Roundhay Evangelical Church News

Sunny Scarborough Weekend Away - May 2009

2009-06-10T15:45:00.000+01:00

Here are some photos of our church weekend away at Green Gables in Scarborough in May 2009.

(Click on the images to enlarge.)

Engage: FIEC Joint Churches Day - Saturday 4 July

2009-05-16T20:34:00.002+01:00

A number of people from REC will be going to Engage to enjoy the teaching and fun of the day!

Further details below...

Would like more information? Please contact Gordon.

Monday Morning Meander - Monday 8 June

2009-05-16T20:07:00.007+01:00

Our first Monday Morning Meander of this year is on the 8th June.

A 9 mile walk with a stop for a picnic lunch.

Meet at the car park near Little Arms Cliff (grid ref 236522) at 9.45am, for a 10am start.

The walk will take us by Swinsty and Beaver Dyke reservoirs - delightful!

Would like more information? Please email Kim.

A loving God... ...a suffering world? - Sunday 31st May

2009-05-16T19:21:00.003+01:00

Join us at our guest service to consider the dilemma of 'a loving God and a suffering world'.

The case will be presented during the service followed by a refreshment break and a time for questions.

Sunday 31st May, 6.30pm at Roundhay Parochial Hall.

Would like more information?
Please contact Gordon (0113 2780372) or send us an email

Real Lives - Friday 5th June

2009-05-11T09:09:00.004+01:00

Come and meet ...

...Adele, whose journey from Bolgna to Harehills changed her country, her faith, and her life.

...and Fred whose jobs in Roundhay could hardly have changed more!!!

Plenty of opportunity to ask questions about faith in action, whilst enjoying the refreshments provided.

Friday 5th June, 7.30pm at 'the deli', on Roundhay Road.

Would like more information?
Please contact Gordon (0113 2780372) or send us an email

Real Lives - Friday 8th May

2009-04-28T21:21:00.013+01:00

What took a fun loving Yorkshire lass from catering college to Nepal and beyond?

Come and meet Cathy Barlow and hear how her life was totally transformed by her adventure of faith.

Plenty of opportunity to ask questions about faith in action, whilst enjoying the refreshments provided.

Friday 8th May, 7.30pm at 'the deli', on Roundhay Road.

Would like more information?
Please contact Gordon or Kim or send us an email

Sunny Scarborough - Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th May

2009-03-04T09:39:00.003Z

Don't forget our wonderful weekend in sunny Scarborough...

...put the dates in your diary, now!

This is our first and best ever REC weekend away!!!
Make sure you can be there if at all possible. Details will follow soon...

Just Curious... ...about Easter? - Friday 3rd April

2009-03-01T17:48:00.022Z

...curious about Easter? ...might like to ask questions? ...whilst enjoying a good meal? ...and interesting company?

...this is for you... ...and maybe a friend of yours?

Friday 3rd April, 7.45pm at The White house, on Wetherby Road.

Please contact Kim or Gordon to make a booking.

Quality Tea at the Deli - Saturday 14th March

2009-03-01T17:17:00.007Z

Coffee and cake at 5pm with plenty of time to relax together. As well as all the chatting, we will have a special focus and prayer time on 'Quality Streets'.

Why not walk or drive around the area on your way to the Deli, especially any streets you are praying for?

Baptism at Roundhay Evangelical Church

2009-02-09T23:29:00.007Z

At our recent baptism (see this post, and this post), Gordon gave an explanation of what baptism is, and what is symbolises. This short talk (about seven minutes), can be heard here.

The actual baptism can be heard here.

"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." -- Romans 6:3-4 (NIV)

Just Curious? - Friday 27th February

2009-02-08T19:50:00.004Z

...curious about Christianity?

...might like to ask questions?

...whilst enjoying a good meal?

...and interesting company?

...this is for you... ...and maybe a friend of yours?

Friday 27th February, 7.45pm at The White house, on Wetherby Road.

Please see Kim or Gordon to make a booking.

Lou's Testimony at Her Baptism

2009-02-07T17:39:00.020Z

At our recent baptismal service, Lou gave a five minute talk about how she became a Christian and why she wanted to be baptised.

Right click on this link, and click 'Save Target As' (if you are using Internet Explorer), or 'Save Link As' (if using Firefox) to download the testimony to your computer.

Lou's baptism - 25th January 2009

2009-01-27T17:56:00.017Z

Making a splash at Roundhay Evangelical Church

A record number came last Sunday evening (25th January) to share in a service of baptism. Lou shared how 4 1/2 years ago she became a Christian. It all started with being curious, then attending an Alpha course, before finally (on a No. 43 bus in London) giving her life to God. Since then, Lou said, her life had been changed totally.

Lou (with Ruth) also sang a duet 'In Christ alone' to express her faith. Then, after confirming that she believed in Christ as God and Saviour, had asked Jesus Christ to forgive her and be her Saviour, and that she now wanted to live for God, Lou was immersed in a large tank of water. As she came up the congregation cheered and sang 'What a friend we have in Jesus'.

