Author: admin

Sunday 3rd December 2023

 “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the broken hearted And binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.
Psalm 147:1-6 NKJV

Great Lord,

We want to praise You this first Sunday in Advent. Following on from Psalm 146 last Sunday this Psalm is perfect. You, God count the stars it tells us. You who made the stars individually. You called one of Your stars to speak astrologically to the magi and set off to search for a King. Not any old star a new one that those magi (possibly astrologers) found and followed.

We marvel, wonder, are amazed as we consider You, our God, You, who not only created the stars and galaxies but who knows all their orbits and gravitational pull and every detail. So You have no trouble knowing each one of us and even how many hairs we have on our head! (Luke 12:7) Your understanding is infinite (impossible to measure or calculate).

And even though You are all powerful, God of all creation – You choose to gently gather the outcasts, heal the broken hearted and lift up the humble. Because at the heart of Your power is love. Love for Your creation, for all You have made. So much love You sent Your Son to live and die, in this messy fallen world, for our sin.

But the wicked You will cast down? It is our choice. We can choose to know You who counts the stars, or reject Your love and forgiveness. We choose to follow not a star but You, through Jesus. Help us to both live in and follow You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Great God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. We pray they will know the true meaning of Christmas.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services that visitors will attend. That visitors will be blessed and drawn to come again to meet You not just to sing about baby Jesus.
For those who read horoscopes and worship created things, that they may see beyond and see You, the creator.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord bring another cease fire into being and guide them to peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. End this war, conflict and bloodshed.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For the loving way You lead us Your children both as a Father and in Your church family.
For ourselves, we thank You for today. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You the author an finisher of our faith as we begin looking to the anniversary of Your birth.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 3rd December 2023
Some of us may not be called to mission work overseas or to ministry but we can carry people to You in our hearts . . . in prayer . . . and touch those we know who live without Your love . . .

I, the Lord of sea and sky
I have heard my people cry
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save
I who made the stars of night
I will make their darkness bright
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord, Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord, If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
‘Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Saturday 2nd December 2023

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”” Luke 10:38-42 NLT

Father God,

Two women. Not two men. At a time when women were in the background. But Luke saw that to Jesus they were all important, male and female. Luke saw something worth noticing and putting in his gospel. A woman complaining she had all the work to do. (But the meal could have be rustled up later). We too sometimes have the choice – to whinge and be a martyr or to make time to wait at Your feet? To have a pity party or spend time with You. I know I don’t always make the right choice.

We can justify Martha wanting to do the best for Jesus. But He had not come to fine dine. She felt she had to do a meal. To impress Him? Jesus does not want us to impress Him. He knows us right well. Your word says, “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (i Peter 5:6,7) Nothing about trying to prove ourselves.

It is easy to be distracted from just sitting at Your feet and listening to Your Word. And then distracted when we are! Things need to be done but not all the time. Sometimes we need to just sit at Your feet and not try to impress You. But I love Martha because she is human. I love the way You gently You put her right. Keep calling us back to Your feet when we forget where we should be. And when other things, which seem important, get in the way.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. Bring to mind those who need extra prayer help today.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services that visitors will attend. That they will be blessed and drawn to come again to meet You not just to sing about baby Jesus.
For those who have many responsibilities they cannot put down. Help them to carry them with You. Carers, parents and those employed in health care, law keeping anything to do with safety.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family.
For those in Iceland in the still dangerous areas and those evacuated.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord enable a new ceasefire and a way out of this conflict.
For Putin and Ukraine. For an end of this war.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For Christians to find that time to sit at Jesus feet and be restored, refreshed and refilled.
For ourselves. Be our strength, direction and fortitude for this new day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 2nd December 2023
I love the way this worship weaves well known words with a fresh simple melody.

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Lyrics; Chris Tomlin


Friday 1st December 2023

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” 30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” Luke 10:29,30

36 So which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10: 36,37

God,

A priest a Levite and a Samaritan. A parable to show compassion is not about status, job title or being seen to do good. It is about how we act, react and respond to what and who we come across in life. From before the moment You saw man and woman’s first disobedience (eating forbidden fruit) in the garden of Eden, You knew Your plan! You knew we could not be perfect and met our need, had mercy, and stepped in to help. A very long term plan and You did more than bind our wounds, pay the care bill – You sent Your Son, Your only Son to pay the price for us.

Mercy – compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. You could punish but offer compassion. Help us react with love and mercy. A non-judgemental closing of the mouth, a changing of our attitudes, a remembering that You died for us while we sere still sinners (Romans 5:8) Mercy, kindness, love to friend and enemy alike? Not easy.

Help us to have mercy, practice forgiveness and generosity. Practice is a good word. And above all help us to be grateful for the love and mercy we receive daily, moment by moment, from You, right now.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who binds our wounds,

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. Keep them from evil and open their eyes to good. For our ministers, pastors and all in our congregations.
For those who need to move themselves from harmful and dangerous relationships and struggle to forgive. For those who need aa place of safety. For those trapped in harmful relationships.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family. For reconciliation where there is ongoing division.
For those in Iceland in the dangerous areas and those evacuated.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord. Lord, continue to enable both sides to see the value of ceasefire. Send relief.
For Putin and Ukraine. For a beginning to the end of this war, conflict and bloodshed.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who are being good neighbours to those they meet on the way.
For relief agencies, giving medical support, food and water, where needed without prejudice.
For those who are being eaten up by unforgiveness. Help them let go and let You be judge.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Thank You for all those who help make our life richer and safer and good..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 1st Dec 2023
You, God our best thought in all situations.

Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Be thou my battle-shield, sword for a fight
Be thou my dignity, Thou my delight
Thou my soul’s shelter and Thou my high tower
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou my inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, the first in my heart
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven after victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, oh, bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision, oh Ruler of all

Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light