What’s Happening

What’s Available At GPCC

Apr 24, 2026

GPCC runs a number of community-based activities available in addition to our church service on Sundays at 3 p.m. and our Bible study/ prayer meeting on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m.

1. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 (meeting twice weekly in term time on Wednesday and Friday mornings between 9 and 11 a.m., aimed at families with 0-5 year olds). Term-time only.

2. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (held on the 1st Saturday of each month between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.)

3.𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬 (‘Mindful Moments’) for adults, held on the 3rd Monday of the month between 6 and 8 p.m.

In addition, the community room is used by other groups on a regular basis:

1.𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐭 (gentle exercise for the over 50s), held on Tuesday mornings between 10 and 11 a.m.

2. 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 (Wednesdays, 4.30-5.30 p.m.) and 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐫 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 (Wednesdays, 5.45-7.15 p.m.) for children aged 4-7 and 7-12 respectively. Term-time.

3. 𝐒𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝(Thursdays 5-6 p.m.)

Starting on Monday 18 May on alternate Monday mornings, there will be a craft session run by 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. More details to follow.

In addition, the community hall is available for hire for birthday parties. Light up numbers and soft play for children’s parties in particular can be hired from Turners’ Tiny Parties. The room costs £15 per hour to hire, is big enough for a bouncy castle to fit in, and the kitchen and toilets are included in this hire.

One Person Can Make A Difference

Apr 24, 2026

Yesterday was St George’s Day. St George (the patron saint of England, among other countries) is probably most famous for the legend that he killed a fierce dragon which was causing panic in the city of Silene in Libya. To keep the creature from ravaging the city, the inhabitants gave it two sheep each day, but when the sheep were no longer enough, they were forced to sacrifice people chosen by the townsfolk themselves. Eventually the king’s daughter was selected, and no one was willing to take her place. George saved her by slaying the dragon with a lance. The king was so grateful that he offered George treasures as a reward for saving his daughter’s life, but George refused and urged him to give them to the poor instead. The townspeople were so astonished by what they witnessed that they all became Christians and were baptised.

This story reminds us that one individual can make a huge difference to many people. In John 4, we read how the words of Jesus transformed the life of an unnamed Samaritan woman, and how her witness to her neighbours transformed a whole town. This is the power Jesus has, how He transforms us through His knowledge of us and how, if we respond to His words, we can know living water that wells up, leading to eternal life.

Nicodemus sought Jesus out by night; this woman does not seek Jesus out, but He seeks her out, reminding us that He came to seek and save the lost. He engages in conversation (a shocking thing to do since He was a male Jew and she was a female Samarian), reminding us that the gospel transcends nationality, gender, and religious barriers. Jesus spoke of His food being to do the Father’s will; there is an urgency in His words which reminds us that sharing our stories with others as to God’s goodness and power is a huge part of our everyday witness. God is looking to bring many people into His kingdom, and this one woman became key to the salvation of people in Sychar. May we be so transformed bythe words of Jesus that we become key witnesses in the salvation of our local areas.

Living Under God’s Favour

Apr 19, 2026

When we ask someone ‘Can you do me a favour?’, we usually mean something relatively minor! God’s favour is a major thing, however, a blessing we experience as God’s people though it is completely undeserved. God’s favour has been defined as ‘the divine kindness, approval and blessing bestowed upon individuals; it is His unmerited grace and supernatural support.’God loves us and wants to bless us. No amount of effort and good works can earn His favour, but the good news is that God’s grace, mercy and loving-kindness are there for each one of us regardless. He loves us because He has decided to do so; He gives us more grace because He chooses to do so. (James 4:6)

God’s favour is something we accept by faith, but we must let Scripture renew our minds until we are transformed by this truth (Rom 12:2), rather like the infusion that happens when we make a pot of tea or receive medicaiton or fluids by intravenous drips. Favour is not the same as favouritism (Rom 2:11). God has enough favour for us all! Access to HIs favour means we have access to life in all its fulness (John 10:10) and is based on His faithfulness (Lev 26:9) Prov 11:27 tells us that ‘whoever seeks good finds favour’; Daniel tells us problems come if we do not ‘seek God’s favour by turning from your sins and giving attention to God’s truth.’ (Dan 9:13) He was someone who knew God’s favour even in adverse circumstances (living in exile, see Dan 1:9) and he gives us a clue as to how to continue in God’s favour: by turning from sin and paying attention to God’s truth. It’s not enough to hear and understand what God says. We must then put it into practice; we must obey it. (Matt 7:24)

God’s favour means we have access to abundant life now and eternal lfie too. We live under God’s protection (see Ps 5:12, Ps 91:9-13) We also know the favour of other people (as Moses demonstrated when the Israelites left Egypt with gold and silver, see Ex 3:21, Ex 11:3, Ex 12:36) Nehemiah was treated with favour by the king and allowed to go back to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the walls (Neh 2:1-10). Solomon was blessed by the Queen of Sheba who came with spices and large quantities of gold and precious stones (1 Kings 10:2), Cyrus, a foreign king, allowed the Israelites to go back to Israel and build a temple with his blessing. (2 Chron 36:23) As Prov 16:7 says, ‘When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.’

God is a God of abundance, grace and blessing. As God’s people, we can give thanks for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many (2 Cor 1:11) and can live as Jesus did, ‘in favour with God and man.’ (Luke 2:52) God’s favour is one of the greatest gifts He can give to us, and if we will walk humbly with Him, we are guaranteed to have His favour, not because we deserve it, but because of His grace and mercy to us. Isaiah said, ‘These are the ones I look on with favour: those who are humble and contrite in spirit and who tremble at my word.’ (Is 66:2) May we humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God so that He can lift us up and we can live with fulness of life, protection and favour, walking with our God every day of our lives.

