Discipleship – Christ Church Barnston with St Michael’s Pensby

Our purpose here at Christ Church and St Michaels is to make Jesus known and to grow together in Him.
There are several ways of defining and talking about the purpose of discipleship but a helpful one is found at the beginning of Philippians where we see Paul’s prayer for the church there:
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil 1 v 9-11)

If the end goal of discipleship is that we become more like Jesus, it is great to know that we are in this together. Discipleship is for everyone and everyday. Every Christian should be discipling someone else, be discipled by someone else or be doing both.

As we think about how we can be helping one another grow, we hope some of the articles and podcasts below will be helpful both in our own individual walk with the Lord as well as equipping us to walk alongside others well. This is an on-going process but as we all make small, regular steps forward in our Christian walk, transformation and growth happens.
Do contact Joanna at joannahill@barnston.info with any questions or for further information.

Following up on the Recent Training Session

Coming Alongside People Living with Dementia

Click the link below for the session handout:-

Overview Notes

Sing in Exultation

Christmas is the time we get to dust down and sing out our favourite carols. Our Advent reflections this year unpack those seasonal songs to reveal the heart-warming biblical riches within. ‘Sing in Exultation’ will give you a deeper appreciation not only for each carol but for the Christ they celebrate.

Carol singing is as indispensable to the festive season as decking the halls and swapping gifts. This little book contains 25 advent devotions, each unpacking a verse from a well-known carol, uncovering riches in the familiar words we love to sing each December.

Beginning with Scripture’s first hint of Jesus’ coming, and sweeping through to lyrics rejoicing in the hope of His return, these daily devotions not only give us a deeper appreciation for each carol, but a deeper appreciation for Christ this Christmas.

View a Sample

A bargain for £2:00,
copies are available at the back of church.
Please sign the sheet if you pick one up,
speak to Joanna for further information.

Reaching out to the Local Community this Easter

Are you interested in reaching out to your local community with the good news of Jesus but are not sure where to start? Whoever you are, this webinar (link below) shares ideas and resources for reaching out this Easter and there are ideas for every situation.

Resources which Point our Community to Jesus

Speakers include chats with Glen Scrivener from the 3-2-1 course which has recently run at the Hub. Glen speaks about using social media for evangelism, Robin Ham, author of our Lent Devotional “Finding Mercy on the Way of Sorrow” speaks about his book and Amy Smith from Faith with Kids gives us a ton of ideas for the opportunities which Easter provides for discipleship and outreach – especially for kids!

Do check out the above link to the webinar or speak/email Joanna at joannahill@barnston.info

Northern Women’s Convention – “Discover the Fullness of Christ“

A car full of women from Christ Church, Barnston and St Michaels, Pensby set off on Saturday 4^th November to join other women from various places, backgrounds and churches in the North of England. It was a great opportunity to spend the day in Manchester with women from our church family and to be built up together as we were taught from Colossians.
The seminars on:
“Setting our Hearts on Things Above”
“Belonging”
“Using Opportunities”
“Living in my Family”
picked up on themes in Colossians. There was plenty of time through the day to sing praises, to enjoy fellowship and plenty of coffee as well as the opportunity to browse the well resourced bookstall. The day refreshed our spirits!

Do pray for us all as we continue to reflect on the truths taught, that they would have an impact on the practical out workings in our own lives.

The talks and seminars from The Northern Woman’s Convention are available for you to listen to by clicking the following link.
TALKS & SEMINARS

For more further details, do see Joanna or email joannahill@barnston.info

Addiction

The pressures and isolation of lockdown have seen a surge in people falling into – or back into – addiction. Life-controlling issues are a challenge and all of us have hearts which are prone to wander from the Lord we love.

Maybe you are bored or stressed or hurt. Something is hard in life and you want a break. What do you grab for that you hope will protect, soothe, and comfort? Whatever it is – shopping, overeating, drinking, drugs, porn – promises relief, but never delivers. Instead, you are left feeling empty, anxious, guilty, and wanting more.

But God made us for rest and pleasure, not for an obsessed and unsatisfied life. Understanding the true pleasure that comes from loving God and enjoying the good gifts he has given us will reorder your thinking and bring you freedom from your obsessions. Listen to Mike Emlet speak on Understanding Addiction and Overcoming Addiction by clicking on the links below or read the article A Step too far and be reminded that in Christ there is true and lasting hope.

Understanding-addiction Mike Emlet

Overcoming-addiction -Mike Emlet