Freedom is an emotive word and will stir up different thoughts in each of us. We may think of freedom as applied to society or personal choice and that may lead us to consider our ‘rights’ as free citizens.

Biblical freedom is on another level entirely and includes the ‘right’ to give up personal privileges for the sake of the need of others as Jesus taught in the Beattitudes.

St Augustine of Hippo (354 – 430AD) coined the phrase ‘love God and do what you like’ which is the ultimate definition of Christian freedom. Our every thought, word and action will have an outcome, yet for the person who is made new in Christ there is a freedom available where the only boundary is defined by love. If I am loved unconditionally by God, I am free to love others in the same way, if I am forgiven, I can also forgive others. God’s choice to love me with all my faults and failings, sets me free to love others in the same way.

Paul wrote that ‘Christ’s love compels (or constrains) us’ (2 Cor 5:14). We are now free to live to please God because we know he loves us with the freedom he has created, that we can enjoy. God is a good Dad: (Ps 103:13) ‘As  Father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear (respect) him.’

May you enter into and permanently enjoy the freedom God has made available to you through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on that first Easter.

God bless you,

Rob Pearson, Pastor

Dear Friends,

During March we consider one of the central claims of Christianity – the power to change lives. Can truth actually change a life?

Can we believe for a changed life and one that is infinitely better, or is this a carrot on a stick that we just can’t reach. When Jesus promised ‘abundant life’ (Matt 10:10) did he really mean this and can we trust his words? In commenting on this kind of life, Jesus also said: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ “(Matt 4:4 ) linking truth to a new way of life.

Our subject themes this month cover the totally new situation for the Christian man or woman – adopted into God’s family; and also the concept of the Holy Spirit living in us to produce and develop this new spiritual life; rounding off with the gospel of the disciple John who refers to Jesus as being ‘full of grace and truth’ (John 1:14 & 17)

Please do join us for this important series,

God bless you,

Rob Pearson, Pastor

The Alpha Course allows you to consider the purpose and meaning of life and our place in it, from a Christian worldview.

You will be treated to an enjoyable meal, a thought-provoking dvd and a discussion on the content, over a period of 10 weeks.

Many people have found this course allowed them to consider Christianity in a relaxed way and to be able to relate this to any questions thay have had.

The next course begins 13 March 2012 in a home here in Perton, please email: info@lakesideperton.co.uk for details and to book a place. Join explorer Bear Grylls and millions of others who have taken part in an Alpha Course.

Dear Friends,

We continue this month to major on our Biblical theme of TRUTH THAT CHANGES SITUATIONS; with subjects tackling moving mountains, living free, tying up the strongman and faith that can bind and loose.

How amazing that God has given us keys to unlock situations & power to overcome obstacles, all found in the pages of the Bible.

For some today, truth is relative, not ultimate; yet we follow Jesus Christ who claimed to be The Truth (John 14:6). Instead of a concept, we discover truth is embodied in a person with whom we can have a relationship and who can speak truth into our everyday situations and help us to handle all the ups and downs of life.

When we link in with Jesus Christ, we have access to the Father (John 14:9) and all the wisdom of heaven is available to us.

Do join us for this important series, God bless you

Rob Pearson, Pastor

Throughout 2012, we will be focussing on 4 vital biblical themes: Truth, Freedom, Life & Love. Jesus said ‘I am the …truth’ (Jn 14:6), so if we genuinely know him, we have access to all truth. He also said ‘the truth will set you free’ (Jn 8:32) introducing our 2nd theme of freedom. He also promised us ‘life in abundance’ (Jn 10:10 – our 3rd theme) and finally the Bible teaches us that ‘God is love’ (1 Jn 4:16). Somtimes people say the Bible is hard to understand. If we summarise God’s purposes, we will find the following closely related themes:

There is a Biblical concept in the 2nd word of our church name – LAKESIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH PERTON
Community is an outworking of another important biblical concept – RELATIONSHIP
Both concepts are found in the 1st two chapters of Genesis, both come from God’s heart and describe the age of the Kingdom of God which is currently breaking into this present age. God is into good relationships that produce authentic community and has chosen to involve you in his plan! Every genuine church will be following these concepts whether in city, town or village, to build authentic relationships of love and trust that enables every person to realise their God-given destiny
 
The final 9 chapters of Ezekiel describe a vision God gave to him of a new & perfect Temple in which God came and filled with his glory and from which a river of life flowed (reflected in Revelation 21 &22). The final words of the book of Ezekiel are: ‘The Lord is there’. We have the privilege and opportunity to be that community filled with the glory of God and from which flows a river of life, where people can say to their friends and families: ‘The Lord is there’
 
