24 Dec 

https://youtu.be/eI9UhXHpVIE

The Christmas story is a tapestry of awe-inspiring events—angels announcing good news, shepherds and Magi worshiping, prophetic words spoken in the temple, and God’s protection over His Son amidst danger. Through it all, we see God’s faithfulness and His perfect plan to bring salvation to a broken world. From the humbleness of the manger to the journey to Egypt and the quiet life in Nazareth, every detail points to His great love for us.

Reflection:
As we reflect on this story, may we stand in awe of God’s wisdom and grace. Let us remember that He is a God who keeps His promises, protects His people, and works through both the extraordinary and the ordinary. May this story of Jesus’ arrival stir our hearts to trust Him more deeply, worship Him more fully, and share His love more boldly. The Savior has come, and His light shines for all!

Reflection Questions:

  • The shepherds and Magi responded to Jesus with worship and action. How are you responding to Jesus in your daily life?
     
  • Like Joseph, do you trust God enough to act immediately when He leads you, even when the path is uncertain?
     
  • Simeon and Anna waited faithfully for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Are there areas in your life where you need to wait with trust and hope in God?
     
  • Jesus grew up in obscurity in Nazareth, showing that God works through ordinary places and people. How can you invite God to work through your ordinary moments?
     
  • The story of Herod reminds us of the dangers of self-centredness and resisting God’s will. Are there areas in your life where you need to let go of control and submit to God’s plan?
     
  • The Magi brought their best gifts to Jesus. What “gifts” can you offer to Him today—your time, talents, or treasures?
     
  • In the face of the world’s brokenness, do you live with hope and boldness, knowing that Jesus is the light that overcomes the darkness?

Let these questions guide your heart as you celebrate the wonder of God’s plan and respond to His love this Christmas season.


 

23 Dec 

https://youtu.be/1KqV6TKxqHs

After the death of King Herod, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” Joseph obeyed immediately, leading Mary and Jesus back toward their homeland.

However, when Joseph learned that Archelaus, Herod’s son, was now ruling in Judea, he was concerned. Archelaus had a reputation for cruelty, and Joseph feared for his family’s safety. Once again, God provided guidance through a dream, directing Joseph to move to the region of Galilee instead. There, the family settled in the humble town of Nazareth.

This relocation fulfilled the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. In Nazareth, Jesus grew up in obscurity, far from the political centres of power. As He grew, He became strong, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

Devotional Thought

The return to Nazareth reminds us that God often works through the everyday and the ordinary. Jesus, the Savior of the world, spent much of His early life in a quiet, small town, away from the spotlight. It was here, in the simplicity of daily life, that He grew and prepared for His future ministry.

Reflection 

Do you ever feel that your life is too ordinary to be significant in God’s plan? The story of Jesus growing up in Nazareth shows us that God uses the quiet, unseen moments to prepare us for His purposes. Like Joseph and Mary, let us be faithful in the small things, trusting that God’s grace is at work in our lives, even in the most ordinary of places.


 

4 Dec 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skVyUI9MvK0&list=PLHDtq-EIG_lfzR6S74zLGQOn0Y2MrOgv4&index=2

Advent Calendar December 2024

Merry Christmas from Bethel Baptist Church
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.