Three Times

As we continue our Sunday series focused upon the Apostle Peter, we come to that moving moment when Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me?” Why three times? Certainly it mirrors Peter's three denials, but it also reminds us of a fascinating pattern woven throughout Scripture: God often works in threes.

Perhaps this should not surprise us. At the heart of Christian faith stands the mystery and majesty of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our God is One in Being, yet Three in Person. The number three repeatedly appears as a sign of completeness, confirmation and divine purpose.

Think of the many biblical examples. Three visitors came to Abraham. Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish. Elijah poured water over his sacrifice three times before God sent fire from heaven. Jesus prayed three times in Gethsemane. Paul pleaded three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed. Peter saw the sheet from heaven three times before taking the Gospel to the Gentiles. There are many more instances. Most significantly of all, Jesus rose on the third day, securing salvation for all who trust in Him.

Then there is the worship of heaven itself. The seraphim do not cry merely, "Holy." Nor even, "Holy, holy.” They proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty." Threefold praise for the infinitely worthy Triune God.

What does this mean for us? Perhaps it reminds us that God is patient in His dealings with His people. We often want instant answers, immediate growth and overnight holiness. Yet God frequently works through repetition, reinforcement and reminder. He teaches, repeats and teaches again. Thankfully, He is not the God of "one strike and you're out," but the God of grace upon grace.

It also reminds us that God finishes what He starts. Three often signals completeness. When God begins a work in us, He intends to bring it to completion. His plans are not partial, His promises are not patchy, and His purposes are never half-hearted.

So when life feels fragmented, faith feels fragile, or circumstances seem uncertain, remember the God of the threes. The Father loves you, the Son saves you and the Spirit strengthens you. His work is complete, His grace is sufficient and His purposes are perfect.

And if you happen to hear something three times this week, perhaps don't ignore it - God may just be trying to get your attention.

Revd Michael Hogg

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 10am, before the service begins. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. We share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. Following this is a time of sung and spoken worship. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Often a person will pray out loud or read a small passage from the bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

images: Services

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Creche (0 months to 3 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/grown-up at all times.
BRBK (4-11 years)

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. Part way through the service, the leader will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

House Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out House Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Leader 1		Leader 2
Leader Intro		Leader Intro

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

(Handwritten Signature)