Wednesday December 4th

Names of Jesus - "Everlasting Father"

Once again we turn to Isaiah’s prophecy today – in Chapter 9 and verse 6:

“And he will be called “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

We saw yesterday that Isaiah said that Jesus would be called “Mighty God” and today he carries on that theme with the title “Everlasting Father” But why is Jesus called “Father” Surely that IS a bit confusing – isn’t God the Father and Jesus is the Son? What’s going on here?

The title “father” in Hebrew literature implies “headship or the source” – perhaps even “the owner”
The term implies that the “Father” is the one who should take responsibility for protecting and providing for his family.

That’s who Jesus is! He has come to protect us from the works of the evil one – the devil – and to provide a way for us to be united once again with God – his father and ours – for eternity.

Speaking of eternity… Isaiah refers to him as an “Everlasting father…” This tells us that he will never stop protecting and providing for us! There is no-one greater – “None above him or before him...”

That’s why the bible tells us that no-one can ever take us away from him. Jesus reveals God to us - as the perfect Father who will keep us safe – forever!

Tuesday December 3rd

Names of Jesus - "Mighty God"

We are still with Isaiah today and his prophecy from ch 9v6…

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

As we saw yesterday, Isaiah wanted to encourage God’s people with news of a promised Messiah – a light in their darkness. In verse 6 we see the names that Isaiah gave to this coming Saviour… today’s title is “Mighty God” But why would Isaiah use that title? What did Isaiah mean? What does this title tell us about Jesus?

In the New testament, the apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Colossian church. In Ch 1v19 he gives us an insight into what Isaiah meant. He tells us that all of God’s “fullness” is in Jesus. The writer to the Hebrews says much the same thing. In Hebrews 1:3 he writes:

“The Son (Jesus) is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”

The amazing truth is that Jesus IS God in the flesh. It’s summed up beautifully in the words of a well-known carol:

“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate Deity.”

A child once said very perceptively – “Jesus Is God - with skin on!” At Christmas we welcome Jesus – who came to reveal GOD to US. Jesus has all of God’s attributes – and displayed them throughout his life.

But… the other side of this is that Jesus – the baby of Bethlehem - has also come to bring US to GOD!

Monday December 2nd

Names of Jesus: "Wonderful Counsellor"

Once again, this morning we go back 800 years before Jesus was born - to Isaiah the Prophet’s foretelling of his birth. Over the next few days we will concentrate on just one short verse of Isaiah’s prophecy - Ch 9v6:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

As Isaiah speaks here, God’s people have been taken into captivity and are oppressed. They are referred to earlier in the chapter as:“a people walking in darkness…”.

In fact, much like today, the whole world seemed like a dark place then and people were desperately looking for the light of hope. The One promised to God’s people in their day was to be their Messiah – a Saviour and rescuer. He would be born as a child and grow up among them to rescue & restore them and then be their King forever! Isaiah was talking about Jesus!

In the verse we read above, Isaiah’s first “title” or “name” for this Messiah – was “Wonderful Counsellor…”
“Wonderful” here means “amazing, awesome…” almost incredible. Jesus is Wonderful! – He’s the Son of God… he came to us by a Virgin Birth… He performed many Miracles… His teaching and preaching had such authority… and when those who opposed him nailed him to a cross he accomplished the most wonderful thing of all – he rose from the dead!

The other half of the title - “Counsellor” – refers to a person’s wisdom, insight, and knowledge. A Wise counsellor speaks the TRUTH. Jesus said that HE was “the way the TRUTH and the life!” No-one ever spoke the truth so completely like Jesus!
He is still the “Wonderful Counsellor – He’s someone we can truly believe in! – a light of hope in a dark world.

Sunday December 1st

Names of Jesus: "IMMANUEL"

Welcome to our online Video Advent Calendar for 2024!

The word "Advent" means "arrival" - or "coming". It's mostly used to relate to a time of waiting for someone special to arrive! That's what these advent daily thoughts are meant to help us with - as we wait for the day when we celebrate the arrival of Jesus!
So... while we wait here's a few good questions for you to think about... What is Christmas all about? Who is this Jesus - and why all the fuss?

Let’s start by going back - about 800 years before Jesus was born… with some words spoken by Isaiah - the ancient prophet. They’re recorded for us in the bible. Isaiah Chapter 7v14 says:

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

Over the next few days, we’re going to try to answer the question “Who is this Jesus” by looking at some of the names or titles he was given. These words from Isaiah are our first inkling of who Jesus is to be. The title for Jesus used here is "Immanuel" - which means "God with us." Jesus - according to Isaiah - will be God Himself who is coming to the earth he created!

The amazing truth about Christmas is that the God who created us came to our messed-up world in a manger. But why?

The clue is in the name that was given to this extraordinary baby: "Jesus". It is translated "The Lord Saves."
In one of the bible’s accounts of Jesus' birth, Matthew writes that Joseph was told that:

"you shall call his name Jesus - because he will save his people from their sins."

God came to this earth to identify with our humanity – He was born as a BABY! - in order to save and rescue us. By becoming like us in our humanity, he could properly pay the penalty for our sin through his death as our true representative. In doing so he has rescued us from consequences of rejecting God’s rule in our lives. This is why we should look forward to celebrating his birth! As the old carol says
He was...

“pleased as man with man to dwell – He’s Jesus our Immanuel”

The wonder of Christmas is that God comes to us – in all our mess – and offers us hope of salvation!

Advent Calendar December 2024

We wish you a very “Happy Christmas” from all of us at Trinity Church

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.
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Planning your Visit

A Warm Welcome!

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 below) for our Sunday Service starting at 10.30am. 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 show you to your seats.

Plan your journey:

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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 10.30 am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our musicians. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 15 minutes. At this point we try to engage the whole family as we introduce the morning's theme. After this we'll share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. Our Pastor will then read and explain a bible passage to us in a way that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. After the service there’s usually tea & coffee available.

images: Services

Children’s ministry

Children will stay with their parent or carers at the start of the service - there is a Creche for the very young ones. We really do value and encourage worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the notices someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their group. At this point the children will leave and enjoy a programme especially for them.

The children's activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, prayer, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. The children then usually come back in at the end of the service to tell us all what they’ve been up to!

Getting Connected

Life 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 Life groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have groups that meet throughout the week at different times. Check out Life Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries
Toddlers Group

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.

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Telephone:

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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.