Perfect Timing

Advent has a way of slowing us down just enough to notice something we often miss the rest of the year: God is never rushed, never late, and never improvising. His timing is always perfect—even when it feels painfully slow to us.

Paul captures this beautifully in Galatians 4:4–5:

“When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

Jesus didn’t appear in Bethlehem by accident, or because heaven suddenly decided it was time to do something. The moment of His birth was a divine appointment—set, prepared, and purposeful. Every thread of history had been woven to that exact point. The prophets had spoken, the world longed for rescue, and the fullness of time finally arrived, right on schedule.

We often admire the idea of God’s perfect timing… until we have to live it. Waiting rarely feels spiritual; mostly it just feels slow. But Advent gently reminds us that waiting is woven into the very story of salvation. Before Jesus came, humanity lived with longing, expectation, and hope-in-the-dark. And into that waiting, God moved—precisely when He meant to.

Perfect timing isn’t just about dates on a calendar; it’s about God forming us while we wait. Just as an heir in Paul’s illustration must wait until the time set by their father, so too God shapes us while we grow into what He has promised. And the miracles we long for rarely arrive early… but they never arrive late.

So if this Advent season finds you waiting—waiting for clarity, for healing, for answers, for breakthrough—take heart. The same God who orchestrated the coming of Christ is still at work, and He hasn’t forgotten how to keep time. His plans are not random. His delays are not denials. And His timing remains perfect, even when ours isn’t.

And here’s the quietly astonishing truth Paul slips in: Jesus came not only to redeem us, but to adopt us. We are brought into God’s family, welcomed as beloved children, invited to call Him “Abba, Father.” Perfect timing didn’t just change history; it changed our identity.

This Advent, as we watch for light breaking into darkness, let the timing of God steady your heart. The One who came at the perfect moment is the One who walks with you now.

Three Ways to Live This Out This Week

Pause once a day and pray:
“Lord, help me to trust Your timing in the things I can’t yet see.”
A simple prayer, but it roots your heart in hope rather than hurry.

Notice one moment where God’s timing has proven good in your past.
Write it down. Let yesterday’s faithfulness steady today’s uncertainty.

Choose one area of life where you feel pressure to rush.
This week, surrender the pressure. Do what you can… and deliberately entrust the rest to God.

This article is based on the message shared by Rev. Mark Fairweather-Tall at the service on 30 November 2025.

You can of course watch the full service, including the sermon on our website, here.

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.

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Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

We know meeting someone for the first time can be intimidating and going to a new church for the first time can be nerveracking. We want to help make your first experience at Bethel a great one.

Where and When

We meet at the Chapel (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am.
For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early. As we don't have our own car park, you will have to find a spot in one of the many public car parks around town. Don't worry, there is always loads of parking as it's Sunday morning and its.a very short walk.
When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of our welcomers at the door, who will show you where to sit and provide you with a "Contact Us" sheet should you want to us to contact you after the service.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the church hall.

We see our services on a Sunday like a family get together. We like to laugh and have fun. Life can sometimes be very challenging, whether you are young or old; it helps to have support and a place to belong; so on Sundays we do just that.

What you can expect on a Sunday morning at Bethel is:

A warm, friendly community of people
To be welcomed and included.
To be supported.
To be given a chance.
To sometimes laugh and sometimes cry.
To be challenged and also to have fun.
To experience the presence of God in us and in creation.
To sing, because music is probably the best way we have of expressing our emotions and gratefulness to God.
A love for the Bible and the truths in it.

Bethel04

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Creche (0 months to 3 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/grown-up at all times.
Sunday Club (4 -11 years)
Young people (11+ years) They have a group meeting one week and the next join in the service in the Chapel.

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, a song or two songs, notices and an all age reflection. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the notices someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. We suggest that on your first visit, you go along with your child to drop them off and meet the leaders, before returning to the Chapel.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Home Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries
Youth Group
Foodbank
Renew Wellbeing Cafe

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Phil Hibbert
Pastor

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.