Following form Ps Andy's previous messages about the classroom of faith, Ps Gina this week speaks about how God provides encouragement to us through His word. At times she sprinkles this message with personal anecdotes about how God has literally spoken to her through nature, through the Bible and even a message on a note left wedged in a table! Ps…

Ps Andy continues speaking in his Classroom of Faith series but moves away from looking at Abraham & Sarah (even though he admits there are moany more lessons to be leant there). This week, he looks specifically at the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. Ps Andy takes us on a tour of the story of Joseph, his sons, his multi coloured coat and life…

Ps Andy carries on his series about Abraham's Classroom, this week looking at How to take hold of something by faith. He recaps last week - Abraham and Sarah stepping out in faith on a promise from God. If we are to take a faith Journey with God, its must start with a promise. Every time Abraham had a breakthrough, every time he met with God on the…

Ps Andy speaks today on the first of a new short series titled 'Classroom of Faith'. His message focuses on the story of Abram becoming Abraham, going on a journey of faith as directed by God (book of Genesis), but also leaning very much on the words of Hebrews 11 that tells us without faith it is impossible to please God. As Pastor of Family Churc…

Today is Remembrance Sunday. After a service of remembrance, Ps Sean reflects not only on those who gave their lives sacrificially for our freedom during wars and conflicts; but also upon the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross. Just as many did during military conflicts, we are called to lay our lives down for God's purpose. Ps Sean reca…

This Sunday is our Missions Sunday. During the service, the congregation listened to videos from all the missionaries we support across the world (audio of this omitted here). Ps Steu then spoke about why we do what we do and why this is important to us all. The only true complete and lasting answer to the needs of humanity is found in Christ Jesus…

Last week Ps Carla began a news series looking at 'Life is a Garden'. Following this, Ps Sean this week takes a look specifically at what we can sow with a focus on our finances. Amongst many scripture references, Sean looks at Luke 6:38 (NIV) "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will b…

Ps Carla begins a new series of messages entitled 'Life is a Garden'. The first message is subtitled 'Wilderness to Promised Land'. All through scripture from Genesis to the New Testament we find numerous references to gardens, agriculture, seed time and harvest (we reap what we sow). Today Carla speaks about how in Genesis 2:8, Our Father God plan…

Ps Andy rounds off the series on a "Growing Church" by speaking about Communion and Prayer. During the service he then led the whole church into taking communion together. Acts 2:42 (NIV) says "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer". This has been the central theme for the series…

Within the context of our series on a Growing Church, today Pastors Andy & Gina Elmes made a significant announcement to all of Family Church held dear to their hearts. The following words accompany the message today from Pastors Andy & Gina..... After 28 years of pioneering and leading Family Church, on Sunday, 1st February 2026, we will be handin…

Following in the series about a Growing Church, today Ps Connie speaks about being devoted to one another and walking in shared fellowship with God (as well as with each other). This is a deep spiritual connection. It is about us having a shared life, walking together in unity and in love with a community of people who love God. We must purpose to …

Last Week, Ps Andy gave an introduction to the new series "A Growing Church", and explained how this also fits within our overall theme of Magnify and Multiply. This week, Ps Paula begins the series in earnest by speaking about being 'Devoted to the Word'. The key scripture here is Acts 2:42 (NLT) "All the believers devoted themselves to the apostl…

This year, Family Church has had a them of Magnify & Multiply in its messages. Ps Andy recaps on these and moves to look at how this theme also applies to the church at large, providing an introduction to a new series entitled "A Growing Church". After defining what 'church' really is, Ps Andy looks at the cardinal way a church might grow, seeking …

Ps Gina picks a selection of biblical characters and explains how they show us real people living through real situations and struggles witnessing the overwhelming grace and power of God. These people got through their journey of life and can help us in our journey of life as well. The Bible is a grace gift from God which we all need to delve into …

On the back of this year's Youth Summer Camp, Nathan speaks this morning about a theme that has been on his mind before, during and after the camp time. His words are not only aimed at the youth of our church but the whole congregation! Nathan's key verse is from Luke 6:46-49 (NIV) "Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for…

Pastor Andy preaches on one of his all time favourite scriptures in our Signature series of messages. He begins in the book of John, chapter 15, all about abiding in the vine. Jesus is talking to his disciples and looks at them and says, I am the true vine and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away…

