Welcome to the parish of St. Peter’s Halliwell.
Rev Alan writes…
New Life in Jesus
I’ve loved working through our latest sermon series The Challenge of Jesus as part of our overarching theme this year of Fix Our Eyes on Jesus. Through the series we’ve considered Jesus’ teaching and example, which is a just as much a challenge to us today as it was over 2,000 years ago.
Last Sunday, I spoke at St Peter’s on the story of Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee who was inquisitive enough to secretly meet Jesus one night to find out more about him. The dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus is fascinating. Jesus said: “You must be born again” (John 3:7). Nicodemus did not understand. So, Jesus explained that the birth he was referring to was a birth from above by means of God’s Holy Spirit: “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:5,6). God offers us new life through his Spirit, and Jesus makes it clear that without such a rebirth, a person “cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Read more in this week’s newsletter.
Morning Service theme - Jesus the Forgiver
The Challenge of Jesus
After Easter we started a new 9-week sermon series called The Challenge of Jesus, as we continue with the over-arching theme this year of Fix Our Eyes on Jesus.
During the series we will be looking at Jesus’ gentle approach to those who find faith challenging; his challenge to share the good news of the Gospel with others; and the challenge of Jesus’ claims to follow him alone as the way to life.
Our morning services from St. Peter’s Church are live-streamed and available to watch later on our YouTube channel.
Evening Sermon series - The Power of the Gospel
Our new evening sermon series, “The Power of the Gospel”, focuses on the book of Romans. We are looking at how God understands mercy. Indeed, Romans chapters 1-8 is an exposition of what Paul understands about God’s mercy and grace.
We meet every Sunday at 6.30pm in St. Peter’s Church and the reading and talk from this service is available on our YouTube channel.
Oasis
Oasis is our midweek service – a time of fellowship and friendship at St Peter’s!
Refreshments are served in the church lounge from 10.30am and at 11.30am there is a 30 minute service in church for those who would like to attend.
Do come and join us – everyone is very welcome for part or all of our time together.
Verse of the Year 2025
Joshua asked the Israelites, “Who are you going to serve?”.
He reminded them just how much God had done for them and encouraged them by his own words: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”
As we commit to serving the Lord this year, we pray together:
Lord Jesus, Thank you for the gift of the church as Jesus’ family on Jesus’ mission.
During 2025, help us to grow in our commitment to one another as your family here in St. Peter’s Parish.
Help us to grow in our commitment to your mission.
Give us strength, faith and wisdom throughout the year, to follow you and play our part in building your church and seeing your kingdom come on earth as in heaven.
Amen
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Newsletter Archive
Read the Newsletter from the last few weeks:
29th June
22nd June
15th June
8th June
25th May & 1st June
18th May
11th May
4th May
27th April
20th April
13th April
6th April
30th March
23rd March
16th March
9th March
2nd March
23rd February
St. Peter's Church
Barrow Bridge Mission
Smithills Fellowship
St. Andrew's Church
Parish Centre
St. Peter’s parish church is an impressive Grade II listed building at the heart of the parish. In the 1980’s an extension provided a lounge, kitchen and toilets and more recently a welcoming entrance area has been created between this and the church.
Barrow Bridge Mission is situated in an important conservation area on the edge of Bolton. The attractive community is a former model community mill village and comprises former mill owner and worker cottages.
Smithills Fellowship meets in St. Peter’s Smithills Dean CE Primary School and Smithills Hall Chapel. The Chapel forms part of Smithills Hall and is leased from the council.
St. Andrew’s meets in the Hope Centre, which serves the Johnson Fold estate. The centre has been completely refurbished in the last 15 years, to better serve the needs of the surrounding community.
St. Peter’s Parish Centre is a hive of activity most days with church groups and other bookings.
It is also home to the administrative hub of the parish. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am-3pm.
St. Peter's Church
St. Peter’s parish church is an impressive Grade II listed building at the heart of the parish. In the 1980’s an extension provided a lounge, kitchen and toilets and work is currently underway to provide a welcoming entrance area.
Barrow Bridge Mission
Barrow Bridge Mission is situated in an important conservation area on the edge of Bolton. The attractive community is a former model community mill village and comprises former mill owner and worker cottages.
Smithills Fellowship
Smithills Fellowship meets in St. Peter’s Smithills Dean CE Primary School and Smithills Hall Chapel. The Chapel forms part of Smithills Hall and is leased from the council.
St. Andrew's Church
St. Andrew’s meets in the Hope Centre, which serves the Johnson Fold estate. The centre has been completely refurbished in the last 15 years, to better serve the needs of the surrounding community.
Parish Centre
St. Peter’s Parish Centre is a hive of activity most days with church groups and other bookings.
It is also home to the administrative hub of the parish. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am-3pm.
Safeguarding
At St. Peter’s Halliwell we work hard to maintain a safe environment for all. We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance.
If you have any concerns or enquiries regarding safeguarding, please visit our Safer Church page here for details of who to contact.