Saturday 12th October 2024

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
” Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NET
“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the ruling authority of his Christ, have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, the one who accuses them day and night before our God, has been thrown down.” Revelation 12:1o.
New English Translation.

God of deliverance,

We are eternally grateful, not just today, but everyday, because You delivered us from the wages of sin, death. And gave us the gift of forgiveness and life, life without sin and evil and without end (Romans 6:23). No grey areas: we repent, are sorry, turn away from sin and live for You. Death ends and our journey with You starts. Many religions show how to try to earn goodness and heaven, pay for it, work for it or just live in hope to make it. Thank you that in Christ it is a done deed, a sure thing. Finished, complete.

But life is not always super spiritual. We do have a bad mouthed adversary. Though we do not need to dwell on Him. You warn us to “be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). Our adversary hates us being one with You. But he is not You, he is limited, he cannot be everywhere, he does not know everything and he is not all powerful. You are our shield and defender and one day he will be finally dealt with.

Remind us that he lives in the dark. Uses half truths and lies. We turn to You and he flees (James 4:7). There is no condemnation for those (us) who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 1:8). There is nothing we have done that You have not forgiven. You defeated shame, at the cross. (Hebrews 12:2) “The name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous run into it and are saved.” (Proverbs 18:10) Keep us from the dark.

In the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of deliverance,

For our close family. .
For our extended family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for..
For our fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants.
For Ukraine and Russia. You are our hope..
For Israel, Lebanon, all around the Middle East. We look to You for answers.
For Sudan and Myanmar. People living in oppression and amidst conflict from power struggles.
For America and their political future.
For our mental health system and those working in it. Those needing it.
For our young generation growing through Covid and seeing all the countries at war.
For all those day centres and drop ins that give help, comfort and the warmth of friendship.
For churches who work to help their local communities during the week.
For us to be carried through all that today holds with hope and happiness and allow you to carry the worlds troubles for us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 12th October 2024

There is power in the name of Jesus
We believe in His Name
We have called on the name of Jesus
We are saved

At His name, the demons flee
At His name, captives are freed
For there is no other name that is higher than Jesus

There is power in the name of Jesus
Like a sword in our hands
We declare in the name of Jesus
We shall stand

At His name, God’s enemies
Shall be crushed beneath our feet
For there is no other name that is higher than Jesus

Lyrics: Noel Richards


Sunday 19th May 2024

“On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Don’t be afraid, Zion! Your hands must not be paralysed from panic! 17 The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver.
He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.”

Zephaniah 3:16-17 NET

Lord our God,

Looking up this verse in another translation has given me fresh inspiration Lord God. And at a time when there are still hands turning to war in the Middle East rather than warriors fighting with the love of God to make peace. You are not just God in our midst but because of Jesus, and the pouring out of Your Spirit at Pentecost, You live in us. You speak intimately to us when we need to hear truth. You battled sin to deliver reconciliation and repentance.  You will come one day upon a white horse, the rider called Faithful and True. With justice You will judge and wage the final war. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. ( Revelation 19:11-16).

But for now, You battle unseen to help us live free from hate and sin. You can, will and do deliver us. When the enemy sneaks up and lies in our ear. You speak the truth. Reminding us we are forgiven. When he tries to make us feel useless, not good enough. Not trying hard enough, not worrying enough or its hopeless . . . Or he keeps getting us to imagine the worst taking away hope.

Keep reminding us. Keep whispering to our heart and mind, help us to recognise Your still small voice (1 Kings 19:12). That You are a mighty God, You are with us and for us. You can deliver us and there is none greater than You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord our God,

For our family and friends and neighbours. Deliver them from evil into Your glorious light.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Raise up worship leaders, bless them.
For the royal family. Deliver them to full health and strength.
For our Government. Be in the midst of them, help them hear You and lead them.
For Ukraine, to stay free and lead Russia to desire peace and withdraw from war.
For Gaza, empower talks towards next step and give unity to all those in talks for peace.
For those who are facing bereavement and difficulties at home.
For those with murderous intentions, change their hearts.
For to remember You know everything . We can let go to You all that bothers us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 19th May 2024
Remember this?

There is power in the Name of Jesus
We believe in His name.
We have called on the name of Jesus;
We are saved! We are saved!
At His name the demons flee.
At His name captives are freed.
For there is no other name that is higher
Than Jesus!


There is power in the name of Jesus,
Like a sword in our hands.
We declare in the name of Jesus,
We shall stand! We shall stand!
At His name God’s enemies
Shall be crushed beneath our feet.
For there is no other name that is higher
Than Jesus!


Lyrics: Noel Richards

“As I began to write the song I became more aware of how powerful the name of Jesus really is. My aim has been to reflect this in the lyrics. In Jesus’ name we find salvation. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2 v 21. Rom 10 v 13).
Jesus brought freedom to people bound in every form of captivity and we can see the same thing happen today. Jesus’ name is above every other name (Philippians 2 v 9, 10) and I wanted that fact to be the last line for each verse. The melody needed to reinforce this and that is why it reaches top E at the end of the word “higher”.”

Except from interview with Noel from CrossRhythms. https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Noel_Richards_Talking_through_his_song_There_Is_Power_In_The_Name_Of_Jesus/36501/p1/

Saturday 14th October 2023

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Father of light,

Here the lion is shown for his true colours and Peter uses his natural behaviour to explain how dangerous our enemy can be. I remember someone saying if the devil wasn’t bothering me I must not be doing anything for God! Now, I understand it is not as black and white as that. And we should not give the enemy more attention that he deserves. In balance it is just as often me and not the devil tempting or distracting me. I let myself down.

You say in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. The enemy does not always show his teeth sometimes he slides up with the temptation to stretch the truth or let something slip or just not be kind. He knows our weak spots help us silence him, Holy Spirit and give us your strength to be good.

Be alert and sober, we are told. Well, I am not a drinker but I don’t think You are talking about not being tipsy! We can’t drive without really keeping our eyes and mind and on the road, we need to be alert indeed. But we also need to remember that the enemy can’t be everywhere, all the time and know everything. He is limited. And if he does draw near, submitted to Your care, we know that You will send him packing (James 4:7). Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory. You are God. Keep us living in Your light.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father of light,

We pray:
For family, friends, neighbours, our church family. Those living in our neighbourhood.
For our town, our local council and the prosperity of the surrounding area.
For Putin and the end of war in Ukraine.
For Gaza. For an end to the hatred. For all those caught in the middle of the bombardment.
For help, relief and comfort for those hit by the earthquake in Afghanistan, and for the devastated areas in Libya and Morocco. For all the aid and medical agencies.
For our Government and our King. Sincerity, honesty and openness. Uncover all that is not right.
For those who are tricked by the enemy to take alcohol and drugs as a way to cope or be happy.
For our ourselves today. Shine the light of Your love on us and bless us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 14th October 2023

https://youtu.be/qYa2PYZoo5g?si=clodQ6R1iK1D7QfN

There is power in the name of Jesus
We believe in His name
We have called on the name of Jesus
We are saved, we are saved!
At His name, the demons flee
At His name, captives are freed
For there is no other name
That is higher than Jesus

There is power in the name of Jesus
Like a sword in our hands
We declare in the name of Jesus
We shall stand, we shall stand!
At His name, God’s enemies
Shall be crushed beneath our feet
For there is no other name
That is higher than Jesus

Lyrics: Noel Richards