“Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. 12 My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you.13 No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:9-14
God Almighty, Victorious,
Today is a historic day. The eleventh day of the eleventh month 1918. An armistice was signed ending world war 1. A day of mixed emotions. A day to rejoice, a day of sorrow, a day to remember and a day to give thanks. Some of the young generation may not think much about it.
But the cost has to be counted. World wars cost billions of dollars (made up of all the nations currencies) and plunged the world into economic misery. More importantly the cost in lives. Roughly 9.4 million men and women died. 15 million returned home disabled and thousands more were mentally traumatised. Regardless of whose army they were in. The life I live today is because men and women laid down their lives for friends, family and our future. And many didn’t get a choice.
We mourn that there are still wars today. Man’s sin, greed for power and to rule over others remains. Still costing so much in innocent lives.
But today we look up, and beyond war, to You. Today, we are eternally grateful for Your Son who laid down His life for us. Giving us true freedom and peace. We will never forget and will be eternally grateful. It cost us nothing, it cost the world nothing. It cost Jesus everything. When we’ve been here, and there (heaven) ten thousand years we will still be singing Your praises. Peace will win in the end.
Today we remember the many who died. But above all we remember the One, Jesus, who died that we might have life and we give You thanks.
In Jesus name we pray.
God Almighty Victorious,
We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their needs, some we know, some are urgent and some are known only to You. Bless them.
For our ministers, pastors and youth workers and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks and social gatherings and care and that the Good News will be shared.
For our Government, that You would shake it up, so that those with the good of the nation would be seated there.
For our King and Queen, their family and all they do for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of peace, and wisdom from world leaders to speak for peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to this conflict as soon as possible.
For our armed services. Whether they are deployed, helping keep peace in troubled areas or serving and training in the UK.
For those who lost loved ones in more recent wars, in the Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo, Falklands, Afghanistan, Ukraine.
For those in the midst of conflict, whose share their faith, to see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, to appreciate the peace we have in our nation and to give thanks for the peace the world cannot give us and which is only found in You. (John 14:27).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 11th November 2023
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free (been set free)
My God, my Savior has ransomed me (ransomed me)
And like a flood (like a flood)
His mercy rains (mercy rains)
Unending love, oh, Amazing grace
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace (grace)
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind (was blind), but now (but now) I see