Welcome

Sunday 21st December 2025

“Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.” 1 Timothy 3:14-16

God of our salvation.

Paul has already launched into a warning about false teaching and then about prayer and orderly worship. Then he explains why because he may be delayed and these are the things that he feels are the foundation. The gospel, prayer and orderly worship.

Paul is speaking to a young man and so he exhorts him to grow himself to be a good example (1 Timothy 4:15,16) and yet he is also encouraging him about his gift being from You God (1 Timothy 6:11). Paul calls him -‘man of God’. We need to see ourselves as a man or woman of You God, not out of arrogance but because we are Yours. The reassurance that we are mere humans but with Your Spirit living within us. That is an awesome blessing.

We are not struggling to be holy in our own strength. We are not trying to achieve the impossible. We are sinners. And true godliness springs from the Spirit of Your Son in our lives. Because of that we want to please You by being the best we can. And letting You renew our holiness as we go. Sometimes I feel like I am on my knees and yet at the same time leaping for joy in Your grace. Thank you Lord for the gift of Your love, keep us mindful of what it cost and like Timothy help us to conduct ourselves worth of Your walk with us.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Sunday 21st December 2025

 Come, Thou Almighty King,
help us Thy name to sing;
help us to praise:
Father, all glorious,
o’er all victorious,
come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.

Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
gird on Thy mighty sword,
our pray’r attend:
come, and Thy people bless,
and give Thy Word success:
Spirit of holiness,
on us descend.

All glory be to the Father
All glory be to the Son
All glory be to the Spirit
The blessèd Three in One

Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
in this glad hour:
Thou who almighty art,
now rule in every heart,
and ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of pow’r.

Chorus
Musical Interlude

To Thee, great One in Three,
eternal praises be
hence, evermore.
His sov’reign majesty
may we in glory see,
and to eternity
love and adore!

Chorus

Lyrics: Anonymous
Chorus and new arrangement: Keith & Kristyn Getty and Tommy Bailey 




Saturday 20th December 2025

 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:1-4 NIV

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:19-21 NIV

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17 NIV

Father God,

James wrote to the scattered church so he wrote big picture theology and how to work it out rather than trying to address local difficulties. He gets to the bones of working out their salvation. So we too, wherever we are, can learn from his teaching. It is a meaty letter and straight talking. I appreciate that. There is no arguing with it.

I may not yet consider it pure joy at facing trials and suffering but am learning to worship You and find You amidst them, which lifts me to a better place. I hope I am learning to listen more and not take umbrage as quickly, or, not speak unkindly till it has passed! I try to balance faith and deeds but it does not always work. Sometimes I have to assess what I should be doing what I need to do and what You would have me do. Not always easy. And trying not to feel guilty when I take a break to build myself up.

We are a work in progress Father. I take heart that You see me in Jesus and dwell with me by Your Spirit. I can source wisdom from You and, if I take notice – it is peaceable, considerate and will bring forth a harvest of goodness. (James 3:17-18). Thank you that we are in this together with You and pray we not be the one who wanders . . . and may we love those who have, back into Your fold.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 2oth December 2025
I’m trying . . .

Though trials will come
Don’t fear, don’t run
Lift up your eyes
Hold fast, be strong
Have faith, keep on believing
Lift up your eyes
For God is at work in us
Moulding and shaping us
Out of his love for us
Making us more like Jesus

Consider it joy, pure joy
When troubles come
Many trials will make you strong
Consider it joy, pure joy
And stand your ground
Then at last you’ll wear a crown

Though trials will come
Won’t fear, won’t run
We’ll lift up our eyes
Hold fast, be strong
Have faith, keep on believing
We’ll lift up our eyes
For God is at work in us
Moulding and shaping us
Out of his love for us
Making us more like Jesus

Joy, pure joy
Consider it joy, pure joy
Joy, pure joy
Consider it joy, pure joy

Chorus

Patiently trusting him
Ready for anything
‘Til we’re complete in him
In everything more like Jesus

Chorus

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick






Friday 19th December 2025

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death –even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.” Philippians 4:14-16 NIV

God of the humble,

You taught us how to live through Your Son. Paul tells us if we want to learn about relationships there is no better way than learning from Jesus. How he treated people and how he considered them and how he loved them. He also knew who not to trust. He may have been disappointed by some who would never like him but never sought revenge on the Pharisees. He may have been let down badly but he forgave and trusted his disciples. How we need Your Holy Spirit to help us discern and understand the mind of Your Son and therefore You!

Paul also reminds us to do what Jesus did. To bring everything to You in prayer. Even our enemies (Luke 6:28). It gives You opportunity to give us Your true view on situations. If we make prayer a two way conversation.

And Philippians is also about being generous in relationships. It is a letter thanking them for the prayers for Paul and the actual monetary provision they gave him. They have been like Jesus, generous when they saw a need. What an encouraging letter for us if we too give, where we can, what we can and for Your glory. Philippians 4:19 says God will respond to their generosity because it is not a tithe it was a compassionate response..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 19th January 2025
Little is known about Kate Barclay Wilkinson’s life. (b. England, 1859; d. Kensington, England, 1928) She was a member of the Church of England, involved in a ministry to girls in London and a participant in the Keswick Convention Movement. And knew scripture . . . what beautiful worship and prayer.

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
live in me from day to day,
by His love and pow’r controlling
all I do and say.

May the word of God dwell richly
in my heart from hour to hour,
so that all may see I triumph
only through His pow’r.

May the peace of God my Father
rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort
sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing:
this is victory.

May I run the race before me,
strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus
as I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me
as I seek the lost to win,
and may they forget the channel,
seeing only Him.

Lyrics: Kate Barclay Wilkinson