The week ahead at Hilton Church
Tuesday 13th January Afternoon Tea for the over-60s. 2.00pm at the Anchor Cafe beside the Church. All welcome – free of charge to attend.
Thursday 15th January Craft and Repair Group meets in the small hall, 7.30-9.00pm
Sunday 18th January Worship Service in the church at 10.30am.
Hilton Parish Church
Sunday 11 January 2026
A worship service was held at 10.30am in the church on Sunday 11 January. The service was simultaneously broadcast on the Church Facebook page. For the next four weeks, you can catch up here, or by following the link below. The sermon starts at 17:15 minutes in.
The Bible passage was 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and John 13 :1-17 and the service was led by Graeme and Sandra Bell.
John writes: Graeme and Sandra led us in a gentle and encouraging service this morning, looking at two Bible passages: John 13:1-17, in which Jesus takes the servant’s role and washes his disciples’ feet, normally a servant’s task, and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 which focusses on God’s unexpected ways of doing things, and our need to put pride to one side, and to be open to the God of mystery. John 13:1-17, as Graeme, implied highlights one example of the this unexpectedness of God’s strategies.
Grame took these words from John 13:7 (Good News Translation) as the theme of the sermon: “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.”
It can be very trying when hard things happen in our lives, things we can’t explain, or reconcile with the stories we tell ourselves about God. The challenge in these circumstances is to listen to Jesus’ words “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later’ and to respond ‘I do not understand, but I believe.’
At times, it seems that God’s way of working don’t make sense from a purely logical, rational perspective – think what the disciples must have felt on Easter Saturday. The Apostle Paul challenges his readers:
For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called “foolish” message we preach, God decided to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21 GNT)
This is not to say that Christians are unthinking people – quite the opposite. But before we are open to receive wisdom from God at a heart-deep level, we must set aside know-it-all arrogance, and be open to wonder and mystery.
I love these very recent words from the deep-thinking writer Paul Kingsnorth:
God’s wisdom is foolishness to the world, after all. The supposedly wise scoff at Him, while only children seem to really understand. The Kingdom of Heaven is probably populated with people who giggle easily, who are fascinated with the precise metallic colour of beetle shells, and who never read any theology.
I so, so love this – at heart we are all children, and we grow in understanding as we embrace the simplicity of the child within and dance with Jesus. Once we are dancing with Jesus, then we can read all the theology we want, and interpret it in the light of the dance we have been called into, with this amazing God who washes people’s feet.
Jesus shows us what God is like. His action that day revealed that God is a foot-washing Father. It’s preposterous, that the enormous consciousness which holds in being the whole, incredibly complex universe cares about us intimately, and washes our feet. Does God really love us this much? Does God in Christ really love us enough to die for us?
That is what we believe as Christians, and despite the mysteries of pain and suffering, the doubts we struggle with, the questions we wrestle with – ‘if God really loves me then why is this happening to me?’ – we entrust ourselves to him. ‘I do not understand, but I believe.’
I know what a cynical person might say about this – that here we are as Christians desperate to keep believing even when God seems to have deserted us. I believe this is wrong. All I know is that when am most conscious of God’s presence – and of the heart’s joyful dance with Jesus – then I am whole, and happy, grounded in love, and hopeful, and positive. It is when I am conscious of God that I live life to the full. For the rest, I am content to say ‘I do not understand, but I believe’
Here are links to websites which Duncan has recommended we explore:
The Bible Project
The Bible Society
The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity
Inverness ‘Warm Spaces’
A number of venues across Inverness have opened their doors through the week to offer a warm welcome and bring people together in the local community. Enjoy some Highland hospitality and make new friends. Additional support is also available at some venues.
Here’s a link to a list of these ‘Warm Spaces’ with the times they are available.
Hilton Parish Church works very closely with Hilton Family Support, helping to make a difference in the local community. Click the links below to explore.
Click here for the latest Hilton Family Support Newsletter.
Click here to donate to Hilton Family Support
Giving to Hilton Parish Church
If you would like to give towards the work of Hilton Parish Church, here are a few ways in which you can do it.
