Saturday 16th March 2024

“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Colossians 1:13-14 New Living Translation

Father God,

When we hear news of hostages released, even though we do not know them, we are relieved and overjoyed. And to know they will be restored to their families.

Father, I, we were hostages to sin. You planned from eternity and sent Jesus to be our rescuer. You paid the outstanding debt for my, our sin and led me, us to safety. To know You, the Light of the world (John 8:12) and be led into green pastures and by still waters (Psalm 23). To become part of Your family. You purchased my, our freedom at such a great cost. Help me, us to recognise darkness and avoid it and step out of it if we are tempted or misled (Luke 17:1). Not to wander where we can be taken hostage again.

Like hostages coming from fear and darkness it times to adjust. Thank you, that You, Father welcome us and give us a life time to adjust and learn about Your Kingdom. Loving all the damage of sin away. Help us to be kind to one another as we learn to grow good in You.

Most of all, thank You for rescuing us. As we walk through lent: help us to understand Your journey from glory to the grave, from the grave to glory. To understand the Good News and the difference it makes to us personally.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For our family, friends and neighbours. Those in particular who have health and family and personal needs.
For our church family. Our ministers and church leadership.
For the Royal family. Their health and well being.
For our government. House of commons, House of Lords, civil servants. Honesty, unity, respect.
Our prisons, prison chaplains. Youth justice system and al those involved.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle. End war and reunite families on both sides.
For Gaza. a way to end hostilities and broker peace. Medical and food aid for all who need.
For the many Christian charities and missions changing lives for good around the world.
For patience with ourselves and a day to do good and know freedom in Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 16th March 2024
“I don’t know how you feel right now, but I feel like there’s so much bad news in the world. Every time I turn on my TV, every time I look at my phone and see notifications that tell me there’s another tragedy or there’s something horrible going on. And it’s totally overwhelming. The gospel means “good news” And good news has a name: Jesus Christ. He came down from heaven to rescue each one of us. He came down to change our situations. He came down to lift us from the mud. Jesus is a rescuer and that’s why we wrote this song”. – Rend Collective

He’s our rescuer
He’s our rescuer
We are free from sin forevermore
Oh how sweet the sound
Oh how grace abounds
We will praise the Lord our rescuer


There is good news for the captive
Good news for the shamed
There is good news for the one who walked away
There is good news for the doubter
The one religion failed
For the Good Lord has come to seek and save

Chorus

He is beauty for the blind man
Riches for the poor
He is friendship for the one the world ignores
He is pasture for the weary
Rest for those who strive
Oh, the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life
Yes, the Good Lord is the way, the truth, the life

Chorus

So come and be chainless
Come and be fearless
Come to the foot of Calvary
There is redemption
For every affliction
Here at the foot of Calvary
Repeat . . . So come and be . . .

Chorus

Lyrics: Rend Collective.

Friday 15th March 2024

“Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 The Message.

 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25 NKJV

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Sometimes I struggle with the language of the The Message version of the Bible, but these verses in Hebrews are great Lord. They take the complicated and say it like it it is! Imagine if we still had to have priests endlessly making sacrifices for us and we still did not have assurance we were forgiven. And the Priests were sinners too. They got annoyed, angry, impatient and could not be good all time!

You, Jesus became our advocate (a person who puts a case on someone else’s behalf). Speaking to You, God on our behalf from within the Trinity. Jesus, qualified because He lived a sinless life and yet died to pay for our sin. He dealt with it once and for all. Now He is with You, always, ever pleading our cause.

