Sunday 26th November 2023

“But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. 6 He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. 7 He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners.
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. 9 The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. 10 The Lord will reign forever. He will be your God, O Jerusalem, throughout the generations. Praise the Lord” Psalm 146:5-10 NLT

Lord our God,

We step aside from travelling through Luke’s gospel to leap into Psalm 146. This is the last Sunday in November and we need a little joy. Dark nights, chilly weather and the hype and run up to Christmas is approaching! You remind us – Joyful are those of us who have You as our helper and who hope in You. Not in tinsel and light pretty as they are. Because our hope is anchored in You, who made heaven and earth, everything, and who will reign forever.

You are not a part time, seasonal God or one who will be usurped by the next fad or fashion. In some translations You are the God of Jacob (NIV) and in some the God of Israel. Jacob who You renamed Israel. In Genesis 32:22-32, we read how Jacob wrestled with You. Jacob said he had seen God and lived! (verse 30). Jacob then believed in You, the God of his own father Isaac. It points to the You, God who would come as a man, Jesus, and wrestle with evil and sin, and be victorious on our behalf. The one who would give us a change of name from sinner to saint and make us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) when we choose Jesus as our Lord.

We see You and Your Son all through the Old and the New Testament, and how You change lives. Thank You for being merciful and yet one who will judge rightly one day. Keep us joyful as we wrestle against sin, unbelief and selfishness. Forgiven much and joyfully kept safe in Your love.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord our God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their many individual needs and You would touch their lives with Your love and goodness today.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches. May You encourage all of them with a refreshing touch of Your gentle strength and inspiration.
For our Government, that You would lead it forward to become all it should be to govern well.
For our King and Queen and their family. Healing for relationships.
For those in Iceland where there is threat of volcanic eruption. For those who have had to leave their homes. Speak peace to the earth there.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord for the miraculous pause to continue. For help, provision and water and medical supplies to get through to where needed. To a way to peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to this war, conflict and bloodshed. Thwart all the shelling and bombing distract Putin from war.
For all those who are considering Jesus, beginning to hear about Him to take that step from knowing about You to knowing You personally. May seeds be sown in all the Christmas services to be held this year in churches, schools, care homes. Carolling out on the streets, in towns and around housing estates.
For all those who need to know they are loved with an everlasting, unfailing love today.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Send us Your joy today and keep us joyful in Your loving care.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sun 26th November 2023
I love this rendition of a familiar hymn.

Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before You,
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Centre of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Lyrics by Henry van Dyke in 1907

Saturday 25th November 2023

 “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” Luke 10:1-3 NIV

Lord and Father of Mankind,

Yesterday reading, just before this sending out the 72, Jesus chatted with those wanting to follow him but making excuses to put it off till later. Here we see there are the 12 disciples and others who are willing to following now. 72 or six dozen! They are nameless but Luke shows they are not just a random group but appointed and sent out two by two. Father thank You that we are not just a random group of followers but You know us by name (Isaiah 41:3). You appoint us and give us Your blessing. You know how much easier it is when a task is shared. We feel more confident, we can encourage each other and we are less intimidated. Thank You.

Thank You that just as You know us as your children, you know every single one of us personally and actions and even our thoughts (Matthew 9:4). You know where a heart is open to hear about Your love. You know where there is the desire to be forgiven and start again. And, at any one time there are people who don’t know You and are hungry to hear about Your love and heaven. Help us to be brave enough to risk talking about You and not be surprised when people listen. And not offended when they don’t want to. There are millions who have come to faith because someone simply told them God loved them. Help me start with one. Help me see the opportunities.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Lord and Father of mankind,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their many individual needs and You would guide their steps today for good.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches. Make them beacons of hope in the darkness of winter and world conflict.
For our Government, that You would be in the midst of it leading, forming and directing.
For our King and Queen and their family and their work here and overseas.
For those in Iceland where there is threat of volcanic eruption. For those who have had to leave their homes. Speak peace to the earth there.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle now, a pause, leading to a new peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to this war, conflict and bloodshed.
For those in the midst of conflict, to have hope and a future and hear of Your love.
For all those who are considering Jesus, beginning to hear about Him to take that step from knowing about You to knowing You personally. May seeds be sown in all the Christmas services to be held this year in churches, schools, care homes. Carolling out on the streets, in towns and around housing estates.
For all those who need to know they are loved with an everlasting, unfailing love today.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Thank You for Your everlasting arms of love which hold us gentle and strong.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 25th November 2023
Bellow the video and lyrics is the story of how the song came to be written.

