Sunday 5th November 2023

“The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever.”
Psalm 145:15-21 NKJV

Almighty God,

Sunday 5th November, and maybe some people will be looking up to fireworks, if they did not have their display yesterday! These verses from the Psalms direct us to look where there is the greatest display of all. To You God and the brightness of Your glory, to pause and celebrate and remember the creation of Your greatest firework – the sun! Not to remember gunpowder, treason and plot but, resurrection power, love and freedom from sin.

The eyes of all Your people look to You. Where else can we look for help – our help comes from You the maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121). Where else can we look for that sense of belonging, meaning and satisfaction? Drug addicts discover they are addicted to chasing that one first high. With You it gets better every day, grows richer and stronger and deeper and fuller as we trust.

You are righteous, You keep Your promises, You love those You know, You know those You love in Jesus. And You will never leave us through all eternity. You do not just live with us, You live within us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Amazing, that You would want to dwell with us, me, our tiny humdrum lives! How You must love us. You fulfilled our desire to know You, when we cried out to be forgiven. You preserve us, keep us in Your love. Forgiven, washed and wanted.

Today, Sunday with the Pslamist we will look to You, sing and speak Your praises and bless Your holy name. Forever and ever.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Almighty God,

For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. Be their help and strength and provision for today and this week.
For our town/city to provide employment, housing and help for those in need.
For our Government to make wise decisions and give wise counsel for peace and justice.
For our King and His family to be blessed and follow You and serve this nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a peace miracle, and for safety and relief for whoever is in need.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, for men and women to choose peace over endless war.
For those areas in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco that need it, to have provision for the winter.
For all that we hear on the news. That You would be a God of present help and comfort.
For ourselves, for our needs. Remind us that You are still on the throne and history is Yours even if we are going through strange times.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 5th November 2021

Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased and that I’m never alone

You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

Oh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching for answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need before we say a word

You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

Because You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us
You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You’re perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Oh, it’s love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still into love, love, love

You’re a good, good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
Repeat . . .

Sat 4th November 2023

 “Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. 32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.
34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them.” Luke 8:30-37 New Living Translation.

God of mercy,

I love the poetry of the authorised version and I love the story, the potted freedom autobiography of this man. I love to read and hear the testimony of men and women from all walks of life how and where they met Jesus. From the rough sleeper given a tract by a passing grandma to a young woman who met You in her bedroom. This man in the Bible, possessed by demons, he discovered that meeting Jesus means transformation and freedom. You have not changed God and You are still setting people free from sin today.

Do miracles still happen in our time. Yes, I believe Lord. And we give thanks for every life that has been changed by Jesus. The most wonderful miracle – is our own story – because we know what we were like and the difference You have made to our lives. Where would we be without You?

This man lived in an unholy place – among pigs. Unclean to a Jew. He had lost everything besides his sanity. The pig herders lost their collateral and their income. Yet Jesus told him to go back to his home town and tell them what God had done for him. Face those he had put out of business? Yes, but they could not argue with a walking miracle. God asks us to tell people what a change Jesus has made to our lives. It might not be as dramatic for us but being forgiven, knowing Your love and heaven to come is a miracle. It may be the only way someone will hear. It plants a seed. Help us to share the good news. It is such good news.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

God of mercy,

We pray:
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. Soften their hearts to allow You to speak and bless and guide those who know You.
For our church be a beacon of hope and a place of comfort, welcome and good news.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who seek the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miracle ceasefire. Lord have mercy.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, for men and women to choose peace over endless war.
For those areas in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco that need it, to have provision for the winter.
For safety where there are fireworks and bonfires. For our fire service and emergency services.
For farmers combatting the endless rain and flooding. For homes in flood plains and those battling with leaks from such torrential rain!
For safety tomorrow with fireworks and bonfires.
For ourselves, for all we need physically, mentally and spiritually. Meet our needs and gently remind us how much we are loved.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 4th November2023
I selected this acoustic song because, for me, it makes it personal worship rather than a congregational. And it is just good to hear something familiar afresh.

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n to earth come down,
fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
all Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest.
Take away our love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver;
let us all Thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve Thee as Thy hosts above;
pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then, Thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see Thy great salvation
perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before Thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley

Friday 3rd November 2023

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marvelled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” Luke 8:24,25 NKJV

Lord God,

End of this Bible story and they all were safe. Breathe. But there was a lot of fear and not understanding getting trouble doing what He asked them to do. First the fishermen were afraid of the wild water. Well Lord, they knew how serious storms could be. But then they were afraid of, and marvelled at Jesus Himself. From being in jeopardy of loosing the boat and worse still drowning, to being in fearful awe of a man who could sleep through a storm and speak to control nature.

I would have been exactly the same, terrified! I would have wondered who on earth this person was who could tell the weather off and command it to stop right away. And they questioned who He was among themselves even though he was right there with them.

Sometimes we go from extreme worry to still because of Your intervention and are overawed. Sometimes we have to battle through a storm of life for a long time. And sometimes we have to wait till it naturally abates. Like the actual storms battering the UK at the moment.

Help us to have faith that You are always in the boat and in the storm with us. If it helps send other disciples to encourage us. Sometimes we need to come together to ask for Your help. Grant us the assurance of Your presence and when it looks dark or stormy the promise that You will hold us fast.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord God,

We pray:
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. Be their help and strength and source of peace today.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who seek the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miracle ceasefire and an end to war.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, for men and women to choose peace over endless war.
For those areas in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco that need it, to have provision for the winter.
For safety where there are fireworks and bonfires. For our fire service and emergency services.
Again for all those physically working on the seas. Cargo ships away from home for long periods, little fishing vessels trying to earn a living. Ferries, passenger ships and lifeboats. Let them not be in any peril. Those in bad weather and their families praying for their safe return.
For safety as people prepare for bonfire night at home or for public displays.
Bless all those affected by the storms this week. And help the storm blow itself out to calm.
For ourselves, still any storms in our family and lead us beside quiet waters and restore our souls (Psalm 23:2).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 3rd November 2023
Beautiful old hymn updated with new melody.

When I fear my faith will fail
Christ will hold me fast
When the tempter would prevail
He will hold me fast
I could never keep my hold
Through life’s fearful path
For my love is often cold
He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Saviour loves me so
He will hold me fast

Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Saviour loves me so
He will hold me fast

For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
‘Til our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast
He will hold me fast
For my Saviour loves me so
He will hold me fast

Lyrics: Ada Ruth Habershon 1906
Tune: Matt Merker 2013