City Life Church, Southampton

As we focus on lament this month, along with leaving and cleaving, Dan asks us this morning, 'what are we leaving and what are we holding on to?' God invites us to cleave to Him. He is faithful to us and He is the one we can hold fast to because He holds fast to us.

Bev begins our new teaching focus on Lament & Leaving, focusing on 'Space & Time to Lament'.

Bev introduces our teaching focus for May, 'Lament & Leaving'. We're giving time and space this month to reflect on our hearts and the journey we're making; through the difficulties and losses of Covid and through leaving 286, our home of 10 years. For many of us this is a season of lament, of leaving the past behind and facing a different, unfamiliar future. It's also a time of restoration and an opportunity for our hearts to burn again with a passion for Jesus and His purposes as we seek a RE-WILDED HEART. Psalm 51:10-12 Keep creating in me a clean heart. Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you. May you never reject me! May you never take from me your sacred Spirit! Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to me. Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that obeys whatever you say.

Sometimes we can be tired and stressed and far from feeling 'alive in Christ'. In these hard times, God wants to draw us back to Him. Spend some time reading through verses in the Bible which reveal who God is - pray that you'll find new ways of seeing God and remember old ways.

Nicky encourages from Ephesians 2 (TPT), as part of our focus on being alive in Christ, reminding us that God has united us with Jesus - we have His resurrection life inside us! We are royal sons and daughters and are invited to live from this perspective daily.

Emma asks whether we are excited about the new thing God is doing among us as we move out to the 'highways and byways' with opportunity to reveal His power and glory to those around us.

Jonny takes inspiration from the story of Jacob this morning and explores how God loves us exactly as we are - work in progress.

This morning Bev shares a piece of writing 'The Wonder of Tongues' and explores the passage describing Pentecost in a bit more depth.

Emma shares some pictures God has been showing her recently and the importance of seeking to bring glory and honour to God's name.

Dan continues our teaching series on Tongues this week.

Paul concludes our series on Psalm 18.

Joy reads from Romans chapter 8 this morning and asks us to receive all the encouragement that can be found there. We're reminded that we have hope in God, that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God and in all that happens, God is working for good.

Bev shares with us this week

Paul shares some thoughts on the humble nature of the first Christmas and the humility found throughout the Bible. As we find ourselves looking forward to a more humble Christmas this year, Paul encourages us to reflect on what it might mean to live a simple life serving God to our full capacity.

Andy shares some thoughts on submission. Submitting to God's plans for us is far more efficient than trying to do things through our own strength.

In case you didn't get a chance to join us on Sunday evening, here is Joy's talk on 'The Presence of God'. Video available on YouTube

Dan continues our theme of Presence, with an encouragement to reflect on the God-hungry heroes in scripture and a prayer that our hunger for God's presence would increase at this time of advent as we look to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel - God with us.

Nicky continues this month's focus on rest with a look at Psalm 91 and how it can help us enter rest when we've lost our peace.

Rach talks about sharing the Christmas story outside the church and the street advent/nativity trails on their way! The Swaythling trail is attached if you'd like to print your own...

Jonny shares some fresh perspectives on the Creation story and what the Sabbath means.