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him
Who brings good news, good news;
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness:
Our God reigns, our God reigns!

Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns

You watchmen lift your voices joyfully as one 
Shout for your King, your King 
See eye to eye the Lord restoring Zion 
Your God reigns, your God reigns!  

Waste places of Jerusalem break forth with joy 
We are redeemed, redeemed 
The Lord has saved and comforted His people 
Your God reigns, your God reigns!   

Ends of the earth, see the salvation of your God 
Jesus is Lord, is Lord 
Before the nations He has bared His holy arm 
Your God reigns, your God reigns!  

Lyrics: Leonard E Smith

Sometimes you have to reach bottom before you look up to see God at work. Back in 1973, I was out of work again and depressed — actually very depressed. My wife and I had a son, an apartment, a car, and lots of bills to pay. I had also made myself unemployable as a high school teacher with just too much Jesus talk in class. I guess I was naive to think that talking about Jesus was more important than teaching Latin or English literature.

One morning I was reading the Bible and came to Isaiah 52:7: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him Who brings good news, announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness: your God reigns.” My heart began pounding in my chest because, through what I read, God spoke to me: “You’re going to get through this, and you will be fine. In fact, you’ll do very well.” I just felt the dark cloud lift off me. I picked up my guitar and, in a few minutes, Our God Reigns was born! I had one verse and the chorus. It wasn’t so much that I wrote it as I received it! . . .

Every one of us has experienced disappointment and failure and had our hearts broken. But we don’t need to be bitter about it. If we look closely, we’ll see how God worked it out for our good. Over time, we become more understanding, more patient, and kinder to others who have been overlooked and forgotten. We must not forget that suffering is the very thing God uses to refine and strengthen us. Jesus set the pattern that crucifixion comes before resurrection.

Friday 24th November 2023

“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”” Luke 9:57-62 NIV

Sovereign Lord,

Jesus on His way to Jerusalem for the last time. And he met many other travellers who had heard His teaching. Luke considers it important enough to record almost like eavesdropping, Like we were there. Like today some had excuses and see Jesus transparent honesty. So we too can learn to trust You. You do not make everything look rosy. You do not enlist disciples under false pretences. Jesus had it tough and nowhere to lay his head. It may not be easy, there is a battle against evil and a race to be run.

The important thing Jesus stresses is to start and continue. We may not have to travel overseas, give up home and family but we can faithfully follow here. It is our response to what You have given us freely, full salvation. Your grace, Heaven and Your glory to come. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.”

But not just now, but I’m busy, but I’m already caring for people . . . You call us to follow not as goats with there but, but, buts. Rather as sheep who hear Your voice (John 10:27-28). Keep us focused and following You, our great and generous God and Saviour. No buts . . .

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Sovereign Lord,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their many individual needs and You would guide their steps today for good.
For ministers, pastors, congregations and all that is done by those belonging to churches. Make them beacons of hope in the darkness of winter and world conflict.
For our Government, that You would be in the midst of it reforming it for the nations good.
For our King and Queen and their family and all the charities they represent.
For those in Iceland and the ongoing concerns and those not able to go home.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle, a strong, long pause leading to a new peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An miraculous end to this war, conflict and bloodshed, starting now.
For those in the midst of conflict, to have hope and a future and hear of Your love.
For all those who are considering Jesus, beginning to hear about Him to take that step from knowing about to knowing You personally.
For all those who need to know they are loved today.
For ourselves, thank You for a new day. Thank You for the day we met You and knew Your love. Refresh our hearts and cause us to praise today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 24th November 2023
Yes it will continue to crop up because this as almost my favourite hymn of all time. It says it like it is, allows me to recommit and the melody is just wonderfully simple.

Wonderful grace that gives what I don’t deserve
Pays me what Christ has earned then lets me go free
Wonderful grace that gives me the time to change
Washes away the stain that once covered me

And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me

Wonderful love that held in the face of death
Breathed in it’s final breath forgiveness for me
Wonderful love whose power can break every chain
Giving us life again setting us free

And all that I am I lay at the feet
Of the wonderful Saviour Who loves me

John Pantry
CD: The Gifts of God Series, Grace, Mission Worship