West Mersea Free Church

Money

This Sunday we meet to worship together as we continue to think about, in these world-shaking times, what it means to build our lives upon 'The Rock'. Based on one of the topics coming out of the Who Cares? survey, this week we're looking at money. Rob starts by asking us some of the questions you would go through at the start of the CAP Money Course. Money is something that can control our lives, but we should not let it. We can be content with what we have, and prioritise God in our lives...

Why did Jesus die?

This Sunday we meet to worship together as we continue to think about, in these world-shaking times, what it means to build our lives upon 'The Rock'. This week we're asking: "why did Jesus die?" The answer is love. God loves, and He longs for a relationship with us. It's hard to love someone you like, but to love someone you don't like can be even harder - but Jesus tells us to love our neighbours as ourselves. It's our failure to love others that draws us away from God. The only way to ...

The Prodigal Son

Join us as we begin our new series, 'The Rock', together. As our world shakes, maybe more than ever we need to be ask what our lives are founded on. During this series we will be exploring our lives and discovering that the only sure and certain hope is to build absolutely everything upon 'The Rock'. Favourite song This week for our weekly 'favourite song' slot, we spoke to Lesley, one of our local physiotherapists. Reckless Love, Lesley's current favourite, had a resonance with her as it de...

Easter Sunday 2020

Jesus is risen! This Easter Sunday we celebrate Jesus is alive! Join us in sung worship, learn with us through readings, and watch scenes from Neville B. Leevit, investigating at the time of Jesus' resurrection around AD 33 - is he really alive? Did he really die? What actually happened? The Easter story is a story full of surprises; Rob speaks about the changes these surprises made to people's lives, and how it can change ours. Can we be surprised by the Easter story ourselves? God had a p...

Good Friday 2020

On Good Friday, we remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross so that we might be forgiven. The service begins with an introduction, followed by sung worship and readings leading us through the story. Responding to this, you are invited to take communion with us. You don't need to have wine and bread, but any drink, and any food. We remember Christ through communion - his body, broken for us; his blood, poured out for us. Jenny then considers the story, responding the the events at the time, lo...

Palm Sunday 2020

This Palm Sunday we begin our series of Easter services, where we remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and the spreading of palm leaves before him. With a reading from friends at Orchard Baptist Church, Jenny speaks about how important songs are to understanding how we understand Palm Sunday; recognising it is God who transforms, God who listens, and God who saves. During our service we also had our 'favourite worship song' slot, where this week Celeste shared her favourite song: "Still" by ...

A Different Life

Continuing the 'Designed for Life' series inspired by the apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Rob speaks this week about how we should live as Christians, and how we can live "a different life". As sent out by email with the church notice sheet, each week the Evangelical Alliance is publishing a prayer for God's help during these different times, each supported by a scripture, which you can find on their website. Thanks again for joining us in worship this week, we will be live streamin...

Mothering Sunday

For the first time, we live-streamed our entire service online this week. Before the service we have an interactive 'Spot the Difference' challenge (solutions below). Thank you to all who joined us this week! We hope to have you join us again next Sunday at 10:30am, either through our website, or Facebook Live. Solutions Solutions to the 'Spot the Difference' activity are below:

Scattering Seeds

For the second service of the year, Rob looks at the book of Mark, asking us to consider three questions.

The gift is unwrapped

Our Christmas Day service for 2019 looks at the Gift of God being unwrapped for us, as we remember Jesus' birth and his coming to the world many years ago. Reflecting on the gift of Jesus, we think about what His coming means for us.

The gift is joy (Nativity)

Join us for our dress-up Nativity service, as Jenny tells an interactive story of Christmas. When you're listening, you can also take part. When Jenny says: "Love/Loved" - put your hands on your heart "Listen" - cup your ears "Friend/Friendship" - shake your hands together "Big hug" - give yourself a hug

The gift is here

Introducing the series for Advent and Christmas 2019, Jenny speaks about the birth of Christ, and how God paid the ultimate price for us.

The Tabernacle

Peter speaks this week on the Tabernacle of Moses - what it represented then, and what it means for us today.

The Law

On the subject of "The Law", Jenny speaks this week about what the laws are, and how they affect us still today.

The Passover

This week Rob speaks about the Passover - taken from the teaching in Exodus 12 & 13.

Moses’ Call & Return To Egypt

For the second week of the Exodus series, Rob speaks about Moses and his calling from God to save God's people - and although Moses was at first reluctant, he did listen, and he did save.

