DECLARING CHRIST TO PEOPLE, DISCIPLING PEOPLE TO CHRIST.

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1 DECLARING CHRIST TO PEOPLE, DISCIPLING PEOPLE TO CHRIST. A message from the Minister Janus was the name of the ancient Roman God of gates and doors who had two faces looking in opposite directions. The month of January, named after this deity, likewise has two faces pointing in opposite directions as it faces the end of one year and the beginning of another. This provides us with an opportunity to look backwards and then forwards as we celebrate the faithfulness of God. Backwards. Here are some things that you might well look back on church wise with thanksgiving:- The year began with 24 hours of prayer & fasting and God s call to seek his face in persistent prayer that he might do a new thing amongst us. The freedom in Christ discipleship course; where upon working through the steps to freedom a new liberty in Christ was experienced by many. Ministry wise we have welcomed Nathan Gordon as our new Youth Pastor, and have appointed Robin Brenchley as our Minister in Training while he studies at Spurgeon s college. The Good Friday March of witness, where our speaker at the open air service was the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Church anniversary, where cakes were delivered to all the shops and businesses that share the High street with us; where an exhibition of 150 years of SBC history was on view; where a meal was shared with an African twist; and where two celebratory services were experienced with guest preacher Jonathan Edwards. But having glanced back over the shoulder it is worth remembering that Churches tend to give greater attention to what they were than to what they are becoming - It is easier to look back and smile on yesterday s accomplishments than it is to look ahead and think about tomorrows possibilities (Charles Swindoll.) Forwards. So as the hymnist wrote Forward be our watchword because we do not want to regress or fossilise; but instead to maintain forward momentum and growth as we strain and press on (Philippians 3 v 13 & 14) to reach out and grasp tomorrows possibilities, with a sure and certain hope ringing true in our ears that our God is able and our God is faithful. Once again thank you for your encouragement and faithful support in ministry, and a Happy New Year to you all. Rev. Chris Hughes.

2 CHURCH LEADERSHIP TEAM Minister Minister in Training Youth Pastor CHRIS HUGHES Deacons ADMINISTRATOR TREASURER ROBIN BRENCHLEY NATHAN GORDON SHAUN HENDRY MARK WRIGHTON GRAHAME ATKINSON PAUL BLAKE DAVID CASSE ADRIAN CHEESMAN IAN DERHAM Church Office details Office open 9am-2pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. and Wed evenings 6-9 pm Tel: No Web: Office Manager: BRIAN DICKSON MARION BRENCHLEY Morning Service 10:30am and Evening Service 6:30pm (refreshments served after each of these services) Communion is taken in the evening on the 1st Sunday in the month and in the morning service on the 3rd Sunday. At the beginning of 2017 we have some changes to our leadership team. At the end of last year Hazel, Richard, Faith and Robin finished their time on the diaconate and we thank them all for their service and hard work. Two new deacons were elected in November.. As they start their three-year term on the Diaconate, we welcome Grahame Atkinson and Brian Dickson. Robin will also be part of the leadership team in his capacity as Minister in Training over the next three years. So for all those on the leadership team, we bless you and pray that God will continue to lead and guide you in the way that you must go as you start this new and exciting year. Shaun Hendry Church Administrator 2

3 There are many of us who still remember Rev Colin Bass who was the senior Minister here at SBC from 1995 to 2007 and left just before Rev Chris Hughes came along. On Sunday 27th November some of us from the church were invited to his retirement meal which was held at Hayward's Heath Baptist Church where he has been senior Minister since Colin officially retired this Christmas and will be moving with his wife Truus and two sons to live near their younger daughter Christine who lives in Reading Berkshire. Colin will be sending his new address into the church office once he has it, for anyone who would like to keep in touch with them. To Chris and the leadership team and to all those who worked so hard to make sure all our Christmas celebrations went smoothly and beautifully. A special mention goes to our church cleaners who worked around all the many events that took place, with our own many celebrations and with all the visitors to the church. The scouts and Westlands school all held their Christmas events here. We had almost 3 thousand people in the building throughout December. Even with all the blocked toilet issues etc our cleaners managed to keep the church clean and tidy throughout such a busy time. To the house groups who were on refreshment duty over the Christmas period, serving us with mountains of mince pies and hot drinks at the end of each service. To the worship team and choir who gave up many hours with rehearsals etc. A special thank you goes out to Richard who led the carol singers around the district with his guitar and also as we sang Christmas Carols outside the church to the many shoppers passing by. To Danni Shanmugam and the team of decorators who dressed up our lovely Christmas Tree and made the church look so Christmassy. Thanks also to Heather salt. 3

