Author: admin

Wednesday 27th December 2023

“When they (wise men) saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” Matthew 2:10-12 NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

The only God, only wise God,

You are love. But you cannot overlook wrong. You will judge and find guilty those whose names are not written in the book of life (Revelation 20:12). A sobering thought and why we share the love of Jesus, the good news. Love that forgives those who are sorry. Christmas is a time to remember You are a generous giving God. It is not just about Christmas movies, traditions, eating, more eating and having a good time.

You inspired the wise men to follow the sign, the star, and find You. They met a helpful King. No reason to suspect Him. But You read hearts God. You know the ways of man and sent them home another way avoiding him. When we choose You we choose to go another way, Your way. You teach us to give love, even to our enemies, but don’t say we have to trust them. You teach us to be as wise as serpents as harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16).

You spoke to the wise men in a dream. Speak to us, through dreams, Your Word the Bible and Your Holy Spirit, so we know how best to go forward. Help us to know what is good, true and kind and will bear fruit. Help us to know when someone is not what they appear. Or not being truthful. Keep us from half lies. Not so we can get our own back, but so we can avoid trouble. And walk Your path of peace.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
The only wise God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
For Ukraine and Gaza and an end to conflict.
For our churches and all those places that have celebrated Your birthday and shared meals and food and given shelter to those without homes.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love.
For ourselves, that You would give us good dreams and good sleep and restful days.

In Jesus powerful, loving name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 27th December 2023

Outrageous Grace

There’s a lot of pain but a lot more healing
There’s a lot of trouble but a lot more peace
There’s a lot of hate but a lot more loving
There’s a lot of sin but a lot more grace

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

There’s a lot of fear but a lot more freedom
There’s a lot of darkness but a lot more light
There’s a lot of cloud but a lot more vision
There’s a lot of perishing but a lot more life

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

Short music bridge

There’s an enemy
That seeks to kill what it can’t control
It twists and turns
Making mountains out of molehills
But I will call on my Lord
Who is worthy of praise
I run to Him and I am saved

Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Love unfurled by heaven’s hand
Oh outrageous grace oh outrageous grace
Through my Jesus I can stand

Godfrey Birtill







Tuesday 26th December 2023

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marvelled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” Luke 2:8-20

Father God,

You announced the birth of Your Son in fields to shepherds! A heavenly host praising You! An angel who spoke! Terrified shepherds? But you calmed their fear, they checked out the facts, and found the baby and glorified You. Simple working men. Telling everyone they met about angels and a baby. Well you would wouldn’t You, we all like to share good news! I wonder if they heard 30 years later about the Crucifixion and remembered the baby?

How many people since the shepherds have told the story of Jesus birth? How many people have then heard about his death and resurrection and become Christians? It is mind bogglingly wonderful. It is not a story, not a legend, it is history, His story. Knowing Jesus (not just knowing about Him) is a life changing experience. We are not a club, not just like minded people doing the same rituals to please a far off God. Not people trying to be good and get nearer. We are Yours.

We know You personally through Jesus, who died for our sin and rose again. Death had no hold on Him (Acts 2:24). We will rejoice for all eternity. You found us and now shepherd us. You will never leave us, never forsake us, never lie, never stop loving us. Always be our Saviour if we will follow . . . Keep us safe, keep speaking to us and open our ears to hear (John 10:27,28). We bring You our worship, our lives – it’s all we have to give – as an offering.

In Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Suggested prayer . . .
Father God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy.
For all our church family around the world, and the ones we know and love.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
For Your Spirit to be at work bringing lasting peace in war torn areas.
For all those working at this time to keep society safe and provided for. The emergency services, the police, the Samaritans and the many charities providing essential help and support.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love.
For ourselves, that we would again just enjoy today and not worry about tomorrow.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 26th December 2023


I will offer up my life in spirit and truth
Pouring out the oil of love, as my worship to you
In surrender I must give my every part
Lord, receive this sacrifice of a broken heart

Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring
To so faithful a Friend, to so loving a King?
Savior, what can be said, what can be sung
As a praise of Your name for the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart

You deserve my every breath, for You’ve paid the great cost
Giving up your life to death, even death on the cross
You took all my shame away, there defeated my sin
Open up the gates of heaven and have beckoned me in

Jesus, what can I give, what can I bring
To so faithful a Friend, to so loving a King?
Savior, what can be said, what can be sung
As a praise of Your name for the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, not even in part
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart

What can I give, what can I bring, what can I sing as an offering, Lord?
What can I bring to the King of kings?
Oh, what can I give, what can I bring, what can I sing as an offering, Lord?

Matt Redman,
CD: Matt Redman, Passion for Your name, Kingsway Music.,

Monday 25th December 2023

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgement and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6,7. NKJV

“But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20,21 NKJV

God of every day,

This is a day like any other day – but man has put his thumb print upon it and given it a purpose and expectations. Christs Birthday! It sometimes falls short of perfection and we are tired from all the rushing about before. We cannot put our trust in events for lasting joy. Happiness comes and goes but Your joy lasts a lifetime. Be our source of everlasting joy.

Joseph and Mary had to spend their first Christmas apart from their family. And no Christmas is perfect! But thank You for the gift of Your perfect Son. Our first Christmas gift was perfect. In Jesus we are made new and have a hope and a future.

So whether we are on a mountain top or in a valley today, we give You thanks. You are our Saviour and our very present help and strength. Sometimes we are hanging on by our fingertips only to find underneath are Your everlasting arms holding us (Deuteronomy 33:27). You are the reason we celebrate today. Thank You for those of us who are able to see our family and share the joy.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

God of today,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and lasting joy.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For good men and women to speak out for, and bring, peace in troubled areas.
Help the Ukrainians celebrate Christmas at this time as they break from the Russian tradition of it being January 6th. May there be a breakthrough of peace.
For Gaza, the Middle East, Sudan, Afghanistan and countries where there is darkness, shine the light of peace, hope, compassion and change.
For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love and comforted.
For ourselves, that we would just enjoy today and not worry about tomorrow.

In Jesus name we pray.

Worship Monday 25th December 2023

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Isaac Watts
CD: The Bands and Choirs of the Salvation Army, A traditional Christmas, Crimson.