Living for Jesus at the heart of Hilton

The week ahead at Hilton Church

Sunday 9 February  Nitelife meets in the small hall at 7.00pm.

Sunday 16 February  Worship Service in the church at 10.30am and live on the Church Facebook page.   

Hilton Parish Church

Sunday 9 February 2025

 

A worship service as held at 10.30am in the church building on 9 February.  The service was simultaneously broadcast on the Church Facebook page.  You can catch up here, or by following the link below.  The sermon starts at 33:13 in.

The Bible passages were Isaiah 6:1-8 and Luke 5:1-11.  Duncan led the service and preached.

John writes: Both today’s passages, Duncan pointed out, are about people being called to serve God. Isaiah’s call took place in the Temple in Jerusalem, but Jesus’ call to Simon Peter and his friends took place beside the Sea of Galilee, effectively in Simon Peter’s workplace, after Simon had had a frustrating and unproductive night out fishing.

It’s a reminder, Duncan said, that God isn’t just at work in the places we might especially think of as ‘God’ places, but also in the world at large – and in the situations we find ourselves in in everyday life.  And it’s a reminder that God calls all of us to be agents of the kingdom – not just the super-educated, not just religious ‘professionals’ like priests and minister, but each one of us.

I was reading another sermon about today’s passages, and the preacher pointed out that Isaiah perceived that God was so enormous that the massive Jerusalem Temple could only hold the hem of his garment.  These two scriptures remind us about the massiveness of  our everywhere-present God.

Duncan drew our attention to the website of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, which has lots of resources about living for Jesus in  our everyday lives and our working lives.  There’s also material on living for God in retirement. And here’s a link to the trailer for the 3-video series ‘Does God care about my work?’ which we watched this morning.

In his sermon, Duncan left us with three things to think about from Luke 5:1-11. He said:

Firstly I think this story encourages me to take a fresh look at what I might consider to be the failures in my life. We all like to major on our successes, but in reality much of our lives is made-up of situations and circumstances that did not work out as we might have hoped.

A gospel story which describes failures so openly and so honestly is a gift to us. Simon has worked so hard all night and he has nothing to show for all his efforts.  I think all of us can identify with throwing our efforts into a job or a relationship or a dream and finding like Simon Peter at the end of the day that we have little or nothing to show for all our efforts.

Empty nets, disappointments,  frustrations, broken dreams.

I couldn’t pretend to be able to understand all that’s going on here but I think the story is saying something very powerful in the context of the events and the situations in our lives which we may consider as failures.  I love the fact that when Simon Peter has another go at fishing, an activity that proved fruitless the last time, this time he has Jesus in the boat with him.  Perhaps this story is teaching us that often it’s in our failures and disappointments that like Simon Peter we find ourselves most open to God’s intervention and help.

‘because you see so I will let down the nets.’ (Luke 5:5)

Maybe our failures in life are gifts from God, opening us up to following Jesus into the deeper waters, taking a fresh look, having another go,  this time with Jesus at our side.

The second thing which strikes me today is that Jesus call to Simon Peter is rooted in Simon Peter’s life experience and knowledge. He gets into Simon Peter’s boat; he teaches the crowd from the boat; he asks Simon Peter to put out into the deep waters and let down the nets for a catch.

Jesus call to Simon Peter doesn’t wrench him out of his life and all that he is familiar with.  Jesus joins Simon Peter in the daily experience and challenges of his life. He goes deeper with Simon Peter and enables him to see the Kingdom of God at work in his workplace.

And that I believe is true for all of us here today as well. God is interested in the reality of our work: our skills, our gifts, our families, our communities,  everything that makes up the lives we lead.  Jesus works through Simon Peter’s life experience and work and Jesus works through our backgrounds, our educations, our skills, our works, our life experience. Nothing wasted and he will bless and multiply the daily stuff of our lives for his purposes when we dare to ‘go deep’. With Jesus at our side God will enliven our daily lives and work in ways we couldn’t have imagined on our own.

Thirdly and finally, I love the abundance at the heart of this story a super catch so vast that the call for an extra boat and then both boats are so full of fish that they’re in danger of sinking.  Simon Peter,  an experienced fisherman who no doubt thought he had seen everything in his fishing career,  is overwhelmed by the catch.

He realises that the extravagant generosity of God’s Kingdom has touched his work and his life in a way he could never have imagined. God’s Kingdom is good news!  Food for all,  justice for all, compassion for all.

Jesus shows Simon what God’s Kingdom will look like when it’s fully established: no empty nets, no empty tables, no economic exploitation of any kind.  God’s Kingdom will mean good news for all.

All of this was more than enough to persuade Simon. He left everything and followed Jesus.  That’s what happened when Simon grudgingly obeyed Jesus: ‘because you say so I will let down the nets’ (Luke 5:5) a leap of faith which changed everything.

What do Christians believe

Click here to read answers to many of the questions we find ourselves asking.

The Bible Project

Click here for the Bible Project web site, as recommended by Duncan.

