Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 
Ps 119:105  NLT

Sometimes words come easy,
Sometimes they are hard.
They speak of the deepest truth,
And matters of the heart

They bring life and fulness,
Or darkness and despair.
They bring hope and promise,
Or hurt and lack of care

So let us be so careful,
To think before we speak.
Or type a message, press send,
and see the word “receipt”

Holy spirit guide us,
Gently as a dove.
That the words we speak, send and share,
resound with truth and love.

Gracious God, thank you for Jesus and your words of truth, love and guidance given to us in the Bible to help us in our daily lives.

Help us to follow Jesus that our words and lives may be filled with truth, love compassion and grace.

Ruth Rushworth

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.
Ecc 3:1&11 NIV

Creator God, we thank you for the beauty of the changing seasons and the vibrant colours of autumn.  Thank you for your love and goodness displayed in nature.  We take a moment to quieten our minds as we reflect and spend this time with You….

Loving God, we are not alone, You are here with us every day, in every season of our lives, by your Spirit.  Thank you that whatever we face today, we face it in the knowledge of your love in Jesus. Thank you that, however we feel, we have the assurance of your eternal love.

Gracious God, your grace is sufficient for us,*  may we use our time and the gifts you have given us in this season of our lives for your good and your glory.  Bless us with your grace to live this day conscious of your presence with us, and in a way that reflects your love for all.  We offer You our prayers in the name of Jesus our Saviour.  Amen

Ruth Rushworth

* 2 Cor 12:19 NIV

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 wrong;

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; songs of love, hope and peace throughout the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth

Ps 98:4 NIV

We thank You Lord,
For your wonderful world,
For the beauty of creation,
For all you have made.

From the freshness of a dewy dawn,
To the sun shining strong and bright,
To the stars in their twinkling splendour,
And the moon lighting up the night.

From densely packed forests,
To flowers blooming in the light,
To vibrant green and blue grasses,
Standing tall, strong and upright.

From animals of every shape and size,
To birds soaring high in the skies,
To creeping insects and spiders,
Sights to widen the eyes!

From dolphins jumping for joy,
On waves rolling into the shore,
To seals basking in the sunshine,
And whales singing melodies pure.

From bubbling mountain streams,
To lazy rivers meandering to the sea,
Yet the pinnacle of God’s creation,
Are the people He created us to be.

Thank you loving God for this wonderful world that you have created for us to care for and enjoy. Thank you for its beauty and splendour, for its majesty and strength, for its peace and tranquility, for the life it promotes and sustains. Help us dear Lord to care for it.

Help us to see your love and goodness in others and in our world and to give You thanks. 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 ….

Ruth Rushworth

May grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

2 Peter 1:2 NIV

Tell them about me,
You know who I am,
I am Jesus, your Saviour,
Your God made man.

Your truth in every situation,
Your shield against the foe,
Your peace in times of anguish,
Your friend when you’re feeling low.

My grace is abundant,
My forgiveness is guaranteed,
My love is freely given,
Come to me and receive.

Gracious God, thank you for your amazing love for each and every one of us. May we open our hearts to You and share your love and peace with others. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

You saw who you created me to be before I became me! .. .. every single moment You are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that You cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! ……

Ps 139: 16-18 TPT

Summertime comes,
Summertime goes,
All the while your mercy flows,
Waves of renewal,
Awash with peace,
A tide of love,
An assurance of grace.

Loving God, as we reflect we thank you for your constant love for us.

We pray for all those who are facing change, or new beginnings, or moving away from what is comfortable and familiar. Whether that brings excitement or anxiety, we pray that they will know how precious and loved they are by You.

May your love and peace wash over us and all those we love and pray for. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face to shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you
And give you peace.

Numbers 6: 24-26 ESV

May we be filled with the love of Jesus.
The love that strengthens, the love that brings purpose, the love that brings peace, the love that brings joy, eternal hope and promise, the love that is greater than knowledge. The love that creates, brings life and sustains us. 

The love we simply receive as a gift from God through Jesus. Because God is love. 

Gracious God thank you for Jesus. As we read these words help us open our hearts to your  love. As we read these words we lift before You for anyone in need of your loving touch and presence. Help us to share your love and kindness with others, for Jesus sake. May your love radiate throughout our world. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Reflection written during the Quiet Time in church on Tuesday evening.

The Lord watches over you –
The Lord watches over your coming and going
Both now and evermore.

Ps 121 v 5 & 8

We sit, in the peace of church,
Looking through the glass partition
To the illuminated cross …

Through the glass we see
reflections of busy lives,
Commuters walking to and from the station,
Cars passing, runners jogging,
Children riding bikes.

We see images, snippets of life,
All visible under the watchful eye
And the open arms of the cross.

Each precious life watched over
By the God of love,
The God of life,
The God of hope.

We sit in the silence and pray …
Come Lord Jesus,
Come, watch over us,
Come, bless our community
With your never ending love.

Loving God, thank you for watching over us now and always. Open our ears to listen, our eyes to see and our hearts to respond to the needs of those around us. We pray for anyone in need of the assurance of your love and presence with them today. In Jesus name. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

… The breath of God gives me life… 
Job 33:4 

Breath of love
Breath of fire
Breathe on us
our hearts desire

Breath of stillness
Breath of calm
Breathe on us
your heavenly balm

Breath of freedom
Breath of rest
Breathe your peace
To our weary breast

Gracious God, we take time to become aware of our breathing, to be still, to quieten our minds and breathe your peace into our bodies, our hearts and minds….

Jesus said ” peace I give you. A peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. So do not let your hearts be troubled…” (John 14:27)

Gracious God, breathe your peace on us. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Box

… God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 
Romans 5:5 NIV

Gracious God, Jesus promised a helper, a counsellor, a comforter and a guide; the Holy Spirit who will always be with us. We thank You for this beautiful gift and  reflect on the elements we associate with your Spirit –

Fire – thank you for the fire that energises, lights and warms our hearts

Water – thank you for the water that cleanses, refreshes, restores and sustains our bodies and souls

Wind – thank you for the wind that breathes life, change and transformation into our lives.

We also reflect on the image of a dove, descending, and bringing love, compassion, reconciliation and peace.

Gracious God of all goodness, life, love, energy, purpose, creativity, peace and joy, thank you for the natural  gifts you have given us and for the gift of your Spirit, freely given to all through Jesus. May your love and life transform our hearts and our world, for Jesus sake. Amen

Ruth Rushworth