Visitors from the East

On a visit to Corton beach near Lowestoft in Suffolk, I followed a sign to Britain’s most easterly point. Indeed, the selfie opposite was taken as I stood on that very spot at journey’s end. Later, it reminded me of the Wise Men, who also came “from the east” (Matthew 2:1). They saw a sign - a star - and began a long journey west. Unlike my 15-minute walk, their “star trek” took years, and Epiphany on January 6th, 2026, marks the moment, about two years after Jesus’ birth, when they boldly went, sought out and finally found the child Jesus. When they saw him, they joyfully worshipped him and presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Wise Men, and the shepherds before them, show us that God’s love reaches across every distance and culture whether it be in the north, south, east or west. Their journey reminds us that God draws all people toward Himself, inviting us to seek, follow, and honour Jesus in our own lives. No one is beyond His redeeming love and that yes that does include you reading this today! As a church family, we begin this new year with the earnest prayer that we may continue our journey of faith together with joy this Epiphany season and beyond. We also invite you to join with us on this ongoing journey to seek, find and joyfully experience the love of Jesus for yourself. You can be assured that a warm and loving welcome awaits you. 

Happy New Year! 

Pastor Robert and the church family

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas at HBC?

Morecambe and Wise brought laughter and “sunshine” in their smiles to many a Christmas night with their joyful shows. At Headcorn Baptist Church, we celebrate Christmas because we believe that God brought us His own Son-shine—Jesus Christ. Out of His great love, God sent his only Son Jesus as our Saviour so that all people could be reconciled to Him. That’s all of us folks, you and me.

Just as the angels brought “good news of great joy” and smiles to the shepherd's faces in that Bethlehem stable on that first Christmas night, over 2,000 years ago, we also smile and rejoice in the same light and hope Jesus brings today.

This Advent and leading up to Christmas, we’ll explore the theme “Have You Seen the Angels?” at our Sunday services (10:30am in December), with a Christingle Service on Sunday 21st December at 6pm with refreshments afterwards and a Family Service on Christmas Day with chocolate at 10:30am. Please join with us, a warm welcome awaits you.

Also, please keep a close eye out for our knitted angels of kindness appearing around the village—a small gift from us to share God’s love, brighten your Christmas and maybe bring a smile to your face. 

With warmest wishes for the Christmas season and a peaceful start to the New Year. 

Pastor Robert and the church family

What is communion and why do we observe it?

Remember, remember the 5th of November or so the nursery rhyme, "The Gunpower Plot" begins. 

November is now upon us. The clocks have gone back, and it is getting darker earlier. The loud whizzes, bangs and colourful flashes of rockets and fireworks will soon begin to light up the blackness of the night sky to commemorate when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up King James and the Houses of Parliament. 

Then in complete contrast, on Remembrance Sunday on or around 11th November, we will unite together as a community around the war memorial in Headcorn High Street to silently remember all those people who have been injured or have given their lives in wars past and present to bring us the relative freedom we enjoy today. November then is all about remembering.

The communion meal instituted by Jesus at the Last supper is a sacrament that we observe on the 3rd Sunday of each month. The bread and wine we share are symbols of remembrance – the bread represents Jesus’ broken body and the wine his poured-out blood during his crucifixion on Good Friday. In sharing the meal together we remember Jesus with grateful thanks for the ultimate sacrifice that He made dying for us on the cross and then being raised again for the forgiveness of our sins, which also paid the price for our freedom.

As a local Baptist church of Jesus Christ, we are a covenant people and communion is a way of recommitting ourselves to His Holy service. We also have the comfort and reassurance of a wonderful saviour who is at work in our lives and hearts through the Holy Spirit; changing us and moulding us into the people he wants us to be. 

We share an open table, and visitors are welcome to share the meal with us. 

Best wishes Pastor Robert and the church family