Exodus: Introduction

Jenny speaks this week about the beginning of the book of Exodus, which starts by listing names from the story of Genesis before developing to tell of Moses' travels to live with the pharaoh.

Education Sunday 2019

This week Rob speaks about how God's teaching applies to our lives as students, teachers, families and a congregation.

Beach Club Service

The sermon today came in several different parts - starting with Andrew French continuing his tale as Andrew, disciple of Jesus, just as he was throughout the Beach Club week. Following this, Jenny talks about the overall theme for the week and how Jesus can be a part of our lives today, just as he was for the people we learned about through the week. Finally, Jenny demonstrates Jesus' love for us, sacrificing himself for us, and always being with us, by standing and covering us when we're g...

Abigail

For the final sermon in the Impact series, Rob speaks about the lesser known Abigail - and the significant impact she had on the events recorded in the Bible.

The Samaritan Woman

Melissa speaks this week about the Samaritan woman Jesus meets at the well. What can we learn? How does it affect us?

Mary, Mother of John Mark

This week Rob talks about Mary, mother of John, also known as Mark. Mary hosted the church in her house and although in the Bible there's only a brief mention of her as she hosts a prayer meeting, there's a lot we can learn from her, her character, and her willingness to serve God. As part of the sermon we also watched a short clip by Open Doors, where Pete Grieg (of 24/7 Prayer) talks about praying for the persecuted church.

Baptism

Rev. Jenny Hughes speaks about Jesus telling his disciples to cast their nets over the other side of the boat, and what this has to do with baptism. You can learn more about baptism on our website. Following the sermon we had an opportunity to reflect listening to 'Everyday' by Tom Smith.

Ordination and Induction of Rev. Jen Hughes

During the Ordination and Induction service for Rev. Jenny Hughes, Rev. Pieter Lalleman from Spurgeon's College (where Jenny trained) gave a short talk based on 1 Samuel 3:1-21

John Mark

Andrew French speaks this week about the impact of John Mark, and John Mark's mother, Mary.

The Paralytic & 4 Friends

This week Rob looks at the story of the paralytic man and his four friends, who lift him through the roof to be healed by Jesus. Rob starts his sermon with a video:

Shiphrah and Puah

Blessed are you when you’re insulted because of me

Blessed are those who are persecuted

Blessed are the Peacemakers

This week Rob speaks about peacemakers, and how people can be peace-makers, but peace is God-gifted.

Blessed Are The Pure In Heart

Blessed are the Merciful

Blessed are the Meek

Blessed are those who Mourn

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Perserverance

Rob used a video to illustrate part of the sermon.

The Mind of Christ

Christ of the New Year

Andrew preaches on welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives for the new year, looking at the events in Revelation and how we as Christians can be saved through Christ.

Lost Sleep, Found Rest

The final sermon in the Lost and Found series, Jen focuses on being part of God's family as we celebrate Jesus' birth on Christmas Day.

Lost Way, Found Direction

Jen gives a short talk during the West Mersea Free Church carol service for 2018, following on the theme of Lost and Found at Christmas, and summarising the 9 lessons and hymns of the service.

Lost Voice, Found Peace

The second service in the Lost and Found at Christmas series covers the story of Zechariah and the birth of John the Baptist, following the theme of 'Lost Voice, Found Peace'. Reflecting on the sermon, we considered what God is saying to us this Christmas, listening to "Silent Night" performed by Chris Tomlin & Kristyn Getty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pEndgvJe2s

Hebrews Concluded

Challenges of Faith

Examples of Faith

A Life Of Faith

There Might Be Giants

Jen talked about the Hebrews that were up against the giants in the new land they were promised, she included a video from YouTube which was also used in a previous service, the link to this video is included and leads to the song on YouTube.

Jesus High Priest

The Promised Rest

Jesus Superior to Angels

Starting a new series on the Book of Hebrews - a letter written by an unknown author that teaches upon the scriptures of the Old Testament - Jen begins by building upon the sermon that is Hebrews 1, where we learn Jesus is superior to all angels in God's Kingdom. Jesus is the son of God, sent to Earth for our salvation.

Education Sunday 2018

This week we look at being a follower of Jesus, based on the Education Sunday theme for 2018: Faith and Works. "The good news of Jesus Christ is not rocket science." Rob speaks this week about being a follower of God and sharing the Good News of the gospels. Rob briefly mentions an illustration involving marshmallows and the gospel from Soul Survivor - you can watch Laura Hancock's full talk online. For God so loved the world, He gave His only son, and whoever believes in Him shall not die,...