Christ Church Selly Park

Allan Bartlam | Acts 12:24-13:12 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. With these few words begins the account of Paul's extensive missionary journeys. As Allan explains, we don't know just how the Holy Spirit spoke to the church at Antioch, but in obedience, they gave up their best teacher and best pastor in order to spread the gospel further afield. On their journey, Barnabas and Paul encountered both opportunity and opposition. Will we in our day pray to be more of a sending church? The recording begins with the reading from Dee Lucking.

Bobbie Frere | Acts 12:1-24 Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!' he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. As the story proceeds, Peter goes to the house where the disciples are praying for him - and at first they refuse to believe that the miracle really has occurred. Yet why, asks Bobbie, was Peter rescued, when so many others - including James, the brother of John, who had already been executed - were not? How should we react when we're going through tough times? Bobbie has some words of advice and encouragement. The recording begins with the reading from Pat Clayton.

Allan Bartlam | Acts 11:19-30 When [Barnabas] arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts... Then Barnabas... brought [Saul] to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. The church at Antioch was not really supposed to be there at all. A group of unnamed believers who had been scattered by persecution broke a cultural barrier and preached the gospel to Gentiles, who received it and grew rapidly in numbers. Thanks to the teaching of Barnabas and Paul, the church grew in faith and maturity too. In his talk - assisted by others, including Cathie, who describe their own personal experiences - Allan explores ways in which we can learn and grow, especially in the context of the changes we are going though at Christ Church. The recording begins with the reading from Kate Routley.

Chris Turner | Acts 11:1-18 [Peter said,] ‘If God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God's way?' Recounting the story that we looked at last week, Peter acknowledges that God's purposes are greater than ours even if they surprise and puzzle us. How does this work out in everyday life? Does God really 'work all things together for good'? Why can't we see more clearly what he's doing? How does he deal with failure? Chris Turner has some encouraging answers. The recording begins with Chris giving us a Bible verse to remember. This is followed by the reading from Susan Mole.

Chris Turner | Acts 10 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.' Peter went down and said to the men, ‘I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?' The men replied, ‘We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.' A Roman soldier receives a vision telling him to summon Simon Peter to visit him. Then the Holy Spirit makes clear to Simon Peter himself that he must overcome his hostility to Gentiles. As Chris Turner explains, what follows is a God-inspired turning point for the church, transforming it from a sect within Judaism to a worldwide family open to every race and nation. Whatever our previous understanding of what God might do, we need to be obedient and willing to change when he does something new. The recording begins with the reading from Alison Cooper.

Bobbie Frere | Acts 9:32-43 As Peter travelled about the country, he went to visit the Lord's people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralysed and had been bedridden for eight years. ‘Aeneas,' Peter said to him, ‘Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.' Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. Where is God in my healing? And what does it mean to be healed? For some people - notably Bobbie herself - these are urgent and vital questions. As the reading continues, Peter is called to visit a woman who has fallen ill and died - and she is raised back to life. Why are some people physically healed, and not others? As Bobbie explains, healing is in God's hands, not ours, but when it happens it is a powerful pointer to Jesus and an affirmation of the value of every child of God. The recording begins with the reading from Kate Routley.

Chris Turner | Acts 9:19b-31 When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. Even though Saul - better known to us as Paul - had preached the gospel powerfully in Damascus, the apostles in Jerusalem could not forget his previous persecution of the believers. As Chris Turner explains, Barnabas played a vital role in bridging the gap and building trust. And, as the story of Acts continues, we see further instances of Barnabas promoting the ministry of Paul and others. We all need encouragement, and we need people like Barnabas, the "son of encouragement". The recording begins with the reading from Simon Jones.

Bobbie Frere | Acts 9:1-19a As [Saul] neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' ‘Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.' As Bobbie explains, a Damascus Road conversion has become a figure of everyday speech: a complete and sudden turnaround in beliefs and attitudes. Yet Saul - from here on known by his Greek name, Paul - was already passionate about serving God. A genuine encounter with Jesus, whether sudden or gradual, should truly be a life-changing experience. The recording begins with the reading from Alan Haynes.