4 WOODSTOCK BY DAVID CASSE Our monthly meeting at Woodstock in December was well attended by residents and quite a few well known carols were sang. Bible passages reminding us of the Christmas story were read and Chris spoke on God with us. Alan Cole gave a short talk reminding everyone present that Christmas has a deeper meaning than holidays and decorations. Thanks to all those who have helped in 2016 and we look forward to your assistance in the New Year. At the time of this magazine going into print a date had not yet been arranged for January 2017, so please keep your eyes open and if you can help when the notice goes up on the board in the lounge, please sign up. Thanks to Ros and the team at Woodstock for the continued invitations and for preparing and bringing the residents in to join with us as we share with them the Gospel message. God Bless and a Happy New Year CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT BY DAVID CASSE A big thank you to all who helped with the music at the recent Carols by Candlelight service. There are too many people to mention individually. Thanks to the Digital Projector team for all their help in rehearsals, as well as on the night, the musicians and all the choir. Thank you for your hard work and patience in learning 4 new items. Thanks also to the Office staff for sorting and photocopying music. Also we were very sorry that the Sutehall family were unwell and unable to join us on the night, but thanks go to them for the use of their home for a couple of practices when the Church was in use. If I have missed anybody out, my apologies, but thank you to everybody. God bless you as we continue to serve Him together. FOODBANK BY DAVID CASSE Thank you to all who have donated food and finance during the past year. It has been a busy year and December has been particularly so. As you know the Hub is open for Foodbank clients between and the last couple of weeks it s been nearly 12 o clock before the volunteers have got away. They do an invaluable job and a personal thanks to them all. If you would like to join and do even one Friday morning a month, then please see Kay Cheesman and she would be delighted to give you further information. As I said earlier, December was an exceptionally busy month and between 1 st and 24 th December, 149 people were fed by the 3 distribution centres (Baptist Church, Holy Trinity & The Net Church) with the Baptist Church feeding 70 (almost half). The Baptist Church alone gave out on the first 4 Fridays (2 nd, 9th, 16 th & 23 rd ) kg. Of food which in old units is nearly 1,100 lbs. So again thank you to all who support this work as we share in a practical way and pray that it will also lead to spiritual blessings as well. Thank you to Trevor & Hazel who have also assisted in bringing food from the warehouse to the Church on a regular basis. God bless you all in your service for HIM 4

5 NATHAN AND THE YOUTH/CHILDREN S TEAM OUT FOR A CHRISTMAS EVENING CELEBRATION. MARION AND THE OFFICE TEAM CELEBRATED WITH THE LUNCH REGULARS AS A VERY TASTY CHRISTMAS DINNER WAS PREPARED BY THE LUNCH BUNCH COOKS... IT WAS A LOVELY WAY TO START THE CHRISTMAS FEASTING. On the 14th December ABC had an end of term Christmas party. It was busy but that s what I love. Our children had their free play which led into the party food and they very much enjoyed that. We had the honourable pleasure of Chris our minister come in to tell the wonderful Christmas story... everyone enjoyed it. Thank you Chris. I then led our kiddiwinks into song "Thank you Lord for ABC" "Thank you Lord for boys and girls" and "Thank you Lord for Christmas, I loved that Chris stayed on. Then we sang the wonderful HO HO HO Jingles bells and our hand bells welcomed in Father Christmas. All the children were stunned and keen. We sang jingle bells as he left while his reindeer were waiting and then time ran away with it. One thing for sure it was a lovely start to my birthday to share it with ABC kiddiwinks. ABC Christmas Party 2016 The above article was written and sent in by the ABC Coordinator Kristina Childs who is in the photo helping out Santa! 5