Afterwards people stayed and chatted. Services in the Parochial Hall in Fitzroy Drive are never dull, always joyful, and focused on Jesus Christ. Last Sunday was no exception

Church constitution and information about membership now online

2009-01-26T22:43:00.000Z

Our constitution, ethos, doctrinal basis are now available online via our updated 'about us' page, together with information on the role of membership in the church, and a dream describing what kind of church we want to be.

Just Curious - Friday 6th February

2009-01-26T17:12:00.001Z

Update 8/02/2009: Event postponed until Friday 27th February.

'There's Probably No God' Adverts on Leeds Buses

2009-01-18T21:15:00.005Z

"There is probably no God."

Leeds' buses are part of the £140,000 campaign.

Probably? - statistics are funny things, especially when talking about the past.

The chance of you reading this page is about 200 in (the number of page hits to date) in 6,800,000,000 (the population of the world) – but the fact is you are reading it!

We at Roundhay Evangelical Church believe the evidence points overwhelmingly to a real, loving creator who came into history as Jesus Christ. We are happy to talk about why, and how our lives have been changed by coming into a meaningful relationship with this God.

If you live in the Roundhay area, and would like to engage with a group of rational, friendly, open, ordinary people who have found God to be a reality, then send us an email or come along and meet us! Or listen to Paul Hinton's sermon.

Growth Group Social

2008-12-24T21:46:00.000Z

Here are a couple of photos from a recent party held by the Wednesday Growth Group.

Carol Singing - 20th and 24th December

2008-12-24T16:45:00.000Z

Here are some photos from our recent carol singing - at the Oakwood Farmers' Market on Saturday 20th December, and at Somerfield on Roundhay Road on Christmas Eve.

(Click on the images to see larger versions of the pictures.)

International Christmas Evening - 13th December 2008

2008-12-17T00:46:00.002Z

'Heri ya Krismas' was just one of the 14 languages saying "Happy Christmas" at the International Christmas Evening at Roundhay Evangelical Church last Saturday night. The hall in Fitzroy Drive was nicely full as people wandered from country to country - actually from table to table, as each country had a table with speciality food and items of interest.

Brazilian prune cake, Pfefferkuchen, Mexican Soup, Yemeni biscuits, French cheese, and Tanzanian Mandazi were among the amazing array of delicious items. The prize for identifying photos of countries round the world was won by a young man who got an impressive 17 out of 20.

After a Swahili song there was a short comment on how international the first Christmas was - shepherds from Israel (Aramaic speakers) saw the Saviour of the common people, wise men from the east (Greek speakers no doubt) came to acknowledge the one born King (apparently, wise men still do!!), the Hebrew speaking devout Jew Simeon recognised the glory of Israel, and quoting Isaiah said he was the 'light to the gentiles', and possible Roman census officials verified that the baby Jesus was indeed born as a real person in history.

A wasted Christmas present is an unopened gift left under the tree - Jesus is God's Christmas gift to us all - don't leave him as an unwanted present.

Roundhay Evangelical Church's carol services are next Sunday (21st) at the Parochial Hall, Fitzroy Drive at 10.30 and 6.30. All are welcome, whatever nationality - even English!!!

Carol Services and Christmas Day Service

2008-12-03T20:50:00.006Z

We are having two Christmas Carol services on Sunday 21st December - at our usual Sunday service times of 10:30am and 6:30pm in Roundhay Parochial Hall on Fitzroy Drive.
We are also having a Christmas Day Service at 10:30am.

Here is a poster we are putting up in local shops. Click here to view the poster in PDF format, or click on the image below to enlarge.

New Year's Day Meander

2008-12-03T17:54:00.003Z

As a church we have now had several Monday Morning Meanders - walks on Monday mornings. We have photos from past walks here, here, and here.

Our next walk is planned for Thursday 1st January 2009. We will be starting at the Harewood Arms at 10:15am. We are aiming to get to the junction of Wyke Lane and Harrogate Road 11:45am. We will then be finishing with soup and bread at Marie's house at 2pm. You can join us for either the whole event, or any parts of the walk and food.

Click here for a flyer in PDF format, or click on the picture below to enlarge.

Carol Singing - 20th and 24th December

2008-12-02T23:33:00.005Z

We are planning to sing Christmas carols at the Farmers' Market by Oakwood Clock on Saturday 20th December, from 10am - noon. We are planning to sing carols at Somerfield on Roundhay Road on Wednesday 24th December, from 11am - noon.

(Click here to download this flyer as a PDF file, or click on the image below to enlarge.)

(Christmas Tree picture on homepage from OpenClipart.org)

No Adults Allowed...

2008-11-16T17:20:00.008Z

...launch rockets in Roundhay Park.

On Sunday 9th November, in weather that would have made NASA scientists postpone their attempts, a group of youngsters from "No Adults Allowed" made for the middle of Soldiers' field armed with plastic rockets, magic propellant (a secret fuel composed of 100% H20), a mobile launch pad, and a fuel pump. Accompanied by shrieks, yells of excitement, and lots of water spray, one by one the rockets shot up 50 feet into the air. Experimenting with different amounts of fuel, size of rocket, etc, added to the fun. Eventually the group retired to Nat's house for food, and a quick look at some of the 12 men who had walked on the moon. One of them, Charles Duke said "When I came back, I said I could never have an experience like walking on the moon. But I have since got converted, and my walk with Jesus is incomparable."

