Tonight in our Bible discussion we looked at what happened after the flood (and the changes that have resulted since then, including changes in diet, longevity, God’s promises of seasons and day and night) and the Tower of Babel (Gen 8-11).

There are many promises from God in these chapters (including the promise never to flood the earth again and the sign of the rainbow – or ‘warrior bow’, signifying the warrior hanging a banner to declare the end of the war.) These speak directly into our world today, reminding us that God is in control, no matter what climate warriors may declare.

The Tower of Babel shows us the introduction of other languages into the world and the confusion this caused (and still does!) These first chapters in Genesis tell us of the Fall, the flood and the Tower of Babel, all events which answer many questions that are still important today.

We also enjoyed a variety of games and quizzes at the New Year’s Day party.

January 2026 is only a few days old, and we have already enjoyed our New Year’s Day party buffet and our first fellowship meal (we eat together after the first service in every month.)

Eating together is a great way of having leisurely conversations and getting to know each other better. Jesus spent much time eating with people and talking to them. We’re just following in His footsteps!

Today, we looked at another aspect of our identity as the people of God, having confidence. Confidence can sometimes appear to be arrogance, but confidence in God is not the same as self-reliance; it is the result of trusting God and having faith in Him.

We looked at three aspects of confidence:

• Confidence that we are accepted by God as we are
• Confidence that we can approach God without fear
• Confidence that God hears and answers our prayers

To be accepted as we are answers the need of every human heart for unconditional love. Romans 15:7 urges us to accept or receive others just as Christ has accepted or received us, and we see that He welcomed sinners, so there is hope for everyone of us! Whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), and so we can have assurance that He welcomes us and is for us. He knows all about us and still wants us! (Ps 139:1)

We can approach God with confidence, entering His presence boldly (Hebrews 4:16) because Christ’s sacrifice for us means we are brought near to God. (Ephesians 2:13) God speaks strength and encouragement to us as we come into His presence; He gives us mercy, grace and all the help we need. Even in impossible situations, God can make a way for us (as He did for Israel at the Red Sea or when faced by an Assyrian army too powerful for them.) (Ex 14-15, 2 Kings 19).

Sometimes, our feelings don’t align with God’s word; our hearts condemn us. (1 John 3:20-24) But although feelings are useful, they are not what we must live by. The truth of God’s word is that because we are accepted by God and can approach Him clothed in Christ’s righteousness, God hears and answers our prayers. (1 John 5:14-15) We need to learn to ask, seek and knock (Matt 7:7-8) and to persevere in prayer (Luke 18:1), so that we can pray big prayers in 2026 and believe that the God of the impossible will work on our behalf.

Today in our service we heard testimonies from people of God’s goodness throughout 2025: how God’s presence had calmed and sustained people through illness, tests and hospitalisation, how God’s provision had seen family fun days go ahead (with real donkeys, for example!) and how Glowthorpe had been blessed by God through funders, how God had worked to give people their heart’s desires (Philip being baptised in Manvers Lake, where he regularly swims, for example), how God’s favour has been seen in the good weather we have experienced for outdoor events and how we have been blessed to welcome new life into our midst and see two church members baptised in water. It has been a challenging but exciting year!