Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life.

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Sermons

About the Three Churches

Services and Activities

What’s On at the Three Churches… Sunday 9th September

Here’s what’s on for the week ahead at St James’ Lower Darwen, St Paul’s Hoddlesden and St James’ Over Darwen.  #threechurches 

At St James’ Lower Darwen…
Sunday 9th
10.00am All Age Worship.

Monday 10th
9.00am School assembly in Church.                                                                                                                                                       1.30pm St James Stay and Play in church                                                                                                                                                5.30pm & 6.30pm Rainbows and Brownies in school.
6.30pm Exercise class in church.

Tuesday 11th
5.30pm & 7.30pm Slimming World in church.

Wednesday 12th
10.00am Art Group in the church lounge.
2.00pm Time Aside Bible Study                                                                                                                                                              3.30pm After School Drop In
4.00pm Junior Youth Group in the upper room – run by Local Conversations Higher Croft.
6.00pm Senior Youth Group in the upper room – run by Local Conversations Higher Croft.
6.30pm Midweek Communion.

Thursday 13th                                                                                                                                                                                            9.30am – 2.30pm Nurtured by hand message course                                                                                                                        6.00pm PTFA Meeting in church lounge

Friday 14th                                                                                                                                                                                      6.00pm Friday Night Special

Sunday 16th
10.00am Holy Communion                                                                                                                                                                    12.00pm Baptism of Olivia & Harrison Bishop                                                                                                                                    2.30pm Cafe Church Belthorn                                                                                                                                                                 6.00pm Evening Service
7.00pm Youth Church

At St James’ Over Darwen…
Sunday 9th
11.15am Holy Communion.

Monday 10th      
9.30am Prayer meeting in church.                                                                                                                                                          7.00pm PCC Meeting in church

Tuesday 11th                                                                                                                                                                                   6.00pm Rainbows & Brownies in church

Wednesday 12th
11.30am Midweek Communion Service.

Friday 14th                                                                                                                                                                                       3.30pm Friday Special in Church

Sunday 16th
11.15am All Age Worship.

And at St Paul’s Hoddlesden…
Sunday 9th
10.00am Holy Communion.

Thursday 13th
2.00pm Bible Study

Saturday 15th
10.00am Coffee Morning at the Carus Centre.

Sunday 16th
10.00am All Age Worship.

Our Weekly Message

James 1 

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

Trials and Temptations
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

***

We all face trials, tests and temptations at some point and they can come in many forms. We get those days when nothing seems to go right and sometimes we can feel like giving up. Tempting though that may seem at the time – there that word tempting again – Don’t! These trials are not from God but instead seek to separate us from Him and giving up would simply facilitate that. Instead of letting things get to us and cause us stress, ask God for help. It need not be a long or eloquent prayer – a simple few words from the heart will suffice – and He will help.

So do all the problems disappear then? Sadly not. We will still face both trials and temptations but God gives us the strength through the Holy Spirit that they are no longer able to harm us or affect us in the same way.

If you have any questions about anything here then please come along to one of our services; Sunday morning, Wednesday evening or Friday Special at 6.00pm and we will be glad to help. Peace be with you!

 

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