What the???........!!!
A new church in a pub? How can that be? something is happening, this is different....
...People are talking about i61
It's good news!
Come and see for yourself, we're having a blast, it's easy to come, it's fun, meet new friends, church has never been so easy!
New people come in, "how did you hear?"
"Some one told me," "I found it on the web"
"my daughter told me in Nova Scotia!"
People are talking...this is the word on the streets- "Come!"
and by the way,
we have the very best kids club ever!
this is a pic of Steve-O.... did you know he grew a beard? ha ha!
Bad Hair Day!!
Picture 1
Okay y'all, Gill has been having a 'Bad hair day', so how about a few words of encouragement from the crowd out there.
Come on you know you can do it
You can also pick your favourite 'Bad hair day' picture
Picture 2
No suggestion that this one looks like me (steve) please.
Picture 3
We were going to send Rosie (our Dog) for a haircut this week but this is not her
Picture 4
Man! This one gives me the spooks
Disclaimer:- I don't think any of these looks like Gill today - Honest :-)
Going Deeper!
On wednesdays we have our mid-week meeting 'Deeper'
this is where we go deeper into worship and deeper into the Word, this is our meeting for the church to be envisioned, empowered and filled up!
Yep we had another really cool evening!!!!
What a Burk!!!!!!!!!!
This is probably the most stupid thing I've ever done
This morning, I went to the cash dispenser at Tesco's as I had a long day and needed money just in case.
I did the usually, enter the pin, waited and took the card out - £50 yes thank you - put my wallet back in my pocket and away I went
I was driving out when I thought, hang on a minute I don't remember putting the money in my wallet. I checked and sure enough, just the card - NO CASH - OH NO!!!!
What's the chance it's still there, it was very quiet at 8.15 in the morning. A quick U-Turn and back to the machine - NOTHING - so I went to Customer Services - maybe some honest person has handed it in.
I thought I was the only stupid person in the world but was assured by the young lady behind the counter it's a common occurence and NO, nobody had given the money in
She did explain that the money only stays there 10 seconds and if it's not removed, it pulls it back in and credits it back to your account (I didn't know that), so I still had hope.
I went back to the machine for a mini-statementt but the money had been removed
Oh Well, I hope it blessed whoever took it - Then I prayed "Convict them Lord, may they have a day realizing what they did was wrong"
How did your day start??????????????
Water-Walking with Jesus!
Have you ever felt like you're 'out there' totally out of contol, but trusting in God?
Well let me tell you its a good place to be - water walking with Jesus, don't be afraid to step out of the boat... check this:
Matthew 14:22-36 (NLT) Jesus made his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake while he sent the people home. 23 Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25 About three o'clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him, they screamed in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 27]But Jesus spoke to them at once. "It's all right," he said. "I am here! Don't be afraid." 28 Then Peter called to him, "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water." 29 "All right, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. [30] But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. 31 Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. "You don't have much faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" 31 And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.
So why, why should we get out of the boat????” Because that’s where Jesus is!!!!!!!
On the water---- ‘Out there’----is where Jesus is!
We so often sit in our boat rocked by our storms,
and say where’s God in all this?
Jesus is on the water, and if we want to be where he is,
We’ve got to get out of the boat!!!!!
Two Little Smashers!!!
No prizes for guessing who these two are
As It's caption season,
we thought we'd offer this gem of a picture.
Have fun
WOW - that was a day, that was
Dear Friends,
we love you all, and thank God for all the prayers you offered on our behalf today.
'i61' went live and we were overwhelmed as 75 people (with the 15 children) came to our first service.
Now we are not stupid, we know that some were on holiday, some won't be here next week, some where there for their children, and others, well for many reasons.
BUT the fact is that people who wouldn't normally be in church...... WERE. and for that we are truly grateful
Lee & Sarah led us in 3 songs which was a great start as we sought to connect with people who didn't know the songs (but that's okay, we knew they wouldn't)
An offering for 'Hope House' and 'Compassion' (they are gonna be happy, it was good) included a time of prayer for world and local issues.
Then came Tex Mex and Myfanwy (alias Jeff & Christine) who were absolutely hilarious as they introduced us to 2 characters who promised to be back (way to go guys.... it was cool).
One more song and Gill came up with a 20 minutes Easter Message entitled "What's so amazing about Jesus?" It set tongues wagging after the service with questions about being born-again, whats that? What is a Christian? and 'Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God' (O bliss!!!)
A 5 minute Multimedia clip to music left people with tissues out and questions in their hearts
One last event and the kids went off on their Easter Egg hunt. It was cool, eggs everywhere and kids running around squealing with delight as they found another
And then it was all over.
Will we see people next week? ........... Only God knows but we know we did God's work today and we left feeling satisfied and filled up
The afternoon was spent at home barbecuing for 20 people as we had asked a few back to spend time together. It was great watching the kids play footy and the adults attempt to keep up with them.
How did today go?? ............. Well, all I know is,............ I love church............. it's great
If you would like to join our Prayer Team from around the world praying for 'i61'
Click here and drop us an e-mail
Easter - NEW BEGINNINGS
HAPPY EASTER!
A new day, a new beginning.
Jesus has Risen - Hallelujah!