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.

Highland Foodbank January/February Requests

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 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.

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Our latest Facebook posts

From Duncan's sermon this morning on Luke 5:1-11:

I think this story encourages me to take a fresh look at what I might consider to be the failures in my life. We all like to major on our successes, but in reality much of our lives is made-up of situations and circumstances that did not work out as we might have hoped.

A gospel story which describes failures so openly and so honestly is a gift to us. Simon has worked so hard all night and he has nothing to show for all his efforts. I think all of us can identify with throwing our efforts into a job or a relationship or a dream and finding like Simon Peter at the end of the day that we have little or nothing to show for all our efforts.

Empty nets, disappointments, frustrations, broken dreams.

I couldn't pretend to be able to understand all that's going on here but I think the story is saying something very powerful in the context of the events and the situations in our lives which we may consider as failures. I love the fact that when Simon Peter has another go at fishing, an activity that proved fruitless the last time, this time he has Jesus in the boat with him. Perhaps this story is teaching us that often it's in our failures and disappointments that like Simon Peter we find ourselves most open to God's intervention and help.

‘because you see so I will let down the nets.’ (Luke 5:5)

Maybe our failures in life are gifts from God, opening us up to following Jesus into the deeper waters, taking a fresh look, having another go, this time with Jesus at our side.
... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago
From Duncans sermon this morning on Luke 5:1-11:

I think this story encourages me to take a fresh look at what I might consider to be the failures in my life. We all like to major on our successes, but in reality much of our lives is made-up of situations and circumstances that did not work out as we might have hoped.

A gospel story which describes failures so openly and so honestly is a gift to us. Simon has worked so hard all night and he has nothing to show for all his efforts.  I think all of us can identify with throwing our efforts into a job or a relationship or a dream and finding like Simon Peter at the end of the day that we have little or nothing to show for all our efforts.

Empty nets, disappointments,  frustrations, broken dreams.

I couldnt pretend to be able to understand all thats going on here but I think the story is saying something very powerful in the context of the events and the situations in our lives which we may consider as failures.  I love the fact that when Simon Peter has another go at fishing, an activity that proved fruitless the last time, this time he has Jesus in the boat with him.  Perhaps this story is teaching us that often its in our failures and disappointments that like Simon Peter we find ourselves most open to Gods intervention and help.

‘because you see so I will let down the nets.’ (Luke 5:5)

Maybe our failures in life are gifts from God, opening us up to following Jesus into the deeper waters, taking a fresh look, having another go,  this time with Jesus at our side.

And here's a link to the trailer for Does God care about my work? which we watched this morning.
... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

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Get in touch

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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

Sunday 9 February  Nitelife meets in the small hall at 7.00pm.

Sunday 16 February  Worship Service in the church at 10.30am and live on the Church Facebook page.   

Hilton Parish Church

Sunday 9 February  2025

 

 

A worship service as held at 10.30am in the church building on 9 February.  The service was simultaneously broadcast on the Church Facebook page.  You can catch up here, or by following the link below. The sermon starts at 33:13 in.

The Bible passages were Isaiah 6:1-8 and Luke 5:1-11.  Duncan led the service and preached.

John writes: Both today’s passages, Duncan pointed out, are about people being called to serve God. Isaiah’s call took place in the Temple in Jerusalem, but Jesus’ call to Simon Peter and his friends took place beside the Sea of Galilee, effectively in Simon Peter’s workplace, after Simon had had a frustrating and unproductive night out fishing.

It’s a reminder, Duncan said, that God isn’t just at work in the places we might especially think of as ‘God’ places, but also in the world at large – and in the situations we find ourselves in in everyday life.  And it’s a reminder that God calls all of us to be agents of the kingdom – not just the super-educated, not just religious ‘professionals’ like priests and minister, but each one of us.

I was reading another sermon about today’s passages, and the preacher pointed out that Isaiah perceived that God was so enormous that the massive Jerusalem Temple could only hold the hem of his garment.  These two scriptures remind us about the massiveness of  our everywhere-present God.

Duncan drew our attention to the website of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, which has lots of resources about living for Jesus in  our everyday lives and our working lives.  There’s also material on living for God in retirement. And here’s a link to the trailer for the 3-video series ‘Does God care about my work?’ which we watched this morning.

In his sermon, Duncan left us with three things to think about from Luke 5:1-11. He said:

Firstly I think this story encourages me to take a fresh look at what I might consider to be the failures in my life. We all like to major on our successes, but in reality much of our lives is made-up of situations and circumstances that did not work out as we might have hoped.

A gospel story which describes failures so openly and so honestly is a gift to us. Simon has worked so hard all night and he has nothing to show for all his efforts.  I think all of us can identify with throwing our efforts into a job or a relationship or a dream and finding like Simon Peter at the end of the day that we have little or nothing to show for all our efforts.

Empty nets, disappointments,  frustrations, broken dreams.

