Sunday 25th October 2026

 “Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”” Matthew 8:23=34 NKJV

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”” Mark 4:35-41 NKJV

Lord of Creation,

What a wonderful cameo of the life of Jesus when out of the public gaze. Busy day, evening comes and he sleeps as they sail across the lake. All the disciples are awake, well we know that some of them were experienced fishermen. Used to reading the skies and the weather.

Fear is a terrible enemy and the disciples suffered from it even when Jesus was with them! You understand Lord, when it is real fear from circumstances, and when it is irrational but just as terrifying. I am glad that You not only showed them You were there for them, the Lord of creation, but also the one who calms the soul as well as the storm.

The disciples eyes were opened to more of the truth of who You were. Only the Son of God could command creation and it would obey! And their fear of drowning was replaced perhaps by a healthy reverent fear of the One they were following. Help us when we are afraid and fearful, calm our storms and terrors, and help us develop a healthy respect and awe for You Lord of Creation.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Sunday 25th October 2026

It could not be any other than this hymn . . . Fear not . . . but we do fear sometimes and need reassurance sometimes . . . well I do!

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”

Lyrics: attributed to K or R Keen, or George Keith.

Saturday 24th October 2026

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23 NKJV

Lord God and Teacher,

You used many parables to teach us about the relationship between us and You. The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) how we need to come to You as our Father and be loved. The Lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) where You show us how You carefully search for us, shine a light on us and rejoice when we are found. The lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) shows Your relentless pursuit of the lost individual and joy when they are found.

And in this parable You show the ways that those You seek and find sometimes respond. By falling away, or not wanting to go Your way. But for those who are planted in You, in Jesus, there is constant growth and the fruit can be seen. So perhaps the good prayer is that we are good soil. So we can grow. Father, thank You that the life of Jesus speaks life into us today. His teaching is still more relevant in every age. Your love, through Him is all encompassing and still each moment individually delivered.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 24th October 2026
Written in 2018, I love this both words and melody.

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh, how strange and divine, I can sing, “All is mine”
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh, the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future’s sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh, the chains are released, I can sing, “I am free”
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
“Yet not I, but through Christ in me”

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
“Yet not I, but through Christ in me”

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
“Yet not I, but through Christ in me”
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Lyrics: Michael Farren, Rich Thompson, Jonny Robinson

Friday 23rd October 2026

“ Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”” Luke 7:36-43 NKJV

Father God,

We have all been in situations where we have assumed something and got it badly wrong and been embarrassed or offended someone. The Pharisee, Simon, did not get it wrong but he was using his own set of values. Both he and Jesus saw the same woman. But one saw repentance and worship and a good heart and had compassion. The other judged her as not worthy to be there and certainly not good enough to touch Jesus.

I love that Jesus doesn’t lecture or shout or try to make Peter feel small – he uses a simple illustration to lead him into understanding. You are so gracious to us when we get it wrong. And Peter was able to experience this woman receiving her personal forgiveness and think about his own. On a good day sometimes I can think I am not so bad . . . then You, Father remind me of all I have been forgiven. I am just a sinner saved by grace. I cannot boast in anything except Your gift of love and forgiveness at the cross and in the resurrection. Keep me from judging others.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Worship Friday 23rd October 2026

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
No, but I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Lyrics: Stuart Townend