The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Sunday, March 9th 2025 (week 101)

Romans 8: 1-17

There are few things in life that appear to last forever. Most things will almost certainly let us down at some point. Whether it’s the washing machine or car, health or a relationship, all can have a sell-by date.

I read recently that the Queen Mother kept the refrigerator she bought in 1954 up until she died in March 2022. That’s forty-eight years it kept on working. In today’s throw-away age, where hardly anything is made to last, that is almost unbelievable. Maybe, for The Queen Mother it was a gift that kept on giving.

We use the expression 'the gift that keeps on giving' to talk about a thing or situation which has benefits that are repeated over a long period of time. The phrase was especially popular with electronics companies advertising their products. During the 1928 Christmas season, Hotpoint ran ads saying, "Give Mother what she really wants this season, this all-white Hotpoint electric range. A gift that keeps on giving!" Camera manufacturer Kodak ran ads in 1977 for their Trimline Instamatic 18 Camera and used the line "The gift that keeps on giving picture after picture" as part of its Christmas campaign.

In reality, none of these “gifts” keep on giving forever. But there is a gift that does.

Forgiveness.

When Jesus sacrificed himself and died on a cross, he did that “once and for all” (Heb:10:10). We might say, “all, and always” because there is no end to the forgiveness He offers in his death for those who have given their life to and live for Him.

The Bible tells us in John 3:18 that “Those who believe in the Son are not judged”. And in Romans 8:1, “There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus”.

If you’ve given your life to Jesus you are free. Absolutely free from condemnation. Free from God’s wrath. Free to live the abundant life He has already planned for you. Jesus has paid the full price for all your sinful past, but also, everything you will do in the future because God knows you will continue to get things wrong. But praise be to God for his endless grace and mercy towards those who believe in Jesus, His son.

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world. And you’re forgiven forever too! That’s a gift that will keep on giving and you can rely on.

Prayer: Father, we don’t deserve it but we thank you that you sacrificed your only son so that we could receive your forever gift of forgiveness. Please help us to trust in and follow Jesus.

Neil has been a Christian for nearly thirty years and prior to joining Gatehouse Church spent all his Christian life at Christ Church with All Saints Blackpool, where amongst other things he was a leader in their Campaigner Ministries children and youth work.

Neil is an award-winning and widely published writer. Over twenty-five years he has written for a range of mainstream media including The Times, Sunday Times, Telegraph, Daily Mail, and Financial Mail on Sunday as well as Reuters and numerous magazines. How To Books published his first non-fiction title 100 Ways to Make Your Business a Success and he has recently added The Great British Property Scam.

He has also taught Creative Writing extensively for Blackpool and the Fylde College, The WEA, and Lancaster University and launched www.seasiderswrite.com a community-based creative writing project funded by Arts Council England. Writing as C.J.Neill he is also a published novelist.

You can find out more at www.neilbromage.com or drop him an email at neil@neilbromage.com

Neil Bromage, 09/03/2025

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 10am, before the service begins. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10:30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. We then share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. Sometimes there is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

new to church

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Créche - from approx. 6 months to 5 years (decided on a child by child basis)
Limitless Kids (4/5 - 11/12 years)
Limitless Youth (school years 7-11)

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for two worship songs and the “Kids slot” and then go to créche or Limitless Kids. Limitless Youth may go out at the same time as the children but sometimes stay in the service to take communion before going to their class. Children can be picked up by parents after the service ends (but not before 12pm).

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our Connect groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Connect Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Rev Neville Walker		Kay Walker
Pastor		Families & Community Worker


Liz Hall		Ihechiluru Anozie
Elder / Finance Officer / Open Doors Leader		Elder / Safeguarding Lead


Patrick Fleming
Elder / Buildings Team Leader

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel part of the church family.

Best Wishes
Gatehouse Leadership Team