly church in the town of Hartlepool

Get in touch if you have anything you’d like us to share.

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Messy 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. .

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Strength Will Rise (again and again)

Mark brought us the word today (after choosing everlasting god as our song twice) 
Mark brought has the word from Acts when it came to ascension and what to talk about today, it’s about following god, We’re on the same road. Seeking to reveal how we all ascend to he kingdom.

Mark prayed about this, bringing things before the throne of god. Mark’s biggest anxiety is standing at the front yet he’s up there.


Mark entered a cheffing competition and prayed about what he should prepare. He covered this in prayer and was rewarded by getting through to the regional final. But he was also praying about how to manage his anxiety .


Prayer is talking to God, giving thanks for answered prayer as he follows God. Do we remember to thank God for his support? Do we share our fears and anxieties? Mark finds that difficult but his wife will confirm he does share more. We need to turn to our brothers and sisters and share that we are struggling. In our walk we will be asked to do things that are out of our comfort zone. 
Saying no to things can draw you away from God.

Even if God asks you to do something talk to God, pray about it. Speak to your brothers and sisters in faith.
God has a sense of humour as can be evidenced by song choices today, we may not be the only one being prompted, the only one travelling that slight uphill path. 
When conversations about faith occur at work, share what you believe. Pray no matter what through good and bad times and remember to thank God. 
It’s not a take relationship, and should not be only about my woes my woes. 
We will be asked to do things, so say yes, step out of your comfort zone. Don’t step back. If you do need to step back talk to friends, ask for help in your journey of ascension to God’s kingdom. 

Songs today were: 
Be exalted

Did you feel the mountains tremble Everlasting God

Do Not Fear
Strength will Rise (which Is Everlasting God again!!)

I walk by faith

My lighthouse

The Lords Prayer

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“What I would like to share with you this morning….”Matty’s Message for May

Matty spoke on the uniqueness of the church here at West View.. To change your thinking change your life. Romans 12 2
Visitors to the church might be considering their first steps in a Christian journey. Our congregation changes from week to week. When you think creatively you think like Your Creator. this won’t please everyone. 
Jesus was not crucified because he worked miracles. he was crucified for having ideas. If you have ideas don’t let anyone dissuade you. 

We’ve all heard the negative messages that seek to dissuade, I am not the right person, don’t be different, think of your image, it did not work for them, it will be too hard, and so on

Paul writes let God transform you into a new person. Change your thinking and change your life. 
We have people who drift away because of all the rules. here we encourage people to ask questions.


Romans 11 Love your life in the power of the spirit. ..Be transformed into new people. …trust god and he will get justice for you. 
When Paul refers to Jews and gentiles he is thinking of large groups. 
But faith is for individuals…saving the world for Jesus, 

Become one people, the Jewish faith followed rules and regulations , Jesus did away with these and replaced it with love one another, love your neighbour.

Small churches are powerful.. 
Many churches try to vary the order of their service. One pastor who moved when the offering was taken caused consternation and was told you either ask too early or look like you’ve forgotten. People don’t do change well.  
Paul acts 13 love your neighbour and satisfy all god’s requirements. Matty shared the story of the man who rang the garage. Tried to explain to the receptionist who he was .Her reply was “I know who you are you’re the one who pays on time”.
Your actions tel people about Jesus so be careful. 

Praise this little church for these qualities, ask questions they will always be welcome. 

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Walking in faith….Run Mark Run.

Mark led our service on 23 April. He brought us the Word from Luke 24 13:35.

Mark shared what had happened to him on his walk to faith and after he was baptised. Prior to coming to church he realised that he wasn’t living in the way that he should and he was not giving any thanks for the life he had.

It was through coming to faith that Mark received the love and family he was looking for. Afterr going through the waters of baptism Mark started his day in a very different way. He asked which way to walk and which way to be led. He admitted though that he didn’t always follow where he was led.

But when Leo was ill as a baby, it was their faith as a family that got them through some very dark times. In the worst of times it feels that you stop walking and start to sprint. But through out that dark journey they were all covered in prayer.

Mark starts his day in prayer now, He knows his walks changes from day to day. Often many people are on the same walk the same difficult journeys but we don’t know it. We often focus on what we need, We pray for the family, for our own problems. But we need to pray for others on the journey. Like many of us Mark doesn’t have the type of memory that allows him to remember Bible quotes and references at the drop of a hat, He’d like to improve that though,

Mark has a very different job now, moving around from care home to care home, filling in where he is needed. One of his colleagues shared that they couldn’t do that, as they are not very good at meeting new people.

Mark realised that one of the things he could do whilst travelling around was to ask people “How are You?” but then repeat the question again. Often a single word answer then turns into a more honest and open conversation.

Mark shared himself that currently his work situation is very difficult. The company he works for is in some difficulties and is likely to be broken up and reorganised.

But he knows God has a sdense of humour though. Mark was prompted to ask for help and his wife gave him the image that in her life journey, faith has always been the foundation . People praying for the family in dark times proved this. Mark was told Imagine Forrest Gump in the scenes where he is running.. All those people running, willing him on, willing him to succeed. You get the idea.

So how do we keep going forward? Ask for help. Identify the things holding us back. Realise that sometimes that can be our own selfishness. Ask Jesus, ask our brothers and sisters in faith. As Matty said, ask for the Holy Spirit to help and lead us.

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Matty’s message: Are you using 3 in 1? (Not the oil or the shampoo.)

Matty’s message on 23 April was about being focussed and not getting distracted. Often in our life we meet people with strong opinions and they can distract us from what we should be listening to. If you watch a flock of sheep they will graduate towards whatever holds their interest or appetite in that moment in time rather than their shepherd. Are we guilty of doing the same?

The Holy Spirit will take us much further if we let it. If we listen and hear His voice, we will be kept safe and given shelter to lie down in., Psalm 23:2 gives us that assurance.

Maybe we ponder on his lead and worry He won’t speak to us. The answer of course is yes He will. He knows all of His sheep, all of us by name. Let God lead you today.

Stacy has decided to follow His lead. She has chosen to go through the waters of baptism. A marvellous act of witness. What happens when you are baptised? Well aside from getting wet, you can choose to accept the Holy Spirit in your life. A gift so great, yet free to anyone who requests it. It rarely happens instantly but it’s the link between God and Jesus.

Listen and obey. You’ll know when the Spirit is prompting you. Think about this church, look around. Many people come here for company, for advice and a social event. Yet they find themselves going further. Listening and learning and being drawn to what God wants them to hear and do.

Ask the Heavenly Father to come into your life. When you leave this building today, talk to your family and friends. Tell them about the 3 in 1 (Matty’s a mechanic but he’s not talking about the oil here!)

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Even if people might not appear to be open and listening, you really don’t know what seed you plant, and what fruit will appear as a result.