http://alaroadenglishpresbyterianchurch.placeweb.site/

Ala Road Church Pwllheli, Glasgoed, Yr Ala, Pwllheli (2026)

24/04/2022

ROOTED IN A DAY

Last Thursday we went for two walks. Early in the morning, we walked the northerly paths around Llanwnda along the Foryd that brings us to Caernarfon. Over the fields to the south is the village of Llanfaglan, my Mam’s village. It was a beautiful morning, and we had the paths to ourselves. As we walked, I thought of my family all those years ago, walking along the same paths. Thinking of them working hard in such a beautiful place between the Menai Straits and the mountains.

Lunch was a surprise picnic in the furthest corner of Dinorwig with Mam, my sister Eleri and her grandson, 6-year-old Guto. After the picnic we went on up towards Dinorwig Quarry. As compared to the men in Dad’s family years ago, how different it was for us on a wonderful afternoon in April, as we walked that path up to the quarry. We were just going for a walk; they were walking to earn a living. We were walking, enjoying the views, and interesting chats with like-minded people, but for them it was walking to face another hard day’s work. Thinking then about them walking and working in all weather. In the winter the slates would be frozen over, and then the summer could transform the quarry into a furnace and the slates too hot to hold.
The story of home is my story, and my story is home’s story. In the memories there is so much to be thankful for, so much to appreciate.
But when we returned home, I thought again of how last week began - the grave was empty and Jesus alive. As one of my friends messaged me on Monday morning, “Empty grave = Full life.” Yes, we have roots and a personal story to tell, but as Christians we have something else to share; something that belongs not only for now but forever. This is what the Bible says, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17).

Let’s pray.
Father God. We thank you this morning for that story that belongs to us.
We thank You for family, for friends and for communities.
We thank You that the grave was empty and Jesus alive. We thank You that Jesus chose to be our brother.
And as we share our own stories, help us to also to share You with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

17/04/2022

PROMISES
How good are you at keeping promises? The usual dictionary definition of ‘promise’ is “a declaration of assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.” And also, “to afford a basis for expectation.” In John’s Gospel Jesus speaks to His disciples like this, “Because I live, you will also live.” (14: 19).

Today is Easter Sunday and we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection knowing that this is what He promised His disciples. Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that those who put their trust in Him will also see victory over death. There is nothing of wishful sentiment about Jesus’ resurrection or ours. There is no grey area here. For the Christian, there is nothing of not knowing what is ahead for us. Easter morning has dealt with that. For the Christian, the hope of resurrection is a hope built on certainty. Jesus’ certainty. This morning, this Easter morning, we are remined of that hope. The Christian hope is based on that assurance that Jesus gave to His disciples that even as he faced death, He would yet live. And yes, they did see Him alive.

Promises are as good as the people who make them. As regards the promise here in John 14, it is a promise made by Jesus. What do we know about Jesus Christ? Would we safely say that Jesus keeps promises? By what we know about Him, are we persuaded to trust Him? The answer here is yes, we can with confidence trust Him to be reliable in all things. So, this morning, Easter morning, is about knowing that our home is secured with Him. Again, we trust His words, “Because I live, you will also live.” This is Jesus’ promise to us, and the best is yet to come.

Let’s pray.

Father God, on this new Easter morning, please remind us once again of the miracle of that first morning when Mary, searching for Jesus, encountered your angel saying, “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.”

In the resurrection, Lord, remind us that the purpose of our lives is to know Jesus and to enjoy fellowship with him forever. Help us to share this fellowship with others as we rejoice and celebrate that our Lord is alive and with us.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Lord of life and conqueror of the grave. Amen

10/04/2022

NEW JOURNEY

Today is day 100 in 2022 and this year this is the date for Palm Sunday, as we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. Jesus was entering the city riding a donkey. The donkey at that time, was a sign of peace, and when kings and generals wished to discuss terms of peace they would approach on a donkey. Tradition tells us that someone else was travelling into Jerusalem during the same days as Jesus. But who? Well, Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea. While Jesus was entering the city from the direction of the Mount of Olives, from the east, Pilate would be coming from the West as he was coming from Caesarea, the then Roman capital of Palestine. Pilate would travel riding a magnificent stallion and accompanied by a great number of soldiers.

