Foots Cray
Baptist Church

The church on Sidcup Hill

 

Foots Cray Baptist Church

Foots Cray Baptist Church is a member of:
The Baptist Union of Great Britain
The Evangelical Alliance
The London Baptist Association
Churches Together in Sidcup.

When Mr W H Colyer, a member of Eynsford Baptist Church, came to live in the village of Foots Cray, he licensed his house for public worship. When he later returned to Farningham to live, he left behind a thriving fellowship too large for the house, and so it was meeting in the Foots Cray Paper Mill (Nash’s).

Unable to get permission to use Anglican graveyards, they needed to buy land to provide a burial ground. They built a church, which was opened here in 1836.

AT FIRST they came by horse and cart -
NOW we have a bus stop right outside!

Since those days history has brought many changes, some of them swift and terrible, and we still live in troubled times. But then and now, Jesus Christ is the same. We now, as then, have the resources of God’s grace and love in Jesus to bring us through.

So we extend a welcome to all to join us in worship, praise and fellowship. Grateful to God for all that is past and trusting Him for all that's to come.

Sunday Services are at 11 .00am and 6.30pm.

Younger people (3-16) begin with opening worship in the church at the 11 .00am service.
They then gather in various age groups in the rear hall for their own activities.
Once a month they stay in church for an "All Age" service.

You are always welcome.

We do however specially distribute invitations to neighbourhood houses for our celebrations of Easter, Harvest, and Christmas.

Please e-mail : ray_bren_bridges@lineone.net
if you'd like to know more about our other activities through the week:
Bible Study,
Ladies Fellowship,
Men's Meeting,
or Busy Fingers (crafts).

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REV. SAM SAYER

It was sad to hear of the passing of Pastor Sam Sayer in the early hours of Sunday morning (4th May).

Sam served for 40 years in the Christian Ministry and only recently retired from Foots Cray Baptist Church.

We extend our sincere Christian sympathy to his wife Margaret, to Joy and David, his daughter and son.

"Sam was much loved and will be missed by many," said Brenda Bridges, a member of Footscray Baptist Church.

A Thanksgiving Service
for Sam’s life was held on Saturday, 31st May at 2:30pm at Foots Cray Baptist Church.

A TRIBUTE

I thought you might like to know a little of Sam's last hours.

Sam, his family and myself spent several hours together, on the night before he died. Sam was aware of us and we read the verse from Romans 8: Neither death nor life nor anything else in all creation can separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus'.

Sam was anointed and before I left I reminded him of the many people whose life he had influenced and said I believed the Lord would soon be saying to him 'Well done thou good and faithful servant.' Sam opened his eyes and looked at me and simply said 'Thank you'. That 'Thank you' was such a physical effort but it was said with such a depth of sheer relief and contentment that I was reminded that our spirits are strengthened as our bodies die.

I had arranged to see Sam the next morning. His earthly life had ended before I arrived but I felt guided to spend some time praying and reflecting in the room where the mortal remains of such a worthy soldier of Christ lay.

I would also like to share something that so impressed me that occurred after the Ministers and Faith Leaders day held in QM.
I received a letter from Sam saying that after his retirement he would like to offer his ministry to the hospital in whatever way I felt appropriate. I think he recognised I needed support and there was no thought of what was best for him in retirement but rather where he could best continue to serve his Lord.

I pray that I can serve Christ with a little of the passion and fervour and unselfishness Sam showed in his ministry.
Yours in Christ,
Diana Coutts
Chaplain, Queen Mary's Hospital

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