Talks

Jono and Abby led an engaging and thought-provoking Eco Church morning focused on climate change. Jono kicked things off quite literally — by throwing rubbish into the congregation! Later, we used that same rubbish to write personal pledges, committing to changes we can each make to care for creation.

We watched an inspiring video from Sam Walker, who shared how communities in Malawi are tackling climate change in practical and hopeful ways.

A fun and eye-opening game based on the book How Bad Are Bananas? challenged us to guess which everyday items have a greater carbon footprint—like whether a large latte is worse for the planet than a choc ice!

Jono then delivered a segment of “Breaking News,” spotlighting pressing climate-related issues from around the world. Abby wrapped up the morning with a thoughtful reflection and a prayer, helping us ground our actions in faith and hope.

It was a creative, challenging, and inspiring time together. Let’s keep the momentum going as we care for God’s creation!

Rachael Heffer (Head of Missions of the Evangelical Alliance) spoke to us about Jesus the source of all courage.
In Isaiah 43:1-13, Jesus says: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine”.
When we see the news in the world, it can make us spiral into darkness and hopelessness: Our response to this should be like the three train experiences Rachael had in the last few months: stop – review – advance.

Stop:
Train scenario: Pull the emergency cord!
Isaiah was in a similar situation to us today: the world around him looked very bleak. But God says: do not fear, I have called you by name, you are mine. Whatever scenarios you find yourself in today, do not fear. We are called for a purpose. STOP and consider whose you are and focus on positives. There is a lot we can celebrate:  1 in 5 people in the UK believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. 45% can believe in Jesus dying and rising again.

Review:
Train scenario: The train driver comes into the carriages, explains the situation and the plans.
We need to look to Jesus as our driver.
In Isaiah’s time, the people were in exile, but God reframed their situation and encouraged them: “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see it? “

Advance:
Train scenario: Once the obstacle is removed the train can move on in your journey.
The Lord our God is powerfully with us and will not forsake us.
You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen.
Advance with confidence!
We’re on a journey of a lifetime to become like Jesus.

Gill picked up our “Who do you say I am?” series and spoke to us about: “Jesus the Teacher”.
Did you know that in the four gospels, Jesus is referred to with a title 90 times, and 60 times out of these he’s called “Rabbi” which means Teacher?
We read in those gospels that everywhere he went the crowds were astonished at His understanding even though he wasn’t from an educated background.
Without any degree, Jesus changed our world and culture more than anybody else in history. Even today, in our society many of our core values are based on the teaching of Jesus!
Jesus taught with authority because His teaching came from the one who sent Him: His Father God.
Sometimes the people, even the disciples struggled to understand what Jesus was saying and the same is true for us today. Don’t be discouraged - let’s keep studying and also embrace the mystery sometimes too!
We sometimes don’t grasp how radical, counter-cultural and transformative Jesus’ teaching was in His time: He taught people to Love, (even enemies) Humility, Forgiveness (the hardest thing for anyone to do), Live by Faith (and not by rationale or science) Service – living lives for others not ourselves! And still radical today.
Let’s make sure that we’re still following the teaching and truth of Jesus today!  Is Jesus your teacher?

What a joy to baptise 6 people and to hear them share their stories.  Let’s continue to pray for all of them this week!

Bob explained the significance and importance of baptism.
He said: Baptism is a symbol, a sign, a public confession, just like a wedding band. It’s not about being perfect, but about declaring that you’ve met the one Who is.
It is a moment to symbolically, spiritually and publicly say: my old life is gone, I have a clean slate, Jesus washes away my past, not to forget it, but to be forgiven of it.

People get baptised in obedience to Jesus great commission – but can arrive at their decision from different places: 
1) some because they have come to faith in Jesus recently
2) some who were baptised as infants (in a different church tradition) and now want to own it for themselves
3) some because they’ve had a “reset” moment, turned a page.

Baptism isn’t a trophy for those who are good, it’s a declaration of those who are willing!
Baptism isn’t about pressure - it’s about promise.
It’s not about rules - it’s about relationship.
It’s not about being religious or getting wet - it’s about being real with yourself, with God and those around you.

