“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own town to be registered. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David.He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child.“ Luke 2:1-5 “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NKJV
God of love,
As I look back over this year, I see how patient You have been with me. I cannot thank You enough for the times You have restored my peace, encouraged me, and forgiven and washed me as if I had never sinned. As I look back to the year of Your birth, that first Christmas, I see Your eternal patience at bringing it to pass. And Your patience in waiting to fulfil Your promise that Jesus will come back again. At the right time.
The Christian church chose 25th December to celebrate Your birth. Whatever the date, Mary and Joseph had to be patient. A baby chooses when to be born! They must have been nervous and a little afraid? First child, a very unhygienic environment and no women to help with the birth?
We have times of waiting for something. Whether for warmer weather, a change in our circumstances, healing, appointments, deliveries? The list is endless. We praise You as we wait for You to come again, whenever that will be. Because we know the whole story. How Jesus was born at the right time, loved those who rejected Him, loved those not born yet and went to the cross for our sin. Help us to daily to wait patiently on Your timing and trust You every step of the way.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . . God of patience,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for. For our Christian family. Christmas services and meals planned. For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). For our Government and for peace in our nation in this season. For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war. For Sudan to get a stable good Government, all areas of conflict in the Middle East to know peace. For those planning or making journeys for Christmas to see family or friends. For those waiting for hospital and doctors appointments or results. For us to know Your patience. Patience – that strengthens our hearts and enables us to stop and count our blessings.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 20th December 2024
Come live in me all my life, take over Come breathe in me, I will rise on eagle’s wings Come live in me all my life, take over Come breathe in me, I will rise on eagle’s wings
Here I am waiting, abide in me, I pray Here I am longing for You Hide me in Your love, bring me to my knees May I know Jesus more and more
Repeat
Reuben Morgan CD: By Your Side, Hillsong Music Australia.
(Isaiah 40:31) “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint..”
“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. 2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.“ Luke 2:1-7
“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 NKJV
God of love,
You are so patient. We cannot thank You enough for the times You have forgiven us, restored us back to peace and as if we had never sinned. We worship Your patience in bringing that first Christmas to pass. Your patience at waiting to fulfil Your promise of Jesus final return.
We cannot know if it was 25th December You were born but its our chosen date to celebrate and brightens up the middle of winter! Two sleeps to go . . . Mary and Joseph had registered for tax but had to wait, knowing the birth was any day now. Waiting. Patiently? I suspect Joseph was nervous and a little afraid. I suspect Mary was more nervous and afraid. Even though she knew it was ordained by God it was still childbirth. She young woman and far from home and family.
God, we are all waiting for something. Whether appointments, visiting family, Christmas dinner, visiting family or friends. For a long night to be over. For the start another new year. Start a new job. Retire. Take a holiday. Or for next years light nights and warm dry weather.
God help us to wait in all these circumstances and not under them. You are with us working things for good. We pray for patience (long suffering), the fruit of Your Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). It’s hard sometimes. It is easier to look down, poor me, than up into the light of Your face. Strengthen our hearts when we need to wait.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . . God of patience,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For blessings and good health and joy. For our and the many churches preparing carol services for those who will come at this season. For all the ordinary people doing kind, generous and extra ordinary things for You. For our Government, Lords and commoners to be willing to stand for what is right and righteous. For King Charles, the Queen and their families. For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. Regardless of men. For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war. Change Putin’s determination from oppression to peace. For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today. For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. For those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys. For those who have had difficult or bad news at this time to be held in Your arms of love. For ourselves, that we would wait for all You have planned to give us for good in the coming year.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 23rd December 2023
Here I am waiting, abide in me, I pray Here I am longing for You Hide me in Your love, bring me to my knees May I know Jesus more and more
Come live in me all my life, take over Come breathe in me, I will rise on eagle’s wings Come live in me all my life, take over Come breathe in me, I will rise on eagle’s wings
Here I am waiting, abide in me, I pray Here I am longing for You Hide me in Your love, bring me to my knees May I know Jesus more and more
Come live in me all my life, take over Come breathe in me, I will rise on eagle’s wings Come live in me all my life, take over Come breathe in me, I will rise on eagle’s wings
Come live in me all my life, take over Come breathe in me, I will rise on eagle’s wings I will rise on eagle’s wings, I will rise on eagle’s wings I will rise on eagle’s wings, I will rise on eagle’s wings
I will rise on eagle’s wings, I will rise on eagle’s wings On eagle’s wings
Reuben Morgan CD: By Your Side, Hillsong Music Australia.
