Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.
Ps 36: 5 NIV

Gracious Lord, as we reach the mid point of January, we hear phrases such as “Blue Monday” and the “January blues”.  At times, like the weather, our lives are overcast, grey and cloudy, and we battle against driving rain and blustery winds. Gracious God, we remember that blue skies are above the clouds and that light does penetrate the gloom.

We take time to quieten our minds, slow our breathing, calm any anxious thoughts and be still before you…. We reflect on, praise you and thank you for your love and faithfulness towards us. We lift our eyes to you and share our worries, our concerns and our joys with You, gracious God. May the breath of your Holy Spirit fill us with your strength, your perspective and your peace. 

We pray for anyone in need of encouragement, a kind word or a helping hand today.  May we share the love, encouragement and hope we have through our faith in Jesus with one another.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

In him (Jesus) was life, and that life brought light to humanity. And the light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. 
John 1: 4-5 ISV

A new dawn, a new day. A new year.
Jesus, light of the world, enlighten of our lives. Take us by the hand and lead us on your path of love, trust hope and peace.

Turn our darkness into light
Fear into courage
Weakness into strength
Doubt into faith
Despair into joy
Conflict into peace

Jesus, life and light of the world. Let us see the light of your upholding love and grace around us. Shine brightly in our lives and help us stay close to you, the everlasting flame, that others may find life, hope, joy and peace in Your name. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 

The King is come!
With life and love and peace within,
Let us praise and worship him!

The King is come!
He offers us friendship,
And new life in him.

The King is come!
He welcomes us to shelter,
To find rest in him.

The King is come!
He frees us from past mistakes,
Full of forgiveness, compassion and grace.

The King is come!
He guides us in the way ahead,
He knows the route we should take.

The King is come!
He shows us justice, love and right,
To work for good with all our might.

The King is come!
Let us share his love far and wide,
That in Jesus all may abide.

The King is come! The King is come!
Let us open our arms,
And run to him.

God of love, you shepherd us through the trials, sorrows, joys and routines of our daily lives.
King of love, you bless us with love and compassion and all the riches of heaven.
Lord of love, your light and life offer us purpose, wisdom and grace and bring us hope and peace.
God of everlasting love, you are alongside us all of our days.

Gracious God. As one year closes and another begins, help us to walk closely with you in the light of the love of Jesus. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to people.”  Luke 2:14

In the darkness of the night,
The angels shone,
their heavenly light.

In the quiet of the night,
The angels shouted,
with great delight.

Good news! great joy!
To all Peace!
Jesus is born,
to save the human race!

Not with guns,
Or bombs and blasts,
Not with drones,
Or soldiers or aggression.

He came with kindness,
forgiveness and compassion,
A love for all people,
And his amazing creation.

His actions shone,
With the light of love,
His words spoke of peace,
Of healing and truth.

He gave his life,
on a cross made of wood,
That we might be restored,
To the God of love.

Praise to Jesus,
The heavenly babe,
King of love,
who came to save.

Gracious God, may your love be in our hearts and homes as we celebrate Christmas and the coming of Jesus our Saviour. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Christmas Tree Reflection

Gracious God, thank you for the beauty and light of Christmas trees and all they represent.  Thank you for precious memories of Christmases past that we hold closely and dearly in our hearts. Let’s pause for a moment and take time to look at the many beautiful trees and decorations in our church.

The tree, its height, its symmetry numerous branches and needles each one crafted by God, remind us of the wonder and magnificence of God and his creation: the world he created for us to care for and enjoy.  As He knows the number of needles on each tree, so He knows even the hairs on our head, so great is his love and care for us.

The lights remind us of the life and light that Jesus brings to our world and to our lives. We think of his closeness and the warmth and completeness of his love as the lights wrap around and embrace the tree.

The doves symbolise the presence, strength and peace of the Holy Spirit with us and in us. The Holy Spirit, who is in our world always working for good.

The angels are messengers sent by God to help his people. We are reminded too of the ways we can be angels to each other.

The tinsel and baubles remind us of gifts, our natural gifts given by God to each one of us, and the gifts of love, kindness, generosity and time that we share and give to others.

We look at the stable and think of the gift of Jesus, God who left heaven to come to earth to show his love for us and rescue us, welcoming all from shepherds to kings to come to him.

We see the cross, the centrepiece, illuminated, casting its light and influence, holding everything together.

