Sing a song to the Lord all the earth … For great is the Lord and most worthy to be praised. … splendour and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place … Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever
1 Chron 16: 23/25/27/34 NIV
Songs of grace are sweet,
Turn heads, attract attention;
Songs of grace penetrate,
people stop to listen;
Songs of grace echo,
Along corridors walls and halls;
Songs of grace linger,
In street corners, alleyways and doors;
Songs of grace shine,
through the darkness and the gloom;
Songs of grace lighten,
The atmosphere in a room;
Songs of grace perfume,
The very air we breath;
Songs of grace relieve,
Burdens, stress and ill-ease;
Songs of grace welcome,
Invite us to belong;
Songs of grace forgive,
Hurts, pains and wrongs;
Songs of grace comfort,
Those who mourn and are sad;
Songs of grace rejoice,
With those who are glad;
Songs of grace are merciful,
Generous, loving and kind;
Songs of grace transform,
our heart, our soul, our mind.
Loving God, sing your songs of grace over us, that we may sing your songs of grace; your songs of acceptance, your songs of encouragement, your songs of forgiveness, your songs of peace, your songs of the love of Jesus to each other. May we sing them at home, in the workplace, in schools, in hospitals, in the shops, on the bus, on the streets and in every situation.
Loving God, may the eternal song of the grace, of Jesus our Saviour be sung and heard throughout our troubled world. Amen.
Ruth Rushworth
Image: MP McKellar – used with permission
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in them.
1 John 4:16
We thank You Lord for special friends
Faithful, sure and true
Who bring out the best in us
And point the way to You.
Friends who believe in us
Who listen and care
Friends who trust and shows us
That God is truly there.
Friends who walk alongside us
Help us up a steep slope
Hold our hand quite firmly
Plant seeds of love and hope.
Friends who loves us just as we are
And will never turn away
Who reveal the love of Jesus
Who reflect, share and pray.
We thank you loving God for the gift of friendship. We thank you for friends and family and all those who have encouraged us along life’s way. We thank you for those who have guided us along the right path, helped us discover our skills and talents, corrected us and shown the kindness and compassion of Jesus. We thank you for those who have listened, kept in touch and given generously of their time. We thank you for those who have shared their faith and prayed with and for us and encouraged us in our walk with Jesus.
Loving God, we thank you for Jesus, our wonderful counsellor, our greatest and most faithful friend, who loves and accepts us just as we are, who guides us and will never turn us away. May we open our lives more fully to his love.
Loving God, we pray for anyone in need of a friend today, that someone may draw alongside them in love. May we be ready and willing to be a good friend to others, in Jesus’ name. Amen
Ruth Rushworth
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His love endures forever.
Psalm 136: 1 NIV
Gracious God,
as we look around,
Your love and blessings
are to be found,
In places near,
and places far –
In the light of the moon,
Or a shining star;
In the warmth of the sun,
Or the refreshing rain;
In fields of gold,
A harvest of grain.
In a timely word,
Or a thought,
Or a prayer.
In a message of hope,
Concern or care.
In the light of the eyes,
Or a shining smile;
In the warmth of a touch,
That lingers awhile;
In hands that help,
Or a heart full of love.
All perfumed with grace,
and seasoned with love;
An everlasting gift
from God, in heaven above.
Gracious God, we praise you, for your very nature is love itself. You love us with a love that is constant, faithful, pure and true.
We praise you for the wonder and beauty of your creation, sustained by your hand. We thank you for the love of family and friends, and the loving kindness of those you place around us. We thank you for every breath we take and the precious gift of life itself.
We take a moment to be still before you and thank you for your love and your blessings ….
As Jesus was seen in unexpected places and situations, help us to see and be thankful for your provision for us at all times; for you, gracious God are good and you are loving and you walk alongside us all of our days. As you bless us, show us how we may be a source of blessing to others, both near and far, in the name of Jesus.
Ruth Rushworth
Open Doors Hub
Following the very successful first session of Open Doors we are embarking on monthly sessions taking place on the fourth Friday every month .
We are looking forward to welcoming everyone who wishes to come ….The more the merrier!
open doors hub3
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
Isaiah 43:1 NKJV
Lord God, as we look at this picture of a beautiful spring garden, we can imagine ourselves leaning on the gate, enjoying the view, feeling the warmth of the sun on our back, and smelling the blossom. We thank you for the beauty, peace and restoration we can find in the countryside and in your presence.
We take a moment to quieten our minds and turn our thoughts and focus to you.
Lord God, we reflect that you walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the garden in the cool of the evening. On Easter day morning Mary Magdalene went to the empty tomb in the garden. She recognised the risen Jesus when he called her by name. We imagine that moment when Mary heard Jesus call her by name….
We thank you that you call each of us by name and through Jesus you meet with us, every day, in the garden of our lives. We think of you calling us by name and how we respond to your call….
Lord God, even when we struggle to hear your voice, we thank you for the assurance that you have redeemed us, we belong to you and you have called us and know us by name. We need not be afraid.
May we find refreshment, peace and hope in your presence.
May we find clarity and purpose as we follow you and trust in your guiding hand.
May we be your voice, your hands, your feet and your heart to those who are seeking the assurance of being known, loved and cared for by name.
We offer you our thoughts and prayers and ask for your blessings in whatever lies ahead this day. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Saviour. Amen
Ruth Rushworth