The goal of CHURCH is to demonstrate God’s kingdom and to provide a community that can be found nowhere else on earth simply because the ‘Lord is there’
We want people to experience the presence of God in our church services, in our children’s and youth work, in our small groups and church activities and through us, as work colleagues, family members, neighbours and friends. This is the most exciting time to be alive and involved in God’s plans. Those of us involved in the recent Alpha courses have seen God doing wonderful things in the lives of those who have attended – we get to the point where we can’t wait for the next week to see what God will do. The end result of seeing and experiencing God at work is ENTHUSIASM which produces EXPECTATION for more! If you want to be involved in the next Alpha Course starting in March 2012, please email: info@lakesideperton.co.uk
 
People can’t help tell their friends and family what has been happening to them – it just spills out all over the place! This is called evangelism, impossible to do in your own strength, completely natural to do in the power and love of God
I believe God wants to do similar things in all of our small groups: home groups, youth groups, worship groups, planning groups…’wherever 2 or 3 gather in my name, I am there in the midst’. Do you want God to fill the group you are involved in with his glory to produce a river of life that flows out to others? If so, why not start praying for it…
This is the most exciting time to be alive and involved in God’s plans. (intentional repeat)
 
2012 can be the most transformational year of your life – but how do you get there? Being intentional helps a lot – try finding a quiet place and ask God to help you understand yourself and the dreams and longings you have for yourself and your involvement with Lakeside Church. Write them down and act upon the specific words God gives to you in personal devotions, through Bible reading, sermons, recordings, books, conferences and through other people. Start a personal spirtual journal in January 2012 and capture these words of life from God to you. If this is new to you, try this simple framework, asking God for:
a) a word of instruction, b) a word of correction, c) a word of encouragement; writing down the first thoughts that come to you

Why not commit to reading through the whole Bible in a year? Go to our ‘Know God’ drop down tab on the home page and click on ‘The Bible in a year’
 
LAKESIDE 2012 teaching themes: TRUTH, FREEDOM, LIFE & LOVE

God bless you,

Rob Pearson, Pastor

Dear Friends,

Seasons Greetings from all at Lakeside Community Church Perton.

This Advent and Christmas season celebrates an event that has changed the world forever…

If you find a Bible and read Genesis chapters 1 & 2, you will discover the amazing world God originally planned and the complete relationship he entered into with people he loves. Can you imagine ‘walking with God in the cool of the evening’? Literally, the original ‘chill out!’

From Genesis 3 onwards, plan A sadly all goes wrong, the relationships are fractured, the world becomes hostile and pain & suffering enters human experience. Fortunately for us, God had plan B already prepared which culminated in the sending of a superhero, as an invasion force entering this fallen world to liberate and return us to plan A again.

God (who also created the cosmos) used the most powerful weapon he has available, the power of love, sent in the form of a baby, the One we celebrate every Christmas. For us to return to plan A, God had to enter enemy territory and conquer through love (we celebrate this every Easter).

This Christmas, the age-old invitation goes out to all the earth to come and worship – literally, to apply ourselves to understand this ‘event’ in history and to recognise the superhero Jesus Christ is here for you and me. May we take this open-ended offer of eternal life through him who has the power to return you and the lives of your loved ones back to plan A and the amazing love of God.

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. (1 John 1:1 NLT)

Please join us as we celebrate again the Christmas miracle:

10.30am Sunday 4 December 2011 – Advent Service with Communion, Lakeside Hall, Civic Centre, Perton

10.30am Sunday 11 December 2011 – Children & Youth Christmas Service, Lakeside Hall, Civic Centre, Perton

3.30pm Sunday 11 December 2011 – ‘Christmas Unwrapped’ Children’s Christmas event + drama, Lakeside Hall, Civic Centre, Perton

6.30pm Sunday 18 December 2011 – Community Carols with The Church At Perton + drama, Lakeside Hall, Civic Centre, Perton

6.30pm Saturday 24 December 2011 – Carol singing with lanterns and donuts around the village, meeting at the Civic Centre, Perton

10.30am Sunday 25 December 2011 – Christmas Day Service in the Round, Lakeside Hall, Civic Centre, Perton

11.00am Sunday 1 January 2012 – Soup and a walk, meeting at the Civic Centre, Perton

God bless you,

Rob Pearson, Pastor

This month we go all creative! There is a service dedicated to creative expression and a night of entertainment - ‘The ONE event’ with 2 bands, comedy, food and 3-D cinema. A great way to enter the Christmas season with a charity event in aid of those in need (please see the RH sidebar calendar & click on the events for more details).

Church is meant to be exciting, not boring! This theme sets out to show that in our fragmented society where many are starved of meaningful relationships, there is a meaningful place for the benefit of children, young people and adults just around the corner.

Come along and give it a try!

God bless,

Rob Pearson, Pastor

An evening of humour, drama, food, 60′s music, up to date songs and an American team complete with 3D cinema!

Please join us  for a great evening out and a good start to the Christmas season

7.00pm (doors open 6.30pm) Civic Centre, Perton

Entry 13+, Tickets £5 include buffet, 13-17′s go free, all proceeds will go to charity

Please call 01902 752129 or contact us on: events@lakesideperton.co.uk