Celebrating the past 46 Baptists meeting under the leadership of Lancelot Spurrier in 1718 Article in the West Somerset Free Press published in 1885

A Story of Determination Context they worked in was often one of opposition, hostility and persecution “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

A Story of Determination Men and women of faith in each generation have stayed true to the calling God placed on their lives and with prayer and faith achieved the plan God gave at each step in our church story

A Story of Determination So we should stay determined in the calling God places on us in our generation

A Story of Creativity “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

A Story of Creativity If we want to stay in a place of blessing in our life with God we need to seek God’s face As they sought God he guided them into creative ways to fulfil the calling he placed on their lives

A Story of Creativity To continually be open to God’s new thing is a positive characteristic of our church DNA So we should stay creative in the calling God places on us in our generation

A Story of Real People It is often said that if you ever find the perfect church please don’t join it because you’ll spoil it! Church is a wonderful expression of God’s love Church is also made up of ordinary human beings who sometimes get it wrong

A Story of Real People We are all a work in progress “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper.” Psalm 27:8-9

A Story of Real People The Holy Spirit - the Paraclete “someone called alongside to help” “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

A Story of Real People ‘We trust that the meetings will result in blessings and that when we have got up the holy steam we shall not let it escape again, but reserve it for further use in the service of the Master and the work of His Church.’ 1894

A Story of Real People We don’t need to pretend but to be honest where we need God’s help We allow people to come as they are into the life of our church and together invite the saviour to transform us by the Holy Spirit

A Story of Real People So we should stay real in the calling God places on us in our generation

Celebrating the Past A story of Determination - to follow God’s call on us as His people A story of Creativity - to be bold in the mission God has given us today A story of Real people - to love, forgive and seek God’s Spirit to transform us