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Sunday 21st April 2024

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”
Matthew 12:20-21 NIV

God, Yahweh, Lord, Jehovah,

I linger on this verse for another day because at the moment so many nations need to turn and hope in You. “In Your name we put our hope”. This week a friend reminded me that the Bible is full of Your names all trying to describe You. When asked by Moses, You, God said You were called ‘I am who I am’ (Exodus 3:14). That is who You are.

Many of Your other names seem to try to show what You are like and what You do. Like Hagar called You the God who sees – because You saw her need and provided (Genesis 16:13). A beautiful name from Psalm 23, Jehovah Raah, the Lord my Shepherd. Or Elohim – creator mighty and strong. Many books have been written about Your names. They are all beautiful and help our understanding but they all point back to who You are. The only God, The great I am. In You we hope and put our trust.

We thank You for all You have done and are doing and will do. Above all we thank You for who You are. The only God, the great I am, perfect in all Your ways. And You keep Your promises. Speak peace into our world.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God,

For our family and friends. For all their needs today, those near, distant and broken relationships.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. For all those who work for You willingly.
For the royal family. For continued healing and family unity.
For our Parliament. In a world of turmoil to be calm and hear Your leading, for an end to war.
For those waiting results of medical tests, results, interviews or outcomes.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn or hard or angry hearts. Bless the peacemakers with power.
For the children caught up in war and conflict and hunger.
For those who use Your name as an exclamation or swear word – to know You are real.
For Your help for today to be a good day and be able to appreciate it.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 21st April 2024
Written in the 1980’s and may not be sung so often now . . . But I love this worship. It is biblical (Proverbs 18:10) easy to remember and a simple tune! Can worship ever be outdated?

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be the name of the Lord most high

The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved
The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved

Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord
Glory to the name of the Lord most high

The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved
The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved

Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord
Holy is the name of the Lord most high

The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved
The name of the Lord is a strong tower
The righteous run into it and they are saved

Lyrics: Clinton Utterbach
Written in the 1980’s




Saturday 20th April 2024

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;” Isaiah 42:3 NIV

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.” Matthew 12:20 NIV

Almighty God,

Many Old Testament verses talk about defeating enemies. But then Isaiah speaks of one who will come and be victorious in a new totally different way. And we see the promise of Jesus. Jesus, You came and were full of compassion for the weak, the dispossessed, the sick and those in need of Your Fathers mercy. You gave back the only son to the grieving widow at Nain (Luke 7:13-15). You allowed a woman with an issue of blood and lepers to touch You and be healed. Behaviour which offended the self righteous in Jesus time. (Luke 8:43-48). Luke’s gospel is full of Your compassion and mercy.

You were not a task driven Saviour. You did not come to tick a set of boxes and then go home. You came to love, save, forgive and heal. You still do and we love You Lord. A bruised reed, a smouldering wick – tiny things thrown out as of no value. But You see the value of every life and each vulnerable person and You are faithful. Give us faith to know Your compassion and practice it ourselves.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Almighty God,

For our family and friends. For all their needs today, those near, distant and broken relationships.
For our neighbours and neighbourhood to prosper and grow. To care for each other.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. For all those who work for You willingly.
For the royal family. For continued healing and family unity.
For our Parliament. In a world of turmoil to be calm and hear Your leading, for an end to war.
For those waiting results of medical tests, results, interviews or outcomes.
For sufferers of leprosy and those treating and researching.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn hearts. Bless the peacemakers with power.
We pray for children caught in the mist of conflict. Bless food and medical agencies.
For those who find it hard to understand weakness in others. Patience..
For good marriages and Your help in those that are struggling.
For what we need for today to roll along successfully. With open eyes to see Your blessings.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 20th April 2024

Meekness and majesty
Manhood and Deity
In perfect harmony
The Man who is God
Lord of eternity
Dwells in humanity
Kneels in humility
And washes our feet

O what a mystery
Meekness and majesty
Bow down and worship
For this is your God
This is your God
This is Your God

Father’s pure radiance
Perfect in innocence
Yet learns obedience
To death on a cross
Suffering to give us life
Conquering through sacrifice
And as they crucify
Prays: ‘Father forgive.’

Wisdom unsearchable
God the invisible
Love indestructible
In frailty appears
Lord of infinity
Stooping so tenderly
Lifts our humanity
To the heights of His throne

Lyrics: Graham Kenrick







Friday 19th April 2024

“For he is our peace, the one who made both groups into one and who destroyed the middle wall of partition, the hostility . . .” Ephesians 2:14 NET

Father of peace,

This tiny little verse speaks about God’s power to break down of walls of hostility. Back when it was written, it was hostility between Jews and gentiles. To reunite His people with His other people of creation. The church was having to learn to overcome prejudice and love each other. They came from different backgrounds and different cultures and were all having to learn to value and respect each other to live the Jesus way.

We can count to ten, meditate, have a cup of tea . . . But You are our real peace. Yet Father, I find myself wakeful on occasions and remembering words spoken or hurt or picky little things that have annoyed me. You never gave up on the disciples and You never once tried to get your own back, or bear grudges.

You tell us to keep our account short with God and with other people around us. Forgive others as You have forgiven us. Even if we cannot trust them. You even forgave from the cross. You do not keep account of all our faults to remind us of them. You were never sarcastic, unkind or argumentative. Your love is kind even when hard. You spoke the truth on occasions but in such a way it was for their good. Help us give up, hand over to You our hurt and irritation and unforgiveness and swop it for Your peace. Help us not take it up again.

Help us see when and how relationships can be made even better or mended. If they are harmful, help us to step aside with dignity.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father, God of peace,

For our family and friends. For all their needs today. To find ways to keep in touch and encourage.
For our neighbours and neighbourhood to prosper and grow. To care for each other.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. To be a place of living powerful peace in You..
For the royal family. For peace of mind, continuing healing, family support and unity.
For our Parliament. In a world of turmoil to be calm and hear Your leading, together.
For those waiting results of medical tests, results, interviews or outcomes.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict. Bring an end to war. Speak peace to stubborn hearts. Bless the peacemakers with power.
For those who find it hard to let go of anger, unforgiveness.
For good marriages and Your help in those that are struggling.
For our own needs and hopes today, both little and large. To put down our irritations.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 19th April 2024


Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there is doubt true faith in You

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life

Lyrics: Sebastian Temple