Sam Haynes | Acts 8:26-40 | Isaiah 56:1-8 The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.' Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked. ‘How can I,' he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?' So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. For this is what the Lord says: ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,     who choose what pleases me     and hold fast to my covenant - to them I will give within my temple and its walls     a memorial and a name     better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name     that will endure for ever.' On  a desert road, riding in a chariot, an Ethiopian eunuch - a senior court official - is struggling to understand a passage of Scripture. Suddenly, Philip appears alongside him and offers to explain it to him - and in doing so, introduces him to the gospel. As Sam Haynes explains, this man was an outsider according to the Jewish customs of the day, but there is no barrier to him being welcomed in by Jesus and becoming part of the family of faith. The recording begins with the reading from John Davies. An edited video recording of the service can be viewed on YouTube.

Explore Team | Acts 8:4-25  Now for some time a man named Simon had practised sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria... and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.' They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptised. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. Impressed by the power exercised by the apostles, Simon offers them money to have that power for himself. Wrong, Simon - but why? Through a dramatised reading and a short talk the Explore team explain that some things can't be bought or sold, only given away. An edited video recording of the Sunday service - which also includes music - can be viewed on YouTube.

Susan Haynes | Acts 6:1-8:3 (extracts) Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called) - Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia - who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. This week's story begins with a dispute about distribution of food; it ends with an outbreak of persecution and the spreading of the gospel as the believers are scattered. In between, Stephen, appointed to what many might see as a lesser role within the church, becomes a powerful witness and the first Christian to die for his faith. As Susan Haynes explains, everything we do for God - however humble the task might seem - needs to be done in the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can be fully available for him to use. The recording begins with the reading from Susan Mole. An edited video recording of the service can be viewed on YouTube.

It is with great sadness that I share the following news. The text is available on the church website here.

A prayer for our church family this week. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Keeping watch like Habakkuk means being attentive, patient and faithful.

What does Advent have to do with winter? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Hospitality starts with receiving from God, who calls us to invite others to share all he gives us in Jesus. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

What a great question I was asked at the weekend!  How would you respond?  Here are some of my thoughts and things to consider so we can all be prepared to give a response for the hope that we have. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

The Creator Spirit brings beauty, love and peace out of mess and chaos. God's got this, he's got us, he's got you. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Please pray for the PCC this week as we have a discussion and make a decision about the shape of our midweek ministries. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

How should we pray for peace and security - in Jerusalem and for those who love it? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

How should Christians respond to the rise of so-called Christian nationlism in the UK? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

As our government recognises a Palestinian state, how can we pray? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Thank you! Thank you so much for engaging together in prayer during our 777 Prayer Week. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Susan Haynes | Joel 2:12-18  ‘Even now,' declares the Lord,   ‘return to me with all your heart,   with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Rend your heart   and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God,   for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love,   and he relents from sending calamity. Amid a warning of coming judgement, the prophet Joel calls the whole people of God to repent - to confess their wrongdoing and turn back to God with all their heart. As Susan explains, the message is just as relevant to us today - and God's willingness to forgive and restore also never changes throughout the ages. Due to technical problems during the service we do not have a recording of the original talk; instead, Susan kindly re-recorded her words for this podcast, and also added an explanation of the prayer stations through which we were able to express our repentance and the promise of God's forgiveness. The recording begins with the reading from Phil Banting.

Starting on Sunday 31 August we are running 777 Prayer: praying together from 7am to 7pm for 7 days.  But why? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Ben Green | Habakkuk 3.1-2 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth. Lord, I have heard of your fame;     I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day,     in our time make them known;     in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk goes on a journey of prayer, beginning with seeing what's wrong with the world, through some big complaints, into a big request for God to repeat his awesome acts of salvation - but ends finally in patience and joy.  How can we go on the same journey, and how can we find that same joy in the Lord? The recording begins with the reading from Susan Mole.

