River Church

24/08/2026

We know that it can be tricky switching from Summer holidays to the classroom, so we hold this special service each year, with tools from Pray for Schools Scotland. So join us this Sunday for Back to School with God 2026. Or send us a prayer request.

04/06/2026

Stop Ticking Boxes and Start Living Supernaturally

Have you ever felt like your faith has become a performance? Like you're just ticking the right boxes—attending church, reading your Bible, saying the right things—but something feels lifeless? You're not alone. In Acts 28, we find Paul shipwrecked on Malta, yet this disaster becomes the backdrop for some of his most supernatural moments. His example shows us how to move from religious routine to Spirit-filled living.

**What Does It Mean to 'Shake It Off'?**

When Paul was gathering firewood to serve others, a venomous snake bit his hand. The locals immediately assumed he must be a murderer facing divine justice. But Paul simply shook off the snake and carried on. Within moments, their opinion completely changed—now they thought he was a god! This wild swing in public opinion teaches us something profound: people's opinions are just that—opinions. They don't define you or determine your worth.

• Don't let criticism stop you from serving
• Remember that meaning comes from God, not people's approval
• Keep serving even when others misunderstand your motives
• Focus on God's opinion of you, not the crowd's

**How Can Ordinary People Live Supernatural Lives?**

Paul wasn't a superhero—he was an ordinary man filled with an extraordinary Spirit. The same Holy Spirit that enabled Paul to heal the sick, cast out demons, and survive deadly encounters lives in you today. When Paul prayed for Publius's father who had dysentery, healing followed. Soon, sick people from across the island were being healed.

• Start with compassion for those around you
• Pray boldly for opportunities to serve
• Lay hands on the sick and watch God work
• Expect God to multiply your faithful efforts

**Why Should You Keep Trying When Some People Reject You?**

When Paul finally reached Rome, he shared the Gospel with Jewish leaders. Some believed, others didn't. Paul's response? He focused his energy on those who were genuinely interested rather than wasting time trying to convince the resistant. This isn't about giving up on difficult people—it's about being wise with your time and energy.

• You're responsible for delivering the message, not controlling the response
• Look for those who are genuinely hungry for God
• Don't get discouraged by rejection—even Jesus faced it
• Trust that God has prepared hearts in advance

**Life Application**

This week, ask the Holy Spirit to show you one person you can serve practically. Maybe it's a neighbour who's unwell, a colleague facing pressure, or someone in your church family going through difficulty. Step out in prayer—not with pressure to perform miracles, but with genuine compassion and faith that God can work through you. When criticism comes (and it will), remember Paul's example: shake it off and keep serving. Your life doesn't need to be a religious performance. The same Spirit that empowered Paul lives in you. Stop ticking boxes and start living the supernatural life Jesus promised.

25/05/2026

Free Bacon Rolls!

24/05/2026

Time to Change Your Shoes: Moving from Comfort to Kingdom Power

What do your favourite pair of shoes have to do with the Holy Spirit? More than you might think! Just as we have different shoes for different purposes, God is calling us to move from our comfortable 'slippers' of spiritual complacency to the powerful 'trainers' of Holy Spirit ministry.

**Are You Wearing Spiritual Slippers?**

The disciples had their own version of spiritual slippers. After witnessing Jesus' resurrection, they were still asking, 'Lord, will you now restore the kingdom to Israel?' They wanted Jesus to fix everything whilst they stayed comfortable with their original plans. Sound familiar? We often pray, 'Jesus, sort out the economy, fix the government, make everyone Christian' - whilst we put our feet up and watch telly.

But Jesus had different plans. In Acts 1:8, He said, 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses.' Notice that? Jesus said, 'You get the power, you do it.' We can't stay in our comfort zones and expect kingdom breakthrough.

**What New Shoes Is God Offering You?**

God has three pairs of 'new shoes' waiting for every believer:

• **Play Shoes** - The gifts of the Holy Spirit aren't just for spiritual superstars. Acts 2 tells us God pours out His Spirit on 'all flesh' - sons, daughters, young, old, everyone gets to play! Speaking in tongues, prophecy, words of knowledge - these aren't reserved for the few.

• **Power Shoes** - You will receive power! This isn't just for feeling good in church. It's power to heal the sick, cast out demons, and see miracles. Recently, someone in our church was healed of chronic back pain simply through prayer in the car park. God wants to move through ordinary people in extraordinary ways.

• **Work Shoes** - We're called to be witnesses, starting locally and extending to the ends of the earth. This isn't exhausting work when we flow in His Spirit rather than our own strength.

**Life Application**

This week, dare to take off your spiritual slippers:
• Spend time speaking in tongues daily - it builds you up and connects you with God
• Step out in faith and pray for someone who needs healing
• Look for opportunities to be a witness in your Jerusalem (workplace, neighbourhood, family)
• Ask God to show you where you've become too comfortable and need His fresh power

Remember, God isn't waiting for someone more special than you. He's chosen you to flow in His Spirit. Rivers of living water are meant to flow through you to a thirsty world. It's time to put on your new shoes and watch what God can do!

02/04/2026

Northam Community Centre's Easter event

Our Easter Fun Event 🐣🍫🎨⚽️
Scan the QR code & register your child’s place, drop them off at 12.30om & collect them at 3.30pm.
There will be many activities for them to join in with throughout the afternoon & lots of fun to be had😊
Spaces are limited X

01/04/2026

Come along Easter Sunday, for this new production by Martis, as part of our special shorter Easter communion service, with egg hunt.

22/03/2026

When Life Throws You a Hospital Pass: Finding God's Wisdom in the Chaos

Have you ever been dropped right in it? One moment you're minding your own business, the next you're facing a situation that feels completely overwhelming. In rugby, they call it a 'hospital pass' – when someone throws you the ball just as you're about to get tackled. Life has a way of serving up these moments, doesn't it?

Paul found himself in exactly this situation in Acts 23. Arrested by confused Romans, facing angry crowds, standing before corrupt religious leaders – talk about being dropped in it! Yet through this chaos, we discover profound lessons about partnering with God's wisdom when life gets messy.

**Where Do We Find Real Wisdom When Everything's Going Wrong?**

The Roman captain in our story was desperately seeking advice. He'd arrested Paul to save his life, only to discover he'd detained a Roman citizen without proper charges. Panic mode! So he turned to the religious experts – the Sanhedrin. Surely they'd know what to do?

But here's the problem: position doesn't guarantee wisdom. These religious leaders had all the right credentials but wrong hearts. The moment Paul mentioned his clear conscience, they ordered him slapped. So much for godly counsel!

True wisdom begins with 'the fear of the Lord' – not cowering fear, but proper respect and reverence for God's authority. It's the difference between being religious (having the right appearance) and being righteous (having the right heart).

**How Can Our Past Prepare Us for Present Challenges?**

Paul demonstrated brilliant wisdom by remembering his background. He knew the Pharisees and Sadducees had fundamental disagreements, so he identified himself as a Pharisee believing in resurrection. Instantly, half the council was on his side!

Your past isn't wasted. God uses every experience – even painful ones – to prepare you for future challenges. Those difficult family dynamics taught you patience. That job you hated developed your work ethic. The hurt you experienced deepened your compassion.

When seeking partnerships and alliances, look beyond convenience to genuine shared heart. Paul's real rescue came through family – his nephew who overheard the assassination plot and warned him.

**What Happens When God's Plan Includes Pain?**

Here's the remarkable truth: sometimes God's best plan for getting you somewhere includes going through difficulty. Paul received a divine promise that he'd preach in Rome, but his 'luxury cruise' turned out to be a prison ship!

Yet look what God provided: 470 soldiers protecting one prisoner, free transport to Rome, and accommodation in a palace. What looked like arrest was actually divine protection and provision.

**Life Application**

This week, remember that if God is for us, who can be against us? Here's how to live this out:

• When facing decisions, ask God for wisdom – He gives generously without finding fault
• Don't dismiss your past experiences; God wants to use them
• Invest in family relationships – they often become your lifeline
• Look for people of character, not just position, when seeking advice
• Trust that even painful passages can be part of God's perfect plan
• Let your yes be yes and your no be no – avoid rash promises you can't keep

God has a plan, even when life throws you that hospital pass. It might not look like you expected, but trust His wisdom. He's writing a story of grace through your circumstances that's far better than anything you could imagine.

12/02/2026

Next Wednesday (18th Feb)

25/10/2025

30/09/2025

Discover how to live with MEAT - Membership in God's family, making Effort to stay united, Accepting others despite differences, and working as a Team for His purposes.

Neil Maddock talks us through the M.E.A.T. in Acts 10. To be Members together of God's family, that it takes Effort to keep peace. That we need Acceptance fo...