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Saturday 8th November 2025

 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”13 And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. 14 Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 15 Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” 16 So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. 17 In the evening He came with the twelve. 18 Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” 20 He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. 21 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” Mark 14:12-21 NKJV

Father of Moses and of me,

So much in this passage. A reminder of Moses, Egypt, the plagues, death of the first born and life and freedom for Gods people. Rituals that had been continued year in and year out. Jesus fulfilling the need for a lamb to take away the sins of the world not just endless scarifies to cleanse Abraham’s descendants.

The disciples preparing for Passover with Jesus as they would have done other years. Trying to do exactly what Jesus asked but no address given! Ah but a man carrying a pitcher of water was unusual – that was women’s work. And this year was different. Jesus spoke of betrayal and Jesus repeatedly telling them he was going to die, be put to death and rise again (Matthew 16:21, 20:18,19 Mark 8:31, 9:32 10:32,33 Luke 9:21,22 . . . )

Jesus spoke about a betrayal so that Judas, who had already decided to do it, would know He knew! But of course the disciples all started making it about themselves. Is it I? Wanting to be seen as the good ones perhaps? Sometimes, I am afraid I will let Him down or He will know like the teachers of my youth – that I could do better?! But it is not about always trying harder or being perfect. It is about a relationship with You, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, who died and rose again and sent His Spirit to live in us. Keeping us forgiven and loved while we learn to be faithful. Simply doing our best and letting You, Lord do the rest.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 9th November 2025
Story of hymn below lyrics.

Holy Spirit, ever dwelling
in the holiest realms of light,
Holy Spirit, ever brooding
o’er a world of gloom and night,
Holy Spirit, ever raising
those of earth to thrones on high,
living, life-imparting Spirit,
you we praise and magnify.

Holy Spirit, ever living
as the Church’s very life,
Holy Spirit, ever striving
through us in a ceaseless strife,
Holy Spirit, ever forming
in the Church the mind of Christ,
you we praise with endless worship
for your gracious gifts unpriced.

Holy Spirit, ever working
through the Church’s ministry,
teaching, strength’ning, and absolving,
setting captive sinners free,
Holy Spirit, ever binding
age to age and soul to soul
in communion never ending,
you we worship and extol.

Lyrics: Timothy Rees

Timothy Rees was ordained a deacon in December 1897, and priest a year later. After serving two years as curate at Mountain Ash, he returned to S. Michael’s College as lecturer, and in 1906 he joined the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield, Yorks. He remained there (save for five years as chaplain to the Forces, 1914-19, when he was awarded the Military Cross) till his appointment as bishop of Llandaff in 1931. 

It is written that as bishop he gave himself unsparingly to the work of the Church and nation. He was a magnificent orator in Welsh and English, and his earnestness and fervour, combined with a rigid self-discipline, had a profound effect on all those who met him.

The hymn was shorted to 3 verses in 1946

Verse 4 in original.
Holy Spirit, fount and channel
Of the sevenfold gifts of grace,
May we in our hearts for ever
Give to holy fear a place.
Fill our lives, O Lord, with worship,
As with service gladly done;
Bend our souls in adoration
Of the eternal Three in One

Friday 7th November 2025

So when Jesus came, He found that he (Lazarus) had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11:17-27 NKJV

Father of Compassion,

The gospels are filled with real people and it is wonderful to catch up with some of them on several occasions. We met Mary and Martha when there was a family disagreement about catering and Jesus said, I am here with you now, time for that later!

Martha took the lesson to heart. This time as soon as she heard Jesus was there she went to Him even though she was in mourning. Nothing distracted her not even her grief. And she had an honest conversation with Him. Jesus gave her living proof that He had dominion over life and death in word and in deed. He raised Lazarus from the dead. Four days dead. And she is asked a question we who know Jesus also ask and have answered. Though we die, as we all must, will the Messiah Jesus raise us up so we will live again in heaven? Thank you that we now have written proof Jesus can raise from the dead in Lazarus, but it also takes a step of faith.

And stating what we believe and understanding why can, gives us that assurance we need to live without fear and in hope. It is not easy and sometimes we are distracted Lord by the evil of this world and the negativity of those outside Your Kingdom. So keep us among those who are like minded and love You and Your Word. Keep us, Holy Spirit, like Martha learning to put You first. You are the resurrection and our life. And we desire to live in Your life in all its fulness now and forever (John 10:10).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 7th November 2025

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me
and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath,
and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Lyrics: Anon

Thursday 6th November 2025

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31 NLT

God of Heaven,

I love this story that Jesus relates and Luke faithfully recalls. (Not about the Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead). An aptly named Lazarus, which means I believe, God has helped. I used to think this passage was all about heaven and hell, and in some ways it is, but so much more. Jesus knew He would rise from the dead and many would still not believe. The irony of verse 31! But recently I have seen it in the light of other passages in Luke’s gospel. The man who built bigger barns to get richer and then died. (Luke 12:16-21) Mary sings about the hungry receiving and the rich being sent away empty handed (Luke 1:53). So many teachings about the warnings of the danger of riches and wealth!

Not about people becoming rich but how they live with it! Here the rich man is in the place of the dead suffering eternally separated from Lazarus who is seated at the heavenly banquet with all his needs supplied. It is not the riches that condemned the rich man or the poverty that raises Lazarus to heaven. Jesus is again showing his listeners that it is how men handle riches that matter. The rich man had had the opportunity to use his wealth while he was alive and did – but for himself. Lazarus had nothing but God to put his trust in.

I was reminded the other day that I am considered very wealthy compared to much of the third world. I have a warm dry home, clean running water, three meals a day at least and enough to buy a friend a coffee or take the train to visit my daughter. No matter how much we have Father, this passage reminds me that I am only a steward and should use what You give me wisely. Not bankrupt myself but not become a hoarder. I cannot save myself or buy Your love – but I can please You by using what I have for You. You particularly noticed the widows mite and drew attention to it (Luke 21:1-4). Show us how rich we are and when and how we can use what we have for you.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 6th November 2025
Many YouTube versions of this hymn do not include the verse, Take my silver and my gold. I had not noticed before … but I found this one which does. Sung in a church in Newcastle upon Tyne.

 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee

Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.

Lyrics: Francis Ridley Havergal