Anxiety, healing - how should we pray? How are we going to pray together? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Susan Haynes | Jonah 2:1-9  [Jonah prayed,] ‘In my distress I called to the Lord,     and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,     and you listened to my cry. ... ‘Those who cling to worthless idols     turn away from God's love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise,     will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.     I will say, “Salvation comes from the Lord.”' Jonah disobeyed God's call and, after being thrown into the raging sea, could expect only death. Yet God rescued him, and in this prayer Jonah gives thanks while also recognising his true place before God. As Susan explains, we can't get away from God any more than Jonah could. What can we learn from his prayer? The recording begins with the reading from Simon Jones.

John Lanchbury | Zephaniah 3:14-17  Sing, Daughter Zion;     shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,     Daughter Jerusalem! ... The Lord your God is with you,     the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;     in his love he will no longer rebuke you,     but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah spoke to a world in chaos, that had largely rejected God and his ways and was coming under his judgement. Yet this short book ends with a hopeful message. John explains how, whatever our circumstances, we can find joy even in the darkest times. The podcast episode he refers to is The News Agents: "What's going on with young people and God?" dated 1 August 2025. The recording begins with the reading from John Davies.

Allan Bartlam | Hosea 14:1-9  Return, Israel, to the Lord your God.     Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you     and return to the Lord. Say to him:     ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously,     that we may offer the fruit of our lips.' Hosea spoke to a nation that had chosen the wrong path. Yet, as Allan explains, God was still ready to forgive them if they turned back to him. We face the same pressures today, but the promise of forgiveness still stands - and God has provided all we need to walk in the right path. The recording begins with Ben Green interviewing Sam Haynes, who has just begun his role as Evangelism and Discipleship Assistant at Christ Church. This is followed by the reading from Elsie Lanchbury.

Prayer... privilege, challenge... but it's also a fight. Do you want to join it? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Pastoral care involves all of us; the 'one another' verses in the Bible help us see what it means. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

In Psalm 51 David repented of his sin – the way he does that can help us do the same today. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

It's only the context of eternity that the chaos and suffering we experience are bearable. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Sending disciples is not about us sending people to other countries - but each other into all the places we go during the week. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Growing disciples means serving God our Father - and as we serve him, serving one another as well. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Making disciples means sharing Jesus in word and dead, with confidence and grace. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Disciples are apprentices of Jesus: worshipping him, serving him, bearing witness to him. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

God wants to transform us from the inside out - he does the inside bit, we join in with the outside bit. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

God's kingdom is here now - he rules, he reigns on high - so why do we pray 'Your kingdom come?' Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

We honour God because he deserves it, joining in with cosmic worship and making Jesus Lord in every area of our life. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Dealing with sin What's the right attitude to sin? How do we take it seriously without giving in to guilt? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Ruth Let's give thanks for God's loyal love in action, shown us in Jesus, through which we become his children. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Daniel Are we brave enough to be more Christian, not less, in a hostile world? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

By My Spirit It's hard to trust God in things that we really care about: but he tells us to act not by might nor by power, but by his Spirit. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Advent: Hope Christian hope is not a vague wish or a positive emotion, but confidence and trust in the God who fulfils all his promises. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Advent: Suffering What does God say when we ask him, 'Why?'  He doesn't respond with an essay, but with a story - a true story - of God become a Man. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Advent: Patience Do you find being patient hard?  Paul links patience with hope and faithfulness in prayer, which can help us grow in patience. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Advent: Anticipation Do you like surprises, or do you prefer to know what's coming so you can look forward to it? Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

In Christ What are you 'in' today?  Your home?  Your car?  Your uniform?  Love?  A bad mood?  Whatever you are in - true meaning and fulfilment can only be found 'in Christ'. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay

Truth & Love It's hard to keep going as a Christian, isn't it?  Often we don't talk about our challenges, which can make us feel as though we are the only ones struggling.  But we aren't!  It's not easy living as a Christian, and never has been. Music by Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay