Monday 11th December 2023

“10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate. You are witnesses this day.” 11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbour women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:10-17 NKJV

Father God,

Another wonderful part of the family tree of Joseph that Jesus was born into. Although Joseph was not Jesus actual father, the family he came to was not random. Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Placed where You foresaw.

In the book of Ruth and read how Jesus lineage passed from Perez down to Boaz. (Perez the elder twin of Judah by his daughter in law, Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30). Boaz chose Ruth, a foreigner, a widow. nott the first choice for a wealthy landowner? But Ruth had chosen to stick with Naomi and Naomi’s God, You, over her Moabite Gods. You saw her heart! (1 Samuel 16:7) Help us not to judge the people we meet.

Father sometimes we find ourselves in situations we would not want to be in. Like Ruth and Naomi, widowed. Or having to move. Having to rely on others for help or having to economise. Naomi trusted You. Ruth learned, through her, You could be trusted and they became part of Your divine plan.

You blessed Ruth and Boaz with a son. You blessed Mary with a Son and we were all blessed. Your plans and purposes cannot be thwarted. So in Jesus we can trust You too.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. There daily needs and those needs particular to them.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Pray seeds of faith will be sown and take root.
For our Government, for the country to come first in all the think, say and do.
That the truth about what happened during Covid might be learned from.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and a coming together in joy and harmony.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. So destruction can stop.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon. Change the whole situation.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who delivering help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. Christmas presents where they may not be any.
For the NHS and in particular the maternity units, the midwives, new mothers and babies.
For the courts: High Court, the Crown Court, Magistrates Courts, Family Courts, Juvenile Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Tribunal Courts. For all those affected by crime, fraud and violence.
For ourselves, that we may see the wonder of Your purposes. And Your blessings in our day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship 11th December 2023

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

I will find a way to the place of praise
Oh I’ll find a way . .

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Lyrics: Matt and Beth Redman







Sunday 10th December 2023

“Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come. 2“Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel. ” Genesis 49:1,2.

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. 9You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? 10The sceptre will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. 11He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.” Genesis 49:8-11

God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and Jesus,

The second Sunday in Advent. Coming! We see the Old Testament as a history of Your coming as Jesus, we see You at work before history, through history and making history! Giving us a sure and certain hope for the present and the future. Even when we cannot see clearly. You are never under the circumstances! You are God – working out Your purposes despite and because of mankind’s and our sin.

In the midst of Jesus family tree it sometimes looks like man has messed up Your plan. But no! Suddenly we find a second wife and a forth son chosen. Leah and Judah! The wife with weak eyes Jacob had not wanted to marry! Who would have thought.

Judah agreed to putting brother in pit. But he did return to lift Joseph, his brother, out, even if too late. When they took Benjamin to Egypt (Genesis 43:8,9) to get food, Judah put himself up as pledge. But he was not a superhero and Leah was not wonder woman. But You chose them regardless.

As we approach Christmas, help us to come back to basics. You chose us. Forgive us our sin, help us persevere with You even when life is tough and take responsibility for our choices. Help us live in today, in Your fulness, Your blessings and Your forgiveness. Not under the circumstances.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of the generations

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Love those we love and care for with blessings and all they need today.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Pray seeds of faith will be sown and take root.
For our Government, for the country to come first in all the think, say and do.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and a coming together in joy and harmony.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a sudden miraculous way forward to peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who delivering help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. Christmas presents where they may not be any.
For the NHS and in particular the maternity units, the midwives, new mothers and babies.
For the courts: High Court, the Crown Court, Magistrates Courts, Family Courts, Juvenile Courts, Bankruptcy Courts, Tribunal Courts. For all those affected by crime, fraud and violence.
For ourselves, in all circumstances, that we know You will come to our aid and Shepherd us through the day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 10th December 2021
A day to simply worship

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath!

Lyrics: Matt Redman



Saturday 9th December 2023

“When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you. 43 Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran. 44 Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides.” Genesis 27:42-44

“When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.” Genesis 28:11-14

“When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”” Genesis 28:16,17

God of encounters,

We worship You today because You did not stay hidden, apart and withdraw from Your rebellious creation. You remained and used angels, dreams, and theophanies (visible signs of Your presence, like Moses burning, unburning bush). You spoke to individuals like Abraham, Jacob, Moses. – until You sent Jesus and spoke to the world.

Jacob, was not the kind of man we would imagine You choosing! He used his mothers schemes to steal a blessing. He lied to his father. He cheated his brother. But Jacob had his encounter in a dream. He realised that You, the God of Abraham (his grandfather) and Isaac (his father) was real. He did nothing to earn it. We all need our own encounter.

To know You Jesus, is to know You Father. It is life changing. That you want to know us, just as we are and imperfect, is miraculous. That You want to have fellowship with us, not at a remote fixed place with a ladder, but right here, now is a miracle of grace.

Thank You, that encountering You gives us a new start, a clean sheet, daily blessings and Your forever presence. Help us to walk, trust and know we are loved by You. So like Jacob we can change from sinner to child of God. Wise as serpents, but gentle as doves (Matthew 10:16)

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of encounters,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Love those we love and care for with blessings and all they need today.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Pray seeds of faith will be sown and take root.
For our Government, for the country to come first in all the think, say and do.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families and a coming together in joy and harmony.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a sudden miraculous way forward to the end of hostilities.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war, and soon.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who delivering help and aid in difficult times, war zones and places where there is famine, flood or poverty.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. Christmas presents where they may not be any.
For ourselves, that we my know Your glorious presence with us throughout the day and through the night.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 9th December 2023

Faithful one, so unchanging
Ageless one, you’re my rock of peace
Lord of all I depend on you
I call out to you, again and again
I call out to you, again and again

You are my rock in times of trouble
You lift me up when I fall down
All through the storm
Your love is, the anchor
My hope is in You alone

Brian Doerkson
CD Brian Doerkson, You Shine, Integrity.