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Friday 10th November 2023

“And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” ” Luke 9:21
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-4

Father in Heaven,

We love You, because You first loved us. Loved us with an everlasting love. Not like earthly love, fragile, unpredictable, inconsistent. Love stronger than sin, suffering and death. Love that knew our unworthiness but paid the price. We bring You our worship and our praise and our love.

Father when we look at Jesus , in the gospels, we see how focused He was. Focused on the reason He came to earth. Focused on paying for our sin by dying on the cross. The angels announcing His birth and Simeon (Luke 2;11 and 26) called Him the Messiah – the one who came to save the people from their sins. He was the perfect sinless sacrifice. Nothing distracted Him. He prepared His disciples as best He could. He planned, even down to their last meal together. So they would always remember- every time they broke bread, sat down to eat. And then sent His Holy Spirit to be with them and us.

Paul, in Philippians 3:14, calls us to be focused on the goal. To win the prize to which You, God are calling us heavenward in Jesus Christ. Help us to be like Jesus, remembering where we are going. We are less likely to get lost, give up or start going backwards. Assure us, by Your Holy Spirit, that our sin is forgiven, that death is conquered and a place is prepared for us. A glorious place full of life and joyful fellowship and an atmosphere of unconditional love. “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now we know in part; then we shall know fully, even as we are fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Keep us focused on You.

In Jesus beautiful name we pray, Amen.

Father in Heaven,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their needs, some we know, some are urgent and some are known only to You. Bless them.
For our ministers, all who work through churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks, social gatherings and warm places.
For our Government, that You would shake it up, so that those with the good of the nation would be seated there.
For our King and Queen and those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of peace, and wisdom from world leaders not division.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to this conflict.
For our armed services as they prepare to take part in remembrance services. For Ambassadors who seek to represent our desire for peace and democracy.
For those in the midst of conflict, whose share their faith, to see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, to appreciate the peace we have in our nation and to give thanks for the peace the world cannot give us and which is only found in You. (John 14:27).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 10th November 2023
This is in Welsh and then in English.

First verse sung in Welsh.

Here is love, vast as the ocean
Loving kindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom
Shed for us His precious blood
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout Heaven’s eternal days

On the mount of crucifixion
Fountains opened deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide
Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
And Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love



Thursday 9th November 2023

“1Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

“10When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida.” Luke 9:1,2 and 10 NKJV

Father God,

They withdrew privately. Yes to a town but to meet privately. Sometimes, it is great to go to church and we come home ready to face the week. Some Sundays we cannot go but find just what we need curled up warm with You, maybe our Bible or maybe a service on TV. Sometimes we are excited by a mid week gathering and sometimes it is an effort. Thank You God, You do not mark our card if we miss something but rejoice when we spend time with You.

It is not about how good we look to others. It is not about how much we read and learn scripture. Not about how long we sit before You or how long we sing worship. It is not just coming when we have a need or a want.

It is about spending time with You. Enjoying Your company, being ourselves. Sharing what is on our heart and mind. Rejoicing in anything that has been good. Whether we pray to Jesus, Father or Your Holy Spirit, You are One. Whenever we withdraw to spent time with You – You give us 100 per cent of Your attention. You are the only one who knows exactly how we feel and do not judge.

And it doesn’t have to fit in Your or our busy schedule. It can be when we are awake and can’t get back to sleep. Just before we sleep or when we awake. It can be over coffee, after a meal or if we have 5 minutes to ourselves. It is about keeping our relationship alive.

For we have received Your spirit of adoption as sons (and daughters) (Romans 8:15). Help us keep in loving communication with You because You want to hear from us and it always does us good.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Father God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For the many needs, some we know, some are urgent and some prayers are because we want You in their lives.
For our ministers, pastors and youth workers and all that is done by those belonging to churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks and social gatherings and care and that the Good News will be shared.
For our Government, that You would shake it up so that those with the good of the nation would be seated there.
For our King and Queen and those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord we need a miracle of peace and wisdom from world leaders not division.
For Putin and Ukraine, that there would be a change in direction away from war. An end to this conflict.
For the NHS, hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries. For all those with long term illness and disability.
For those leaving hospital or living with carers. For those living alone.
For all those, in every land, whose motivation is to share Jesus. To see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, for time to spend with You and know Your love for us.

In Jesu name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 9th November 2023

To be in your presence
To sit at your feet
When your love surrounds me
And makes me complete

This is my desire, o Lord
This is my desire
This is my desire, o Lord
This is my desire

To rest in your presence
Not rushing away
To cherish each moment
Here I would stay

This is my desire, o Lord
This is my desire
This is my desire, o Lord
This is my desire

Lyrics: Noel Richards

Wed 8th November 2023

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. 4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” Luke 9:1-6 NKJV

God, our Lord,

The disciples were happy to follow Jesus but here we see Him standing back and letting them grow. Your Son passing on His and therefore Your authority and calling, to His disciples. It is still all about Jesus but delivered through them. It is the first time he has sent them out on their own to do what they had seen Him doing. They were bestowed with His and therefore Your power over evil forces, to heal sicknesses in order to proclaim the Good News of Your Kingdom.

They are not to be worried about being up to date with the latest fashions. Not encumbered with an abundance of possessions. Just willing to bring You and Your compassion into each situation they met. Hospitality in the middle east meant they would eat and be offered somewhere to stay. And they are not to be choosy, big or small. If not welcome, just move on. Rejection is not personal, no offence to be taken, it is the message that is rejected.

Raising the dead, miraculously healing the sick? I have so many questions about why not today and I believe You can and do still heal. Whether medical or miracle. But today help us remember we are still to take the Gospel, Your love, wherever we go and find hearts willing. Every person is unique and valued by You. We are still called to live lives of simplicity. Look at the flowers of the fields (Matthew 6:28-29. A message our buy now, throw away consumer world needs.

It is not always easy to bring You into our conversations. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who can prompt us and who is the one that seeks to make the seed grow in hearers hearts. Help us to simply tell how You have blessed us and give You thanks.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen,

Lord God,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their needs for today and their hope for tomorrow.
For our ministers and all that is done by churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks and social gatherings and care. That along with the love the Good News will be shared.
For our Government our King and Queen and all those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord we need a miracle of peace and wisdom from world leaders not division.
For Putin and Ukraine, that there would be a change in direction away from war. An end to conflict.
For the NHS, hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries. For their future and for their best and the best for patients. For all those with long term illness and disability for their strength, breakthroughs in medicine and Your joy and hope throughout the day. For those that care for them blessings and health.
For all those, in every land, whose motivation is to share Jesus. To see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, for all we need for today, that we would rejoice and be glad and know Jesus with us.

In Jesu name we pray, Amen.

Worship Wednesday 8th November 2023

Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That all may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years.

Restore, O Lord,
In all the earth Your fame,
And in our time revive
The church that bears Your name.
And in Your anger,
Lord, remember mercy,
O living God,
Whose mercy shall outlast the years.

Bend us, O Lord,
Where we are hard and cold,
In Your refiner’s fire
Come purify the gold.
Though suffering comes
And evil crouches near,
Still our living God
Is reigning, He is reigning here.

Restore, O Lord,
The honour of Your name,
In works of sovereign power
Come shake the earth again;
That all may see
And come with reverent fear
To the living God,
Whose kingdom shall outlast the years

Restore us O Lord
Revive us O Lord.