“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I am going away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7 NET
“Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4 NET
God with me,
Lots of people went on holiday last week when it was half term holidays in school. They left family and friends and we missed them in church – but only for a week. We know what it is like to miss someone who has moved away for work or to be nearer their family. Or when someone has died, that is a different kind of missing.
You poured out Your Spirit on that first Pentecost morning to bereft disciples. Missing You. You went away so You could come back and never leave them alone again. And here we are today. Thanks to the faithfulness of all Your disciples down through history. Language may have changed a bit – but Thou art – or You are still our faithful ever present God and Saviour.
We may have not experienced the sound of a mighty wind or what look like tongues of fire . . . but when we asked Jesus into our lives and accepted Your forgiveness, we received Your Spirit.
We are loved unconditionally (John 3:16). You give us hope despite our circumstances (Hebrews 10:23). We have a reason to live, a calling to live Holy lives for You (2 Timothy 1:9).
We are part of Your body, the family of God united in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).
We have a destination beyond even death. a new home in Heaven (2 Peter 3:13).
Thank you for sending Your Spirit so we will never be left behind or alone again.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
God with me,
For our family and friends and neighbours. Meet their deepest needs for their best. Laughter.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Assure them of Your presence and love.
For the royal family. Safe travelling and good health.
For our nation during this time of change and consideration politically.
For Ukraine, a powerful move of Your Spirit to change circumstances and end war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East.
For the persecuted church in Myanmar and the struggling church in hostile countries..
For those living alone and those bereaved. For the lonely an awareness of You holding them.
For a good summer season not to hot not too dry.
For us to know Your loving presence and the joy of seeing, hearing from friends and family.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 4th June 2024
Can’t believe this was written back in the early ’70’s.
Dave says: On becoming a Christian I started to go along to my local church and found that many of the hymns and songs that they were singing I just couldn’t relate to. They were using words that were in a language and tradition I was not familiar with and very often I didn’t understand the terminology. So, I got this old guitar and I started to strum along to the songbook of the day and from there came the very first song I ever wrote. At the time I was going through a difficult patch, but I knew I had discovered something of the fatherhood of God and I knew that a relationship with Him was the only thing that would keep me secure, nothing else. Out of that response, came a very simple melody and some very simple words, and the song became ‘Abba Father'”.
Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone
May my will forever be
Ever more Your own
Never let my heart grow cold
Never let me go
Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone
Lyrics|: Dave Bilborough