Saturday 2nd December 2023

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”” Luke 10:38-42 NLT

Father God,

Two women. Not two men. At a time when women were in the background. But Luke saw that to Jesus they were all important, male and female. Luke saw something worth noticing and putting in his gospel. A woman complaining she had all the work to do. (But the meal could have be rustled up later). We too sometimes have the choice – to whinge and be a martyr or to make time to wait at Your feet? To have a pity party or spend time with You. I know I don’t always make the right choice.

We can justify Martha wanting to do the best for Jesus. But He had not come to fine dine. She felt she had to do a meal. To impress Him? Jesus does not want us to impress Him. He knows us right well. Your word says, “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (i Peter 5:6,7) Nothing about trying to prove ourselves.

It is easy to be distracted from just sitting at Your feet and listening to Your Word. And then distracted when we are! Things need to be done but not all the time. Sometimes we need to just sit at Your feet and not try to impress You. But I love Martha because she is human. I love the way You gently You put her right. Keep calling us back to Your feet when we forget where we should be. And when other things, which seem important, get in the way.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. Bring to mind those who need extra prayer help today.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services that visitors will attend. That they will be blessed and drawn to come again to meet You not just to sing about baby Jesus.
For those who have many responsibilities they cannot put down. Help them to carry them with You. Carers, parents and those employed in health care, law keeping anything to do with safety.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family.
For those in Iceland in the still dangerous areas and those evacuated.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord enable a new ceasefire and a way out of this conflict.
For Putin and Ukraine. For an end of this war.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For Christians to find that time to sit at Jesus feet and be restored, refreshed and refilled.
For ourselves. Be our strength, direction and fortitude for this new day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 2nd December 2023
I love the way this worship weaves well known words with a fresh simple melody.

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Lyrics; Chris Tomlin


Friday 1st December 2023

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” 30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” Luke 10:29,30

36 So which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10: 36,37

God,

A priest a Levite and a Samaritan. A parable to show compassion is not about status, job title or being seen to do good. It is about how we act, react and respond to what and who we come across in life. From before the moment You saw man and woman’s first disobedience (eating forbidden fruit) in the garden of Eden, You knew Your plan! You knew we could not be perfect and met our need, had mercy, and stepped in to help. A very long term plan and You did more than bind our wounds, pay the care bill – You sent Your Son, Your only Son to pay the price for us.

Mercy – compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. You could punish but offer compassion. Help us react with love and mercy. A non-judgemental closing of the mouth, a changing of our attitudes, a remembering that You died for us while we sere still sinners (Romans 5:8) Mercy, kindness, love to friend and enemy alike? Not easy.

Help us to have mercy, practice forgiveness and generosity. Practice is a good word. And above all help us to be grateful for the love and mercy we receive daily, moment by moment, from You, right now.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who binds our wounds,

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. Keep them from evil and open their eyes to good. For our ministers, pastors and all in our congregations.
For those who need to move themselves from harmful and dangerous relationships and struggle to forgive. For those who need aa place of safety. For those trapped in harmful relationships.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family. For reconciliation where there is ongoing division.
For those in Iceland in the dangerous areas and those evacuated.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord. Lord, continue to enable both sides to see the value of ceasefire. Send relief.
For Putin and Ukraine. For a beginning to the end of this war, conflict and bloodshed.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who are being good neighbours to those they meet on the way.
For relief agencies, giving medical support, food and water, where needed without prejudice.
For those who are being eaten up by unforgiveness. Help them let go and let You be judge.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Thank You for all those who help make our life richer and safer and good..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 1st Dec 2023
You, God our best thought in all situations.

Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Be thou my battle-shield, sword for a fight
Be thou my dignity, Thou my delight
Thou my soul’s shelter and Thou my high tower
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou my inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, the first in my heart
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven after victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, oh, bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision, oh Ruler of all

Be Thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light








Thurs 30th November 2023

Now an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you understand it?”]27 The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself.28 Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” Luke 10:25-28 NET

Lord our God,

I love that Jesus always answers the hard questions and the ones meant to trip him up – not with irritation but with compassion. He does not point out what they were trying to do even though he knew what was in their hearts. He did not seek to belittle them in public or private. He did not look to score points. He asks the expert his opinion and uses the opportunity to help the one asking discover the truth.

It looks like the religious expert had found a way to get eternal life by worshipping You and being good. Jesus says do this and You will live. But then I realised that Jesus knew the expert also knew no one can worship God perfectly, heart, mind, soul and strength. If we truly loved our neighbour as ourself the world would be a very different place! We all fail and fall short of the glory of God. We all need Your Spirit to help us, and Your mercy, through Jesus, to forgive us when we mess up.

Help us to worship You and do our best to live as good neighbours. Thank You that you accept our imperfect worship and forgive us as we do our best. Knowing that You always love and forgive us – as You are love (1 John 4:8). We should have plenty to spare and share!

In Jesus name we pray.

Lord our God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. Keep them from evil and open their eyes to good. For our ministers, pastors and all in our congregations.
For Bible translators and those who get Bibles into the hands of those who need them and have been praying for one of their own.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family.
For those in Iceland in the danger area and those evacuated.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord thank You for this ceasefire and pause, enable it to continue.
For Putin and Ukraine. For a beginning to the end of this war, conflict and bloodshed.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Help us see today through Your eyes and how You love and forgive us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 30th November 2023
Remember this hymn – a prayer to Jesus.

Jesus, good above all other,
gentle child of gentle mother,
in a stable born our brother,
give us grace to persevere.

Jesus, cradled in a manger,
for us facing every danger,
living as a homeless stranger,
make we thee our King most dear.

Jesus, for thy people dying,
risen Master, death defying,
Lord in heaven, thy grace supplying,
keep us to thy presence near.

Jesus, who our sorrows bearest,
all our thoughts and hopes thou sharest,
thou to us the truth declarest;
help us all thy truth to hear.

Lord, in all our doings guide us;
pride and hate shall ne’er divide us;
we’ll go on with thee beside us,
and with joy we’ll persevere.