Our next Baptism Sunday is (provisionally) Sunday 15th October – if you’d like to be baptised please speak to your LifeGroup Leader or email admin@ashwoodchurch.org.uk and someone will get in touch with you!

Pentecost Sunday!  The birthday of the church – when the Holy Spirit was poured out on all people for the first time!
Matt explained that in Ashwood we believe in the Spirit and the Word of God.
In honour of launching the Bible course, Matt interviewed a panel of 4 people in our church family, to inspire us to be rooted in the bible which is God’s Word to us!
As a church we believe…
... that God’s word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our paths (Psalm 119:105)
... that all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
... that the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12)
... that the grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8)
... that the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement (Romans 15:4)

The panel shared their thoughts on these questions:
- Why are you so passionate about the Bible?
- How do you read the Bible? (i.e. what is your rhythm?)
- What advice would you give to someone who is new to the Bible?
- What do you find difficult about in the Bible and how do you deal with that?
... and shared with us a personal story about how the Bible helped them in their lives.

At the end of the meeting we prayed that we would have a fresh HUNGER for God’s Word, be ROOTED in scripture and be people of the SPIRIT.
Let’s pray that together again today!

In the 12th part of our series “Who do you say I am?”, Matt took us through a highlight reel of some of Jesus’ healing stories in the new testament:
1) Jesus heals a leper (Matthew 8:verses 1-3). Jesus touches people who nobody else should or would. Don’t you just love Jesus!
2) Jesus heals the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8 verses 5-13). Jesus is healing with authority from a distance. The centurion’s faith and understanding even amazed Jesus.
3) Jesus heals Peter’s mother in law (Matthew 8 verses 4-15). A normal setting – Jesus still heals!
4) Jesus heals the paralysed man who is lowered through the roof by friend (Mark 2 verses 1-12). Jesus demonstrates that He also has the power to forgive. Do we have friends who will carry us to Jesus -> Don’t live life on your own!
5) Jesus heals the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5 verses 25-34). Jesus felt healing power going out of him. We believe Jesus still has “Healing Power today!”
6) Jesus heals Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5 verses 35-43) Jesus can even heal dead bodies! Jesus is the healer!

Does Jesus still heal today? YES (see story from Dave Bell)

But why isn’t everybody healed?
1) Honest answer is “We don’t know!”
2) We need faith (maybe sometimes more faith….)
3) We have an enemy and dark forces in the world.
4) It’s a mystery!

But there are three things we do know and can hold on to:
1) Jesus has done everything we need to be healed: “By His stripes we are healed”
2) One day there will be no more sickness and pain
3) Jesus can still use suffering for our benefit.

Jesus the Leader
What a great weekend!  It was a privilege and delight to have Jack and Trish Groblewski from Bethlehem USA with us both on Saturday with leaders in the morning, and Transformed Worship in the evening.  And finally Sunday morning – where Jack continued our “Who do you say I am? Series speaking on Jesus the Leader.

Jesus never described Himself as a “leader” but He was and is clearly the greatest role model we can ever have as a leader.  Leaders (by definition) are those being followed.  When we look at Jesus we see why so many people chose to follow Him.

Jack said:
“Spiritual leadership in the church and the kingdom should be spiritually obvious to those being led.”
What is leadership? It’s not “Lordship”. Earthly lordship voids biblical leadership. It is humanly centred and its authority rises from position and ego rather than relationship and call.
However - leadership in the kingdom is God centred and its authority arises from call, sacrifice and servanthood.
In Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, His agenda was to be our saviour and king. In Jesus’ ascension His agenda was and is to build His church.
Jesus the leader is filled with zeal for His church, and leaders who lead in His name are filled with zeal for His church too.

If Jesus is the leader – how can we follow Him well?

