You laid aside Your majesty

“This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and Abraham” . . .
“Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). ⁷Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa. ⁸Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.” Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.” Matthew 1:1 and 1:6-8 NLT

God of advent,

Uzziah. When I remember Uzziah I think of him in the year he died! Because that was when Isaiah had his amazing, life changing vision! Isaiah had a vision of You (and did not die), sitting on Your throne, Your train of glory filled the Temple. Six winged angels calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” (Isaiah 6:1-3). How could we ever think You small enough to fill a church building when only the end of your glory fit in! It was vision the size of the skies . . .

Seven hundred years later shepherds would see angels praising You in the skies above the fields where they were watching their flocks. Not in the Temple but out in the fields. Not far off but near enough to see and hear them clearly. Not in Jerusalem but in Bethlehem, Your birthplace. (Luke 2:13-14).

Today we still look up sometimes when we pray. To remind ourselves You are bigger than the universe? Seeing angels might be both frightening and amazing! But more awesome and more amazing is knowing that by Your Holy Spirit You are everywhere and even right here in our hearts. We may not hear angels but we can join them in worshipping You. And we glimpse Your glory, the glory Isaiah speaks about, in the faces of Your faithful people. Keep us shining with Your glorious love.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of advent,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our Christian family and the plans for Christmas in our churches to draw in new people.
For our king and His family and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government and those who have faith in You working there as MP’s, and as staff..
For Ukraine and Russia. A miraculous end to war.
For all the conflict in the Middle East for the ongoing complications and vengeance. to end.
For the church to have a vision for serving in the future and for revival to come.
For those who live in darkness with mental health to know Your healing glory.
For our neighbourhood and neighbours to know the King this Christmas.
For us to be thankful for today, help us to look to You and see all the good in our lives.

In Jesus name we pray.

Worship Saturday 7th December 2024

You laid aside Your majesty
Gave up everything for me,
Suffered at the hands of those You had created.
You took all my guilt and shame,
When You died and rose again;
Now today You reign,
In heaven and earth exalted.

I really want to worship You, my Lord,
You have won my heart
And I am Yours for ever and ever;
I will love You.
You are the only one who died for me,
Gave Your life to set me free,
So I lift my voice to You in adoration.

Lyrics: Noel Richards

“When they (the wise men) saw the star they shouted joyfully.¹¹As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshipped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10,11 NET

Lord God, Saviour, Spirit of life,

The third Sunday in advent. A preview. Today we shout joyfully to You. Not because we need to get Your attention. But because we have it. Not just Your attention but You gave Your love. We are wanted, we are chosen we belong.

Before they set off the wise men decided what offerings to bring. Did they decide on three gifts together? We don’t know there were three of them! Or did three turn up with something exquisite, expensive and exactly what was needed? All we do know is what they brought was what You needed, then and in Your future. But first, first, they brought their worship. Then gifts. Help us keep our priorities right. Gifts are merely giving You back some of what You have provided us.

Gold. A gift for a King. The wise men must have wondered at the humble baby with this young couple, not even in a guest room. But the star led them there, the scriptures confirmed Bethlehem so they bowed down and worshipped.

Spiritual and practical. Gold was a gift worthy of a King and also the funds to ensure this young family was provided for. Little did the wise men they know the family would soon be refugees in Egypt! 1 Peter 1:7-9 says our faith is more precious than gold. “Gold that is tested by fire, that will bring praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. We do not see him now but we believe and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, because we are attaining the goal of our faith the salvation of our souls.“

Yes, we can bring our worship, ourselves, our faith (more precious than gold), and shout joyfully because the King accepts us just as we are, and He treasures us more than His own life.

In Jesus name, we give thanks, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord God,

For all our family, friends and neighbours. They are as precious as gold to us, bless them and keep them safe and open to Your love.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services for those who will come at this season. Hearts be open to receive You.
For all those trying to follow You amid disbelief and negativity from family.
For our Government, that it might open and honest and focus on serving the people of this nation,
For King Charles, the Queen and their families at this busy time.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a miraculous way forward to peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to war. Send Putin dreams of peace and sings to show the way.
For refugees from these areas and other places where it is dangerous to live.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who deliver help and provide aid, whether large or small. Tents, medical help, food.
For all those planning Christmas meals and food for those struggling.
For those making journeys to be with family at this season. And those who will be apart.
For those with mental health problems and grief and who find this season difficult.
For ourselves, as we enjoy traditional and new carols. Keep us singing in our hearts today.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 17th December 2023
Further details of when, why and how he wrote the song follow the words below. Noel relates how he came to write the song below.

You laid aside your majesty
Gave up everything for me
Suffered at the hands of those you had created
You took all my guilt and shame
When you died and rose again
Now today you reign in heaven and earth exalted

I really want to worship you my lord
You have won my heart and I am yours
Forever and ever I will love you
You are the only one who died for me
Gave your life to set me free
So I lift my voice to You in adoration

Lyrics and music: Noel Richards

“This was the second congregational worship song that I ever wrote, back in early 1985. I was at home one evening, taking care of our son, while Tricia was out. I was sitting playing my guitar when the melody popped into my head. As always, the tune inspired the lyrics and the song was finished by the time Tricia got home. I was not convinced that the song would work so a few weeks later, played it to my good friend Ishmael (Ian Smale). He told me that the lyrics were a bit twee, cliched and needed some tweaking. After looking at how the song could be improved, we both concluded that it worked just the way it was, so I did not make any changes. I never imagined that the song would become so popular in the UK and further afield. More than 30 years later, this song remains a favourite for so many people and we are still performing it at all our concerts.”