Pilate was coming to Jerusalem to ensure order during the Passover Feast. The Roman way of keeping order was by fear and might. Jesus was offering another kind of order, an order based on love and peace. As we approach Easter, we too have a choice of how we walk with Jesus during this new week. The week that begins today, knowing that Friday is coming, but so is next Sunday, Easter Sunday. Today, walking with Jesus is about joy and the waving of hands while shouting, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Luke 19: 38). But Thursday evening and Friday will come – will we then be walking with Jesus? The disciples failed in this, what about us? Will we faithfully stand with him? Will we tell others what Jesus means to us? Will we allow the love and peace of God to rule our hearts? Will we decide that there is no room in our hearts for selfishness, hatred, or fear?

How then will we come into Jerusalem today? Will we come in peace or are we people who find our strength in powerful stallions? Will we come and leave behind so much of what hinders us? Will we come deciding to forgive and forget those things that trouble us. Shall we come, asking God to make something new of us at Easter 2022? Can we imagine looking back at Easter 2022 and remembering how God changed us then?

Let’s pray.

Father God, help us today to remember Your Son entering Jerusalem in peace, coming, and being welcomed, coming knowing what was in store for him, coming in obedience to You.

Let today be a new beginning on our journey, a journey of being closer to You, a journey of going out of our way to help others, a journey of being obedient to You, a journey of working for peace, knowing that Your ways lead to life in Your presence.

Therefore Lord, today strengthen us so that we will begin a new week of service to You and others. This we ask in King Jesus’ name. Amen.

03/04/2022

WHOSE FOOL?

Last Friday was April 1st, also known as April Fool’s Day. While researching a little into the background and origins of why this day is associated with practical jokes and pranks, I came about all manner of speculations. The one answer that suited last Friday morning was that April Fool’s Day was tied to the first days of Spring. Days that can throw up all kinds of different weather, from heatwaves to snow and ice. As if nature was playing tricks with us and making us out to be fools. Well, last Friday it was the snow and ice for many. But in terms of pranks and practical jokes, the day is about disguising what is true. The ‘fool’ is taken in by a misrepresentation of ‘truth’.

In John’s Gospel we read Jesus’ words, “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8: 32). These words have been used as a motto for many schools and universities around the world, often without acknowledging the source. The Greek word that John uses for ‘knowing’ here is ‘ginosesthe’ which literally means ‘coming to an understanding’, ‘gain knowledge’ and ‘to realize’. This knowledge and understanding is a knowing from being in a relationship with a person or subject. What then is this ‘truth’ that Jesus is talking about? This truth than can be ‘known’ personally.

Well, if we continue to read in John’s Gospel, we come to Chapter 14 and verse 6 where we read Jesus’ words, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Here we have a clear answer, that ‘truth’ is not only an understanding and description of what is right about something, rather that ‘truth’ is known through a particular person, the Son of God. This is the ‘truth’ that gives us freedom.

We can be deluded in many things; we can misunderstand situations and so often, we can be ‘fooled’. Often these things matter little – the practical joke or the prank. We all laugh in the end, and we get the point. But in times when even what we read or what we hear sometimes isn’t true, we can be both confused and baffled. In a programme on BBC4 tomorrow night, Ian Hislop will remind us that ‘fake news’ has been with us long before these uncertain times.

When Jesus calls himself the ‘truth’, John uses the Greek word, ‘aletheia’, which means ‘genuine’. There is nothing genuine about April Fool’s Day, but everything about Jesus is genuine. And in knowing Jesus as the only genuine one, that is when we are set free. Free from everything that tries to ‘fool’ us.

Let’s pray.

Father God, this morning we give thanks for all those who have pointed us to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.
We thank you for parents, Sunday School teachers and Church leaders and friends who have provided us with the opportunities to be set free from all that is fake and to come to know Jesus as the truth that sets us free.
Help us Lord to continue to look to Jesus, to trust Him and be guided by Him. This we pray in His name. Amen.

27/03/2022

WHO SAID “YES”?

On this last Sunday morning in March, with a quarter of the year nearly gone, we come again to Mother’s Day. While preparing for this morning, my thoughts went back to Nazareth in Galilee. The angel Gabriel comes to Mary and addresses her gently saying that she has been chosen as the earthly mother of God’s Son. Naturally, even though Gabriel’s words are gentle, Mary is frightened. This is how Luke records Mary’s response to Gabriel, “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord; let this happen to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38). Mary was saying ‘yes’ to welcome God’s Son to become, for a time, a physical part of her.

