16th December 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FCBWTZdSw4

Irim Sarwar, our Development and Operations Manager, reads a prayerful reflection that follows on from yesterday's theme of being attentive to those in need.

15th December 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKkr40X2LE0

Jon reflects on how the different characters in the nativity story are invited to either help prepare the way for Jesus, or to respond to his presence. Today, we too are invited to respond to the presence of Christ in our world.

14th December 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWq60oyrHVQ

This week has featured nativity plays that have been enjoyed (and endured) by children, parents, and teachers all over the world. In honour of this, please enjoy the nativity story as told by the children of St Paul's Church, Auckland.

13th December

An Advent photo from a few years ago, displaying the key themes of Advent, hope, peace, joy, and love.

12th December 2024

https://youtube.com/watch?v=4fZHbD7ZMd8

Robert Blyth, church treasurer, reads the poem 'Pregnant with hope' by Kate McIlhagga, from 'Poems and Prayers for Advent and Christmas' (Wild Goose Publications, 2024)

11th December
Carol singing on Bonn Square

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c71zHdNFe2w

The Salvation Army brass band along with members of New Road and St Columba's sing 'O come all you faithful' on Sunday 8th Dec 2024. It was wet, windy, and pretty cold, but passers by stopped and donated funds to the Salvation Army, whose Christmas present appeal we have supported again this year. You can find out more about it here: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/chri...

In Oxford there is an additional focus of giving gifts to older teenagers as they leave care, so gifts such as toiletries and the like are much appreciated.

10th December

Rev Glen Graham tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist for Fuelcast. It's a story of transformation, where Zechariah moves from priest to prophet, and from disablement to enablement, as he foretells the way in which his son, John the Baptist, will prepare the way for Jesus.

https://www.thefuelcast.com/library/2023-12-11-the-birth-of-john-the-baptist

9th December 2024

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dx_K2bvvdcM

Irim Sarwar, our Development and Operations Manager at New Road, reads the poem 'Theotokos' by Malcolm Guite.

8th December 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUtR0JiwAGk

On the 2nd Sunday of Advent, as we light the candle of peace, Jon reads a challenging poem that reflects the importance of us being peaceable ourselves if he hope to find peace in our relationships and in the wider world - I will seek peace, by Neil Squires, from Prayers and Poems for Advent and Christmas (Wild Goose Publications, 2024)

7th December

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9dKlRgnVY

The Porter's Gate - O Come - From: Advent Songs (2021)

For those who walk in darkness
The sun is rising, rising, rising
The shadow dies,
Our anguish flies
From dawn on high
Oh Lord Jesus, come...
Oh come, Oh come...

The yoke upon our shoulders
Is finally breaking, breaking, breaking
Our burdens gone,
in that bright dawn
When He has come
Oh Lord Jesus, come...
Oh come, Oh come, Oh come...

A Son to us is given
And we are waiting, waiting, waiting
Immanuel,
Oh wonderful
Your peace to tell
Oh Lord Jesus, come...
Oh come, Oh come Oh come...

6th December

https://youtube.com/watch?v=oHwPZ3l5dGI

Kirsty Smith, our Student Outreach Worker, reads the poem 'I have a message for you' by Janet Lees. It brings the message of the angel Gabriel to Mary into the day to day, here and now, as we prepare ourselves in this Advent season for the coming of Christ once more. Kirsty has been jointly appointed by New Road, Wesley Mem and St Columba's URC, and has been settling in well to this new role this term.

5th December 2024

https://youtube.com/watch?v=gpQ1s1evK_k

Lucy Stokes, of the Lived Experience Advisory Forum for homelessness reads 'Coming in from the Cold'. LEAF helps to ensure that the voice of those with lived experience is used to shape and improve services for the homeless in Oxford. LEAF holds many of its meetings at New Road, and we are looking forward to hosting their Christmas party next week.

You can find out more about LEAF here: https://oxfordgatehouse.org/services-activities/leaf/

'Coming in from the cold' has been adapted from a poem by Janet Lees, published in 'Prayers & Poems for Advent & Christmas', Wild Goose Publishing

4th December

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6JtEEOLTTk

In our Christmas offerings we often support the work of Christian Aid. Their appeal this year focuses on supporting refugees who have lost everything due to conflict in Sudan.

3rd December 2024

https://youtube.com/watch?v=i4sHFI1L-TI

Deb reads to us the prayerful reflection, Open our eyes, from Cloth for the Cradle (Wild Goose Publishing)

Deb is a deacon at New Road, often plays music during church services, an Old Testament tutor in the theology faculty, and is chaplain to Oxford United Womens Football Club.

2nd December

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkvHjFm_gTo

Myra Blyth reads the prayer 'Light to your people', by John Harvey, from Hay and Stardust (Wild Goose Publishing).

Myra is part of our church secretary team, and a trustee of The Mint House, a charity that advocates for and promotes restorative practice.

1st December

Jon gives an introduction to Advent. In Advent we look back to Christmas, giving thanks for the birth of Christ, but we also prepare for the return of Christ, and are called to be attentive to the presence of God in the world today.

https://youtu.be/XvH5D1wIzCo

Advent Calendar December 2024

Season's Greetings from New Road Baptist Church

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

This church welcomes you!

Who are we?

All ages, different backgrounds
A mix; visitors, new church members, some with lifetime experience
An informal church, accepting people as they are

Coming to a 10.30am Sunday service

For directions please see the directions page
Aim to turn up around 10.25 a.m. (but sometimes we’re late too!)
You’ll be met at the door by a friendly face
We are a friendly bunch, if you’re unsure of something, please ask!
Feel free to be who you are, not someone you aren’t!

What to expect

Our aim: whether you’re looking at Christianity for the first time or have been a Christian for many years,
we want you to be encouraged and inspired by a morning with us.
We hope we will all draw closer to God as a result.

Here’s a quick summary:

We start at 10.30am with a few notices of coming events, followed by silent reflection
The service lasts until about 11.30am
Our worship blends Bible reading and prayer with traditional hymns and modern songs
Everyone can participate in the worship
The average size of our congregation on a Sunday morning is around 30 people
At 11am young people go to their own group. The church implements a strong Safeguarding policy
We have a talk from the bible that is relevant and meaningful to our lives
We share in communion together as part of the service (first and third Sundays); all are welcome to participate
After our service tea and coffee are served; some services are followed by a lunch

What we believe

We are a Christian church and believe all can have relationship with God.
We believe this can happen because of Jesus, who invites us to follow him.

Is it just Sundays?

Absolutely not! God is with us all week long and we aim to lead lives that show it. We’re not perfect and we do make mistakes, but we want to make a positive difference in everything we do.

For those with disabilities

We aim to be an all-inclusive church and to meet the needs of all who use our building.
Our premises are accessible for those with disabilities. We have a loop for the hearing impaired.
For disabled parking or for other specific needs please contact the church office

Celebrating Marriage

If you would like to be wedded through a Christian marriage service, please contact our minister for a conversation. The church is registered both for the marriage of a man and a woman, and for same-sex marriage.