Author: admin

Sunday 20th September 2026

“Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars. 7 And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, repaired the residence of the governor of the region beyond the River. 8 Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs.” Nehemiah 3:6-9 NKJV

“But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day?”” Nehemiah 4:1-2

“There were also those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our lands and vineyards. 5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and indeed we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery. It is not in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards.” Nehemiah 5:4-5

God who made man,

Here Lord God we see the best of man and the worst. The best – team work. They set about rebuilding the walls united in determination. It had to be team work to match up the wall and build the joining bits together. They realised they had a common enemy who now resorted to mocking. Mocking hurts and there was threat of attack! Fear and anxiety are strong weapons. But together they encouraged each other to be strong. As we read later, they took turns at guard duty (Nehemiah 4:16-17).

But there was a hidden dark side to this team. They were extorting each other as there was a famine and some had no recourse to food while building the city wall. So Nehemiah had to remind them they were all on the same side and should not be taking advantage of each other. And they listen and responded, and put it right. Teamwork is not always easy.

You say the same to us today: “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4). Help us and our church practice this . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 20th September 2026
I was tempted to have ‘For I’m building a people of power’ here. But the worship below reminds me who I want to be like and please. Jesus my Lord. And who forgives us when we don’t always get it right. And who it is humbles us when we don’t naturally agree or get on with everyone . . .

All the room was hushed and still
And when the bowl was filled
He stooped to wash their feet
And when it was complete, he said

This is what I’m asking you to do
This is why I’m kneeling here beside you
This is what I want my church to be
This is what I want the world to see
Who it is you follow

Love each other, One another
Love each other
In the way that I have loved you
Walk together, And whatever comes
Love each other
In the way that I have loved you

Let the room be hushed and still
Let us go to where he kneels
And join him as he serves
And learn his ways of love

Chorus

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick © 2009 Make Way Music

Saturday 19th September 2026

“And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”
20 So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”” Nehemiah 2:16-20 NKJV

God of heaven and earth,

Nehemiah checked out the situation for himself. He did not want to misunderstand the situation trying to see it through others eyes. He just needed to know what had happened and where things were at present. How wise because we al see things slightly differently. Then we see how he deals with the same opposition that has stopped them in the past. He speaks with clarity, authority and not threateningly. He has placed his trust in Your call to rebuild. This was not the idea of man.

How good it is when we hear Your call to pray, to stand up for our faith or to rebuild or build something new. The difference between a good idea and a God idea. It gives Nehemiah all the confidence to encourage every one else. And they hear it in him and respond. Chapter 3 begins immediately with the sheep gate being built and the doors hung.

Help us to pray and hear as Nehemiah did so we can learn where to go, what to do, who to involve and how to do it. We are building the Kingdom, Your Kingdom together.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Saturday 19th September 2026
I had this at the end of August but I kept just remembering the first line of the chorus and no more. So here it is again reminding me to stop and listen in those precious moments I need clarity.

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see, Your majesty
To be still and know, that you’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

Chorus

Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see, Your majesty
To be still and know, that you’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest in your holiness

I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s okay

Lyrics: Bart Millard, Pete Kipley, Peter C. Kipley (Mercy Me)





Friday 18th September 2026

“O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer.” Nehemiah 1:11 NKJV

“And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So I became dreadfully afraid, 3 and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 2:1-4 NKJV

Lord God and Father,

Nehemiah, we learn in these opening chapters, is a man of prayer and emotions. A man who held his people in his heart and his prayers. He must have shown that same care as cupbearer to the king to receive such a generous reply from the King. And I suspect his knees were knocking a little at the time!

I am also sure that he had to be prepared to serve the king whenever. He would not have done regular days with weekends off and holidays! He would not have been able to meet with others for an afternoon prayer meeting. And his prayers that we have, in the Bible, read like a conversation with You. Respectful not flowery, honest and showing an understanding of Your Word and Covenant. He prays as things come up, as a result of conversations and when he needs Your help. On the go prayers. And the real encouragement to me? Even impromptu prayers on the go work.

I believe in prayer teams and prayer meetings but they will never take the place of that prayer conversation I snatch in real time as it were. As needs arrive, in the moment. We don’t always have time to draw aside and meditate and to talk to You, especially when we need to pray help – before we speak.Thank You Holy Spirit You hear the unspoken thoughts and desires of our hearts.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 18th September 2026
This has grown on me. One of those songs where the chorus sticks in your brain. A good reminder – don’t stop praying.

What’s your impossible? Your “I need a miracle”
What’s got you barely hanging by a single thread?
What looks so hopeless now? What weighs down your heart with doubt?
You beg for a breakthrough, but no sign of breakthrough yet

When you’ve cried, and you’ve cried ’til your tears run dry
The answer won’t come, and you don’t know why
And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time

Don’t stop praying
Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name
Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door
And let your knees wear out the floor
Don’t stop believing
‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying
So, don’t stop praying

He’s close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
The Alpha and Omega knows how your story ends

When you’ve cried, and you’ve cried ’til your tears run dry
The answer won’t come, and you don’t know why
And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time
Oh, do it one more time

And don’t stop praying
Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name
Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door
And let your knees wear out the floor
Don’t stop believing
‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father’s heard every single word you’re saying
So, don’t stop praying

Oh-oh
(Don’t stop, don’t stop praying) oh, don’t stop praying
(Don’t stop, don’t stop praying)
Oh-oh

Don’t stop praying for the prodigal
Don’t stop praying for the miracle
Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
Don’t stop praying that addictions end
Don’t stop praying for deliverance
Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen

Oh, don’t stop praying for the sickness healed
Don’t stop praying for His power revealed
Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen
No, don’t stop praying for the Kingdom come
Don’t stop praying that His will be done
Hallelujah, hallelujah, and amen

Don’t stop praying
Don’t stop calling on Jesus’ name
Keep on pounding on Heaven’s door
Let your knees wear out the floor
Don’t stop believing
‘Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father’s heard every single word you’re sayin’
So, don’t stop praying

oh, don’t stop praying
(Don’t stop, don’t stop praying)
No, don’t stop praying

Lyrics: Matthew West and Jeff Pardo