Over the last month, I have thought much about the women giving birth to babies in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Yemen. I can think about them and pray for them, but I can’t begin to imagine their situation and pain.

On this exceptionally sunny Mother’s Day morning in Pwllheli, I’m also reminded of women who must live with the disappointment and pain of not having children and those children who know nothing of having a mother. But it is here that I return to Luke Chapter 1 and again to what Mary said to Gabriel. What she said was ‘yes’ and even though not all women become mothers and not all children have a mother present with them, we can all say ‘yes’ to God and in this ‘yes’, we experience God becoming a physical part of us. We are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, on this Mother’s Day morning this year I remember how Mary, Jesus’ mother said ‘yes’ to God. And, I’m going to try and say ‘yes’ to Him more often.

Let’s pray.

Father God, we thank You on this wonderful spring morning for reminding us of Mary’s obedience. Thank You for Mary’s desire to serve You.

Make us also obedient to You and help us to serve You as Your children.

Help us to demonstrate in our lives that we belong to You and that the love we share with others belongs to You.

We also remember the mothers of Ukraine, Afghanistan and Yemen and mothers everywhere who suffer wars, hunger, poverty, abuse, and disrespect.

And in all things, Lord, help us to be more willing to say ‘yes’ to You and slower to say ‘yes’ to those things that hinder us.

We ask all things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

20/03/2022

WALKING WITH WHO?

Last Friday night some 30 of us met at the Pwllheli Rugby Club to join in a sponsored walk to raise funds to transport aid to Ukraine. Thanks to Glesni for the arrangements. Walking is a good way of relaxing, enjoying company and appreciating nature, especially the remarkable moon we saw at the end of our walk.

After the walk I was reminded of the many references in the Bible to walking. Walking to and from places, walking to meet or walking to flee. In the Book of Micah we read, “He has told you what is good and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah6: 8).

When Micah talks about ‘justice’, he uses the Hebrew word, ‘mishpât’, which means a ‘decision in favour of what is fair and just’. (Psalm 146: 7-9)

In the Bible, the word ‘mishpât’ is used alongside four groups of people – the poor, the widow, the orphan and the immigrant. When we consider these four groups, none of them have the power to change their situations, they continually remain on the bottom of every ladder and are always vulnerable and open to abuse. In his book “Generous Justice”, Tim Keller says, “any neglect shown to the needs of the poor, widow, orphan or immigrant is not called merely a lack of mercy or charity, but a violation of justice, of mishpât. God loves and defends those with the least economic and social power and so should we.” It is here that we understand the word ‘mishpât’.

Walking last Friday night reminded me again that walking in Jesus’ way is a different ‘walk’.

Let’s pray.

Father God, I thank You for this new and wonderful morning here in Pwllheli. Let us remember those who today are vulnerable and fragile amongst us locally and throughout the world.

As we remember the poor, make us generous.

As we remember the widow and the orphan, help us to stand with them.

And as we remember the immigrant, make us always welcoming and willing to work for justice.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

13/03/2022

PROTECTION, SAFETY AND SHELTER

A question this morning, what have you been doing over the last few days? A lot of us have been at work, some in school or college, or retired but volunteering to help others. Well, whatever we’ve been doing, what we do know is that the people of Ukraine again witnessed so much devastation. It is impossible to think of anything else, in conversation with others, while watching television, listening to the radio, or reading a newspaper.

Last Monday morning in a Zoom meeting, Gwyn Rhydderch, showed us a film from the Bible Society website. It was a film filmed on mobile phones in different parts of Ukraine and possibly Russia. In the film we see and hear children, young people and adults reading Psalm 31. While reading, many of them are hiding in shelters and cellars. The reading is in their own language with English subtitles on the bottom of the screen.

After Gwyn showed us the film there was just silence amongst us. We were floored by both the faith and bravery of the children, young people, and adults, as we watched and listened.
The psalm begins with the words, “O Lord, I have come to you for protection.” The Hebrew word for protection is “Khaw-saw” (חָ סִ יתִ י). The word also means, looking for safety and shelter. When I asked at the beginning, what have you been doing over the last few days? None of us had to look for shelter, protection or safety from bombs or missiles.

This morning and as we begin a new week, let’s remember the word, Khaw-saw and as we think on this word let us remember our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and Russia.

This is the link to the film. Copy it into your search box.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R625Txca61k

Let’s pray.

