Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.

Ps 36: 5 NIV

Gracious God, we lift our gaze to the majestic peaks of the mountains and thank You that You surround us on every side with your love.  Lift our gaze to the strength and beauty of your love and presence in our lives.

We notice the colours of the rainbow and thank You for your love and faithfulness and the assurance that You will always love and care for us. We reflect that Jesus said ” I am with you always”.*

As we look at the clear, still water, we thank you that, as Jesus calmed the storm with a word, your presence brings calm, stillness and peace as we face the difficulties of life.

As we reflect on your mighty strength, your steadfast love and perfect peace we pray for anyone You have placed on our heart. We place our hand in the hand of Jesus and ask You to lead us safely through this day.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

* Matt 28:20

Lord our God how majestic is your name in all the earth 

Ps 8:9 NIV

Every morning lean your arm awhile
Upon the window sill of heaven
And gaze upon your God.
And with this vision in your heart
Turn strong to face the day.
Anon

Loving God, we take a moment to be still, to quieten our minds and linger in the stillness, peace and calm of your presence…

We thank you for our world that reflects your majesty and power, your light and radiance, your peace and calm, your goodness and your infinite love for us in Jesus.

Loving God, sometimes, your voice gets lost among the clamour and demands of the day, the tasks, the deadlines, the expectations or the difficulties and worries of our lives.  If today is a difficult day, may we pray in the words of the psalmist “be strong, take heart and wait on the Lord.” (Ps 27:14)

As we sit with you today, may your transforming love draw us closer to you and may the features and clarity of your infinite love be reflected in our lives, for Jesus sake. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield….
Ps 91:4 NIV

Gracious God, we reflect on this picture of a robin, perched on a fence, on a snowy day, it’s feathers ruffled as a protection against the winter cold.  We thank you for this reminder in nature of your faithful love, provision, care and protection for your creation and for every one of us.

Loving God, today and every day, in all circumstances and whatever challenges, worries or concerns we face, help us look to You and to trust in Jesus, our refuge, strength and our shield.  We pray that we may rest in the warmth of your love, the sufficiency of your provision and the assurance of your presence with us.  We pray for anyone who is suffering this winter, thinking especially any person or situation You have placed on our hearts, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.

1 Peter 4:10 CEV

Gracious God, on this last day of Christmas, we journey with the 3 kings to come, to see and worship Jesus.

We come with our time, with the gifts, the resources, talents and skills you have given us and developed in us. Help us to recognise our gifts, if we don’t know what they are.

Gracious God, we come to thank you for all we have.  May your love shine in our lives and guide us in ways to use our gifts to love, to bring peace, joy and help to others, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

The angel said to them. “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people.” Today your Saviour was born in the town of David. He is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 NCV

Born in a stable,
In the darkness of night,
The earth was illumined,
With heavenly light.

Jesus came,
There is no doubt,
Shepherds worshipped,
Kings sought him out.

The Saviour of the world!
The Prince of Peace!
Wonderful Counsellor!
Eternal, saving grace.

He gave his life,
A gift for all,
To come, to see,
To respond to his call.

The tomb was empty,
The cross was bare,
The light of the world,
Has no place there.

Light of the World,
King of Kings,
Light and love,
To all he brings.

Jesus one day,
Will come again,
The Light of the World,
Jesus, Saviour, is his name.

Almighty God, as we prepare to come and see, we reflect and wonder at the mystery and miracle of Jesus, who was both fully God and fully man, coming to save the world he created …..
Gracious God, we thank you that Jesus offers everlasting life, hope, true joy, forgiveness and peace of heart to all who accept him. May the message of the angel be heard throughout the world.  May we come to worship, Jesus with thankful hearts and invite him afresh into our lives this Christmas. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
John 1:9 NLT

Why do we come,
Why do we seek,
Why do we kneel,
At Jesus’ feet?

He was borne in a stable,
Cold and bare,
Can the King of Kings,
truly reside there?

What does He offer,
What does He ask,
This Lord of the future,
The present, the past?

