The Word in Biggleswade

This week we explore the subject of truth – how to speak the truth, how we receive the truth and how we tell what truth is. Something that seems pretty easy and straight forward can be anything but when it comes to frank and personal exchanges. Speaking and teaching truth isn’t merely reserved for sermons but something we should all be willing to step up to – and be open to receive. Together we le...

In this week’s all age service we explore together the choices that Joseph made while he was enslaved in Egypt. He was tempted to sin against God and his master but choice the challenging but right choice. But the right choices don’t always come without suffering and following God’s lead doesn’t keep us away from pain. However, God will always be with us and will always work through the very best...

Continuing our exploration of Joseph, with the themes of this summer’s Holiday Bible Club in mind, this week we look at the impact of the brothers’ decision to turn on the dreamer. What are the consequences for Joseph and his brothers of their actions and what does it have to teach us about the way God might lead us somewhere uncomfortable in order to set us free…   Holiday Bible Club approaches #...

A remarkable piece of clothing is at the centre of this morning’s message. An item of clothing that represents a dysfunctional family and an unhealthy case of parental favouritism. With a timely nod towards Father’s Day, Martin colourfully unpacks the story of Joseph and the toxic impact of jealousy. The first of our themes from this summer’s Holiday Bible Club challenges us to live knowing we’re...

Celebrating the birth of the church with life-changing tongues of flame… it’s Pentecost and with the help of some dramatic chemistry, Martin explores the transformation sparked by the Holy Spirit. Pentecost itself wasn’t the catalyst but the Spirit arrived and changed it for good – turning the first believers from hiding and operating in secret to a movement taking the Word to the ends of the worl...

Returning to our series on the Holy Spirit, Gareth explores the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Starting with discussing the personhood of the Spirit and then unpacking what happens when we are filled by his power. We receive the desire to live as God intended and to be His image bearer – to reflect His nature and character. We are need supernatural power to live supernatural live...

This week, ahead of our annual general meeting next month, Martin explores the biblical role of church deacons in the leadership of the church. From the life of the early church in Acts, taking care of neglected widows and orphans, to the modern day practical, pastoral, functional and social role of our own community. Deacons servant-heartedly give up time to ensure the daily running of the church...

This week Cliff takes us through reflections on the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ own farewell speech – as the advocate sent to his people after Jesus departed. One who will guide us and share the truth of God, now and always – bringing a greater revelation of Jesus and who he is. We have a deeper understanding of Christ now and we have no need to fear for the future as the Spirit will tell us all that is...

This week we explore together the subject of holiness and how we are called to be holy because God is holy. It’s a holiness that sets us apart – not in an unhelpful ‘holier than thou’ sense but in a way that makes it clear that we belong to God. We are on his team. We have been changed and we are different. To be changed we have a helper in the Holy Spirit to bring this change about and God wants...

Once again we find ourselves in the shadow of Easter Sunday and the disciples have gone back to doing what they know best. Martin shares his thoughts on their latest encounter with the risen Lord and what we can learn from it. We must be aware of Jesus working in everyday life and the most mundane of circumstances. We should remember that forgiveness doesn’t come easily and it can be painful – but...

As attention turns to the immediate aftermath of Easter Sunday, Gareth takes time this week to reflect on the story of the road to Emmaus. The two travellers who unwittingly encounter Jesus just hours after this Earth-shattering event are confused – they’ve missed the point entirely and had completely incorrect expectations of what would happen to Jesus. How the story would play out. Is Jesus the...

Join us in celebration this Easter Sunday as we explore the greatest comeback of all time – a story of light overcoming darkness, life overcoming death, good defeating evil – the story of Easter Day. It’s the journey from creation to fall to redemption and ultimately to glory – the true and inspiring story that gives as purpose and meaning. Easter is the greatest day in history and it’s our day of...

