Tuesday 9th January 2024

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 KJV

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT


God of peace,

A leap into the New Testament to a little verse which is my thinking censor! And whose mind does not wander sometimes . . . You know me full well my Lord. And worth reading twice – in the authorised and a modern translation. Double reminder to start with thinking truth and end with giving praise!

After a whole letter about unity, humility, suffering for Christ, and pressing on, Paul adds this verse as a ‘finally’, ‘one final thing’. He felt it drew everything together and was important. Before sending greetings and news. Still so relevant today in a world that sends our thoughts all over the place.

True, honest (honourable), just (right), pure, lovely, good report (admirable), virtue (excellence) worthy of praise, rule! Now there is something to think about. Do I filter out the rest? Things true but not lovely or worthy of praise. Unkind thoughts. Just, we may be right but do we need to keep letting everyone know? Is it admirable?

Paul when He met Your Son, Christ on the Damascus Road had his whole way of thinking changed. You touched and altered his outlook on life and his joy. He writes of his personal experience of the change in his way of thinking You made. Help us to fill our minds with all that is good for us. Help us to recognise when I minds go off track and cast out any negative, small minded, selfish or unkind thinking.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God of peace,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Thank You and hear our prayers for each one of them.
For our church fellowships, ministers, church officials, congregations. May Your Spirit lead them.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family as they seek to serve the nation. Make a good way forward amidst his family troubles.
For our government and their families. Help our country get the best Government for the future.
For those who censor films, TV, radio, the press. Those who watch the internet to try to shut down and catch those who promote pornography, suicide and evil of all kinds.
For Ukraine a withdrawal of Russian troops. Lead them to peace and end to oppression.
For all areas where there is war, military oppression and civil war. For peace and a new way forward. Gaza, Sudan, the Middle East, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria . . .
For our local community to prosper: our neighbours, doctors, dentists, schools, shops.
For winter rest for the land even though we do not always enjoy the cold and wet.
For all those in terrible flooding and made homeless. And for those living in worry of flooding.
Thank You for answered prayer.
For ourselves and our needs for this day, may it be full of warmth and comfort and encouragement..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 14th January 2024

Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me
Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit within me

Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me
Restore unto me, the joy of Thy salvation
And renew a right spirit within me

Lyrics: Keith Green

Monday 8th January 2024

“You are my hiding-place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7 NIV

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:2 NKJV

Worship

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You


I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You


You are my hiding place (I will trust in You)
You always fill my heart (Let the weak say)
With songs of deliverance (I am strong)
Whenever I am afraid (In the strength of the Lord)
I will trust in You.
Repeat

Michael James Ledner
There is power in knowing and speaking out scripture and what better way to learn than sing it!

God who is trustworthy,

Sundays we worship and put our trust in You. But of course Monday always follows. The news is depressing, the smart meter is whizzing round showing the growing heating bill. Unexpecting things complicated our day and week!

Thank you, that trust does not mean we are super spiritual, super human or in control of the normal demands and stress of life. I love it that as the Psalmist says, whenever I am afraid I will trust in You. He knows we all have our moments of worry and fear.

So we ask You to help us hold our trust before us so to speak. So we constantly see everything that happens as an opportunity to trust You and see You at work in our lives. When we cannot see we will trust. Then trust can reassure us that You will see us through.

Help us to be honest with You, so when we are hurt, upset, or need deliverance from fear, we can hear Your song of love in our hearts and feel You holding us. When it is tough, we can retreat into You and trust You to hold us, reassure us and lead us forward. Thank You that we can trust You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

God and Father, In whom we trust,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. Thank You for every one of them. Bless them.
For our church fellowships, ministers, church officials, congregations. Lead us forward.
For those in fearful situations provide a way out to safety and help.
For King Charles, the Queen and the royal family as they seek to serve the nation.
For our government and their families. Lead our country to the best Government and best future.
For Ukraine a withdrawal of Russian troops. Lead them to peace and end to oppression.
For all areas where there is war, military oppression and civil war. For peace and a new way forward. Gaza, Sudan, the Middle East, Afghanistan, North Korea, Nigeria . . .
For our local community, our neighbours, doctors, dentists and schools.
For winter rest for the land even though we do not always enjoy the cold and wet.
Thank You for daylight, electric lights and the light of Your Word.
For ourselves and our needs for this day, may it be full of warmth and comfort and encouragement..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father, I place into your hands
The things I cannot do,
Father, I place into your hands
The things that I’ve been through.
Father, I place into your hands
The way that I should go,
For I know I always can trust you. 

Father, I place into your hands
My friends and family.
Father, I place into your hands
The things that trouble me.
Father, I place into your hands
The person I would be,
For I know I always can trust you. 

Father, we love to see your face,
We love to hear your voice.
Father, we love to sing your praise
And in your name rejoice.
Father, we love to walk with you
And in your presence rest,
For we know we always can trust you. 

Father, I want to be with you
And do the things you do.
Father, I want to speak the words
That you are speaking too.
Father, I want to love the ones
That you will draw to you,
For I know that I am one with you.








Saturday 6th January 2024

“Yes, you who trust him (Jesus) recognise the honour God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:7-9 New Living Translation

Honourable God,

Thank You that we did not trip and fall into this year. We did not come stumbling into it relying on ourselves. Frantically hoping to try harder. Like Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:2 we know, “There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” And we are Yours.

In the winter winds and storms we are glad and grateful our houses are built well. (And we pray for those flooded out). But we are so much more grateful that You are our certain foundation and the cornerstone who keeps us in life’s rough weather.. The Kingdom of Heaven is secure eternally. You have kept Your church, which has Jesus as its foundation, from collapse and grown it for over 2000 years.. Whatever nation we live in we are part of Your Holy nation. Belonging to You, together, Your beloved possession.

We may not always feel it but it is true. We step daily into You. Not alone in darkness, pessimism or dread but in Your presence and light. Help us to step bravely and securely hand in hand with You. Keep us walking in the light so we can show others Your goodness and discover all the good that this year holds for us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggested for prayer
Honourable God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. So many faces come to mind and so many hopes and desires. Hear and answer their individual needs.
For our church fellowships, ministers, church officials, congregations. Grow and enrich them.
For King Charles, the Queen and their families.
Our government for You to be in all that happens this year for good..
For Ukraine and a withdrawal of Russian troops. Peace and an end to oppression.
For all areas where there is war, military oppression and civil war. For peace and a new way forward. 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 our NHS. Every part of it, every employee and the ambulance services. For its future.
For winter rest for the land even though we do not always enjoy the cold and wet.
For those flooded out at home or business and those struggling to clear roads, railway lines.
For ourselves a day of good conversations that cheer us and the sound of Your encouragement in our hearts.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 6th January 2024

We are marching in the light of God,
We are marching in the light of God.
(Repeat)
We are marching, marching,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching in the light of God.
(Repeat)

We are living in the love of God,
We are living in the love of God,
(Repeat)
We are living, living,
We are living, living,
We are living in the love of God,
(Repeat)

We are moving in the power of God,
We are moving in the power of God,
(Repeat)
We are moving, moving,
We are moving, moving,
We are moving in the power of God.
(Repeat)

And we are marching, marching,
We are marching, marching,
We are marching in the light of God.
(Repeat)

Lyrics: Siyahamba (written down by Andries Van Tonder, and possibly composed by him, or possibly a Zulu folk song) is a South African hymn that became popular in North American churches in the 1990s. Translated as “We Are Marching” or “We are Walking” from the Zulu language.