I couldn’t pretend to be able to understand all that’s going on here but I think the story is saying something very powerful in the context of the events and the situations in our lives which we may consider as failures.  I love the fact that when Simon Peter has another go at fishing, an activity that proved fruitless the last time, this time he has Jesus in the boat with him.  Perhaps this story is teaching us that often it’s in our failures and disappointments that like Simon Peter we find ourselves most open to God’s intervention and help.

‘because you see so I will let down the nets.’ (Luke 5:5)

Maybe our failures in life are gifts from God, opening us up to following Jesus into the deeper waters, taking a fresh look, having another go,  this time with Jesus at our side.

The second thing which strikes me today is that Jesus call to Simon Peter is rooted in Simon Peter’s life experience and knowledge. He gets into Simon Peter’s boat; he teaches the crowd from the boat; he asks Simon Peter to put out into the deep waters and let down the nets for a catch.

Jesus call to Simon Peter doesn’t wrench him out of his life and all that he is familiar with.  Jesus joins Simon Peter in the daily experience and challenges of his life. He goes deeper with Simon Peter and enables him to see the Kingdom of God at work in his workplace.

And that I believe is true for all of us here today as well. God is interested in the reality of our work: our skills, our gifts, our families, our communities,  everything that makes up the lives we lead.  Jesus works through Simon Peter’s life experience and work and Jesus works through our backgrounds, our educations, our skills, our works, our life experience. Nothing wasted and he will bless and multiply the daily stuff of our lives for his purposes when we dare to ‘go deep’. With Jesus at our side God will enliven our daily lives and work in ways we couldn’t have imagined on our own.

Thirdly and finally, I love the abundance at the heart of this story a super catch so vast that the call for an extra boat and then both boats are so full of fish that they’re in danger of sinking.  Simon Peter,  an experienced fisherman who no doubt thought he had seen everything in his fishing career,  is overwhelmed by the catch.

He realises that the extravagant generosity of God’s Kingdom has touched his work and his life in a way he could never have imagined. God’s Kingdom is good news!  Food for all,  justice for all, compassion for all.

Jesus shows Simon what God’s Kingdom will look like when it’s fully established: no empty nets, no empty tables, no economic exploitation of any kind.  God’s Kingdom will mean good news for all.

All of this was more than enough to persuade Simon. He left everything and followed Jesus.  That’s what happened when Simon grudgingly obeyed Jesus: ‘because you say so I will let down the nets’ (Luke 5:5) a leap of faith which changed everything.

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.

Highland Foodbank January/February Requests

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 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.

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Our latest Facebook posts

From Duncan's sermon this morning on Luke 5:1-11:

I think this story encourages me to take a fresh look at what I might consider to be the failures in my life. We all like to major on our successes, but in reality much of our lives is made-up of situations and circumstances that did not work out as we might have hoped.

A gospel story which describes failures so openly and so honestly is a gift to us. Simon has worked so hard all night and he has nothing to show for all his efforts. I think all of us can identify with throwing our efforts into a job or a relationship or a dream and finding like Simon Peter at the end of the day that we have little or nothing to show for all our efforts.

Empty nets, disappointments, frustrations, broken dreams.

I couldn't pretend to be able to understand all that's going on here but I think the story is saying something very powerful in the context of the events and the situations in our lives which we may consider as failures. I love the fact that when Simon Peter has another go at fishing, an activity that proved fruitless the last time, this time he has Jesus in the boat with him. Perhaps this story is teaching us that often it's in our failures and disappointments that like Simon Peter we find ourselves most open to God's intervention and help.

‘because you see so I will let down the nets.’ (Luke 5:5)

Maybe our failures in life are gifts from God, opening us up to following Jesus into the deeper waters, taking a fresh look, having another go, this time with Jesus at our side.
... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago
From Duncans sermon this morning on Luke 5:1-11:

I think this story encourages me to take a fresh look at what I might consider to be the failures in my life. We all like to major on our successes, but in reality much of our lives is made-up of situations and circumstances that did not work out as we might have hoped.

A gospel story which describes failures so openly and so honestly is a gift to us. Simon has worked so hard all night and he has nothing to show for all his efforts.  I think all of us can identify with throwing our efforts into a job or a relationship or a dream and finding like Simon Peter at the end of the day that we have little or nothing to show for all our efforts.

Empty nets, disappointments,  frustrations, broken dreams.

I couldnt pretend to be able to understand all thats going on here but I think the story is saying something very powerful in the context of the events and the situations in our lives which we may consider as failures.  I love the fact that when Simon Peter has another go at fishing, an activity that proved fruitless the last time, this time he has Jesus in the boat with him.  Perhaps this story is teaching us that often its in our failures and disappointments that like Simon Peter we find ourselves most open to Gods intervention and help.

‘because you see so I will let down the nets.’ (Luke 5:5)

Maybe our failures in life are gifts from God, opening us up to following Jesus into the deeper waters, taking a fresh look, having another go,  this time with Jesus at our side.
Video image
Click to see more posts

Get in touch

2 + 5 =

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