Jesus the Redeemer – And That Means Jesus Is My Redeemer. -

In Bob’s message on Sunday, we explored the beautiful truth that Jesus is not only the Redeemer, but our Redeemer, personally, powerfully, and lovingly. Drawing from the Old Testament idea of the kinsman-redeemer—a family member who would step in to rescue, restore, and redeem. We saw how Jesus fulfils this role perfectly for each of us. Like Boaz in the story of Ruth, Jesus became one of us, paid the price for our freedom, and offers us a new beginning.
Redemption means we are not forgotten, not beyond hope, and not defined by our past. Jesus came close, entered our brokenness, and gave His life so we could be set free. His sacrifice wasn’t just for the world in general, but it was deeply personal. Jesus sees you, values you, and calls you worthy of rescue. That’s the heart of the gospel.
So, the question becomes: Is Jesus your Redeemer? He invites each of us to recognise our need, receive His gift, and live the redeemed life, a life that is free, forgiven, and full of purpose. If you missed the sermon or want to reflect more deeply, ask for the notes or listen online. This is good news worth holding onto and sharing.

During “Fostering Sunday” we heard from Zoe about the work of 100 Homes and the need for foster carers in our region.  If you want to find out more about fostering you can!  Head to https://www.100homes.org.uk/

Zoe then spoke to us in our Series “Who do you say I am?” on the topic of Jesus the Restorer.

Reading from John 21:1-19 Zoe read the amazing story of an encounter the disciples had with Jesus after His resurrection. They were lost, broken and had likely given up hope, going back to what they knew, their life before Jesus as fishermen.

Jesus met them and restored them in three ways:
- He met them when they were fishing asking them to cast out their nets. This was reminiscent of when they first met and followed Jesus, he was bringing them back, restoring them to when they first met him and decided to follow him.
- He invited them to share a meal with him, inviting them to bring the fish they brought, showing he still needed them and their gifts, and restoring his friendship/relationship with them through eating together.
- He ‘broke the bread and shared it with them’, bringing them back to the Last Supper, where it all started to go wrong for the disciples. He was restoring them from their mistakes and forgiving them.

He then had a beautiful conversation with Peter where he asked, ‘do you love me?’ three times, restoring Peter from the three times he had denied him on the night Jesus was arrested. Peter was frustrated by the repetition, but Jesus knew exactly what was needed for restoration. Jesus loves repetition and wants us to come back to him again and again in the same ways, declaring our love though prayer, spending time with him and daily practices. It’s in those moments that Jesus can restore us from pain, shame and struggle. Daily restoration!

We are often brought to our lowest moment before moments of restoration, God works in our weaknesses. When we are struggling we can ask Jesus: “What is your restoration plan?”

Jesus definition of restoration is not just bringing back to where we were before but doing something new. Peter in this moment was called to ‘feed the lambs’, to replace Jesus as the shepherd and become the new head of the church. Jesus is always restoring us into something new, bringing truth from our heads to our hearts to equip us for what’s next.

He calls us to BECOME restorers, stepping into the mess of other peoples’ lives to help restore them too. This can be hard and painful - Jesus told Peter at this moment he would be killed for following Jesus! - In fact following Jesus is always hard - but we have to give up our lives to gain our real lives in Jesus. And when we suffer for following him, he will restore us again! A beautiful cycle of restoration into all Jesus has for us!

What an amazing Mini Conference we had!  Sunday Morning was also Session 3 with input from both Paul and Perrianne Brownback.

Session 3 (Sunday morning) focused on Jesus’ “wild” appearances after He had risen from the dead.  Imagine what it must have been like for the disciples to see Jesus again, after the trauma of watching Him die and be taken from them.

What do we learn?

Transformation: Jesus is the same, yet different
Recognition: Many don’t recognise him at first
Embodiment: He eats, shows wounds, speaks peace
Mission: He commissions his followers every time
Presence: He’s no longer limited by time or walls

Perrianne talked specifically about Thomas.  People often call Thomas “doubting Thomas” – but maybe he should really be called “over-thinking Thomas”. He needed to see proof before he could believe that Jesus really had risen from the dead.
Jesus graciously creates a moment where he can prove to Thomas, and shows him what he asked for.  (To see Jesus’ wounds) It was Jesus’ PRESENCE that convinced him first.  Often we’re looking for proof that Jesus is real and exists today (which is fine!) but sometimes the proof comes when we experience Jesus’ presence.  Let’s ask for that!