Saturday 20th January 2024

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-8


God of peace and joy,

Verses which absolutely need to be taken in, considered and put into action . . . as much today as when they were first penned. Not typed or texted or tweeted to someone else . . . I need to be reminded to rejoice these days. It is so easier to dwell on the weather, well its a national trait, or the cost of living “woe is me” and then there is the news. Paul knew we needed reminding to rejoice when trouble comes. We need to learn to trust, hang on and to rejoice in You, whatever comes and be reminded that You are still in control!

To practice rejoicing, in who You are and what You have done for us in Jesus, while acknowledging the other troubling stuff is going on! Practice, in the sense of doing it, rather than just rehearsing. To be able to rejoice in what You are doing for us and in us today. Rejoice in all You have for us and what You have prepared for us to inherit. You, God, with us right now. Even when we don’t feel holy or blessed. When we are overwhelmed with anxiety or just a tad worried – You are right here. Fighting our battles, going before us and shielding our hearts.

We cannot always rejoice (show great joy or delight) in our circumstances or rejoice in the condition of our nation. But we can always rejoice in You. So please, lift our faith, hope and emotions to see and hear You, the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). You are still on the throne. All glory and honour and praise belong to You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of peace and joy,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Thank You and bless them with joy.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations thank You and help them rejoice..
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them, that Your will be done in these days. Lead us this year of elections, to the best Government for our time.
For Ukraine and Russian. A miracle. Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . .
For the Red Sea and growing International disruption. Overcome and deliver the world from evil.
For young families growing up in todays society. Show them the value of faith, hope and love.
For our local community, our near neighbours, local doctors, dentists, community police, schools.
For all those who provide help, food banks, district nurses, home helps, friends, family. Samaritans, help lines, Lifeboats, mountain rescue, emergency relief charities.
For ourselves, to be able to rejoice in being Your child, loved and cherished. To see all the little blessings we can rejoice in today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 20th January 2024
Read about the author of this hymn below the wonderful lyrics.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase
To added affliction He addeth His mercy
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace

When we have exhausted our store of endurance
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again

This song was written by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932), who by the age of 6 had lost both her parents. By her teens she had developed arthritis and soon after lost the use of her legs. Bedridden, she was covered with sores and lost control of her hands and many of her bodily functions. The song itself was not published until the 1940’s during a time of war, suffering, pain and loss.

If anyone could have been excused for writing dark and depressing lyrics it would have been a woman like Anne Flint. Instead, she focused on Jesus and the lyrics that she was inspired to write were of hope and faith.

https://realworldworship.org/2012/05/01/behind-the-music-he-giveth-more-grace/

Friday 19th January 2024

  “The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” Numbers 13:1

” We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Numbers 13:33

Lord God Almighty,

Another truth from Your Word which is etched in my mind, alongside mental pictures of grasshoppers! Good advice – go check it out. God says trust me. And from the children’s chorus I always remember the line – 10 were bad spies and two were good. But here is the crux of the story. They all saw that the promised land was exactly as You promised a land flowing with milk and honey. Beautiful, abundant, fertile. But 10 didn’t trust You for the future after all they had seen and done in the past. Like small children they exaggerated their fear and said they felt like grasshoppers against the giants they saw.

We have seen Your provision in our lives. Help us not to see just the problems ahead but trust Your promises to provide. One day we will enter our promised land, Heaven. There will be no more death, pain or suffering. There will be joy, rejoicing and fellowship of the richest kind.

Meanwhile, we live and trust in Your promises for now as we journey there. Trust You to be our Shepherd (Psalm 23), our Saviour and our sufficiency (Philippians 4:6). Help us to be like the two good spies and forge ahead with trust and faith. Life is a challenge as well as a blessing. You are with us, our faithful unchangeable God – and friend.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God of every day,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Thank You and bless them as they need.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations thank You and bless them..
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them, that Your will be done in these days. Lead us this year of elections, to the best Government for our time.
For Ukraine a withdrawal of Russian troops. Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . .
For the Red Sea and growing International disruption. Overcome and deliver the world from evil.
For young families growing up in todays society. Show them the value of faith, hope and love.
For our local community, our near neighbours, local doctors, dentists, community police, schools.
For all those who provide help, food banks, district nurses, home helps, friends, family. Samaritans, help lines, Lifeboats, mountain rescue, emergency relief charities.
For ourselves, the knowledge that we have a clean sheet today, all errors, mistakes gone. Help us to step into today with a smile even if there are things we just have to do and don’t really want to!

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 19th January 2024
Sometimes we just need to slip into familiar words and harmonies and worship and give thanks.

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 ten thousand beside

Lyrics: Thomas Chisholm


Thursday 18th January 2024

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV

 “I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.” Joshua 1:9 NET

Lord our God,

This promise was written out and given to me on a slip of paper by an elderly lady when I was a new Christian. I have treasured it ever since. Not more than any other promise but because she passed it on from her experience and life of faith. I do not take You for granted and never fail to hear it speak in a new way on a new day in a new situation. You, God do not always work in the same way!

Joshua took over from Moses. A man who new You well God and yet still fell short and made a mistake. Joshua, had to find a way forward at a very difficult time, on his own and did not know what the future held. We follow in their and the footsteps of some amazing Christians who have led the church forward. Those known to the nation and those only known to You and our own church – but just as loved by You, God.

Help us know the truth of this promise in these confusing, unsettling days. We have come through plague and now we hear so many rumours of wars. The promise is as reassuring today as it was then. You kept Your promises. You were with Joshua every step of the way. Even if some days were tough. We read and hear You Lord. today. Take the truth from head to heart and help us know Your Spirit with us always.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord our God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. May they be well and safe and know Your peace.
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations to grow and serve the community.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. Speak into their lives to guide them.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them, that Your will be done in these confusing times.
For Ukraine a withdrawal of Russian troops. Peace an end to war.
For all areas where there is war, military oppression and civil war. Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria . . .
For the Red Sea and growing International disruption we pray You will overcome and deliver us from evil.
For young families growing up in todays society. Show them the value of faith, hope and love.
For our local community, our near neighbours, local doctors, dentists, community police and schools.
For all those who provide essential help, food banks, district nurses, home helps, friends, neighbours, family. Lifeboats, mountain rescue, emergency relief charities.
For ourselves, You know what we need today – encouragement, a visitor, a phone call, an easy day at work, rest, a laugh . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 18th January 2024
This was a ‘modern’ chorus in the 1980’s!


Be bold, be strong
For the Lord your God is with you.
Be bold, be strong,
For the Lord your God is with you.
I am not afraid,
I am not dismayed,
Because I’m walking in faith and victory,
Come on and walk in faith and victory,
For the Lord your God is with you.

Lyrics: Morris Chapman

Worship from 2017. I you have a few minutes more to chill out with God.

Slow down, take time
Breath in He said
He’d reveal what’s to come

The thoughts in His mind
Always higher than mine
He’ll reveal all to come

Take courage my heart
Stay steadfast my soul
He’s in the waiting, He’s in the waiting
Hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing, He’s never failing

Sing praise my soul
Find strength in joy
Let His Words lead you on

Do not forget
His great faithfulness
He’ll finish all He’s begun

Chorus: Take courage my heart . . .

And You who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep Your promise to me
That I will rise in Your victory

Chorus: Take courage my heart . . .

Lyrics:  Kristene DiMarco