Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, Let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
Hope of a life spent with you
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
King of all days
So highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly you came to the earth you created
All for love’s sake became poor
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Tim Hughes
CD: Small Group Worship, Kingsway
“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:16-19 New English Translation.
God of love,
An intimate view of why, God. Your why. How it was in the beginning and the consequences. You were together in the beginning. You sent Jesus and He willingly agreed to come. To give His all and get sorrow and suffering, and give us a hope and a future..
We recognise the dangers of not sticking with You. The Bible clearly talks about the choices, not options! So today we remind ourselves to turn away from self reliance, greed and selfishness which we see all around us in society and the world. We look to You and Your everlasting, all inspiring, upholding, comforting holy love. We seek Your light, beamed into our hearts and our lives through hope. And, “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:5,6
Today is a day not be anxious about life, clothes and what to eat. (Matthew 6:26) a day to be confident in You. To worship. To Bow down. To thank you for a million blessings – and for Jesus. To thank You for being You, our generous God and wonderful Saviour.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Loving God,
For our family, friends, neighbours. Personal needs and to see You at work in their lives.
For our Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Inspiration and assurance.
We pray for kings and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). Charles family. Princess Anne.
For the general election, smooth voting day and the best for the present and the future.
For the NHS, the countries finances, education and employment.
For Paris and athletes preparing for the 2024 Olympics.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Peace and the best future for all.
For Ukraine, an end to war. Help and support for those in war zones and having to fight.
For schools, teachers as they try to fit everything in before the end of term.
For all those who will care for children during the long school holiday.
For our justice system, prisons, Christian Prison Chaplains and Christian release support agencies.
For us a day that runs smoothly, makes us smile and give our worries to you whatever faces us.
In Jesus wonderful name we pray, Amen
Worship Tuesday 2nd July 2024
You’re the Word of God the Father,
From before the world began;
Every star and every planet
Has been fashioned by Your hand.
All creation holds together
By the power of Your voice:
Let the skies declare Your glory,
Let the land and seas rejoice!
You’re the Author of creation,
You’re the Lord of every man;
And Your cry of love rings out
Across the lands.
Yet You left the gaze of angels,
Came to seek and save the lost,
And exchanged the joy of heaven
For the anguish of a cross.
With a prayer You fed the hungry,
With a word You stilled the sea.
Yet how silently You suffered
That the guilty may go free.
With a shout You rose victorious,
Wresting victory from the grave,
And ascended into heaven
Leading captives in Your wake.
Now You stand before the Father
Interceding for Your own.
From each tribe and tongue and nation
You are leading sinners home.
Lyrics: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend