We had our annual visit from Gillian Carr of Books Alive.  Gillian was accompanied by Amanda who will be taking over as Manager of the Christian bookshop in the new year.

Once again, Gillian brought a lovely selection of books, Bibles, Christmas cards, calendars, diaries and gift ideas for members to stock up in preparation for Christmas.

Gillian’s last message to us was based around Jeremiah 29 v 4-14, focussing on that well know verse, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. Gillian said that this is the verse that people most enquire about and often buy cards, bookmarks, coasters etc to give to others.  But it is important not to take this verse in isolation.  It is always best to read the surrounding verses to get a sense of what the context is.

Gillian shared that in the Jeremiah passage, those who had been carried off into exile were told to build houses and settle down, grow things to eat and to marry and produce sons and daughters, to increase in number and to seek and pray for the peace and prosperity of the place to which they were sent – then they would prosper.  God has great plans for each of us just has He had for Israel, “plans to prosper and not to harm us!” We don’t always understand God’s ways but we need to trust His plans for our lives and His timings, not our plans. For we know that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8 v 28).

Gillian’s plan for the move to be nearer her daughter, seems a long way off at present, but the song we sang, Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord was a timely reminder to wait and trust in God’s plan and timing.

We look forward to welcoming Amanda back next year as she takes over as Manager of the shop.

Head to Books Alive – Christian Bookshop to find out what Books Alive can offer.

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 18 v 14b (NIV)

Remember: God’s attention is caught when a person humbles themself before Him.  God is just a prayer away.  Humble your heart and see what God can and will do.

The verse of the week is usually inspired by the teaching the previous Sunday and you can listen to any recordings by clicking on the link below:

https://downsbaptistchurch.org/resources/sermons/

Thursday Fellowship reconvened for its autumn session on 4th September, 2025 and the programme up to Christmas is listed below.

Please do consider joining us at 2pm in the Parish Room of the Holy Cross Church unless stated – we can assure you of a very warm welcome! 

4th September – Beverley McArdle (BHCM Care Homes)

11th September – Maeve Whitchurch

18th September – Sue Cunningham

25th September – Jane Leaver

2nd October – Phil Cook

9th October – Graham Dawson

16th October – Sue Cunningham

23rd October – Ann Dracott

30th October – Gillian Clark (Books Alive)

6th November – Praise and Share

13th November – Connie Croly

20th November – Craft Afternoon

27th November – Roger, Rosemary, Tom & Mike from Seaford Baptist Church

4th December – Our memories of Christmases past!

11th December – Carols, Candles and Cake

For further information head to the following link:- Thursday Fellowship

To know God and to make Him known

A WORSHIPPING CHURCH OF PEOPLE WHO PRAY AND FOLLOW THE TEACHING OF THE BIBLE.

Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14 v 6

A WITNESSING CHURCH OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE OUR FAITH IN WORDS AND ACTIONS.

Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” Luke 10 v 27

Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Recently the persecution of Christians has increased, and at least 3 and a half million Christians have been driven from their homes.  They are now living in absolute squalor in displacement camps in makeshift garbage bag tents.  They are starving and the women have often been kidnapped and targeted for sexual violence.  Many Christians have been hacked to death or burned alive and their homes burnt down.  More believers are being killed In Nigeria than in the rest of the world put together. The persecution has spread down from the North into the Middle Belt, into Benue State in particular, and even further south.  There is now a sense of urgency before civil war happens.

This persecution has been inflicted by the Boko Haram terrorists together with Islamic militants from the Fulani tribe.  The intention is to turn Nigeria into a Muslim caliphate and the fear is that if they take Nigeria, then the rest of Africa will follow. Several of the Northern States are already under Sharia law.   Sadly, the Nigerian Government is complicit with the terrorists and has failed to protect the Christians, which strengthens the militants’ influence.  It refuses to acknowledge that persecution exists.  The Christians therefore have no access to organisations like the Red Cross.  The Fulani tribe meanwhile maintain that they, as herders are victims too and persecuted in Benue State where most of the farmers are Christians.

Needs of the persecuted Christians

1. To rebuild their lives because they have lost everything
2. Food aid
3. Medicines
4. Sanitation
5. Funds to respond to the attacks
6. Help and support to equip the villagers to prevent persecution

If you would like to help, you can donate online to relieve the suffering of these persecuted believers at Equipping The Persecuted –  To find out more, speak to Maria Nwanwene.

Please pray for our suffering brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

We welcomed back Ann Dracott to our meeting which is always a delight.

Ann brought along some visual aids to help set the scene for her talk – a cushion, a mug, a detective novel, a chocolate biscuit and a crossword and pen. It wasn’t difficult for us to see that these items represented comfort and Ann shared how she enjoys settling down in a favourite chair especially as the nights draw in to relax.  It’s a time when she feels at peace and in her comfort zone. We could all identify with this!

But life can become too easy and cosy and Ann told us of a time in her life when God shook her out of her comfort zone.  It was an uncomfortable experience and despite not wanting to do what God asked and seeking a sign that it was God actually speaking, it wasn’t until Ann was obedient to God’s call, will and purpose that she felt at peace. This has happened many times and has always been a struggle.

