Tuesday 31st October 2023

“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in can see the light.17 For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light. 18 So listen carefully, for whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” Luke 8:16-18 NET

God of light,

The clocks have gone back an hour last weekend, and the days are getting shorter and the nights longer. Lights and lamps that we have fastidiously turned off to save energy we now need on. And those room lamps make us feel better cheering up the room with soft light. Is it a dilemma – to leave a lamp on to make the house welcoming on return – or save electricity and maybe leave pets in the dark? These verses in Luke, familiar remind us that lamps were their light. The oil had to be bought, the wicks trimmed and attended to. No one lit them for effect, they were essential.

Who would hide the house light? Jesus shows the ridiculousness to put a spotlight on us. We cannot hide anything from You. to You darkness is light and nothing is hidden (Psalm 139:12).

But You, God are not watching our every move to score us and use it against us later. You light our way to keep us from darkness, to guide our way, to show up danger and reveal where we need You to help us clean up our act!

God, light our living space so we can live in Your Kingdom and know where sin lurks. And avoid it. Keep us in the light of repentance and forgiveness. Help us to keep Your light burning in us always, to draw and welcome others into Your comfort and saving power.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of light,

We pray:
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. Meet the needs they have today.
For our town to provide employment and housing and all society needs to be healthy.
For our local council and MP’s to be encouraged to do their best.
For our King and His family to be blessed and follow You and serve this 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 ongoing comfort, help and relief for those in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco and where there has been flooding in the UK.
For all those terrible acts of violence and the victims that we hear of in the news. Heal and comfort.
For ourselves, to know Your light in our hearts

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 31st October 2023
A choice. One to praise and one to sing our commitment. Or maybe both . . .

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor

Chorus

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross (Repeat)

Lyrics: Tim Hughes

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
(Repeat)

Light that shines is the light of love,
Hides the darkness from above,
Shines on me and it shines on you,
Shows you what the power of love can do.
Shine my light both bright and clear,
Shine my light both far and near,
In every dark corner that I find,
Gonna let my little light shine.

Chorus

Monday gave me the gift of love,
Tuesday peace came from above,
Wednesday told me to have more faith,
Thursday gave me a little more grace,
Friday told me to watch and pray,
Saturday told me just what to say,
Sunday gave me the power divine
To let my little light shine.

Chorus

Lyrics: Unknown

Monday 30th October 2023

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NKJV

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT

God who loves the world,
e of course of the most well known 3:16 in the bible. John 3:16. How reassuring this verse is for down days or any days! For doubtful days, and for days we wonder about the things we cannot see yet. At a good Christian memorial or funeral services we get reminded of Your provision and the certainty we will meet in heaven. But they only can do that because of Your Bible promises.

You loved us more than Yourself, Jesus was with You in the beginning in a way which is a mystery in its fulness to us. The Trinity. We use the understanding of Your only Son. You loved us more than Him. You literally love Your neighbours (those you created), as Yourself. You practice what You preach! That takes some thinking about.

Whoever believes, everyone who believes in Him, it says. That too takes some considering. You leave it up to us to decide whether to believe and take the gift. It is not about who passes the test, does best, earns it . . . it is about faith.

Not perish? Meaning more than die but rot away, what a horrible expression. But yes, we all die. However Your promised us we could pass through the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4) and not perish We can rise with Jesus in His resurrection. (Romans 6:6).Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven (John14:1).

We need to engrave these truths on our hearts and in our minds. And we give You eternal thanks for being utterly faithful..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God who loves this world,

We pray:

For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. To know Your love for them.
For our town to know Your love and grow our fellowships.
For our town, local council and MP’s to make wise choices. For our King and His family to follow You.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for the miracle of resting from war and finding peace.
For Putin, the Russian people and Ukraine, an end and soon, to war.
For ongoing comfort, help and relief for those in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco and where there has been flooding in the UK.
For our world, for Governments to see the benefit of loving the world and their people and doing the best for them.
For ourselves, to know Your love in us and it colour our day beautiful and encourage all we meet.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Monday 29th October 2023

What kind of love is this
that gave itself for me?
I am the guilty one,
yet I go free.
What kind of love is this,
a love I’ve never known;
I didn’t even know his name –
what kind of love is this?

What kind of man is this,
that died in agony?
He who had done no wrong
was crucified for me.
What kind of man is this,
who laid aside his throne
that I may know the love of God –
what kind of man is this?

By grace I have been saved;
it is the gift of God.
He destined me to be his own
such is his love.
No eye has ever seen,
no ear has ever heard,
nor has the human heart conceived
what kind of love is this?

Lyrics: Bryn and Sally Haworth


Sunday 29th October 2023

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 NKJV

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Colossians 3:16 NLT

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Today is a good day to just do that. Sing to You in worship, be thankful and remind ourselves how awesome and wonderful You are.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10, 000 beside

Faithful Father,
We Pray,

For Our family including friends. For Our church, the one we know. For Our church family around the world. For all Your riches blessings and provision and wisdom to be theirs today.
For the world and its conflict. That You would speak peace and men and women would hear and change.
For our hearts to find rest in worship, peace in Your presence and life in Your Word.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.