Joyful joyful we adore Thee

Tuesday 2nd April 2024

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ²¹Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”” John 20:19-21 NIV

Father,

How can we ever thank You for those first disciples who stuck together regardless of their fear and confusion. To think the whole church worldwide started with them. 11 disciples plus the faithful women and some friends of Jesus who had followed him. Not following like they do on social media just for the highlights and gossip. But because they grew to love and trust Your Son. A room of a few followers in Jerusalem leading to 2.4 billion believers worldwide today?! Well I am glad I do not have to count them.

Like me, when there is any trouble on my housing estate, Your followers were behind locked doors. And in the mist of their confusion and fear, Jesus came and appeared among them. Was it through the main door, from another room or did he just appear? We may never know! The disciples didn’t worry about that, they were just overjoyed. Filled with joy. He was dead and now He was alive. Silence or a million questions? Fall on your knees or jump about? I am a little jealous of them. But You said – how blessed are those who have not actually seen and yet believe (John 20:29) .

We too have those precious moments when we just know You are alive and we are aware of Your presence. Other times we just have to hold onto our faith. Keep us overjoyed, rejoicing, glad, believing, that You are alive, risen and always present in our hearts and with us. Even when we don’t feel it. And thank you for those faithful disciples round the world today who are building Your church.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of Peace,

For our family, friends and neighbours. For their and our daily needs, help and blessings.
For our congregation and all Your churches to know Your resurrection power, grow and show love.
For the royal family for healing and strength for Charles and Kate as treatment continues.
For our nation those in Parliament county councils and local councils.
For our neighbourhood and its well being, safety and good community service.
For those making decisions to know Your will and the best way forward for good.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar places of conflict. End to war paths to peace.
For our local hospitals, chaplains and all staff: their well being and healing for all patients.
For Your heavenly army to conquer the evil that drives men or women to murder or do harm.
For all the kind people who will do good today no matter how small.
For us to know Your presence today, whether to rest, work or do what is necessary today.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 2nd April 2024

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: Henry van Dyke (1907)

Friday 5th January 2024

“God said, “Let the water swarm with swarms of living creatures and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” ²¹God created the great sea creatures and every living and moving thing with which the water swarmed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. God saw that it was good. ²²God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” ²³There was evening, and there was morning, a fifth day.” Genesis 1:20-23 NET

God of creativity,

The sparrows and blue tits are on the bird feeders, the starlings are hoovering the lawn of worms and the fat wood pigeon’s are picking up all the sparrows drop in their squabbling! And though we are still damp and wet we are grateful there is no ice underfoot!

Dog walkers and those walking off all the Christmas indulgences are in abundance between showers. We are enjoying not an early spring but a mild winter knowing cold could come at any time! Some things cannot be predicted or come in the same order.

You created all things in order: light, water and land, vegetation, night and day, living things, and finally mankind. Today is a good day, whatever the weather, to give thanks for the earth, and all that lives on it. Even those things we don’t love or like earwigs and spiders?

We cannot imagine a world where there was just one species of bird, one variety of fish, one kind of animal! They are still discovering new species even after thousands of years. And man? Each one of us absolutely individual. We never cease to wonder at a new born baby, each one as individual as snowflakes, even if there are glimpses of a parents nose, ears or eyes. And the wonder of identical twins, but always with individual personalities!

We praise You for the breadth of Your creativity and the breath You give to every living, moving thing. This day, this year, help us to rediscover our sense of wonder at creation, to not take any of it for granted and do our bit to keep it good and unpolluted.

In Jesus name we give thanks, Amen.

Suggested for prayer:
God of the open spaces,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their hopes and needs for this year. That those who do not believe will know You and Your Son and find faith this year.
For our church fellowships and those who need Your healing touch and encouragement.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families, our government and their families.
For our churches and ministers and those who work tirelessly to serve with hands or prayers.
For Ukraine and a withdrawal of Russian troops. A way to peace and an end to oppression.
For all areas where there is war and oppression. For peace and a new way forward. For Gaza, Sudan, the Middle East, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria . . .
For those working to protect and help species threatened by extinction and loss of habitat.
For the farmers who are replanting hedges and leaving wildlife strips of land.
For those working to help keep our oceans and rivers clean.
For winter rest for the land even though we do not always enjoy the cold and wet.
For ourselves we bring our own personal needs for today, this week and this year.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 5th January 2024
It was a vocal Version of the famous “Ode to Joy” melody of the final movement of Beethoven’s final symphony No 9. Below the lyrics is the authors opinion of the hymn in 1907 and I agree in 2024!

All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav’n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Centre of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing 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.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Draws us through the Son of man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us onward
In the triumph song of life.

Lyrics: Henry van Dyke

In 1907, Van Dyke wrote of this hymn:
These verses are a simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.

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. ⁶He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. ⁷He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners.
⁸The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. ⁹The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. ¹⁰The 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.