(Isaiah 40:31) “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus to register all the empire for taxes. 2 This was the first registration, taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone went to his own town to be registered. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.“ Luke 2:1-7
God of unfathomable goodness,
We cannot comprehend the height, width and depth of Your love. We do not always see You at work in the world, and our lives, but You are. We cannot always see all the intertwined goodness that You are working into our lives – but You are. Give us faith.
An unexplainable pregnancy. Would Mary and Joseph have been believed by their families if they told of angel visitations and dreams?! A Roman decree send them to register for tax. It got them away from gossip but with an 80 to 90 mile (several days) journey to Bethlehem. Heavily pregnant and no mid wife booked – or accommodation. You provided. A manger suggests downstairs, where animals were brought in for the night.
After committing themselves to God’s will, marrying and accepting the child- they seemed to have nothing but trouble. We wonder sometimes why trouble seems to arrive when we seek to do Your will? Maybe You are testing us, maybe its the work of the enemy or maybe its just life?! Or a bit of all three! But Jesus was born safely – fulfilling Micah’s prophesy in 5:2, that the ruler would be born in Bethlehem.
Father God, help us to understand that You do work in what seems mysterious ways Your wonders to perform sometimes. We cannot always see. You use all sorts of means and ways and people to bring Your promises to pass. Provision may come as basic (animal accommodation) or abundant (gold, frankincense and Myrrh). Help us to keep our shield of faith up when things seems tough. You are not asleep, or distracted – You are still at work . . .
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . . God of unfathomable goodness,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their best, answers to their prayers and needs. For our and the many churches preparing carol services for those who will come at this season. For all the ordinary people doing kind, generous and extra ordinary things for You. For our Government, Lords and commoners to be willing to stand for what is right and righteous. For King Charles, the Queen and their families. For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace. Regardless of men. For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war. Change Putin’s determination from oppression to peace. For those around the world in floods and unusually heavy rainfall. For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today. For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling. For the NHS and those affected by the strikes. For those travelling to be with family before and during this season. Safe journeys. For ourselves, that we would know You are there in the midst of all that is happening in our lives.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Friday 22nd December 2023 The story of the song is below the lyrics.
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform He plants his footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill He treasures up his bright designs And works his sovereign will
Take courage now you fearful saints The clouds you so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head
And I will trust The hands that made the starry heavens And I will trust The wounds of Calvary And I will trust And I will not be afraid For all his ways are love
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense But trust him for his grace Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face
His purposes will ripen fast Unfolding every hour The bud may have a bitter taste But sweet will be the flower
Chorus
Lyrics: William Cowper Chorus addition: Graham Kendrick
CD: Graham Kendrick, Keep the Banner Flying High, Make Way Music.
The story behind the Hymn Late one stormy London night in 1763, a broken man was determined to end his life. He hired a coach to take him to the river. Only when he cast himself into the roiling Thames and drowned, he thought, would his agonising trials finally end. He was unwavering in his resolve. He stepped down from the coach and walked through the fog toward the river’s edge. When he reached the quays, he noticed a strange man sitting there, staring at him, as if on guard. Moreover, despite the rainfall, the tides were low—too low to drown a man.
Returning home, the desperate man decided to poison himself with an overdose of laudanum, a potent drug derived from opium. But he couldn’t raise the bottle to his lips. He tried again and again. Each time, it was as if an invisible hand were pushing it away. Finally, he tried to hang himself. The rope snapped, and his housekeeper rushed in, responding to the noise. The man gave up. For reasons he could not conceive, the life that brought such despair and misery could not be ended…
That man was William Cowper, the famous English poet. It had not been the first time he had contemplated suicide, only to be held back by forces greater than himself. Four years after his dark evening in London, he sought a fresh start and moved to the village of Olney in Buckinghamshire. There, he met another man who had witnessed God’s grace at a moment of great desperation.
That man was John Newton, the celebrated Anglican preacher. Appointed to serve in Olney, Newton earned such a reputation for the power of his preaching and the depth of his convictions that people who desperately needed guidance and hope—like William Cowper—moved to town to benefit from his ministry.
Cowper took residence in a house adjoining Newton’s, and took a measure of peace in Newton’s friendship and care. Newton understood that for the fragile poet’s mind to find peace, writing would have to be part of the recovery. He encouraged Cowper to turn his creative talents to the composition of hymns, and the two collaborated on a collection of nearly 350 works known as the Olney Hymns.
In the centuries since, countless people have similarly found comfort and spiritual sustenance in the hymns written by these two men.