(1) The most beneficial way of giving would be through a monthly standing order which would enable the congregation to have a regular and predictable monthly income:
Sort Code: 80-91-26
Account No: 00444375
Account Name: HILTON CHURCH
(2) You can also give through the Give.net link below
(3) Free Will Offering Envelopes – we are conscious that many may wish to continue with this scheme putting money aside each week, and we look forward to receiving these offerings when the crisis comes to an end.
(4) If you would like to give offerings through cheque, these can be made payable to Hilton Church and posted to: Hilton Parish Church, 4 Tomatin Road, Inverness, IV2 4UA
Please note that if you are a tax payer Gift Aid is applicable for all of the above and this can increase our income by 25%. If possible, please complete a Gift Aid declaration (available here or from the church office) and return it to the church office.
We thank you for your support of the ministry of Hilton Church.
Our latest Facebook posts
The Bible passage this morniung was 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and John 13 :1-17 and the service was led by Graeme and Sandra Bell.
John writes: Graeme and Sandra led us in a gentle and encouraging service this morning, looking at two Bible passages: John 13:1-17, in which Jesus takes the servant’s role and washes his disciples’ feet, normally a servant’s task, and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 which focusses on God’s unexpected ways of doing things, and our need to put pride to one side, and to be open to the God of mystery. John 13:1-17, as Graeme, implied highlights one example of the this unexpectedness of God’s strategies.
Grame took these words from John 13:7 (Good News Translation) as the theme of the sermon: “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.”
It can be very trying when hard things happen in our lives, things we can’t explain, or reconcile with the stories we tell ourselves about God. The challenge in these circumstances is to listen to Jesus’ words “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later’ and to respond ‘I do not understand, but I believe.’
At times, it seems that God’s way of working don’t make sense from a purely logical, rational perspective – think what the disciples must have felt on Easter Saturday. The Apostle Paul challenges his readers:
For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called “foolish” message we preach, God decided to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21)
This is not to say that Christians are unthinking people – quite the opposite. But before we are open to receive wisdom from God at a heart-deep level, we must set aside know-it-all arrogance, and be open to wonder and mystery.
I love these very recent words from the deep-thinking writer Paul Kingsnorth:
God’s wisdom is foolishness to the world, after all. The supposedly wise scoff at Him, while only children seem to really understand. The Kingdom of Heaven is probably populated with people who giggle easily, who are fascinated with the precise metallic colour of beetle shells, and who never read any theology.
I so, so love this – at heart we are all children, and we grow in understanding as we embrace the simplicity of the child within and dance with Jesus. Once we are dancing with Jesus, then we can read all the theology we want, and interpret it in the light of the dance we have been called into, with this amazing God who washes people’s feet.
Jesus shows us what God is like. His action that day revealed that God is a foot-washing Father. It’s preposterous, that the enormous consciousness which holds in being the whole, incredibly complex universe cares about us intimately, and washes our feet. Does God really love us this much? Does God in Christ really love us enough to die for us?
That is what we believe as Christians, and despite the mysteries of pain and suffering, the doubts we struggle with, the questions we wrestle with - ‘if God really loves me then why is this happening to me?’ - we entrust ourselves to him. ‘I do not understand, but I believe.’
I know what a cynical person might say about this – that all that’s happening here is Christians desperate to keep believing even when God seems to have deserted us. I believe this is wrong. All I know is that when am most conscious of God’s presence – and of the heart’s joyful dance with Jesus – then I am whole, and happy, grounded in love, and hopeful, and positive. It is when I am conscious of God that I live life to the full. For the rest, I am content to say ‘I do not understand, but I believe’
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Hilton Family Support is part of the @coopuk Local Community Fund. To find out more about our project and choose us, click here: membership.coop.co.uk/causes/96863
Thank you to those who have already signed up and chosen us!!
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Get in touch
Contact Details
Hilton Church is at 4 Tomatin Road, Inverness IV2 4UA
Tel:
01463 233310
email:
office@hiltonchurch.org.uk
The Care Team
The Care Team’s role is to provide help and support in various ways for people of all ages in the congregation. These could be a home or hospital visit, a meal in time of crisis, or a listening ear.