Who else can speak up for us with You God? Who else is always on the job! Always ready to intercede for someone seeking forgiveness. Always willing to grant salvation to a longing heart. Always hearing and answering prayer in total agreement with You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

For our family, friends and neighbours. Each with a need, a hope a worry. Hear and answer.
For our church family. Lent groups. Send a harvest of new believers. less our congregations.
For the Royal family. You know their needs.
For our government. House of commons, House of Lords, civil servants. Renew, refresh.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle. Draw Russia back.
For Gaza. a way to end hostilities and help them broker peace. Enable medical and food aid.
For Haiti, for evil drug gangs to be confounded and fail. Relieve those in poverty, fear and hunger.
For those who are advocates for others who cannot speak for themselves. For the wrongly accused.
For the wonderful charities and missions we support around the world. To prosper and do well..
For moments to give thanks for Jesus who never stops interceding on our behalf.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 15h March 2024

A Yale graduate, Ray penned the words to this hymn in a notebook he used for poetry, prayers, and prose. He wrote it in response to a difficult year and never intended for anyone to see it. Years later, his friend, composer Lowell Mason, asked him if he had anything to contribute to a book of hymns. Ray showed him the words to ‘My faith looks up to Thee’. Mason loved them and went to work putting them to music. I am so glad he did.

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away.
Oh let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire.
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh may my love to Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire.

When life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread
Be Thou my Guide.
Bid darkness turn to day;
Wipe sorrow’s tears away;
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside!

When ends life’s transient dream,
when death’s cold, sullen stream
shall o’er me roll,
blest Savior, then in love,
fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above,
a ransomed soul.

Lyrics: Ray Parker.

Thursday 14th March 2024

 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 NKJV

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 NIV


God of love and freedom,

We like to think we are being good and try to please You by being good. Then like the Pharisees we begin to think we are good and not so bad as others . . . and worthy of Your love . . .

But we are not worthy. Neither can we earn it by being good all the time. As if we could be! By winning brownie points with You. No, Christ made us worthy by His death. Worthy of Your love for us. We just need to stay honest, humble and accept it. Take it freely, by grace. God’s riches at Christs expense. Thank You for freedom from condemnation and freedom from sin.

Help us to not beat ourselves up about not being good enough. Try harder? That will not make me a saint. Help us to silence the enemy from making us ashamed and feeling guilty by bringing up what You have forgiven us for. In Christ there is nothing we have done that he has not already died for. The enemy is a liar. He would imprison us. But You, God in Christ have set us free. Even if the consequences of past sin have to be dealt with, there is no guilt or shame attached from You, God.

We are divinely loved completely. Forgiven by You, God completely. Help us to stay at the Cross and yet step into the future with You one day at a time.

In Jesus we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of love and freedom,

For family, friends, neighbours, Meet their needs and may they come to know You personally..
For our church family. Bless the lent groups as they study. Send a harvest of new believers.
For the Royal family. Ongoing healing and opportunities for Harry to be reconciled.
For our government. Raise up good men and women to serve and keep them focused on good.
For an end to the war in Ukraine. Send a miracle. End war and reunite families on both sides.
For Gaza. a way to end hostilities and broker peace. Medical and food aid for all who need.
For Haiti, not in the news but in the control of drug and criminal gangs, desperate poverty.
For the judicial system, the crown courts and magistrates courts. Justice to be seen and done.
For the emergency services and the prevention of crime. Fire safety measures and keep the ambulance service safe from attack.
For prison chaplains, prison visitors, teachers and counsellors. Lent groups in prison.
For The Criminal Investigations Department (CID). SOCA the Serious Organised Crime Agency. The Drugs squad. The fraud squad, dog handlers, mounted police. Underwater Search Unit, Specialist Operations covering: Anti-terrorism, covert operations and intelligence,
For a day to count our blessings, consider those whose responsibilities are greater than ours, pray for them and give thanks.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 14th March 2024

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It was for freedom
That Christ has set us free.
No longer to be subject
To a yoke of slavery.
So we’re rejoicing
In God’s victory,
Our hearts responding to His love.

Jesus, we celebrate Your victory.
Jesus, we revel in Your love.
Jesus, we rejoice You’ve set us free.
Jesus, Your death has brought us life.


His Spirit in us
Releases us from fear
And the way to Him is open.
With boldness we draw near.
And in His presence,
Our problems disappear,
Our hearts responding to His love.

Jesus, we celebrate Your victory.
Jesus, we revel in Your love.
Jesus, we rejoice You’ve set us free.
Jesus, Your death has brought us life.