Sunday 30th November 2025

 “I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. 5 Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. 6 This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. 7 Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 NLT

 “For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said,  “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honouring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-30 NLT

Faithful God,

What a positive, encouraging, confirming, affirming and accepting introduction. Was that to build them up before Paul corrected their behaviour? I choose to believe it was as he saw them through eyes of faith. They just needed help to stay true in a time when there was no New Testament or clear scriptural guide lines to follow. A church with great potential and Jesus at the heart of it.

I am glad Paul wrote about the Lord’s supper as it speaks about the dignity of honouring Your Sons death. There has to be time to consider anything that may hinder us coming to You, heart open, corrected and willing. I know that whenever I struggle with unforgiveness, or something I feel I need to put right, it is the first thing on my mind when I pray or approach communion. I know You are telling me to deal with it first. So I will repent. Even when it is a small thing it is like an irritating bit of grit in one’s shoe! And will cause injury if it is left.

Other times it is easy to wander while the communion is being prepared or responses said. Why is that? Perhaps the enemy, or our restless mind is easy to be distracted . . . However the warning Paul gives leaves no room for a bit of it. Do I really need to explain to myself why I need to remember what You have done for me? Do I really need to explain why I should be thankful and worshipful to the King of Kings, my Lord God? Perhaps I should also take a moment to remember You before I take my other meals. Was that what saying grace was for?

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 30th November 2025

Oh, how could it be
That my God would welcome me
Into this mystery?
Say, “take this bread, take this wine”
Now the simple made divine
For any to receive

By Your mercy we come to Your table
By Your grace You are making us faithful
Lord, we remember You
And remembrance leads us to worship
And as we worship You
Our worship leads to communion
We respond to Your invitation
We remember You

See His body, His blood
Know that He has overcome
Every trial we will face
None too lost to be saved
None too broken or ashamed
All are welcome in this place

By Your mercy we come to Your table
By Your grace You are making us faithful
Lord, we remember You
And remembrance leads us to worship
And as we worship You
Our worship leads to communion
We respond to Your invitation
We remember You

Dying, You destroyed our death
Rising, You restored our life
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Lord Jesus, come in glory

Dying, You destroyed our death
Rising, You restored our life
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Jesus come

Chorus

Lyrics: Matt Maher and Matt Redman 



Saturday 29th November 2025

“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and travelled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia strengthening all the disciples.” Acts 18:18-23 NLT

“While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul travelled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. 2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” 5 As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.” Acts 19: 1-6 NLT

Father God,

The travelogue continues… Corinth then Cenchreae for a shaved head on the way to Syria, dropping Priscilla and Aquila. at Ephesus. Paul commences his third missionary journey. Caesarea, Jerusalem and then Antioch. Then place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia. Finally Ephesus on the coast where he met a small group of believers. 12 men! They had repented (John’s baptism) and knew forgiveness but had been left without power to know and live in Jesus by His Spirit. A long way round but God knew 12 men in need of life.

We do sometimes confuse new believers, by talking about Jesus, the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus. Trying to explain that they are all equal and unified in the Trinity. As when people pray and start of talking to You God and then change to Jesus half way though. We know that You are one, and whoever we address in the Trinity, You are all present and hear in unity. But repenting without Your presence is like being washed and put back in the mud. We need Your constant indwelling to live Your life and be confident in our faith. These 12 men wanted to live for You but did not have a personal relationship with You. Paul introduced them to You.

Whether we ask Jesus into our heart, or someone lays hands and prays for us, we do not receive a bit of You or part of You. You give us Your all. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are filled with awe and thanksgiving God, You went to great lengths to find us and give us life. You continue to go to great lengths to bless us. Help us to be open to an intimate relationship with You. We do not deserve it but accept with eternal gratitude. Help us to go to great lengths to find those open to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 29th November 2025
Staying with a traditional hymn today. I had not thought of this as a Christmas carol because the chorus was often sung at the Salvation Army prayerfully when people were being led to Jesus at the Mercy seat (Altar). Its a simple prayer. Emily, the writer, was also looking forward to meeting Jesus when His voice calls her home.



Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.

Lyrics: Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott



Friday 28th November 2025

“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NLT

“Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

God Almighty,

Paul writes a second letter to the church at Thessalonica, soon after the first to reinforce his encouragement and assurance that Jesus is coming back. And not to be taken in by and con artists! He also wants to share the truth about Christs return so they can weigh the truth themselves. He has heard there has been false teachers trying to mislead them. It is not always easy to discuss the second coming as we do not have exact times, or details of what it will actually be like! I am not sure I can imagine it. I walk by faith and not by sight.

But Paul uses the certainty of Christs second coming as an added encouragement to keep going in their suffering. And when it happens they will know without a doubt. Perhaps we do not need the minutia of details but the faith that it will happen. That we do not know when, should keep us on our toes . . .

Paul suggests that, till that day, they should not forget the spiritual qualities of discipline and self control. They did not see the day and we still look for it. Pauls advice is as good for us today as then. n all situations discipline and self control will keep us focused on Jesus and busy doing Your will, Lord God. Always caring for others not just ourselves.

Worship Friday 28th November 2025
I have never really noticed the last verse of this hymn. Like Fanny we can be ready even if it is not in our life time. (Exodus 33:22 Moses sees Gods glory from the cleft of a rock.)

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Saviour to me;
He’s hiding my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of his love
And covers me there with his hand,
And covers me there with his hand.

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord;
He taketh my burdens away,
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved;
He giveth me strength as my day.

Chorus

With numberless blessings each moment he crowns
And filled with his fullness divine;
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer is mine.

Chorus

When clothed in his brightness, transported I rise
To meet him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, his wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

Chorus

Lyrics: Fanny Crosby