Wednesday 25th

“Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27 NLT

“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

Life giving God,

God created us to be like You – plural. Like You as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To be in perfect harmony and at one with each other at peace. Serving together, giving together with no desire to be Lord over each other. Needing and valuing each others different characters and abilities.

Wow what a world that would be and how different! No jealousy, no coveting, no stealing? But we have free will and that makes life so complicated. There are those who have and those who have not. And those that want more. But does that justify stealing? I remember as a new Christian thinking Oh I’m OK, I don’t steal. Then being challenged by a memory of borrowing something of little value from work and not returning it! It was still stealing.

There are those who choose to steal rather than work and those who choose to embezzle to get rich quick. And those who just want more than they can afford. Those who steal others opportunities or ideas or reputation. Those who just ‘borrow’ and not return . . . Or steal our peace and wellbeing? Oh to be like You Father. The One who gave and gives and gives and gives again.

Help our police and judicial system to cope and send Your Holy Spirit to convict of sin and change lives. Help us, not only not to steal, but to go the extra mile and to be generous in thought, word and deed.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Life giving God,

We pray:

For all our family, friends, neighbours, our church family. For our neighbours old and new.
For our town, honesty within our local council and Government. Keep them free from using their positions for personal benefit.
For security against money scams online and by phone. Show up the lies of confidence tricksters.
For Gaza and the Middle East, not just containment but an end to the terrorism without bloodshed. A miracle Lord.
For Putin, the Russian people and end to war in Ukraine. Let it not go on endlessly Lord.
For help, relief and comfort for those in need in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco. For ongoing aid and medical agencies.
Lead schools to see the value of teaching the ten commandments and the value of keeping them.
For ourselves, that we would be give and not take, when and where we can. A good word, a kind deed.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 24th October 2023
Good to have a hymn we are not too familiar with to get our attention. I love this.

My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross

I rejoice in my redeemer
Greatest treasure
Wellspring of my soul
And I will trust in him, no other
My soul is satisfied in him alone

As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom’s fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross

I rejoice in my redeemer
Greatest treasure
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in him, no other
My soul is satisfied in him alone

Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed, my ransom paid
At the cross

And I rejoice in my redeemer
Greatest treasure
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in him, no other
My soul is satisfied in him alone

Lyrics: Keith Getty / Kristyn Getty / Graham A. Kendrick

Tuesday 24th October 2023

“Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. 25 God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:24-25 NLT

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.“ Matthew 5:27-28 NLT

God of faithfulness,

God spoke for the seventh time and there was an abundance of life but animal life and though some do pair for life, as swans do I believe, some will keep several mates like lions so they can be more productive!

The seventh commandment reminds us that this is not the day we were created. Life is more than just breeding. It is about relationships. Being faithful to You, God and being faithful in all our relationships. Relationships do fail and there is forgiveness where it is impossible to go on. Where their is danger or unacceptable behaviour. But it seems that Jesus is saying we should not even be looking or thinking or comparing.

Thank You for the gift of marriage and those who have made a commitment to be together for life. For the stability of society we pray that You will help this and the next generation to value and appreciate the value of lasting relationships and fidelity and the value of family.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of faithfulness,

We pray:

For all our family, friends, neighbours, our church family. For our neighbours old and new.
For our town, our local council and the well being of locality.
For those getting married and those seeking help through marriage guidance.
For Gaza and the Middle East, not just containment but an end to the terrorism without bloodshed. A miracle Lord.
For Putin, the Russian people and end to war in Ukraine. Let it not go on endlessly Lord.
For help, relief and comfort for those in need in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco. For ongoing aid and medical agencies.
Help the next generation to value staying faithful in marriage and relationships and to work through the tough times.
For ourselves, that we would be faithful in all our relationships and faithful to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 24th October 2023
Based on Psalm 51 written by David in repentance for Bathsheba. Words which challenge us regardless of whether we live together, alone or still with parents to keep sin from finding room to settle in our hearts.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence;
Take not Thy holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;
And renew a right spirit within me.

Lyrics: Keith Green




Monday 23rd October 2023

“And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:20-21 NIV

“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:12 NKJV

God of teeming life,

So the sixth time You spoke creation, You created everything that swims, walks in water or flies! Even those of us who do not study marine biology and who only watch birds in the garden could fill pages with lists of species we know thanks to wildlife programmes! And how many of them eat each other. Some killer whales even seem to kill for sport! Can’t watch. And the poison that some jellyfish make can kill us! Creation certainly took a step away from the peace in the garden of Eden when we messed it up and were tempted to think we knew better than You.

And the sixth commandment? Short, sharp and to the point. Do not murder. Murder – the premeditated intent to extinguish life. Jesus took it further and spoke about those who hold anger even for their brother and sister. Saying they will also be judged (Matthew 5:22). Before the deed comes the attitude? As happened at the first murder (Genesis 4:3-8) shortly after Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). Cain nurtured jealousy for his brother, resentment and dislike grew too big to be contained.

We are different from the fish and the birds that kill. We have the choice not to murder. To deal with the emotions and feelings before they become actions. Jesus says at heart level You should deal with it put it right. It is hard Lord not to fester over something someone else intended to hurt You. Someone who is just not nice and unkind. But You will judge them in their time. Help us to let go, look to You and think about what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute (Philippians 4:8) and leave no room for anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. Even mild irritation which can be harder . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of teeming life,

We pray:

For all our family, friends, neighbours, our church family. For our neighbours old and new.
For our town, our local council and the well being of our surrounding area.
For our judicial system, the prisoners, the wardens and staff and those who work to help ex-offenders.
For Gaza and the Middle East, not just containment but an end to the terrorism without bloodshed. A miracle Lord.
For Putin, the Russian people that they would withdraw and consider peace. End war in Ukraine.
For help, relief and comfort for those in need in Afghanistan, Libya and Morocco. For ongoing aid and medical agencies.
For those who need light shining in their hearts to soften and undo murderous thoughts.
For ourselves, that we would not dwell on those who have hurt or offended us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Monday 23rd October 2023

Forgive our sins as we forgive’,
you taught us, Lord, to pray;
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.

How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?

In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly know:
what trivial debts are owed to us,
how great our debt to you!

Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls
and bid resentment cease;
then, by your mercy reconciled
our lives will spread your peace.

Repeat first verse.

Lyrics: Rosamond Herklots

This hymn was written in June 1966 and printed soon afterward in the parish magazine of St. Mary’s Church, Bromley, Kent. The idea of the hymn had occurred to Miss Herklots when she was digging out weeds in her nephew’s garden; she reasoned that their deep roots, obstructing the growth of the flowers near them, resembled the bitterness and resentment that can become entrenched and hinder the Christian’s growth in grace.