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Friday 23rd October 2026

“ Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”” Luke 7:36-43 NKJV

Father God,

We have all been in situations where we have assumed something and got it badly wrong and been embarrassed or offended someone. The Pharisee, Simon, did not get it wrong but he was using his own set of values. Both he and Jesus saw the same woman. But one saw repentance and worship and a good heart and had compassion. The other judged her as not worthy to be there and certainly not good enough to touch Jesus.

I love that Jesus doesn’t lecture or shout or try to make Peter feel small – he uses a simple illustration to lead him into understanding. You are so gracious to us when we get it wrong. And Peter was able to experience this woman receiving her personal forgiveness and think about his own. On a good day sometimes I can think I am not so bad . . . then You, Father remind me of all I have been forgiven. I am just a sinner saved by grace. I cannot boast in anything except Your gift of love and forgiveness at the cross and in the resurrection. Keep me from judging others.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Worship Friday 23rd October 2026

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
No, but I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Lyrics: Stuart Townend

Thursday 22nd October 2026

“So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” 49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” 52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed and his whole household. 54 This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.” John 4:46-54 NKJV

Lord God and Father,

John’s gospel is different to the other three of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They retell many of the stories of Jesus and what they witnessed themselves. They reveal their personalities. Luke the doctor the people person. Matthew a tax collector and down to earth. Mark a young man who possible spent time writing down Peters accounts of Jesus.

John was perhaps a fisherman used to reading the skies and the signs? He sees the history of Jesus as showing the way to God and the signs that proved who He was? More of a visionary. If he was also the John who also wrote Revelation?

This occasion is important to John because it proves to him that Jesus had command over even life itself. The boy was at the point of death. Jesus did not have to see, touch or pray out loud. He said it was done and it was at the moment he said it. Jesus was Lord of life and death and chose to give life. John wants us to believe Jesus is not just a miracle making celebrity or powerful man of God. He is divine, the promised Messiah. He came to give us faith and life and he says so in John 20:31.
Faith and life in Jesus. The miracle is that he speaks it into us today just as He did for the Nobleman’s son and in that moment we too receive faith and life eternal.

In Jesus name we praise, Amen.

Worship Thursday 22nd October 2026

Yes, it was written for a Salvation Army musical. First for Hosea which was later shortened and so it was then used in Jesus Folk. – He did. He came to give us life in all its fullness John 10:10).

He came to give us life in all its fullness,
He came to make the blind to see,
He came to banish death and doubt and darkness,
He came to set His people free.
He liberating love imparted,
He taught men once again to smile;
He came to bind the broken-hearted,
And God and man to reconcile.
He came to give us life in all its fullness,
He came to make the blind to see,
He came to banish death and doubt and darkness,
He came to set His people free.

We wonder why Christ came into the world
A helpless, homeless child;
We wonder why He tolerated men,
The tainted and defiled.
We wonder why! We wonder why!
The Son of God as man came down,
What does this signify?

We wonder why Christ came into the world
And let men hurt Him so;
We wonder why the Christ should have to die,
Does anybody know?
We wonder why! We wonder why!
The Son of God as man came down,
What does this signify?

Lyrics: John Gowans


Wednesday 21st October 2026

 “In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” Luke 11:2-4 NKJV

Our Father,

Prayer is so complicated and yet so simple. There are many, many books that introduce us to the many aspects of prayer. Silent meditation. Prayer warfare. Intercession. Praying in small groups. Praying the scriptures. I must admit I have read a few and most have encouraged me.

Sometimes when I lead prayers in church I am overwhelmed and have to try to condense all the things we want to join in prayer for – almost to one liners – because worship time is precious and minds wander? And when at home there are still those lists of people, within church and in the community, who we have committed to prayer for. Our world desperately needs prayer, the church needs prayer. And even when I have time to stop and spend time with You I am not sure where to start.

So perhaps the disciples had the same problem or they would not have asked You to teach them how to pray. And the answer is compact, complete and like turning the tap on. Your prayer encompases our lives. It brings us back to centre on You. Then allows Your Holy Spirit to help us pray on with what You place on our hearts and in our minds. Your prayer is not a magic mantra or a regulation. It is like a stepping stone, directing us so we don’t get swept away? May we never take it for granted. Thank You Lord.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen

Worship Wednesday 21st October 2026

This for some is a love it or not like it. But I like it, it is scripture.

Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us to thee our daily bread
And forgive our sins
As we forgive each one of those who sin against us
And lead us not to the time of trial
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory

Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us to thee our daily bread
And forgive our sins
As we forgive each one of those who sin against us
And lead us not to the time of trial
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory

Let all the people say amen
in every tribe and tongue
Let every heart’s desire be joined
To see the kingdom come
Let every hope and every dream
Be born in love again
Let all the world sing with one voice
Let the people say amen

Let all the people say amen
in every tribe and tongue
Let every heart’s desire be joined
To see the kingdom come
Let every hope and every dream
Be born in love again
Let all the world sing with one voice
Let the people say amen

Amen Amen Amen . . .

Lyrics: Inspired by scripture, written and arranged by Paul Field and Stephen Deal (1999) for the Christian millennium musical Hopes & Dreams. Released by Cliff richard as a charity single.