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Thursday 18th December 2025

“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay, not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.” Philemon 1:10-20 NKJV

Father of all,

I remember reading a book by Patricia St John called twice freed. At the time I didn’t realise didn’t realise it was written for children and that is was about Onesimus the young slave mentioned in Pauls letter to Philemon. I only remember weeping when he was freed from slavery to sin and then slavery to man. Truly free.

It doesn’t often get noticed this little personal letter of Paul’s. It tells the story of a runaway slave finding faith. Becoming a servant to Paul by choice and then agreeing to go back to face up to his past. I like to believe that Philemon honoured Pauls request not to punish him or enslave him. I like to imagine Onesimus found his place in the fellowship, found employment and purpose. We have to put our trust in Philemon and his fellowship.

Can people put there trust in us and our church not to judge and condemn? Can they put their trust in us to welcome them in and help? Whatever their past. I can’t remember who said to me once, that You Lord, may trust us with someone who stretches our faith first before You grow our church . . .

We do not need to change people when they come, just love them. You do the work of grace in their lives in their own time. Thank You for the patience You had and have had with me Lord. Setting me free. Give me patience and kindness.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 18th December 2025

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone I’ve been set free
My God my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing Grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Chorus

The Earth shall soon
Dissolve like snow
The Sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine.

Chorus

Lyrics: Isaac Newton
New chorus and verse: Chris Tomlin.

Wednesday 17th December 2025

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.” Colossians 3:5-7 NKJV

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:12-17 NKJV

Father God,

What a letter this is to the Colossians and to us today! Through Paul You call us to put on, dress ourselves in love. Not mushy love not judgemental love and certainly not lustful love. But it is not an extra robe, an outer coat or fancy dress! We can only put on Christ if we have put off the old self. And we may read the list and think I am not that bad. But there is no big and little sin – just sin. You reminded us in Matthew 5:28 that just a lustful look is the same as adultery! My thinking is not always kind, humble, meek or longsuffering. I have to strip off all the sin and harm that damages me and others. And deeply offends You.

Help us put off self and put on love. It is not always easy, situations are not always as they appear. We are prone to thinking we are right and need everyone to know so. Keep us at peace and when we are rattled, help us to return from seeing red or green to seeing peace. Remind us of all we have to be thankful for and keep those scriptural hymns of thanksgiving popping into our minds.

And help me to do whatever I am doing, to do it well as if I were also doing it for You, my Lord and Saviour.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Wednesday 17th December 2025
But life is not that black and white – and I when I fail -thank You God – I still have Jesus.

For the joys and for the sorrows
The best and worst of times
For this moment, for tomorrow
For all that lies behind
Fears that crowd around me
For the failure of my plans
For the dreams of all I hope to be
The truth of what I am

For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus, I have Jesus

For the tears that flow in secret
In the broken times
For the moments of elation
Or the troubled mind
For all the disappointments
Or the sting of old regrets
All my prayers and longings
That seem unanswered yet

Chorus

For the weakness of my body
The burdens of each day
For the nights of doubt and worry
When sleep has fled away
Needing reassurance
And the will to start again
A steely-eyed endurance
The strength to fight and win

Chorus

For this only Jesus . . .

Lyrics: Graham Kendrick (1994)

Tuesday 16th December 2025

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:15-23 NIV

Eternal and almighty God,

What a revelation Paul had. Of the relationship between You God and Jesus. Not a big God and a little Son Jesus, but an equal. He was there at the beginning creating with You God when You created the universe and our galaxy and our odd little world and life.

And in Jesus we see what You are like. Your character, Your nature. Your willingness to be part of our lives, to love, to be righteous and to point out hypocrisy and sin. Not to condemn but to give opportunity to repent and be forgiven. Jesus showed us Your compassion and generosity to the point of giving all that He had even His life.

If. I always read carefully the ifs. They are the small print of the contract. Paul clearly outlines them to the Colossians. “If you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.” Its not about being the best rule keeper, the most generous giver, a nice person. It is about not moving from Christ, our hope. Only he can keep us forgiven. Only He knows what is best for our lives and has secured our future. Because in knowing Him we know You. Hope does not disappoint us, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5 KJV). Thank You.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Tuesday 16th December 2025
A go to positive song of hope and faith. Based on scripture from Pauls writings in Hebrews, Romans, 1 Peter, Colossians . . . and of course Isaiah 49:16, ” I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.”

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav’n he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God the just is satisfied
To look on him and pardon me,
To look on him and pardon me.

Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with himself I cannot die;
My soul is purchased by his blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God,
With Christ, my Savior and my God.

Lyrics: Charitie Lees Smith