6 A message from the Youth Pastor Dear SBC family & friends, Greetings in the name of our Saviour! It s crazy to believe January 2017 marks the 10th month since I was welcomed into the fellowship as Youth Pastor, the time has gone so quickly. I wanted to take this time to sincerely thank everyone at SBC for making me feel so welcome in the Church. Its not easy moving into a new environment especially transitioning from a Pentecostal background but through your love, patience and support I can truly say I feel settled, focused and very much a part of the SBC family. Whenever I am asked by friends and family wanting to know what SBC is all about, I always respond; SBC is a place where you feel the love of Jesus! We know God loves us all but its important that Gods love is demonstrated in our love for each other. Jesus told his disciples in John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. The love that resonates in our local church is a wonderful demonstration of Gods unconditional and unfailing love, TO GOD BE THE GLORY! If I could pick my favourite highlight in 2016 I would say it had to be the children s and youth Christmas production. It was such a delight to see our young people involved and I certainly will never forget our modern twist of the legendary Christmas story. To all who played a role thank you and especially to our amazing volunteers who have been a joy to work with in In 2017 the youth ministry has a vision to Live out Loud and Live out Love, this is a play on the phrase LOL which many young and mature use to illustrate laughing out loud via text message. Throughout the course of this year our prayer is that young people will be challenged to not just be hearers of the word but also doers. We have an exciting and action packed programme for 2017 but most importantly I do pray the fruit of this years ministry will see young people enter into a relationship with Jesus and grow in the knowledge of the saviour. So friends I sincerely pray that you have a wonderful 2017 and even the challenging moments that present themselves are opportunities for our faith to increase as we depend on the everlasting arms of our Great and Good Father. God Bless and a Happy New Year-Nathan THE CAVELL WAY PROJECT I have received an from Bill Clarke who is in charge of the Cavell Way project. In the New Year they are looking to appoint volunteers to help with two aspects of the project. Mondays from 3.45 to 5.45 to help with a club for 8-11 year olds. Thursdays from to 2.45 to help with a parent & toddler group. If you feel you would like to help in any of the two areas mentioned or would like more details then please contact Hazel Waters who will put you in touch with Bill Clarke. 6

7 1st 10:30am Robin Brenchley 6:30pm NO SERVICE 8th 10:30am Compassion Sunday 6:30pm Alan Cole & Communion 15th 10:30am Chris Hughes Communion 6:30pm Chris Hughes-Mission 22nd 10:30am Chris Hughes 6:30pm Chris Hughes T & E 29th 10:30am Chris Hughes 6:30pm Nathan Gordon BORN IN A BARN PUPPET SHOW On Saturday 17 th December, the street evangelism team put on a puppet show with the Christmas message at the front of the church, and opened the Hub for coffee/mince pies etc. The message was centred around Jesus being sent by God to open the door into his Kingdom which had been closed by sin, which was put across with music and puppet voices. The church has in its possession a number of puppets, some of which were used in the recent past to present at church services and events, and some others which have been recently donated by a church in town which closed down. We do feel that this ministry has a lot of potential, both on the street and within the church and would ask that anyone who would like to help in anyway make this a reality in the coming year to let us know. INFORMATION BULLETIN For members and regular attendees we have what is known as Pigeonholes for all internal mail. These are situated at the rear of the church lounge, filed under the alphabetical first letter of the surname. Post mail here to other church members and regular attendees and check your own box each Sunday. Especially if you are part of a team that needs Rotas. You can also put articles for the magazine etc. in the church office pigeonhole! There are still many Christmas cards waiting to be picked up. Please have a look and take what is yours as anything left for more than 4 weeks will be dealt with appropriately by the church office. 7

8 pm Rendezvous- Harmony Therapy Trust pm Foodbank Mtg. In Hub 1-3pm Rendezvous- John Greenhill 1.-3pm Rendezvous- Alzheimers Soc. Private function 1-3pm Rendezvous- Harmony (music) Private function 10:30am. Morning Service- Compassion Sunday pm Deacons 4pm. Youth Band rehearsal 6.30pm. Evening Service- Communion pm Ladies Contact Club 7.30pm Church Prayer Meeting 11am C.T.I.S. Prayer Food Bank -Hub 10pm-2am Street Pastors-Hub Food Bank-Hub 7-9pm Underground 10pm-2am Street Pastors - Hub 10am-12 noon Contact Centre Contact Centre 10:30am. Morning Service NO EVENING SERVICE 10.30am. Morning Service-- Commisioning of Deacons & Minister in Training 4pm. Youth Band rehearsal pm-Money Course in Hub 6.30pm Evening Service-Mission am. Morning Service pm Deacons Prayer Mtg Private function noon A.B.C noon A.B.C noon A.B.C. 11am C.T.I.S. Prayer 12.45pm Lunches 2pm-Bright Hour 11am C.T.I.S. Prayer 2pm Bright Hour Mens Fellowship 11am C.T.I.S. Prayer 12.45pm Lunches 2pm Bright Hour 10am 12noon Food Bank-Hub 7-9pm Underground 10pm-2am Street Pastors-Hub 10am-12 noon Food Bank-Hub 7-9pm Underground 10pm 2amStreet Pastors Hub Contact Centre Contact Centre pm-Money Course in Hub 6.30pm. Evening Service Training & Equipping 10:30am. Morning Service 4pm-Youth Band 6.30pm. Youth Service JANUARY 2017 Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun JAN 30 JAN 31 1 Business Mtg