If you, or anyone you know needs help in this way, please contact
Church Office: 01463 233310
The week ahead at Hilton Church
Tuesday 13th January Afternoon Tea for the over-60s. 2.00pm at the Anchor Cafe beside the Church. All welcome – free of charge to attend.
Thursday 15th January Craft and Repair Group meets in the small hall, 7.30-9.00pm
Sunday 18th January Worship Service in the church at 10.30am.
.
Hilton Parish Church
Sunday 11 January 2026
A worship service was held at 10.30am in the church on Sunday 11 January. The service was simultaneously broadcast on the Church Facebook page. For the next four weeks, you can catch up here, or by following the link below. The sermon starts at 17:15 minutes in.
The Bible passage was 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and John 13 :1-17 and the service was led by Graeme and Sandra Bell.
John writes: Graeme and Sandra led us in a gentle and encouraging service this morning, looking at two Bible passages: John 13:1-17, in which Jesus takes the servant’s role and washes his disciples’ feet, normally a servant’s task, and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 which focusses on God’s unexpected ways of doing things, and our need to put pride to one side, and to be open to the God of mystery. John 13:1-17, as Graeme, implied highlights one example of the this unexpectedness of God’s strategies.
Grame took these words from John 13:7 (Good News Translation) as the theme of the sermon: “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.”
It can be very trying when hard things happen in our lives, things we can’t explain, or reconcile with the stories we tell ourselves about God. The challenge in these circumstances is to listen to Jesus’ words “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later’ and to respond ‘I do not understand, but I believe.’
At times, it seems that God’s way of working don’t make sense from a purely logical, rational perspective – think what the disciples must have felt on Easter Saturday. The Apostle Paul challenges his readers:
For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called “foolish” message we preach, God decided to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21 GNT)
This is not to say that Christians are unthinking people – quite the opposite. But before we are open to receive wisdom from God at a heart-deep level, we must set aside know-it-all arrogance, and be open to wonder and mystery.
I love these very recent words from the deep-thinking writer Paul Kingsnorth:
God’s wisdom is foolishness to the world, after all. The supposedly wise scoff at Him, while only children seem to really understand. The Kingdom of Heaven is probably populated with people who giggle easily, who are fascinated with the precise metallic colour of beetle shells, and who never read any theology.
I so, so love this – at heart we are all children, and we grow in understanding as we embrace the simplicity of the child within and dance with Jesus. Once we are dancing with Jesus, then we can read all the theology we want, and interpret it in the light of the dance we have been called into, with this amazing God who washes people’s feet.
Jesus shows us what God is like. His action that day revealed that God is a foot-washing Father. It’s preposterous, that the enormous consciousness which holds in being the whole, incredibly complex universe cares about us intimately, and washes our feet. Does God really love us this much? Does God in Christ really love us enough to die for us?
That is what we believe as Christians, and despite the mysteries of pain and suffering, the doubts we struggle with, the questions we wrestle with – ‘if God really loves me then why is this happening to me?’ – we entrust ourselves to him. ‘I do not understand, but I believe.’
I know what a cynical person might say about this – that here we are as Christians desperate to keep believing even when God seems to have deserted us. I believe this is wrong. All I know is that when am most conscious of God’s presence – and of the heart’s joyful dance with Jesus – then I am whole, and happy, grounded in love, and hopeful, and positive. It is when I am conscious of God that I live life to the full. For the rest, I am content to say ‘I do not understand, but I believe’
Inverness Warm Spaces
A number of venues across Inverness have opened their doors through the week to offer a warm welcome and bring people together in the local community. Enjoy some Highland hospitality and make new friends. Additional support is also available at some venues.
Here’s a link to a list of these ‘Warm Spaces’ with the times they are available.
Hilton Parish Church works very closely with Hilton Family Support, helping to make a difference in the local community. Click the links below to explore.
Click here for the latest Hilton Family Support Newsletter.
Click here to donate to Hilton Family Support
Giving to Hilton Parish Church
If you would like to give towards the work of Hilton Parish Church, here are a few ways in which you can do it.
