Stoneygate
Baptist Church

Matthew 8:23-34 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and th

Since the beginning of the year, we have followed the story of Jesus from the manger to the beginning of his ministry. As we approach the beginning of Lent and the lead up to Easter, we will keep following him to the cross and beyond. This morning we heard what might be the heart of his teaching ministry, the sermon on the mount, which is found in both Matthew chapters 5 to 7 and Luke chapter 6 . I've preached on this a few times since I've been here, but as I've said before

Lent lasts from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday (which is forty days if you don't count the Sundays) and has traditionally been a period of fasting and reflection, a way of preparing to commemorate Christ's death and celebrate his resurrection. Some people choose to give something up, while others choose to take something up, the important thing is finding something that has meaning for you. This year Lent begins on Wednesday 18 February, and so we offer a collection of onl

Matthew 4:18-25 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesu

Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you ar

Matthew 3:1-6 and 13-17 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusa

Luke 2:22-40 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consola

Matthew 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” the

We are celebrating this morning with a bit of festive silliness, including a chocolate filled retelling of the Christmas story and a twist on pictionary, as well as reflection and prayer. Chocolate nativity A long time ago, God made the world. In fact, God made the whole GALAXY.   Everything was going rather well until humans started to think they knew what they were doing without God. Life got a bit harder after that. God kept trying to help, but people kept making a FUDGE o

Readings | taken from John 1, Luke 2 and Matthew 2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. --- In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman

This morning was the fourth Sunday of Advent and our 'Selection Box' carol service, with contributions from members of the congregation. We had musical performances and poems and prayers and reflections, with a particular focus on Mary as we lit the fourth candle on our Advent wreath. We can't capture all of it here, but we can give you a taste.   Reading | Luke 1:26-55 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to

This morning was the third Sunday of Advent, and our lessons and carols style service, with music on our fabulous organ. We also remembered John the Baptist as we lit the third candle on our Advent wreath. Luke 2:1-7 - The Birth of Jesus In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Jose

This morning was the second Sunday of Advent. Having thought about the patriarchs (and matriarchs!) as part of cafe church last week, this week, we turned our focus to the prophets. Isaiah 9:1-7 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have see

Here is our annual round up of some Advent resources which may help you engage with this season in a new way. Simply click on the links to find out more. Pray As You Go Advent Retreat This year it's all about the psalms. An introductory session is already available, with new reflections shared every Monday until Christmas. Illuminate: Tearfund Advent Calendar Light the Advent candles and illuminate the way to Christmas with these daily free reflections. Christian Aid Digita