It’s Palm Sunday and we’re reflecting on the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem – not as a conquering military leader but as the Messiah bringing peace and love and restoration. The people had been longing for a rescuer to save them from Roman oppression, but Jesus brought something greater – a prophesied King who would reconnect them with God’s love, his healing and his freedom. This Palm Sunday wil...

In the latest of our Holy Habits series for Lent, focus turns to the importance of growing into a fully-fledged believer – the power of discipleship. We are called to come to Jesus and to follow. Coming, alone, is conversion not discipleship. We need to learn how to become followers – how to walk and how to talk. It’s active rather than passive as we spend time with Jesus, become like Jesus and do...

In celebration of Mothering Sunday and to honour all women in the church – both literal and spiritual mothers – today’s All Age service explores a series of women in the Bible who prayed in their circumstances. This interactive session led by Mike shows us plenty of examples the impact of prayer in the lives of women and their families and is a model for us all to follow.   Mothering Sunday Mike S...

The latest in our Holy Habits series explores a signature move for Jesus – breaking bread with his friends and with those he came into contact. An illustration using one of the staple food sources at the time, Jesus positioned himself as the Bread of Life, broken for all those who believe. But breaking bread goes way beyond the remembrance act of communion to hospitality and strengthening relation...

As we continue our Lent exploration of the holy habits of Jesus, this week we focus on the positive impact of his servantheartedness. Today’s passage continues to highlight the good news of Jesus’ time on earth – good news for the poor and not just those in poverty but those who feel they lack something vital in their lives. Brokenness restored. Freedom for all. Spiritual blindness overcome. How c...

In the run up to Easter, in the season of Lent, we shift our focus away from the Holy Spirit and looking to habits that will help us live more like Jesus. This week we begin with looking at Scripture and the way Jesus engaged with it. He loved it, he knew it, he applied it and he even wrote it. If we are serious about following Jesus, we need to get serious about God’s word too.   Holy habits (Len...

As we continue the series on keeping in step with the Spirit, this week Martin explores the role of the signs, wonders and miracles that Jesus performed and what they tell us about the power and authority He has – courtesy of the Holy Spirit. For those of us who believe in Him, we can also do these things inJesus’ name and greater things than this too! Are we ready to experience the power of the S...

We were pleased to be joined by Ken Benjamin from The London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC) this week. Ken delved into the world of whole life discipleship with the particular focus on being salt and light and influencing and shaping culture around us. Jesus used every day illustrations to speak to the heart of those listening – both essential and powerful items of the day. They wer...

This week, Martin explores and unpacks the more controversial, divisive and misunderstood aspects of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues and words of prophecy have been the source of disagreement and conflict for many years – going right back to the Apostle Paul and his time with the Corinthians. So, what is the difference between tongues and prophecy, why are they so challenging to...

In an emotional baptism service, Martin shares the gospel message that we are loved by and important to God. We need to make a choice to accept his love – a gift freely given and demonstrated by the Father giving his son, Jesus, to save us. As we take that decision, we can move from death to life via the waters of baptism. It’s a special day and good news to all who will hear!   Baptism John 3:16-...

This week, we unpack God’s gifts from the Holy Spirit and how they can be used to change lives and bring about transformation. God gives us gifts because He loves us and because we know he loves us, we can be sure that they are good gifts for us. Gifts to honour and glorify the Lord. Gifts to be used to serve one another. Gifts that make a lasting and tangible difference. Gifts that bring change t...

The fruit of the Spirit is the subject for this week. The conditions need to be right and growing fruit can take time – it’s Spirit led but we have a responsibility to tend and nurture it too. It comes from obedience and us showing Jesus we love him. How do we grow the fruit – fruit that brings freedom - and deal with temptation to follow the desires of the flesh, that comes along too? How can we...

As we welcome another child into God’s family, this week we explore how the Holy Spirit helps us witness to God’s love for us. The kind of love that everyone in our community would want to experience. We can witness to our children and family. To our friends and acquaintances. To our colleagues and the people we operate alongside too. A witness shares what they have seen and know to be true – and...