We are all ready for what promises to be a day of new beginnings and a day of stretching, but do you know what, we are so at peace , it must be God. Slept well, we are refreshed and we are ready for whatever God has for us. We have no idea at this point who will come or how many.
Thanks for your prayers from all around the world.
UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Burundi, France, Albania.
We feel the strength
'i61' A New Church for a New Season - Starts TODAY - Resurrection Day
(Report will follow later today so check back)
Priorities in Life!
You devote yourself to doing what you believe is the highest priority in life.
Jesus said "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matt 6v33)
What are the absolute Priorities that reflect our absolute sellout to the Kingdom of God
1. Obedience to God - Anyone who Obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of heaven (Matt5:19)
2. Love - But I say, love your enemies!... If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that (Matt5:44,46)
3. Justice - God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied (Matt5:6)
4. Peace - God blesses those who work for peace (Matt 5:9)
5. Holy Living - Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matt 5:16)
6. Integrity - Just say a simple, 'Yes I Will' or "No, I won't" (Matt 5:37)
7. Generosity - When you give to someone in need.... give your gifts in private and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you (Matt 6:2,4)
8. Spiritual Connection - You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him (Matt 4:10)
9. Spiritual Wholeness - Is anything worth more than your soul? (Matt 16:26)
10. Biblical Literacy - Haven't you read the scriptures?.. Your mistake is that you don't know the scriptures (Matt 19:4, 22:29)
11. Faith in God - Because of your faith, it will happen....... You don't have enough faith...... If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed....... nothing would be impossible...... But with God, everything is possible. (Matt 9:29, 17:20, 19:26)
12. Blessing People - Jesus not only regularly taught this, but his constant healing of, training and praying for others demonstrated how to bless.
13. Disciple Making - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19)
Now that's a LIFE agenda worth dying for......
A pint and a sermon please
Subheaded:
Caravan Park wants to help people connect with the church in an easy way
That was the title in this weeks Local Newspaper pictured above Article was as follows:-
A SPIRITED service awaits a caravan park congregation.From Easter Sunday a pint and a prayer will be on offer at Bryn Morfa Caravan Park, Conwy Pastor Steve Houghton has come up with the idea of mixing a church-going experience with the relaxed atmosphere you’d enjoy down your local pub Path owner Steve, 48, has watched church attendances fail in recent years, so he and his ‘i61’ (short for Isaiah Chapter 61) colleagues, including wife Gill and son Lee, 30, will be offering unique weekly sermons in a bid to ignite people’s faith. “When most people think of church they think of big cathedrals with huge stained glass windows~ but i61 wants to be a bit different,” said Steve, whose family has owned the Bangor Road path since 1954. “We wanted to do something that would help people connect with church in an easy way. We’re taking church to them. People like to have a drink at Sunday lunchtime, so why not mix the two? We recognise we have to go where the people are?’
Isaiah Chapter 61 tells of the year of the Lord’s favour and the call of God. It explains how we need to preach good news t6the poor and bind up the broken hearted.
The organisation admits the community of today is evolving and says its goal is to reach out to people looking for something more in life.
To do this, they’ll be offering punters the chance to meet new friends, enjoy upbeat music and hear positive messages in a relaxed setting.
It’s all too easy to stay within the safety of a church’s walls, but we want to put ourselves out there, to be available to answer questions people have” said Steve.
For more information visit the website
www.i61.org
Written By Martin Williams
Chief Reporter for North Wales Weekly News-
Thanks to Martin for such a well written and positive report. We really appreciate it
Please let us know what you think of 'i61' -
Leave a Comment
One From Gill....
The Mommy Test
I was out walking with my 4 year old son.
He picked up something off the ground and started to put it in his mouth.
I took the item away from him and I asked him not to do that. "Why?" my son asked.
"Because it's been laying outside, you don't know where it's been.
It's dirty and probably has germs", I replied.
At this point, my son looked at me with total admiration and asked,
"Wow! How do you know all this stuff?"
"Uh,"...I was thinking quickly,
"All moms know this stuff. It's on the"Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy."
We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but he was evidently pondering this new information. "Oh, I get it!" he beamed,
"So if you don't pass the test, you have to be the daddy."
"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face and joy in my heart.
Cheer Up Things can Only get Better!
Sorry
Hi Folks
Sorry, we've had some problems with our blog and had to delete the last two entries to get it all working again
i61 - A New Church for a New Season
These last few weeks have had more defining moments than we care to remember.
But here we stand again with yet another.
Welcome to
i61 - A New Church for a New SeasonGo to
www.i61.org.uk for all the information you may need
If you'd like to receive regular e-mails about i61, please email us at
church@i61.org.uk and we'll add you to our list.
1Corinthians 3:6-9 .....as the Lord has assigned each to his task.
(Steve) planted the seed (Gill) watered it but God makes it grow. So niether he who plants or he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his labor.
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
Defining Moments
Well, it's a defining moment for us, after twelve years of growing together as part of God's family
we left our previous church ....
It was the hardest decision to make ever, lots of tears and soul searching, but we know it's time to move on.
We love you church family, we appreciate all our good friends and treasure many happy memories. We will miss you very much!