Future NAA events promise to be just as exciting.

International Christmas Evening - Saturday 13th December

2008-11-16T16:43:00.003Z

A taste of Christmas around the world , interesting Christmas items, food from different countries. This is an event for you, your friends, your acquaintances, everyone - we'd love to have the hall full of people having a great time!

If you would would like more information, contact Gordon.

Download flyer in PDF format.

Bible Fact or Fantasy Conference Report

2008-11-06T00:12:00.004Z

'Nearly caught fire' as the Bible is defended

"A good day - the only problem my pen nearly caught fire there was so much to write down." So said one of the church leaders attending a day conference at Roundhay Evangelical Church, Leeds. Around 80 people from nearly 20 different church across Yorkshire gathered at Roundhay Parochial Hall on 18th Oct to hear Dr Pete Williams lead a day on 'Bible Fact or Fantasy'. Pete is warden of Tyndale House, Cambridge, having formerly lectured at Cambridge and Aberdeen Universities on biblical subjects and languages. He is extremely well qualified to look at the Bible manuscripts and related matters. The day consisted of three main talks with plenty of opportunity for questions.

First Pete looked at the current attacks on the Old Testament.

There are accusations from the new atheism that the Bible is full of violence, and supports acts of aggression. Pete looked in detail at the OT's attitude to violence. He showed that it consistently teaches that violence is evil. People were punished for their own wickedness – never for their race. God's people showed what for the times was unparalleled restraint in how they treated other peoples. God himself is shown to be compassionate and gracious, a God who delays judgment for hundreds of years, so that people can change their ways. Pete also pointed out the Israel itself is criticised and judged when it commits the same sins as other nations.

Against the accusation that the bible supports slavery, Pete looked at the position of 'slaves' in the OT, showing that it was very different from slaves in other nations, or in the more modern transatlantic slave trade. In Israel slaves had rights and could even take their masters to law. And of course it was bible men who brought about the abolition of slavery in recent times.

In general, people who attack the Old Testament read it selectively, taking phrases out of context, and missing the main point of the teaching. The Bible is totally trustworthy, with history and teaching that stands up to examination.

In his second lecture, Pete Williams focussed on attacks on the New Testament which would suggest the bible was a political selection of the available books, and that the church promoted Jesus to the position of God.

Pete showed his familiarity with early manuscripts as he detailed the first century use of the NT manuscripts. The documents some claim to be 'other gospels' were described and clearly shown to be late, non-specific, and unreliable as a source for the events of the NT. For example the 'Gospel of Thomas' only survives in its entirety in Coptic, consists of 114 individual sayings claimed to have been given secretly by Jesus, and contains some extremely doubtful sayings.

Similarly the 'Gospel of Philip' was shown to be vague, with gaps that people have filled in imaginatively to support their own perspectives. Other early manuscripts were also examined. Pete quoted a number of second century writers who clearly use the four gospels we have in the NT. concluded that the Bible books stand up to investigation, and their claim to be the word of God is entirely reasonable.

The suggestion that the gospel was invented by the early church was shown to be entirely implausible – there was not the time or the organisation to do such a thing before Christians spread throughout the Mediterranean world. They emphasised truth and were prepared to suffer for it. The message of the Christian gospel – death on a cross and resurrection of the body – was the last message people might have made up. It could hardly have caused greater offence in its fundamentals!

The NT and its message stands. Investigation of the content of any attacks and references to other early documents only strengthens the case for the authenticity of the bible and its message.

The last lecture concentrated on the Bible in today's world, showing its authoritative and defensible message for the 21st century.

Far from being something in need of defence, the Bible presents major challenges to modern society. It is a superior basis for morality and human relations, offering practical wisdom for today’s living.

Prophecy too shows the Bible’s authority – not just all the specific Old Testament statements that have been fulfilled, but in the way the whole NT is fulfilled prophecy. The OT and the NT combine to show consistently the problem of sin and that God alone saves, through Jesus.

Linguistic analysis of the NT documents shows a variety of features that clearly evidence its authenticity. The use of names, comparisons with contemporary documents similarly confirm the NT date. Even the apparent differences between gospel accounts of the same story are evidence – they show independence of authorship combined with detailed accuracy in the account, and in fact often it is only combining the complementary accounts that gives a clear picture of events.

Finally the resurrection has so much supporting evidence. However it is not just a fact – it is a life changing reality, that calls for a personal response.

The question times were fascinating! Ranging across a very broad field Pete was able to show confidently the trustworthiness of the Bible. In fact the Q&A session in itself showed a willingness to examine opposing claims and think them through – always finding the Bible comes out on top!

At the end of the day people were enthusiastic, mentally stretched and excited by all they had learnt … and were asking when the next conference would be!

"The Bible is absolutely key to the Christian faith. This was a day that has greatly increased our appreciation of what God has given us."