Ps Sean speaks in the second of our 'Signature' series this week (messages close to the hearts of the speakers), with specific focus on the storms of our lives and how to act and react when a storm hits us. He begins with the scripture Mark 4:35-41 where Jesus calms the storm amidst petrified disciples who thought they were going to drown. Sean has…

Ps Steu returns to Portsmouth this week for a special message entitled 'Come to Me' - the words that Jesus says to each of us every day. Ps Steu talks about a young man trapped in a bird cage, a place of pain and fear and uses this picture to formulate his message. Some of us are still in a cage, trapped by the things of life. Maybe we are not full…

Following the previous week's messages on Miracles, Ps Andy takes a 'Selah Sunday' to summarise the key points from all the previous messages and further emphasise the common themes across the whole of scripture where miracles are described. Multiplication of provision, be it loaves and fish, oil in a jar, grain and oil to make a loaf of bread are …

Ps Andy carries on the series about Miracles within our overall theme of Magnify and Multiply. After a recap of theprevious weeks' messages he focuses this week on the miracle of the flour & oil that did not run out. Miracles follow obedience to God with faith. God always multiplies what we surrender, whether its a little boy's picnic, a fishing bo…

Ps Andy continues the series on Miracles withinour overall theme of Magnify and Multiply. God's heart is one of multiplication for us, through miracles. Luke 5:1-11 and John 21:1-14 are the key bible verses for Ps Andy's message today where Jesus instructs Simon Peter to put down his nets the other side of the boat after an unproductive evening of …

Ps Andy continues the series about miracles that Ps Sean began last week. A common thought in this series is how unusual requests made by God can result in supernatural multiplication in our lives? This is something consistently seen throughout teaching in both New & Old Testaments. Crazy things can happen but are normally always followed God askin…

Today Ps Sean starts a new series about Miracles, still within the overall framework of our theme of Multiplication. He begins by speaking about 'lack' and the varying forms of lack we can experience in our lives. Sometimes this is through comparing ourselves to others around us, sometimes through genuine lack of resources, food, shelter, clothing …

Today is Global Sunday in Family Church, a day when we celebrate all the nations and nationalities represented in our fellowship. It is also Pentecost Sunday - Pentecost being the day the Holy Spirit flowed into the collected peoples in the first church as described in Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one …

Today is My Church Sunday, a service specially designed for those who are not fully familiar with the Christian Faith or Kingdom Living. Pastors Sean and Paula Finch interview three congregational members who have totally differing life stories - Vanessa, Hector & Sarah. Each of them show similarities in their search for somthing meaningful in thei…

We are called to represent God in a fallen world, we carry his salt and light, and it’s our duty to put on the new self daily.Family Church Online

Following on from last week's message, Ps Andy continues to speak about growing God's family. This week, the focus is 'Reaching all of our World for Him'. Ps Andy's starting point is that we are not looking at arena events, more that every believer says "let me take responsibility for one soul". Referencing Mark 16 and Matthew 28, it is clear that …

Ps Andy continues the series about God wanting a big family, this week speaking directly about how we are all responsible not just for our Judea and Sameria but those of our own family too. He shows us many scriptures where in the early church it was commonplace for people who had just heard about Jesus to go fetch all their household to tell them …

Ps Paula begins a new series this week talking about how God wants a big family. She speaks about growing God's household, God's desire for multiplication in terms of people coming to Christ. If God wants a big family, the first thing we need to get a hold of is God's heart. The most well known verse is John 3:16, personally describing the Father's…

Ps Sean rounds off this series of messages on Multiply with a message about The Power of the Cross. Specifically, Sean speaks about empowering our lives to live out of the power of the Cross. We may have an understanding of the Cross as good Christians, but there's more to it than to just understand. We we need to walk in the power of the cross. We…

Ps Andy delivers an awesome message today about the divine exchange upon the cross. Jesus paid for all our sins by his death, but we also died with Him and are resurrected to new life though Him. Ps Andy calls this a moment of co-crucifixion. Each of us who believes in what Jesus has did on the cross, would enter in to His death, His burial and als…

Ps Gina speak about how Gods plan in the beginning was always for multiplication.Family Church Online

The word 'selah' occurs 74 times in the Old Testament and is generally accepted to mean a 'pause' for reflection or thought. This week Pastors Sean and Paula take a break from the norm by reflecting on the previous week's messages which have focused on The Word. Via some pre-recorded video interviews, thoughts from a number of members of the congre…

