We are more than conquerors through Jesus. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 37-39 (in part)

Into the wilderness,
Jesus was led,
By the Spirit of God,
Who knew the way ahead.

He was tempted,
He was tested and tried,
But in obedient trust,
He overcame, he survived.

He relied on the knowledge,
And truth of God’s word,
He kept his mind focused,
On the promise and plan prepared.

At the end of this journey,
Of forty days and nights,
Jesus was ministered to,
By angels of ligh.

Gracious God, we thank you for the love of Jesus that helps, overcomes and sustains us in all circumstances. Thank you that nothing, nothing at all, can separate us from his love.
As we journey through Lent, help us to make time to reflect on our own walk with Jesus.

In testing and difficult times, help us to keep our focus on Jesus. Remind us of your promises in the Bible and strengthen us with your love. Help us to show the same love, kindness, generosity and compassion to each other as Jesus shows to us; for your love is kind, gracious, forgiving and compassionate. (*1). In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

(*1) Ps 145:8-9 NIV

In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength.

Isaiah 30:15 NIV

Loving God, we reflect and thank you that your love is all around us. Thank you that You are in us and with us by your Holy Spirit (*1).  Thank you that Jesus promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us. (*2)

And so, as we start of Lent this week, we thank you for your beautiful and faithful promises.
Help us to make time to draw alongside You and rest in You. Help us to consider how we walk and talk with You, how we speak about You, and how we love others as You love us.

Gracious God, thank you for this beautiful gift of love in Jesus. Help us draw closer to You this Lent in preparation for the celebration of Easter, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

(*1) (Jesus said) I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. John 14:16 CEV

(*2) Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 NIV

“..I am making everything new..”

Rev 21:5 NIV

God of the seasons and new beginnings, we praise You for the beauty and order of creation, and the joy of seeing these simple, tiny flowers appear in gardens, parks and hedgerows. Thank you for this sign of new life and the reminder, that, although we cannot see it yet, we know that spring is surely on the way.

God of grace and compassion, grant us new beginnings and new seasons in our lives  when we need them. We thank you that every day is a fresh start and we can turn to Jesus, our saviour and friend, in all things. Help us, dear Lord, to follow the leading of your Holy Spirit in our lives every day.  Amen

Ruth Rushworth

The Lord’s faithful love does not cease; his compassion does not fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lam 3:22-23 NHEB

The day stretches out before us,
We know not what it holds,
Fill it with your love Lord,
With blessings manifold.

May it flow with kindness,
Thoughtfulness and care,
With a concern for others,
And their best welfare.

Loving God, we lay before you,
At the start of this new day,
The places we will travel to,
And the people we meet on the way.

May our lives reflect your love,
Your goodness, kindness and peace,
Trusting in the grace of Jesus,
In praise and thankfulness.

Gracious God we thank you for this new day. May we walk on the path you have laid out for us and stay close to Jesus, our loving and faithful companion and guide.  Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said ” What shall we say the kingdom of God is like?  It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that birds can perch in its shade.”

Mark 4:30-32 NIV

Gracious God, we come to You, God of provision, God of rest, God of peace.  We come to the life, the shelter and shade of your love in Jesus ….

We take a moment to be still, to look at the photo, to think of the birds coming and going and safely nesting in the protection of the tree. We look at the vast foliage, the strong trunk and the solid, supporting, intertwining branches.

Gracious God, as we consider the words of Jesus, we thank You for the life, the provision, the peace, and the security of your everlasting kingdom.

Help us to consider how we can embrace your love more fully in our lives and branch out to share your love with other people.  May your kingdom come, may your will be done. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth

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