As you have probably noticed our social media took a step back over recent months. Now that community projects have become more manageable, the churches social media is back up and running again.

We are a church that follows the Lord’s lead. During our digital silence we want to let you know where the Lord lead our digital church members instead of bringing you digital content. Just so you know what’s been going on.

Before we get going, we praise God for using everything that he gives us and we want to glorify his name. Without Jesus none of this would have been possible. As it says in Psalm 96.

Psalm 96

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

Let’s get going. Firstly, our weekly coffee morning group has still been running every Tuesday, where we receive people for hot drinks and treats, and our lunch club starting at 12pm.

Dean who is largely responsible for our digital content has been working at St Vincent’s Centre, Ely Bridge. He has been involved in several projects since mid-February. Let’s take a look.

Non-Alcohol televised Six Nations Rugby.

St Vincent’s Centre, Ely Bridge televised all the Six Nations rugby matches not long finished. They received over 100 people. They came to enjoy a social with friends without any involvement of alcohol. We provided non-alcoholic drinks and delicious half time meals. Here are a few photos.

Pushing digital content for St Vincent’s Centre, Ely Bridge.

We have been pushing the centres digital media for them, getting the word out to the people of Ely that there is a Christian centre in the community that has the resources to support them.

Writing grants to ensure the centres sustainability.

We have co-written two grants for St Vincent’s Centre, Ely Bridge. We are delighted to announce that both were successful where £119,000 was raised for the centre. Monies will be distributed to the Men Changing Lives project over the next three years.

Mentoring people at the Dusty Forge café

We have continued to work with ex-offenders at the Dusty Forge community café,

We have been mentoring and supporting volunteers to gain new skills to help them into full time work.

Putting on Easter events for the community

We have been involved in putting on Easter events at St Vincent’s Centre. We sourced over 150 Easter eggs to give away to families across Ely.

Developing an anxiety video workshop for Men Changing Lives

We have been busy developing an anxiety video workshop for people who need help with their anxiety and mental health.

Planning training courses to help people get into work

We have been responsible for arranging training courses for people who need to gain new skills to help them get into work.

Processing food and fuel bank vouchers for those in need

We have been processing fuel and food bank vouchers to some of the most vulnerable people in Ely.

Whoever said working for the Kingdom of God was boring. If you want to get involved in church work or are curious about church, come and get involved. Visit one of the services taking place every Sunday. The first service begins at 10.45am and the second at 3.15pm.

We are an active church that studies the Bible. We have an active WhatsApp group that studies the word of God regularly, where people contribute and a platform where we can all learn and draw closer to God.

Here are visuals of all our WhatsApp groups that show we are organised and active serving the people who attend our church here at Leckwith Avenue.

Here are visuals of a WhatsApp group where a recent Bible study of Philippians is underway.

We have dedicated members here at Church in the Avenue who are committed to people who want to draw closer to God. Who glorify God in their actions and provisions.

We are not an artificial church setup to show we are a church that holds great numbers, no! What is the point of a church that has many people but are far away from God, being taught that the walk is only about being blessed by God.

Jesus said we will have trouble and we are a church that prepares for trials by studying Gods word drawing close to God, developing that love for God that brings them peace that protects them in any storm.

So, lets conclude. Are you going to a church because it looks glitz and glamour, big and strong, or do you need a smaller church that is humble and thanks God for every provision, knowing it is all of him and nothing of us. Think carefully about where you go to church in 2024 and where you can draw close to God with people who are vulnerable and in relationship with one another, supporting one another along life’s bumpy road at times.

From January 7th we will be back ready and raring to go. Every Sunday doors will be open form 10.45am for our family service, so come along and get acquainted, but above all get involved with all the great projects we have setup to help you draw closer to God.

Our Senior Pastor Chris Selby led the Remembrance Day service at Cardiff City FC. We all came together to honour those who made such a huge sacrifice keeping our country and democracy safe. Here are a few photos of the service.

When you have a chance, please join us in a prayer for those who have suffered in conflicts over the years and around the world.

Father of all, remember your holy promise,
and look with love on all your people, living and departed.
On this day we especially ask that you would hold forever
all who have suffered during war, those who returned scarred by warfare,
those who waited anxiously at home,
and those who returned wounded, and disillusioned;
those who mourned, and those communities that were diminished and suffered loss.
Remember too those who acted with kindly compassion,
those who bravely risked their own lives for their comrades,
and those who in the aftermath of war, worked tirelessly for a more peaceful world.
And as you remember them, remember us, O Lord;
grant us peace in our time and a longing for the day when people of every language, race, and nation will be brought into the unity of Christ’s kingdom.
This we ask in the name of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We are fortunate that we serve a God who has integrity and a God that keeps his promises. One of the most famous promises he made goes right all the way back to Genesis. This one was him putting his rainbow in the sky, specifically mentioned in Genesis 9 v 13 displayed below.

Why did God put his rainbow up in the sky, it was to make the promise that God would never destroy the earth with water and flooding ever again, after the great flood in which Noah, his family and all of the worlds’ animals were saved shielded by the ark.

There are thousands of promises in the Bible, and the good news is you can claim them for your own life. Here is another promise of God in the book of Psalms.

Psalm 100:5

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

This is a promise of God being faithful to us through every generation, from generations who lived thousands of year ago to our generation today. It means for those who are in him, his love will endure and be with us forever.

Lets also think about the promises prophesied with regards to Jesus’ first coming. God promised Jesus would come throughout thousands of years in the Old Testament. God kept everyone of those promises and we saw Jesus come over two thousand years ago taking our sin on the cross, so we didn’t have to.

Let’s conclude. If you are in a tough spot in your life or realise there is more to life, then why not consider claiming the promises of God. We are open every Sunday where we have a family service where you can learn more about the promises of God, and how they qualify for your life today. The church doors open on Sunday from 10.45am where we will be serving hot drinks and treats. Join us. You will be warmly welcomed.

Grace Canton a new church plant based at Church in the Avenue had their first church service on Sunday just gone. Here is a photo of the service.

We welcomed a few new faces into the church and enjoyed refreshments and loads of cake. All in all, we praise God for a good first start. If you are new to this news, please pray for this new church plant.

Grace Canton have been preparing over the summer to open the doors for this day. Grace Canton exist to see people of all backgrounds discover and be transformed by the amazing grace of God.

At the heart of their vision is God’s grace which was displayed in Jesus through his finished work on the cross. Grace Canton has been birthed out of Grace Grangetown.

Grace Canton’s vision is summed up in the book of Corinthians displayed below.

2 Corinthians 4:15

“As grace extends to more and more people it will increase thanksgiving to the glory of God.”

Join Grace Canton for a service.

Grace Canton’s next service will be held on Sunday 15^th of October.

Doors will be open from 3.15pm. The service will begin at 3.30pm and finish at 5pm, where there will be plenty of time to socialise, ask questions about the Christian faith and enjoy some lovely refreshments.

Come along you will be warmly welcomed.