I'll fly away – Start The Day

Saturday 3rd January 2026

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. ²And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. ⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:1-4 NLT

God our creator, the creator,

Looking at our world today, changing climate, natural disasters, poisoned earth. Changing sin? No that remains the same but seems to also grow because we hear and see it constantly in the media. Romans talks about all of creation groaning and suffering and waiting for redemption (Romans 8:22). Even those who do not have faith can see something is desperately wrong. And mankind is not ‘getting better’ as it learns more! Some of us just live better with more technology and medicine.

But we, because of the Book of Revelation, hold on to the promise that though man will never grow to be better or good You will make earth and heaven new as if there had been no sin. I wonder at a new earth as well as heaven? But then earth was perfect at the beginning and You found it good. You are a restorer and not a repairer – You can make it perfect again for Your delight. Will we see the new earth along with heaven? I hope so. But as promised, we will live where there is no evil, no tears, no death, no mourning and amongst a people at peace with You and each other. We will know love as Jesus loves us.

It gives us hope and a secure anchor in the storms of life or when we are becalmed. Thank You that You are eternal and Jesus gives us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:4).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 3rd January 2026

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood?
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Some glad morning when this life is over
I’ll fly away
To a home on God’s celestial shore
I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh, Glory, I’ll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then
I’ll fly away
To a land where joy shall never end
I’ll fly away

1 Lyrics: Elisha Hoffman (1878)
2 Lyrics: Albert E. Brumley (1929)

Wednesday 1st May 2024

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2 NIV

Father God,

Thanks to Jesus and His resurrection, we little clay jars (2 Corinthians 4:7), are assured our place in Heaven. He tells the disciples He is going to prepare it for them. So that when they witnessed his death, they will remember it is not the end, He is Lord of their future. He would never leave them. How very human that shortly after , Jesus said this James and John had an ambition. They wanted to know if they could sit next to him when he came into His Kingdom. Matthew says it was their mother who asked! (Matthew 20:21)!

They wanted a front seat. How brazen we think. But others say You have not because You asked not! Some of us prefer to stand at the back and wait and see? Some do not look forward to heaven being all worship all the time? It says in Revelation the living creatures were constantly saying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” And the elders were joining in with “You are worthy . . . ” (Revelation 4:8-11). Saying, interestingly, not singing? Then we are told it was silent in heaven for half and hour (Revelation 8:1). So silence was unusual?

Sometimes a hymn really moves us and sometimes we just sing. And there are those times when we fall silent and are aware of Your presence. Who knows what heaven will be like? But we know it will be good because You have prepared it and know what we need and what is good. It will be beyond our hopes, better than our expectations and will be home.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

For our family and friends. Hopes and needs for today and a glimpse of the promise of heaven.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. May the church be relevant and welcoming.
For the royal family. For Charles as he returns to public work and for Kates treatment.
For our Parliament, MP’s to shine with truth, integrity, and a desire to serve.
For the local elections of Police Commissioners.
For Ukraine, peace. A supernatural end to war. We look to You for a miracle.
For Gaza, a way to talk and to live with neighbours, together in peace.
For Sudan, Myanmar, all other places of conflict and Military oppression. Respect for life, relief.
For countries where there is no social services, pensions, unemployment benefits and free medical treatment. Be their provider.
For our schools, universities and our young people, safety. Raise up leaders for the future.
For today and all that we need to keep us strong and faithful and encouraged. Your joy.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Wednesday 1st May 2024
I’ll fly away to a land where joy shall never end – because Jesus will be there.

Some glad morning when this life is o’er,
I’ll fly away;
To a home on God’s celestial shore,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).

I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
I’ll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).

When the shadows of this life have gone,
I’ll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away)

Oh how glad and happy when we meet,
I’ll fly away;
No more cold iron shackles on my feet,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away)

Just a few more weary days and then,
I’ll fly away;
To a land where joy shall never end,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away)

Lyrics Albert E. Brumley 1929

Sunday 8th January 2023

“For look, I am ready to create new heavens and a new earth! The former ones will not be remembered; no one will think about them anymore. ¹⁸But be happy and rejoice forevermore over what I am about to create! For look, I am ready to create Jerusalem to be a source of joy, and her people to be a source of happiness. ¹⁹Jerusalem will bring me joy, and my people will bring me happiness. The sound of weeping or cries of sorrow will never be heard in her again.”
Isaiah 65:17-19 NET

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. . . ⁴‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1,2 and 4 NIV

God our creator,

Isaiah would have sounded way out to the people of His time. They would probably concentrate of the actual Jerusalem their centre of worship and whose Temple had seen better times. For those of us who know Your Son, reading and believing in a new heaven and a new earth still needs a leap of faith. We can trust You because we have met Jesus who promised that he had gone to prepare the place for us (John 14:1-3). We are living and learning that He keeps His promises.

The writer to the Romans talks about all of creation groaning and suffering and waiting for redemption. We see the pain of our earth today, earthquakes, landslides, droughts, floods. Even those who do not believe can see something is wrong. You will make earth and heaven new as if there had been no sin. One day we will live where there is no evil, no tears, no death no mourning. We will be able to love each other as Jesus loves us. Today we see the challenges of life but we need to keep an eye on our final wonderful destination.

Thank You that You are eternal and Jesus gives us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:4).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father of creation,

We pray You will create and speak answers to our prayers into being for those we seek help for. Those who need a healing touch or simply to know all will be well and find peace. We pray that those we know who need employment or are starting new jobs will find fulfilment and reward. We pray that those who need direction will find Your guidance and those weary will find rest.

Ukraine, Lord we cannot cease asking for You to break into this conflict with a way to peace and righteousness. We pray too for all refugees who simply want to live free from terror and prejudice and domination. Bring freedom to their nations so they need not flee. For those stuck in camps we pray solutions beyond just confinement or sending back. For those living in fear we pray Your hand of protection and deliverance.

Thank you for all we have and rely on for comfortable, safe and supported living. The good things in life, not the riches, which we often take for granted.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 8th January 2023

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?