“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways. Forgive my foolish ways. Confession is sometimes the hardest thing. Owning up to something large or even small. But there is no getting round it to know You. And in the light of Easter I remember the consequences of my selfishness and sin. We sorrow over what we caused Jesus to go through but joy at knowing Your gift of forgiveness.
The water I drink may come from reservoirs but I have seen pictures of it at a macrobiotic level . . . no wonder it has to go through cleaning to be safe to drink. But it is not absolutely pure. Even bottled water has natural elements (minerals?) in it. But Your purity is crystal clear. Clearer than the purest water, more transparent than the most expensive polished diamond. And that is how You see Your Son Jesus, pure and clear. And You see me, us through His pure holiness. Sparklingly pure. Absolutely no speck of sin, guilt or shame. Help me to keep on confessing and being cleansed, to shine the light of Your love on those around me.
Dear Lord and Father,
For our family and friends. For good relationships, health and blessings.
For our church, Ministers and lay leaders, for opportunities to share the love of Jesus.
For the royal family. For peace of mind, healing and family support.
For our Parliament. Regardless of politics give a desire to be good and do their honest best.
For our local town or city. For town centres to flourish and new business to prosper.
For our hospitals, police and all those who work to keep out society functioning.
For those seeking medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, cures.
Those who are undergoing dialysis and blood cleansing literally. For donors and their families.
For those seeking You to make decisions, to find hope and a way forward. Send answers and help.
For our justice system, our police force in a week of capturing murderers recent and of the past.
For the families and friends of the victims.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, places of conflict. End war. We seek Your power to change.
For us a good week-end, freedom from worry and the blessing of good friendship, food and sleep.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 13th April 2024
Tim Hughes wrote the song in 1999 as a response to how he felt after reading Philippians 2. About Christ’s humility willingly leaving His throne in heaven, coming to earth as a man, and sacrificing Himself on the cross – all because of His love for us. He picked up his guitar and, as he sang, the words flowed out, but he was not satisfied with the chorus. It took about six months to finish it. He was still not confident in the chorus. He played this song at his home church (Soul Survivor), and it became widely known.
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
Oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor
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
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross
Lyrics: Tim Hughes