Ps Andy continues the series on Magnify & Multiply, this week with part 2 of "The Authority of God's Word". After summarizing the messages from previous weeks Ps Andy quotes Ecclesiastes 8:4 (AKJV) "Where the word of a king is, there is power". There is final authority in the word of King Jesus! When we speak the words of King Jesus, things begin t…

Ps Gina speaks on the Authority of the Word of God - the Bible says that God has all authority over heaven and Earth! God is the author, the originator, the creator. Page one, chapter one, verse one of the Bible is meant to colour the rest of the whole entire Bible. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth. This frames every other sc…

Continuing the series on Magnify & Multiply, Ps Andy refers this week to John 12:32 (NIV) " And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself". There is a principle - when He is lifted, there's a drawing that begins to take place. His word is like a seed that has the ability to cause multiplication in our lives. Every word o…

Ps Andy continues the series on the word of God, this week speaking about the fact that The Word is Truth. Many other life philosophies and ideologies present themselves in the modern world but few remain constant and only God's Word is real or true Truth as Ps Andy explains. Andy revisits John 12:32 (NIV) "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth…

Ps Sean today starts a new five part series looking at the Word of God. Today he examines the historical accuracy of the Bible, Old and New Testaments and gradually leads us into a realization that we cannot live without the Word of God if we are to be nourished Spiritually. Jesus was speaking in Matthew 4:4 (NIV) "It is written: ‘Man shall not liv…

This week we have an amazing message from our worship pastor, Janine Smith. She speaks about Who and How we Worship, following Ps Paula’s message last week about What is Worship. Who do we worship sounds an obvious question, but is fundamental - we can't move on to how do we worship if we don't know who do we worship. It matters that we know who we…

Ps Paula begins a new series about worship by asking the question, 'What is worship'? Worship is not about singing songs or hymns, it is a lifestyle living devoted to God. We are all designed to worship, but do we always worship the correct thing? Worship comes from 'worth-ship', meaning to give worth or value to something. Psalm 29 tells us (NIV) …

Ps Andy speaks this week on the occasion of his 60th birthday, a special celebration of life. Every day we spend cannot be gained again. He demonstrates this with a bag of coins representing each year of his life. Like all of us, some are well spent, some not so. He explains how important it is to spend the currency of our life wisely in accordance…

Pastors Sean & Paula assemble an armchair discussion along with Senior Pastors Andy & Gina Elmes to discuss how the Mission and Vision for the whole of Family Church presented last Sunday flow into the goals for Portsmouth Congregation this year.Family Church Online

Ps Andy delivers a keynote message today regarding vision for the whole of Family Church during 2025. He explains how important it is for us to have a vision (Proverbs 29:18, Where there is no vision, the people perish) and thanks all those who have contributed in any way to the outworking of the church vision the previous year. Ps Andy then concen…

Ps Andy ends the three week series on God of my Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow this week speaking about God of my Tomorrow. Tomorrow is unknown to us but not to Him! We embrace our tomorrows by faith. The funny thing about fear and faith is that it takes the same effort and energy to do either one of them! Matthew 6:25 tells us not to worry (NIV) "T…

Ps Paula continues the there parts series God of my yesterday, today and tomorrow, this week focusing on God being our God of Today! She refers to the same passage in Hebrew telling us Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever and in a world that is always changing. Often we experience situation where people do not treat us the same, but…

Ps Sean begins the new year with the first of a three part series looking at 'God of My Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow'. This first part looks at God of My Yesterday. Sean uses scriptures from Hebrews 13:8 and Revelation 1:8 to illustrate how God is the same yesterday , today and tomorrow. He is the Alpha and the Omega, He has an all consuming view of…

Ps Andy speaks today in the period after Christmas and before the new year. Using the theme of Psalm 84:5 (NIV) "Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage", he examines how life moves from one place to another often. This may be a physical move, a change of relationship, many things, but one key ingredient is fo…

At the Portsmouth Congregation Carol Service 2024, Ps Sean delivers a message describing the real meaning of the gift give at Christmas.Family Church Online

Ps Andy ends the series we have been looking at recently where the character of God has been an enlightening message. Today he speaks about firstly the attributes of God. God is infinite, self-sufficient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient and omnibenevolent. Ps Andy then looks again at the characteristics of God which are the hallmarks of His beh…

Following from previous weeks where we have been hearing about the character of our Lord, Ps Andy this week speaks about how we can put our trust in God. People may let us down, but God never does. Nearly 200 times, the Bible teaches us about the trusting nature of God. One of the key things that makes God trustworthy is that He cannot lie. God is …