God's Unconditional Love:
A Devotional on John 3:16

In the vast landscape of Scripture, there exists a verse that encapsulates the essence of God's love and the profound message of salvation. John 3:16 is a beacon of hope, an invitation to experience a love so deep and sacrificial that it can transform our lives forever. Let us embark on a devotional journey to explore the profound truth found within these words.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

The Essence of God's Love:
In this verse, we witness the unconditional love of God, radiating like a divine light across the cosmos. God's love is not limited to a particular group or nation but extends to the entirety of the world. It surpasses our human understanding, for it is a love so vast and profound that it propelled God to give the most precious gift—His only Son.

The Ultimate Sacrifice:
God's love is not merely an abstract concept; it is an action—a sacrificial act of immense magnitude. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world as a manifestation of His love. Jesus willingly embraced the cross, bearing the weight of our sins and offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. This selfless act exemplifies the depth of God's love for us.

A Promise of Salvation:
John 3:16 assures us of the gift that awaits those who believe. It speaks of eternal life—a life not bound by the limitations of this world but one that transcends the temporal. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can receive forgiveness, redemption, and the assurance of everlasting communion with God. It is an invitation to experience a divine relationship that extends beyond the boundaries of time and space.

Embracing the Invitation:
The invitation contained within this verse is simple yet profound: belief in Jesus Christ. To believe means more than a superficial acceptance of His existence; it entails trusting Him as our Lord and Savior, surrendering our lives to His loving guidance. Through this belief, we receive the transformative power of God's love, and our lives become an expression of His grace and mercy.

Reflecting God's Love:
As recipients of God's unconditional love, we are called to emulate His character and share this love with others. We become vessels through which His love flows into the world, offering hope, compassion, and forgiveness. By living in the light of John 3:16, our lives bear witness to the transformative power of God's love, drawing others to experience the same salvation that we have received.

John 3:16 stands as a timeless testament to God's immeasurable love for humanity. It speaks of a sacrificial act that echoes through eternity, offering salvation to all who believe. May we immerse ourselves in the depths of this verse, allowing its truth to shape our lives and inspire us to share God's love with a world in need. Let us embrace this divine invitation and experience the fullness of God's love, both now and for all eternity. 

How do you feel about John 3:16 or some of the reflections from this devotional?  I'd love to hear from you.  Send me an email from here.

- Phil Hibbert

Glenys
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.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 


We know meeting someone for the first time can be intimidating and going to a new church for the first time can be nerveracking. We want to help make your first experience at Bethel a great one.

Where and When

We meet at the Chapel (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am.
For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early.  As we don't have our own car park, you will have to find a spot in one of the many public car parks around town.  Don't worry, there is always loads of parking as it's Sunday morning and its.a very short walk.
When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of our welcomers at the door, who will show you where to sit and provide you with a "Contact Us" sheet should you want to us to contact you after the service.

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 church hall.

We see our services on a Sunday like a family get together.  We like to laugh and have fun.  Life can sometimes be very challenging, whether you are young or old; it helps to have support and a place to belong; so on Sundays we do just that.  

What you can expect on a Sunday morning at Bethel is:

A warm, friendly community of people
To be welcomed and included.    
To be supported.
To be given a chance.
To sometimes laugh and sometimes cry.
To be challenged and also to have fun.
To experience the presence of God in us and in creation.
To sing, because music is probably the best way we have of expressing our emotions and gratefulness to God.
A love for the Bible and the truths in it.

Bethel04














What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Creche (0 months to 3 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/grown-up at all times.
Sunday Club (4 -11 years)
Young people (11+ years) They have a group meeting one week and the next join in the service in the Chapel. 

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, a song or two songs, notices and an all age reflection. We really value 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 various groups.  We suggest that on your first visit, you go along with your child to drop them off and meet the leaders, before returning to the Chapel. 

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.


Getting Connected


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

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. 

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries
Youth Group
Foodbank
Renew Wellbeing Cafe
 

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.
 
Name:
Telephone:
Email Address:
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.
 

Leadership 

Phil    
Phil Hibbert    
Pastor    
 
We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.