Continuing our introduction to our series on prayer, this week we explore what is so important about prayer and why we should do it. Fundamentally we all pray but we all need help to do so. We pray because Jesus did it, the Church did it and it is essential to our spiritual life – as essential to spiritual life as breathing, eating and drinking is to our physical life. Let’s keep it simple, keep it real and keep it up!   The Prayer Course #2 Philippians 4:4-7 Martin Ceaser   Sunday 15th September   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

We kick off our new series based loosely on The Prayer Course from 24-7 Prayer, digging deeper into the mysteries, challenges and joys of prayer. This week Martin, in his first sermon back, unpacks the reasons why we can find prayer challenging and even a little scary – plus what we can do to reengage with that most essential of Christian disciplines – conversation with the Father.   The Prayer Course #1 Philippians 4:4-9 Martin Ceaser   Sunday 8th September   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

We’re delighted to welcome our Pastor, Martin, back from his time of sabbatical and recuperation from illness. Martin shares his own reflections on his time away and some of the insights and learnings he’s gained since we last saw him. We take some time to pray for and recommission Martin as he returns to his role at Biggleswade Baptist Church.   Martin Ceaser, Cliff Andrews & Gareth Godfrey   Sunday 1st September   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

As the school holidays come to an end and a new academic year is almost here, Cliff gives us a brief reflection on the spiritual gifts given to the Church and the role we all have to play to share his love and message with our community here in Biggleswade. Our gifts are given for the benefit of that community – not just the Church. We finished this morning with a time of prayer to commission everyone for the year ahead – we are praying for you and cheering you on, wherever you are listening to this from…!   Cliff Andrews   Sunday 1st September   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

Mike takes us through the story of Samson as part of this week’s All Age Service. Samson used and abused (and ultimately lost) God’s strength and we can see the importance of keeping his commitments to God in Samson’s story, as well as how it fits into the bigger picture of God’s bigger story. How might we look to rely on God’s strength more and more in the coming weeks?   Samson Judges 16 Mike Sladen   Sunday 25th August   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

A whistle-stop tour through the life and times of Elijah this week, thanks to John Ingrey. This famous prophet was a wanted man, predicted a drought, challenged the king, was the perfect house guest and caterer, took on the idols and their worshippers, fled in fear and despair and then met God, face-to-face… But remember God was neither in the wind or the earthquake, rather in the quiet whisper, so listen carefully!   1 Kings 17 John Ingrey   Sunday 18th August   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

As the 2024 Olympics draws to a close, we explore Paul’s words of encouragement to Timothy, through the lens of the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell winning a gold medal. The remarkable story that inspired the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ shows us what it means to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith – to win a prize that only God will award on that final day!   The Olympics 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Cliff Andrews   Sunday 11th August   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

We’re looking at Psalm 25 this week and the hidden word play that would have helped the original hearers of the psalm remember it and keep it close to their hearts. The psalmist David puts his humble requests to God and the psalm gives practical tips for good Christian living, under the Father’s guidance. When it comes to making godly decisions about our lives, how often are we seeking God’s help to make the right choices?   Psalm 25 Gareth Godfrey   Sunday 4th August   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

It’s been another fantastic Holiday Bible Club week, full of faith, laughter and chaos. Mike recaps the themes of the week, with the help of the Watt Family, in the midst of their adventures to save the Olympics! Prepare yourselves for something a little different this week as we share a glimpse of what Holiday Bible Club is all about.   (And a massive thank you to everyone who played their part in making the 2024 Holiday Bible Club such a great success!)   Holiday Bible Club Mike Sladen (featuring the Watt Family)   Sunday 28th July   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

This week Nick Treby reflects on one of his personal favourite books of the Bible – Habakkuk. We explore the importance of perspective and how the position we take affects how we see the world. Habakkuk brings his complaints to God and the Father puts him in his place – teaching him both how big God is and how small we are. God is taking action even when we can’t perceive it happening – we need to learn to trust Him and look to God’s perspective, rather than try to mould God to our perspective. Despite it all, yet we will rejoice in the Lord….    Habakkuk Nick Treby   Sunday 21st July   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