Simply to come,
To listen, to receive,
To invite Him into our lives,
To believe,
That Jesus is God’s own son,
Who gave His life for everyone,
To bring us to God above,
To know His peace, His joy, His love.

He didn’t say it would be easy,
He didn’t say it would be hard,
He simply said to follow Him,
And what He places in our heart.

Gracious God, thank You for Jesus and  his amazing love for us …..
As we prepare for Christmas, we take a moment to reflect on our own journey with You …..
Loving God, draw us closer to You this Christmas.

May the light of your guiding, assuring love shine ever brighter in our hearts. May we share the love and compassion of Jesus in our words and actions.

May we trust that the briefest prayer and the smallest act of kindness make a difference in your kingdom of love. Loving, gracious God, we praise You. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said “I have come into the world as a light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness.”

John 12:46 GNT

When the path seems faint,
Stay close to the light,
A glimmer of hope,
Puts fear to flight,
The Lord of all,
Knows the way,
Guides us gently,
Day by day.

The Saviour of the world,
Jesus, is here,
His love conquers,
All that we fear,
His grace forgives,
Our every wrong,
His strength empowers,
And leads us on.

Gracious God,
Help us to trust,
In your loving kindness,
And faithfulness,
You are in control,
You never change,
Our Saviour Jesus,
Lives to reign.

Loving, gracious God, Your light breaks through the darkness in our world and shines on all people and in all places.

As we step out today, we remember your words “..so do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you..” *   Loving God, may we know the assurance and peace of your presence with us and may we walk in the light of your guiding hand.

Ruth Rushworth

* John 15:15
* Isaiah 42:10 NIV

Remind me each morning of your constant love, for I put my trust in You. My prayers go up to You; show me the way I should go.

Ps 143:8 GNT

In the sparkle and the glitter
In the tinsel and the clutter
Jesus is here

In the calm in the panic
In the busy and the quiet 
Jesus is here

In the streets and the shops 
In the valleys and mountain tops 
Jesus is here

In the workplace and in homes
In hospitals and schools
Jesus is here

In the darkness of the night 
And in the brightness of the day
Jesus is here

In my heart and in my mind 
In my life and at my side 
Jesus is here 

Jesus, You are always with us, your love is all around us.  At this time of year when stress may build up and life can be challenging in so many different ways, we take a step back, to collect our thoughts and to  ground ourselves in your unfailing love…..

Gracious God, we thank You for your grace in Jesus and the leading of your Holy Spirit.
We come to you with open hearts and hands to receive your wonderful and timeless gifts of love and grace. Open our eyes to the needs of those around us and lead us in ways of love, kindness and compassion that all may know “Jesus is here.” Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Romans 8:39 CEV

King of creation,
Glorious Lord,
Came to this earth,
As prophets foretold,

He came to us
humble and weak,
With a message of hope,
To all he should meet.

He came to forgive,
To heal and restore,
To speak of heaven,
And a future assured.

He told us of
a perfect place,
Secured for us,
Through mercy and grace.

He said the way
Is to follow him,
The way of life,
And love within.

But they beat him up,
And raised him high,
Rejected and outcast,
Left, on a cross to die.

Jesus gave his life on Calvary.
Took our sins in his body,
Nailed to a tree.
An act of love,
for all eternity.

We know that death
Was not the end,
God raised him to life,
Jesus, our Saviour and friend.

Jesus now reigns
In heaven above,
At God’s right hand,
Interceding for us.

We praise you, Jesus,
Christ our King,
With our life and love,
Our everything.

Gracious God, as we enter Advent, the time when we prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus on Christmas day, we take a moment to reflect on the love of Jesus for each one of us.

Thank you that nothing, nothing in all creation can separate us from your everlasting love.
May we find practical and prayerful ways to share our faith, that others may know the love, joy, peace and hope of Jesus this Christmas. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

… The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…. 

Gal 5: 22-23 NLT

Loving God, Jesus asks us to go out and bear fruit; fruit that doesn’t perish, fruit that make a difference in other people’s lives, fruit that brings hope and the good news of Jesus. *

Thank You gracious God that You work for good in and through our lives. Help us to stay close to Jesus, to reach out and extend his love in our world. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

* John 15