“In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. 3 One afternoon about three o’clock, he had a vision in which he saw an angel of God coming toward him. “Cornelius!” the angel said. Cornelius stared at him in terror. “What is it, sir?” he asked the angel. And the angel replied, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering! 5 Now send some men to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.” 7 As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants. 8 He told them what had happened and sent them off to Joppa.” Acts 10:1-8 NLT
“Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.” Acts 10:44-48 NLT
Father of all Mankind,
For me this is Pentecost part two. First You came to Your own as You promised and wrote Your law in their hearts by Your Spirit as promised (Ezekiel 36:26, Jeremiah 31:33). Then You came to the gentiles, the rest of the peoples of the world and showed that now everyone could be part of Your family on equal standing in Christ. As You also promised all nations would be blessed through Abraham offspring (Genesis 12:3).
I love that You used dreams and visions. Whether they were in vivid colour or in their imagination, they left no doubt. And all were reassured that it was right, it was good and God intended what was to happen next. Now we gentiles can start to discover what it means to know You, God of the Jews and be part of the body of Christ. We do not know it all, even after 2,000 years, except that it is Christ first and Christ middle and Christ last and the Bible tells us all about it.
You Father God, through Christ and by Your Holy Spirit made it all possible and we are still totally dependant on You. Send us dreams and visions to inspire us into the future..
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Saturday 22nd November 2025
Who paints the skies into glorious day?
Only the splendour of Jesus.
Who breathes His life into fists of clay?
Only the splendour of Jesus.
Who shapes the valleys and brings the rain?
Only the splendour of Jesus.
Who makes the desert to live again?
Only the splendour of Jesus.
Teach every nation His marvellous ways;
Each generation shall sing His praise.
He is wonderful, He is glorious,
Clothed in righteousness,
Full of tenderness.
Come and worship Him,
He’s the Prince of life,
He will cleanse our hearts
In His river of fire.
Chorus
Who hears the cry of the barren one?
Only the mercy of Jesus.
Who breaks the curse of the heart of stone?
Only the mercy of Jesus.
Who storms the prison and sets men free?
Only the mercy of Jesus.
Purchasing souls for eternity?
Only the mercy of Jesus.
Chorus
Lyrics: Stuart Townend
“This song began to take shape when I was driving through the beautiful countryside of the south west of England, and I was struck how the hills seemed so radiant and beautifully shaped – it was as if God had lovingly handcrafted every contour of the hills and valleys. But He doesn’t just care for the beautiful world around us. His tenderness extends to us in every area of our lives, restoring, purifying and liberating us, so that we in turn can tell the world of His love. It’s a joyful song of celebration, particularly appropriate for the start of a time of sung worship. It also sometimes includes an optional introductory chorus sung in the South African language of Xhosa. I think there is something wonderful about singing together in a language other than our native tongue; it reminds me that we are part of a worldwide church, that we are all connected in Christ, and that one day people from ‘every tribe and tongue’ will be singing before the Lamb – what a glorious cacophony of languages that will be!”