Arms of love – Start The Day

“Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: ²Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” Jude 1:1-2 NKJV

“From Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. ²May mercy, peace, and love be lavished on you! Jude 1:1-2 NET

God the Father,

Stumbling blocks, You reminded us yesterday. They will come. Life is not straightforward it is full of surprises and temptations and unexpected things that cause us worry and stress. Life is good but hard sometimes! Jude’s little letter may be full of troubles, errors and even problems to avoid-even in the church- but it contains Your balance. It is not one sided doom and gloom.

Thank You for Jude’s threefold greeting like a beautiful three-note chord in harmony and recurring throughout his epistle. Mercy, peace and love. Proverbs reminds us a cord of three is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). I love these verses in Jude in the New English Translation and the three dimensional picture of sanctification. “Being wrapped in Your Love and kept safe for Jesus.” Pause and think of that! God’s love, His Spirit keeping us safe, because of Jesus. Our Saviour God. We try our best then You wrap us in love literally and spiritually and keep us safe for eternity..

Chill, we cannot be perfect we just do our best with Your help. You are the merciful one who keeps us holy, at peace and secure in Your love. Which You do not measure out, apportion or ration – but lavish upon us. Thank You for mercy, peace and love. Wrap us up and keep us every day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God the Father,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Wrap them in Your love and lead them in peace.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Church, where people find love, mercy, peace.
For the royal family. Love, mercy and peace.
For our nation and the Government we need for the future. Shake up with love, mercy and peace..
For Ukraine, a powerful move of Your Spirit to change circumstances and end war.
For refugees who have settled here, opportunity for rebuilding their lives and families.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. A move forward past history and vengeance to make peace.
For industry and employment and the health of our nation’s economy, and where we live.
For our justice system to work with justice, love, mercy and peace and public protection.
For us to feel wrapped, enfolded in Your love and have opportunity to let someone else know they are loved both by us and God.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 8th June 2024
Keeping it simple today. Singing it to Jesus Himself.

I sing a simple song of love
To my Savior, to my Jesus.
I’m grateful for the things You’ve done,
My loving Savior, my precious Jesus.

My heart is glad that You’ve called me Your own.
There’s no place I’d rather be than

In Your arms of love,
In Your arms of love.
Holding me still, holding me near,
In Your arms of love.

Lyrics: Craig Musseau

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ²And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NET

God of love,

This passage used to be very popular for church weddings because it goes on to speak about love. I love that it starts out with some humour! Some, in church, may have noticed that my singing sounds a bit like brass and clanging – it definitely lacks tone. But You remind us that without love our lives sound like a really annoying gong or ear offensive clanging! And others can see and hear that too!

Even if we know all the right answers, can see solutions and have knowledge more than others, are generous and do good, if it lacks love it is hollow. Agape love, is the selfless love that moved You, God to send Your only son for the world’s redemption. The love we receive from you and that You call us to show towards others. Even those who annoy us! It is a call to flavour everything we do with love even when we are not loved back. And its not easy . . .

Today we admit we do clanging sometimes. We cannot always be love without the help of Your Holy Spirit. Rather than beating ourselves up . . . we come to You to say sorry. Help us to love and forgive, even when we cannot forget or trust. And as we continue in our imperfection we thank You because You continue to forgive and wash us and love us and lead us onward, day by day.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of love,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Show them You love in answered prayer and through their day..
For our church fellowships, ministers, officials, congregations. Let love flow through them and us.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family. Direct and guide them.
For our government and their families. Lead and speak clearly to them. Raise up the right people to stand in the elections, grant us a good Government.
For Ukraine and Russian. A miracle, many miracles . . . Peace an end to war.
For wherever there is unrest, war, military oppression: Myanmar, Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria, China . . . change people, situations, hearts, politics.
For international relationships and politics.
For love, righteousness and reconciliation to flow where there are gangs and criminal activities.
For dentists, chiropodists, hairdressers, physiotherapists, chiropractors, opticians, hearing specialists and those who bring relief, help and feeling better into daily life.
For those who are on the Samaritan and child help lines. Callers and listeners.
For our doctors, nurses and emergency services.
For ourselves, a harmonious day with fellowship with You and others and goodwill.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 25th January 2024
What a prayer!

1 Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n to earth come down,
fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
all Thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest.
Take away our love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty to deliver;
let us all Thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve Thee as Thy hosts above;
pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then, Thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see Thy great salvation
perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before Thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

Lyrics: Charles Wesley