(1) The most beneficial way of giving would be through a monthly standing order which would enable the congregation to have a regular and predictable monthly income:
Sort Code: 80-91-26
Account No: 00444375
Account Name: HILTON CHURCH
(2) You can also give through the Give.net link below
(3) Free Will Offering Envelopes – we are conscious that many may wish to continue with this scheme putting money aside each week, and we look forward to receiving these offerings when the crisis comes to an end.
(4) If you would like to give offerings through cheque, these can be made payable to Hilton Church and posted to: Hilton Parish Church, 4 Tomatin Road, Inverness, IV2 4UA
Please note that if you are a tax payer Gift Aid is applicable for all of the above and this can increase our income by 25%. If possible, please complete a Gift Aid declaration (available here or from the church office) and return it to the church office.
We thank you for your support of the ministry of Hilton Church.
Our latest Facebook posts
The Bible passage this morniung was 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and John 13 :1-17 and the service was led by Graeme and Sandra Bell.
John writes: Graeme and Sandra led us in a gentle and encouraging service this morning, looking at two Bible passages: John 13:1-17, in which Jesus takes the servant’s role and washes his disciples’ feet, normally a servant’s task, and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 which focusses on God’s unexpected ways of doing things, and our need to put pride to one side, and to be open to the God of mystery. John 13:1-17, as Graeme, implied highlights one example of the this unexpectedness of God’s strategies.
Grame took these words from John 13:7 (Good News Translation) as the theme of the sermon: “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.”
It can be very trying when hard things happen in our lives, things we can’t explain, or reconcile with the stories we tell ourselves about God. The challenge in these circumstances is to listen to Jesus’ words “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later’ and to respond ‘I do not understand, but I believe.’
At times, it seems that God’s way of working don’t make sense from a purely logical, rational perspective – think what the disciples must have felt on Easter Saturday. The Apostle Paul challenges his readers:
For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called “foolish” message we preach, God decided to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21)
This is not to say that Christians are unthinking people – quite the opposite. But before we are open to receive wisdom from God at a heart-deep level, we must set aside know-it-all arrogance, and be open to wonder and mystery.
I love these very recent words from the deep-thinking writer Paul Kingsnorth:
God’s wisdom is foolishness to the world, after all. The supposedly wise scoff at Him, while only children seem to really understand. The Kingdom of Heaven is probably populated with people who giggle easily, who are fascinated with the precise metallic colour of beetle shells, and who never read any theology.
I so, so love this – at heart we are all children, and we grow in understanding as we embrace the simplicity of the child within and dance with Jesus. Once we are dancing with Jesus, then we can read all the theology we want, and interpret it in the light of the dance we have been called into, with this amazing God who washes people’s feet.
Jesus shows us what God is like. His action that day revealed that God is a foot-washing Father. It’s preposterous, that the enormous consciousness which holds in being the whole, incredibly complex universe cares about us intimately, and washes our feet. Does God really love us this much? Does God in Christ really love us enough to die for us?
That is what we believe as Christians, and despite the mysteries of pain and suffering, the doubts we struggle with, the questions we wrestle with - ‘if God really loves me then why is this happening to me?’ - we entrust ourselves to him. ‘I do not understand, but I believe.’
I know what a cynical person might say about this – that all that’s happening here is Christians desperate to keep believing even when God seems to have deserted us. I believe this is wrong. All I know is that when am most conscious of God’s presence – and of the heart’s joyful dance with Jesus – then I am whole, and happy, grounded in love, and hopeful, and positive. It is when I am conscious of God that I live life to the full. For the rest, I am content to say ‘I do not understand, but I believe’
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Get in touch
Contact Details
Hilton Church is at 4 Tomatin Road, Inverness IV2 4UA
Church Office: 01463 233310
email:
office@hiltonchurch.org.uk
The Care Team
The Care Team’s role is to provide help and support in various ways for people of all ages in the congregation. These could be a home or hospital visit, a meal in time of crisis, or a listening ear.
If you, or anyone you know needs help in this way, please contact
Church Office: 01463 233310