Ann recounted some examples from the Bible of people who willingly did what God asked – Noah, Abraham, Mary the mother of Jesus, but also those who were hesitant but eventually did – Moses, Gideon and Jonah.

If God wants us to do something, He has promised to be with us – we are not alone and He will equip us to fulfil His purposes.  We just need to be obedient.

Ann encouraged us to be prepared for the Lord to shake us and move us out of our comfort zone.  Life isn’t always cosy, it can be a battlefield at times but we just need to be faithful, to keep our eyes on Jesus and allow Him to use us. We may not see any outcome but that doesn’t matter.

Ann finished with some lovely verses from 2 Corinthians 1 about the God of all comfort:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (Verses 3-4 NIV)

Our real comfort zone is with the Lord doing His will and serving His purposes!

Sue led our meeting today and intrigued us all by saying it would be an “upside down” time!

Sue read Psalm 63 introducing her theme for the afternoon where we thought about putting God first, thirsting for Him and allowing Jesus to be the centre of our lives,  Her song choices reflected that.

We commenced with the vesper (May the Lord, bless you and keep you), which we normally sing at the end and Sue showed us a frame with a hidden word that she had prepared which when turned upside down, read the word ‘Stones’.

We heard the story of Lazarus and the miracle of his resurrection.  Yet, we learned that Jesus tarried even though Lazarus was sick much to the dismay of Mary and Martha. Why did Jesus delay His coming to His friend? So that God would be glorified, Mary and Martha and the villagers would believe, they would glorify God and they would trust God for the future. But they had to do something really important – they were told to “Take away the stone”.

Jesus is looking for a willing response! He wants us to see and believe.  Do we see miracles in our own lives? Is there a stone or stones in our lives that stand in the way of us moving on and being blessed by God?

To help us understand, Sue brought 5 types of stones and a picture of a cross.

Fossils. The fossils were and are fixed in the stones, some perhaps over millions of years! Are we stuck in a comfort zone with an inability to change? Do we feel threatened and frightened by new things and ideas? Roll away the stone and place it at the foot of the cross!

Precious gem. This could be something important to us, attractive, beautiful, comforting and pleasing. It could be something that takes up a lot or too much of our time, something that we love more than God! Do we need to reappraise and put this at the foot of the cross?

Heavy stone. Are we carrying a burden, a worry, some anxiety, fear or even guilt over something in our past or present which weighs us down? Take it to the foot of the cross!

Ugly black stone. Sue handled this stone and her hands turned black! This is a stark reminder that sin separates us from God but also has far-reaching effects on those around us! Keep going to the foot of the cross!

White stone. Looked fine from the outside but Sue showed us that some of the inside was black. This represents those little white lies, gossip, angry and unkind words – those little things which perhaps don’t add up to much but are not ok.  Drop them at the foot of the cross!

The imagery that Sue brought to us was really powerful and we were encouraged to take the initiative, to roll away the stone, to believe and trust in God for a miracle and to see what God will do in our lives.

It is always a delight to welcome back Graham Dawson from Holland Road Baptist Church. Having been a pastor, Graham brings such wonderful teaching and opens up the Word with clarity and practical insight to make us all stop and think.

Today was no exception as Graham opened up the mysteries of 1 Corinthians 15 concerning some interesting truths about the resurrection of Jesus and what it means for us.

What happens after we die? What sort of body will we have when we are resurrected? Graham said we can learn so many lessons from the garden, the animal kingdom and space! (1 Corinthians 15 v 35-41).

“What goes down must come up!” Graham reminded us that we sow autumn bulbs for spring flowers and the bulb/seed has to die before new life comes.  It is the same with us – for new life, physical resurrection follows physical death. And the wonderful thing is that there is something infinitely better.

Graham opened up the truth from the scriptures that identity passes through the ground. The daffodil bulb dies and becomes a daffodil, it doesn’t become a poppy! So with us, our individual identity reappears – there is no ‘identity theft’ – we are resurrected as ourselves and people will recognise and know us and we will recognise others.

Graham posed the question, why is the second body different to the first? Well, we need a body fit for the environment in which we live – the old body cannot crossover! The modified resurrected body is transformed and suitable to live in heaven.

The resurrection of Jesus is the prototype for every believer’s resurrection.

Death/dead versus resurrected/life
Perishable versus imperishable
In dishonour versus in glory (a glory that will never fade)
Weakness versus raised in power
Natural/physical versus supernatural/spiritual

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we are being changed into His likeness, that death isn’t the last word.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive (verse 22).

Graham left us to mull over the thought that “the reality of our bodily resurrection will always be richer than the language it tries to describe.” He also prayed that we would be at peace and would know the glorious hope to which we are called because of Jesus and what he did for us on the cross.  Death has been conquered and life will be transformed.

Why not read 1 Corinthians 15 over the next week in the light of some of these thoughts!

Our meeting today had a harvest/creation theme. It was a joy to welcome back our friend, Phil Cook from Lancing Tabernacle Community Church.

