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

God’s love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:5 NIV

Holy Spirit
living flame
Burning brightly
Never to wane

Fanning the flames
Of perpetual love
Burning for justice
Working for good

Renewing hearts
Minds and lives
With the love of God.
in Jesus Christ

Holy Spirit
Burning bright
Transforming the world
with Love and light

Gracious God, your love and faithfulness encircle and shine throughout our world. May the love of Jesus bring hope, light, life and peace to all our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gracious God as we look at the lighted candles and reflect on the power of your love, we pray for the people, places and situations on our hearts. May the light of your love shine ever brighter in our world. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Jesus said ” I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27 NLT

Peace in the busyness
Peace in the stillness
Peace in the noise
Peace in the silence
Peace on the coast
Peace on the land
Peace in Jesus
Peace, held in his hand.

Peace in our comings
Peace in our goings
Peace always
Peace ever near
Peace in the presence
Of God drawn near.

Gracious God, we thank you for the peace we can know in your presence. Thank you for the peace of Jesus.

As we look at the picture of the artwork ‘Forget-Me-Nots’ we take a moment to reflect on the peace of God …. We pray your words of peace over the people, places and situations you have placed on our hearts.

Help us to consider how we might spread your peace in our world, in our communities and in our families with listening, with understanding, with kindness, with love and with action.  Help us to spread your peace and harmony in nature in the way we treat and care for our environment.

God of peace, may the peace of Jesus be with us. Amen

Ruth Rushworth

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’

Ps 91: 1-2 NIV

We rest in your shelter,
We sit at your feet,
Protected by your shadow,
Made complete.

Secure in the presence,
Of your faithful love,
Bound by your peace,
By your sweet grace above.

Our refuge and fortress,
Our shield and strength,
An ever present help,
Our daily defence

In every battle we fight,
in every challenge we face,
you are there alongside us,
God of mercy and grace.

Gracious God, We take time to relax our bodies, quieten our minds and to sit with you, in the shelter of your presence.  We reflect on your words of assurance, protection and love in this psalm….

God of mercy and grace, you meet us in our need in the saving love of Jesus.  Help us to place our trust in You.  We pray for anyone facing difficulties of any kind, that your love would cast out fear. We pray for the assurance and shelter of your presence, the guiding hand and strength of your Spirit and the peace of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen

Based on thoughts around Psalm 91

Ruth Rushworth

You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

Jer 29:13 GNT

Loving God,
King of kings,
Lord of life,
What joy he brings.

He gave his life,
That we might live,
In love and purpose,
Our wills aligned to his.

Forgiveness and healing,
Are in his open palms,
Peace and joy,
In his outstretched arms.

To all who search,
To all who seek,
In the love of Jesus,
We are made complete.

Loving God, we reflect on your love in Jesus. When we seek You we will find You, for is You who calls out to us; it is You who seeks us out and leads us to Jesus.

Loving God, thank you for heart of love. May we respond to your call and seek afresh the open, outstretched arms of Jesus who welcomes all.  We pray for any person, situation or place you have placed on our hearts today. Amen.

Ruth Rushworth