Saturday 16th Sept 2023

“I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. 2 In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. 3 All of them ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that travelled with them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 NLT

God who is all knowing,

When I first read the old testament and the escape from Egypt and the much mumbling and complaining and idol revelry and disobedience in the dessert, I was very judgemental. But then through life I have noticed how easily I can grumble. It is too hot, it is too cold, the supermarket queue was too slow, someone took my parking space . . .

Your people God, were heading towards a promised land symbolic of our journey to Heaven. They ate the bread (manna) from heaven and the water that sprang from the rock on the way. You gave us Jesus, the bread of heaven and water of life to sustain us on our way. Help us to willing make our way even when it seems we are in a dessert and help us not to moan.

You have promised that we will not be scattered in the wilderness (John 6:37) but will be safe with You (Matthew 28:20) till we reach our promised land.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who is all knowing,

We bring the needs, hopes and prayers of those we love and care for. Our family whether close or distant in miles or relationship. The many friends we have through church and other groups we belong to. The people who make our life rich and help us manage in so many ways. Hear and answer their prayers. Bless us with all we need at this time.

We pray for the many people bereaved in Morocco and even if they do not know You we ask that You would reveal Yourself and Your love for them even in their distress and pain. That they may know Your comfort. We pray and give thanks for those trying to search, help and give human comfort. We pray for those in Libya and the devastation from the floods. It is too much to comprehend and we just pray for Your mercy and provision for those living through such a terrible time.

So many murders in the news. Every one, one too many. We ask Father that Your Holy Spirit would move and prevent those who have murder in their hearts carrying it out. Confuse their plans, disperse gangs. Scupper their intent. What a lovely word – scupper – put a hole in their plans so they sink!

Thank You for all the good that prevails in this world and help us be a part of it.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 16th September 2023

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down
Oh Comforter and Friend
How we need Your touch again
Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down

Let Your power fall
Let Your voice be heard
Come and change our hearts
As we stand on Your word
Holy Spirit, rain down

No eye has seen, no ear has heard
No mind can know what God has in store
So open up heaven, open it wide
Over Your church and over our lives

Lyrics: Russell Fragar

Friday 15th Sept 2023

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 NIV

God of the way,

Thank you for the history of Your people written down in the Bible, to learn from. Sometimes we read them and amazed at Your patience and provision and forget to apply the lessons to ourselves!

‘There is nothing new under the sun.’ (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Solomon wisely said, and he had seen a lot under the sun in his lifetime, good and bad. His temptation was the ladies . . . Paul echo’s the truth in his letter to the Corinthians above. As one preacher put it it boils down to three temptations, Gold, Glory or the Girls. To be more politically correct it is money, power and sex.

An opposing trinitary from which You promise to provide a way out! But we have to take it. Therein lies the problem. We do not always recognise the enemies tactics and sometimes it is disguised with a half lie – like when he persuaded Eve to try the apple. She ate the lie and missed the truth. The enemy is so jealous of our freedom to choose and so angry at our choosing You. He will try anything and everything.

So help us, to recognise both the obvious and the subtle temptation. Show us the way out and give us the strength to take it.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of the way,

Help us to see what You are doing in the lives of our friends and family and work with You and for You. Grant us miracles where there is a need of healing of mind body or soul. We ask You to battle through to the hearts and minds of those we know have addictions and help them turn to You for strength and freedom.

We pray for our Government, both local and national as they return from holidays. For Your Holy Spirit to inspire them, even those who are not of Your Kingdom. To know, hear and apply Your wisdom and common sense. We pray for the King and his family and their health and those broken painful relationships.

We pray for our Armed Forces, the British army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. We pray for all those here in the UK, those deployed overseas and those serving with NATO troops in areas of conflict or helping hold the peace. We pray for their families and the challenges that being on tour can bring.

Thank You that You are still waging war against sin and temptation in our hearts. That You do not give up on us ever.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 15th Sept 2023

When this life of trials tests my faith
I set my hope on Jesus
When the questions come and doubts remain
I set my hope on Jesus
For the deepest wounds that time won’t heal
There’s a joy that runs still deeper
There’s a truth that’s more than all I feel
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

Though I falter in this war with sin
I set my hope on Jesus
When I fail the fight and sink within
I set my hope on Jesus
Though the shame would drown me in its sea
And I dread the waves of justice
I will cast my life on Calvary
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

Though the world call me to leave my Lord
I set my hope on Jesus
Though it offer all its vain rewards
I set my hope on Jesus
Though this heart of mine is prone to stray
Give me grace enough to finish
’Till I worship on that final day
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

Words and Music: Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Keith Getty

Thursday 14th Sept 2023

 “Jesus said to his disciples, “Stumbling blocks are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Watch yourselves!” Luke 17:1-3 NET

Father God,

Tree roots, lap top wires, discarded shoes it seems sometimes I can even trip up and stumble over fresh air! But You are not talking about my inability to stay upright but that life has a way of tripping us up with subtle temptations and annoyances. Times when patience and tolerance flyaway even from Christians! And so subtly.

And You are so merciful when we are lured or trip. You gently help us up and dust us off . . . But if we then lure someone else . . . cause someone else to stumble by our unkindness or careless words. What a picture of warning.

A millstone. I have only seen one once at a water mill museum for grinding flour. It would have need a tractor to move it. Maybe in Biblical times they were smaller but they still were solid stone. No swimming in the sea with one of those, just a plunk and straight to the bottom. You did not mince Your words, God.

If we cause someone else to doubt or sin we cannot put it right and we have put them in eternal danger. So help us to watch ourselves lest we stumble but more so that we don’t cause others to.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

We pray for all those in our family, our kith and kin. We pray for all those in our God family who we know through our church and other fellowships. We pray they will not stumble and You will help them come through troubles unscathed and wiser. We pray for Your healing touch and comfort for those who are not well or are suffering the pains of growing older. Father we pray for all those who are researching new medicines or new ways to allay pain without side effects.

We continue to pray for Ukraine as they continue to be invaded by Russia. Keep them from being overtaken, overruled and oppressed. Speak peace into their present and future.

We pray for the harvest to be gathered in as we approach autumn. And we thank You for all the different harvest times around the world which we benefit from. We pray for good harvests for those who grow their own and have no other income to purchase food. May theirs be abundant. We pray for the new bee keepers in Kenya, learning how to make a living and provide for their families.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 14th September 2023
A traditional hymn but still so relevant for today and beautifully, simply sung. .

Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.

Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.

To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through. 

Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
(Repeat)

Lyrics: Horatio Richmond Palmer

According to Palmer this song came instantaneously while he was studying the subject of “Theory” It is not clear what he meant by “Theory” or exactly what he was studying. But he says when the whole idea of the words and music came to him, he put aside his theoretical work and jotted down this song as fast as the pen could move.