Father God, we bring before You this morning everyone who seeks protection:
from war as in Ukraine,
from illness,
from bad news,
from poverty,
from the effects of climate change,
from the evil acts of others
and even from members of their own families.

We bring before You this morning, all the people of Ukraine and Russia. We particularly remember the major cities of Ukraine, Kyiv, Chernikiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Luhansk, Donetsk and Odesa.We think of those who have been forced to leave and those who have stayed to face the future.

Help us Lord to know how we can be a shelter, safety, and protection to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

11/03/2022

The Church of Christ the Saviour in the Ukraine created this video of people who are staying in cellars and shelters reading Psalm 31. Our partners at the Bi...

09/03/2022

Since the weather forecast is for rain at 6.oo tonight, come dressed accordingly. Don't let the rain stop you from coming as we remember that the people of Ukraine are facing much more than rain.
Regards, Bryn and Nia

06/03/2022

KISSING A GUILTY WORLD

William Rees wrote the hymn, ‘Dyma gariad fel y moroedd’ (Here is love, vast as the ocean) in 1847, 175 years ago. As he wrote the hymn, verse 10 of Psalm 85, must have been resonating in his mind, “Unfailing love and truth have met together, righteousness and peace have kissed.” The Hebrew word for kissing here is, נִ שְׁ קָ ף (nâshak). This word literally means, ‘to fasten together tightly’.

Yesterday, as I thought about what is happening in the Ukraine, I remembered Rees’ hymn and especially, “And heav’n’s peace and perfect justice, kissed a guilty world in love.” Let’s return to the original meaning of the word nâshak, ‘to fasten together tightly’.
This is our prayer for the Ukraine and Russia, that they come together ‘tightly’ and as they come together, that they would choose peace and that the words of Philippians 4: 7 would be words for our world this morning, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and mind as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Here is the hymn

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

William Rees (Gwilym Hiraethog), 1802-83
(Translated by William Edwards in 1910

Let’s pray.

Father God, we bring the troubles in Ukraine and throughout the world before You this morning.

Where people are hurting and suffering, will You heal.

Where hearts are broken, will You bring comfort.

Where towns and cities are oppressed, will You bring freedom.

Where lives are crushed this morning, will You bring hope.

Where darkness insists on penetrating the light, will You even shine brighter.

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, believing that He is able to fasten together and that Your peace and perfect justice, this morning, is willing to kiss a guilty world in love. Amen.

27/02/2022

CHOOSE PEACE

On Thursday, February 24th, the Russian army illegally crossed the Ukrainian border and yesterday I received this message from Vitaly Orlov, a Pastor in Kyiv (Kiev), “Dear friends, brothers and sisters from different parts of our world. We appeal to you at this dark time for all of us, when clouds black from explosions cover the sun over our capital.” Vitally’s letter is painful to read, but his plea to us is very simple, he asks us to pray with them that the Russian army will turn around, leave the Ukraine and return home to Russia.

On Friday, Elin and Eli were married here in Pwllheli and I spoke briefly on some verses from 1 Corinthians 13:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. But love will last forever! Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

Love is that thing which if a person has it, a marriage has it, a family has it, a country has, it then it doesn’t really need much else, but if it doesn’t have it, whatever else it does have doesn’t matter very much.

Will you now return to the verses in 1 Corinthians 13 in this meditation, reflect on them and pray with the people of the Ukraine and Russia.

Let’s pray.

Father God, this morning we pray for the people of Ukraine and the people of Russia. And as we pray for the two countries, we pray also for those who make decisions on behalf of the two countries.
This morning, we pray for those who could not sleep last because of the fear of what could happen and the reality of the loss that could face them. We ask Lord, that they might experience today the power of Your strength.

We pray Lord that You would remind those who believe that they have the power, in this life, over the life and death of others, to turn away from violence and to make decision to safeguard the lives of others.

We pray for those who now choose war, that their hearts and minds will be changed by You. We pray that You would move in their hearts, with Your love and in their minds, with Your ways.
And this morning we pray for all the world leaders, that You would inspire them with Your wisdom.

And as we enter this week, we remember St David and all those who have been faithful and obedient in telling others about Jesus. Help us please, to focus on those things that you have called us to do and show us those places that we might be used to convey Your blessings. Remind us that You can change our small things into something so much more.
We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. AMEN

Ala Road Church Pwllheli

24/04/2022

17/04/2022

10/04/2022

03/04/2022

27/03/2022

20/03/2022

13/03/2022

11/03/2022

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