“As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
will never cease.”

Genesis 8 v 22 (NIV)

Phil remarked that some churches are not in the habit of commemorating harvest, which is a shame! Phil felt it was important to share the abundance of what we have with others especially those who have very little and he reminded us that it is Biblical!

We were encouraged to be enthusiastic in the harvest of the five ‘P’s because we should all be involved!

1. Ploughing: Harvest involves ploughing with thorough and necessary preparation for sowing in order to see good results.
2. Planting: We need to sow but also to know and believe that the seed will produce a great and mighty harvest.
3. Patience: Crops do not come up over night! Phil told us about the farmer who had to get down on his knees and put his head to the ground to see the green shoots. It is so easy for anxiety to take over while we are waiting for something to happen.
4. Power: Remember, nothing is impossible with God.   God multiplies. We were reminded of the stories of the feeding of the 4,000 and the 5,000 and how much was left over after everyone had been filled.
5. Prayer: We need to be faithful in prayer and a good place to start is by saying the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, the Lord’s Prayer. It is a pattern for all true prayer.

This harvest time, let’s celebrate with great joy all that the God of creation, our Heavenly Father has provided for each one of us.

We sang, We plough the feeds and scatter and You shall go our with joy before Sue closed our meeting with the blessing from The Message version:

“God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper” – Numbers 6 v 24-26

This week we were delighted to welcome as our speaker one of our own members, Jane Leaver.

Jane explained that her talk had been inspired by an old chorus which her Mum used to sing to her when she was a child.  Through this song (see below), Jane introduced us to various Bible Characters, some very familiar and some obscure; for example, few of us had heard of Shamgar, who merits just one verse in the Bible! But all seven characters in the song had one thing in common, they used whatever they had, however ordinary or insignificant, to serve God, with amazing results.

Jane also referred to the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans (chapter 16 v 1 – 16), which is a long list of some of the people who had helped him in spreading the gospel. Jane encouraged us all to recognise that God has given each of us unique gifts, and placed us exactly where He wants us to be, so that we can serve Him and His kingdom, and be a blessing to those we meet every day.

To finish our time together, we sang the lovely song, Beautiful Lord, wonderful Saviour as a prayer, asking God to take us, mould us, use us and fill us as we give our lives to the Potter’s hand.

Shamgar had an ox-goad,
David had a sling,
Dorcas had a needle,
Rehab had some string,
Samson had a jaw bone,
Aaron had a rod,
Mary had some ointment,
All were used by God.

Sue led our meeting today and was also the speaker! Thank you Sue for blessing us with your gifts – we so appreciate you!

Sue took Philippians 2 v 1-11 as her passage alongside the Graham Kendrick song, The Servant King, as we thought about the humility and servanthood of our Lord.

We were reminded that The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Graham’s song says, He came from heaven, a helpless babe, His glory veiled, not to be served but to serve and to give His life that we might live! God chose it to be this way. It’s hard to take it all in isn’t it! But it is by His example that we learn how to sacrificially serve others.

Verse 3 and 4 says that we should “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests , but also to the interests of others.”

Sue encouraged us to use the gifts God has given us.  Sometimes we may have a tendency to do too much or even too little! Is there joy when we serve or do we do it grudgingly? Are we perhaps doing things we shouldn’t, like being square pegs in round holes? Whatever our circumstances we need to be faithful in using what God has given us to humbly serve others.

As Graham’s song says in the last verse, “So let us learn how to serve, and in our lives enthrone Him; each other’s needs to prefer, for it is Christ we’re serving.”  Amen!

We closed our service by singing this song as a prayer.

We welcomed back Maeve to our little gathering this week and interestingly, Maeve’s message was all about being welcoming!

Maeve told us about a series of incidents and happenings whilst on a little vacation in the Cotswolds.  She met a lovely old gentleman by the name of Wayne in a place called Upper Slaughter, who, after chatting for about half an hour, invited her back to the local hotel for a free coffee morning along with some people from the village. Wayne never mentioned the name of Jesus once or church, yet he was so warm, friendly and welcoming that it made a lasting impression. When she arrived at the hotel she was told that the free coffee morning was for local people only! Not so welcoming! But when Wayne arrived he told the group that Maeve was his friend and that he had invited her! Maeve remarked that Wayne’s church is the church she would like to go to!

What a contrast to the razzamatazz of Vice President J.D Vance and his large entourage visiting friends in the area. The local people were not at all interested or welcoming!

It led Maeve to think about Jesus and the ‘triumphal’ yet humble and lowly entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Luke 19 v 28-40). No fanfare, no razzamatazz!

What was it about Jesus that made Him attractive to people? Most of the crowd stopped, looked and connected in some way. And that makes us think  about how we are perceived in church. Is it all about trying to be relevant to attract people like having a drum kit and offering great coffee and biscuits?! Surely, it is Jesus that makes the difference and connects us all and makes us attractive to those who are seeking!

Let’s be gentle, kind, friendly and welcoming to all we meet.