Largesse

Apr 14, 2026

Recently I wrote about words adopted into English from other languages; I love the etymology of words (finding out about their origins.) Today’s word for me is ‘LARGESSE.’

This word comes from the Latin word ‘largus’, meaning ‘copious’ or ‘generous’ (think ‘large’!), and is a French word. It’s one of those words whose meaning we can guess at (to do with size!), and is synonymous with generosity, bounty, philanthropy and giving. There is indeed a sense of big-ness in this word, an open-handed liberality which often signifies a lavish act of kindness. We use it to talk about a billionaire’s philanthropy, about money that is given freely to help others.

Each year I rely on the largesse of funders to support the charitable work I do in the community. I am profoundly grateful to be the recipient of such generosity and practical kindness. It’s impossible for me to measure the value of such largesse, for the effect and impact go way beyond the monetary value of the giving.

But more than this largesse, I am profoundly grateful for the largesse of God, for His unmerited favour, for His unearned grace, for HIs deep generosity to me, not only in the daily provision He provides (Jehovah Jireh!) but also for His mercy, protection and goodness.

Something of the largesse of God is expressed in Luke 6:38: ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’

My grandchildren still haven’t fully got the hang of pouring liquid into cups. Sometimes they keep on pouring long after the container is full, and the result is messy – liquid everywhere! There’s a reason the teacup has a saucer: to catch the overflow!

God is like my grandchildren! He doesn’t mind more. He gives abundantly, lavishly, generously, more than we need; He gives with largesse. He expects us to be the same, and challenges us with a promise attached to the challenge: ‘give, and it will be given to you.’ He challenged the Israelites to honour Him with their tithes and offering, giving Him the firstfruits of all they did: ‘Test me in these things ,and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be enough room to store it.’ (Mal 3:10)

Our largesse can never match God’s, but we can certainly follow the example of His generosity. (2 Cor 9;6-11) Largesse begets largesse; generosity fuels generosity.

What Is The Church?

Apr 12, 2026

Today in our Bible discussion we looked at the question ‘What is the church?’ It’s certainly not a building (useful though these are). The church is made up of God’s people meeting together; we are the church! We are the ‘called-out ones’ and on the confession of Peter about who Jesus is (the Messiah and Saviour of the world), Jesus will build HIs church. (Matt 16:13-20)

Some say God chooses who will be in the church; others say people choose themselves, but it appears that both views are true to some extent. As in a marriage, there is a mutual choice which works together for good. The church is made of holy people (Eph 1:1). ‘saints’. In John 10:14-15, Jesus makes clear that there will be both Israelites and non-Israelites in the church.

The church has two arms, so to speak, ‘the church militant’ and ‘the church triumphant.’ The church militant involves all who are on active service for the Lord (2 Tim 2:3); the church triumphant are those who have ‘gone before’ (Heb 12:1).

It’s possible to be a Christian and not be part of a church, but this is like a sole trader instead of part of a larger company. It’s not advisable or what God wants, for the church is meant to help, encourage, strengthen and build each other (Eccl 4:9-12, Prov 27:17, Rom 1:11-12, Eph 4:11-12, 1 Thess 5:11). The church is God’s idea, even though we may find it annoying, difficult, frustrating and trying! The church is for us, and we are for the church!

Jesus Speaks To Nicodemus

Apr 9, 2026

Tonight at our Bible study we looked at the words of Jesus to Nicodemus, reminding ourselves that whilst Jesus preached to thousands on occasions, He also made time to speak to individuals. Nicodemus, a religious leader, approached Jesus at night, recognising him as a rabbi (teacher) with important things to say, but wary also because to be seen with Jesus was not a sensible move for a religious Pharisee! Jesus was prepared to talk to Nicodemus even at night and spoke of the kingdom of God and being born again. Nicodemus interpreted this literally, but Jesus often used common metaphors (here, birth and wind) to explain spiritual truths. Metaphors do not make literal sense to us, but often open the door to understanding at a later date.

The conversation recorded in John 3:1-21 may seem unsatisfactory to us in many ways, as we are not told how Nicodemus responded to the things Jesus told him (including references to the bronze snake in Numbers 21 and his own identity as the ‘Son of Man.’) Sometimes, we don’t know how people respond to our conversations and we can feel discouraged, but our responsibility is simply to sow the seed of God’s word; it is God who makes it grow. (1 Cor 3:6-7) As it turns out, the words of Jesus clearly had an impact on Nicodemus, who argues for a fair hearing for Jesus in John 7:45-52, even though his fellow Pharisees openly mock hm for this. Ultimately, we see that actions speak louder than words, for Nicodemus accompanies Joseph of Arimathea to the Romans to ask permission to bury Jesus’s body after his crucifixion and buys expensive anointing spices to give this man a proper burial. (John 19:38-42). To do so when Jesus was still dead shows us that Nicodemus had firmly nailed his colours to the Jesus mast!

Jesus always spoke to individuals as individuals who were known, loved and valued by God. He did not push Nicodemus into making a confession of faith; He trusted God to water HIs words through the Holy Spirit, for to see and enter the kingdom of God requires God’s Spirit to convict and bring people to faith. We can be encouraged by all we learn of Nicodemus and can be grateful for the spiritual truths this conversation leaves us.