Loving, gracious God, light of the world, thank you that you are here with us.  Draw us close to you this Christmas, be with us and our families, friends, neighbours and colleagues.  Be with us in our communities and in our world. And may we share your love both among us and far and wide.

We offer you our thoughts and prayers and anything on our hearts …….……

In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen

Ruth Rushworth

And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6b

The journey was long
They were unprepared
Nowhere to stay
No offer could be heard

The inns were full
Their doors tightly closed
Mary and Joseph
had nowhere to repose

Then at last
A place was offered
At the back of the inn
with the oxen and asses

Hardly a place
fit for a baby
But here, Jesus was born,
In the straw in a stable.

We reflect on the long and arduous journey made by Mary and Joseph …

God of love and compassion, thank you for your love in Jesus. You journey every day with us, in all our circumstances and situations. You understand and meet with us in our need. Help us to see your provision and love at work in our troubled world.

We pray for all who are homeless, for all who are displaced and facing long and dangerous journeys and for those who are victims of trafficking, may they find hope and peace and a place of welcome and safety to stay.

We pray for people whose personal journeys are fraught with fear, uncertainty or difficulty for health, financial, relational or any other reason. Wrap them in your loving arms that they may find hope, courage and the peace of Jesus in their circumstances.

Gracious God, as we journey with You, open our eyes and hearts to see and respond to the needs of our neighbour, in simple and small ways, with kindness, care and compassion. For Jesus sake. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Come, Lord Jesus!

Rev 22:20

Season of hope
Of waiting
Of anticipation
To welcome
Jesus our Saviour
To prepare for the celebration
Of Jesus come to earth
Of God with us
The promise, the hope
of life, of everlasting love

Gracious God, once again Advent and the preparations for Christmas are with us. If we are in a season of waiting, or anticipation, help us to trust in your timing and take comfort from the presence, the hope and promises of Jesus, God with us.

May we prepare our hearts and minds to look afresh at the Christmas story and, whatever the season in our lives, know in our hearts the love God has for each and everyone of us. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

“Let us hold firmly to the hope we profess, for He who promises is faithful.”  Hebrews 10:23

Ruth Rushworth

King of kings and Lord of lords
Rev 19:16

We reflect on some words from Psalm 46 –

God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble. Therefore,  we will not fear … even though …. even if …..

There is a place where God resides, where the love of God flows, God is here, God, our fortress, is with us. We will not fall. Come and see …..

God says be still, be still and know that I am God.
Be still ….. be still and know ….. be still and know that I am I God ….

Gracious God, we will trust in You, we will trust in your goodness and love. Even when life doesn’t make sense,  Even though we don’t understand. We will choose trust in your goodness and love.

Jesus said ” peace I give to you, my own peace I leave with you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.  So do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Christ our King, our refuge, our strength, our fortress be with us.

Gracious God, as we prepare for the start of Advent next week and the church is ready for the first Christmas trees to arrive to go up this afternoon, we remember that Jesus, King of kings, King of love, came to be with us to help us and rescue us. Draw us close to You and fill us with your love. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Extracts from Psalm 46, John 14

The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

Ps 23 1-2 GNT

Loving God, we praise you. Out of love, you created the galaxies, the sun, moon and stars, and the very air that we breathe.  Out of love, you created us to know you and to love you. You care for each one of us, through all the seasons of our lives, as a shepherd lovingly and tenderly cares for his flock.

Loving God, thank you that you know each of us by name. You shepherd us to the fresh pastures of new life in Jesus. You call us to graze on your words of truth, love and wisdom in the Bible. You ask us to follow you and place our trust firmly in you, for You are goodness and love.  You tell us not to worry about tomorrow, for you will meet our deepest need. Nothing in all of creation can separate us from your love.

Loving God, our Provider, our Shepherd, our Saviour, we simply come and sit with you, may we hear your voice and know your rest, peace and refreshment through your love in Jesus.

Ruth Rushworth

‘The Lord is near to all who call on him’.
Ps 145:18 NIV

Open my eyes to see You
Unblock my ears to hear You
Strengthen my voice to speak of You
Prepare my hands to work for You
Equip my feet to walk with You
Soften my heart to love as You
Renew my mind to think of You

Gracious God, may the power of your love transform our lives. May we walk through this day in faith and trust in Jesus. And may your Holy Spirit lead us in your ways and will, that we may draw close to you and share your love in our world. Amen

Ruth Rushworth