This week’s guest speaker is Gavin Calver from Evangelical Alliance, unpacking Psalm 16. The psalm reveals three key things that God provides – a great reminder to encourage us in the week ahead. The Lord gives refuge – you can lose everything but you can’t lose Jesus. The Lord gives confidence – we have something to declare and he gives us confidence to declare it. The Lord also gives hope – that heaven is real and full of satisfaction.   Psalm 16 Gavin Calver   Sunday 14th July   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

The final part of our series on Ephesians reflects on the final thoughts from Paul’s letter, concluding with an overview of the protection and equipping that the Spirit gives us. With the help of a visual aid that doesn’t quite translate to the podcast (!), John Ingrey takes us through the armour of God and how it stands us in good stead for the daily battles of the Christian life.   Ephesians #6 Ephesians 6 John Ingrey   Sunday 7th July   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

This week we’re joined by Adam Penwright - who will be very familiar to many of us – and he’s unpacking the latest chapter in our series on Ephesians. Adam explores how we can live a good life, pleasing and holy to God, because we are His children and He wants the very best for us all. As we look to live a holy life, love will flow from us too. But we must distance ourselves from any hint of those things that will rob us of that love – that will distract us from the good life we seek.   Ephesians #5 Ephesians 5 Adam Penwright   Sunday 30th June   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

We take a look at the role of the Bible in giving as spiritual food this week. This short reflection from our All Age Service explores the nourishment provided by the scriptures and how we can get what we need from God each week.   All Age Service Ellen Andrews   Sunday 23rd June   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

Returning to the next chapter of the letter to the Ephesians, this week we are unpacking the subject of unity of the body of Christ. We are united as one family and we are called to make every effort to maintain that unity. It’s truth in action and it requires character. We are called by the Spirit and given gifts by that same Spirit and the more we serve each other, the more we become our new self – growing in holiness and maturity.   Ephesians #4 Ephesians 4 Gareth Godfrey   Sunday 16th June   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

This week’s guest speaker is Steve Rouse from The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC). Steve helps us unpack what it means to view our work – and the rest of everyday life – as an extension of our worship to God. How can we see our Monday morning as just as much of a holy moment as Sunday morning - and even more of a mission field?! Steve’s message is one of commissioning for all of us – whatever we spend our working week doing!   Romans 12:1-2 Steve Rouse   Sunday 9th June   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

We’re joined by another guest speaker this week – Bishop Chris Edmondson. He explores the challenging message of the love of Christ. Love of another kind – love must be completely sincere. Genuine self-sacrificial love that’s not fake. We should be fully available to others, especially to those who are not yet part of God’s family. We are uniquely placed to do our bit to love others. Time to be spurred into action and say ‘yes’ to loving others in the concrete…   Romans 12:9-21 Bishop Chris Edmondson   Sunday 2nd June   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

We’re joined by a guest speaker this week – Paul Peterson from Danehill summer camp. Paul explores the culture of the early church in Acts and what we can learn from it to make a difference to the places we live and interact. It was a culture of risk-taking, stepping out of their comfort zone. It was a culture of devotion, growing in their relationship with God. A culture of unity, of generosity, of gratitude, and of commitment too. Find out what impact this culture had on those around them!   Acts 2:42-47 Paul Peterson   Sunday 26th May   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

This week we’ve reached part 3 of our Ephesians series – the halfway point. We’re exploring God’s great plan, or at least as much of it as we’re able to know, amidst the uncertainty of life and faith. God is the head of our community and as part of the same family, we are all in this together. We can draw on God’s power and provision through what Christ has done for us. We are rooted in His love, safe in His hands and united as one in the great plan of the Father.   Ephesians #3 Ephesians 3 Nick Treby   Sunday 19th May   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk

The second part of our series on Ephesians, we explore what it means to die to self and be alive in Christ. He takes us from death to life – being included, gifted with grace and knowing the hope that Christ has for us – to no longer be foreigners and strangers but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household. In Him we are being built to be a dwelling for God to live, by His spirit – and that’s a guarantee!   Ephesians #2 Ephesians 2 Mike Sladen   Sunday 12th May   Find out more about our church community at www.bbchurch.org.uk