Faith & Worship

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16,17)

" If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1 Cor 13:1)

" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." (1 Cor 13:4) 

" And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Eph 3:17-19) 

 

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May God’s love
embrace you,
God’s Spirit
empower you,
God’s whisper
encourage you,
God’s wisdom
enthral you,
and lead you
on this journey
of faith today

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Loving God, we give you thanks,
for knowing that on this journey
of faith, should we ever wander
or lose our way, you are there,
waiting, and as prodigal children
returning to their heavenly father
there is, in your welcoming arms
both reconciliation and grace,
a new beginning for those who
once were lost and now are safe.

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Lord Jesus, your life was about giving,
and at the Cross you gave it all
so we might know what life should be.
Love, poured out, your sacrifice,
our gift received with thankful hearts.
But not a gift placed in a drawer
until some rainy day, no, one to use
in the here and now, to be shared
with family, friend, and stranger,
from heart to heart, love pouring out,
a reminder of all you have done for me.

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Show me Lord, how to love
my neighbour. Not the one
I get on really well with,
go for a drink and enjoy
time out with. Not the one
I see at church each week,
and sees the world as I do,
generally. Not the one
who lives along the street
with whom I share my thoughts
about the weather with.
Show me Lord, how to love
the neighbour I avoid, the one
I struggle with, whose views
and outlook on life I disagree
with, whose lifestyle seems
so different to mine. Show me
Lord, how, as you loved others,
including even one such as me,
so I can hold out these hands
of friendship and love to all
who in your eyes are neighbours,
your children, truly loved by you.

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In our walk to the cross,
and beyond,
who will roll the stone away,
show us the empty tomb,
our risen Saviour,
Messiah?
Only you, Lord,
as you revealed yourself
to three women
early on that Resurrection morning.
Only you, Lord,
as you revealed yourself
to hesitant and frightened disciples
in the upper room,
and showed your wounded side.
Only you, Lord,
as you revealed yourself
through the power of your Holy Spirit
on that Pentecost morning,
and reveal your self today,
through tongues of fire
and through the gentlest of breeze,
through revelation
and revolution,
in hearts and souls.
In our walk to the cross,
and beyond,
who will roll the stone away,
show us the empty tomb,
our risen Saviour,
Messiah?
Only you, Lord.
Only you!

 

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Your love
flows like a stream
into the ocean of your Grace.

Your love
encircles this world,
displays your faithfulness.

Your love
is patient and kind,
brings wholeness and true peace.

Your love
is all we desire
to heal our brokenness.

As all things pass
and fade away
love remains
eternally

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There is a transformation that takes place
within the warmth of your embrace,
that certain knowledge that you are
refuge, shelter, fortress and stronghold,
against which no army can succeed,
that you are Brother, Sister, Mother, Father,
the love that knows no bounds.
That you are God,
and I am lost outside of your embrace.

 

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Your love,
flowing within us,
living water,
purifying
in that cleansing flow;
and our worship,
in sweet harmony,
echoing
through the air as birdsong
at the dawning of this day.
Stream meets stream
and river flows,
emptying into Ocean's store.


Your grace,
offering to us
forgiveness,
liberty
from all that binds us;
and our prayers,
joining together,
rising
as a fragrant offering
to the heart of the divine.
Stream meets stream
and river flows,
emptying into Ocean's store.


Your call,
whispering to us,
offering
encouragement
on our journeying;
and our service,
the only response
we can give,
a willing sacrifice
to the Godhead, Three in One.
Stream meets stream
and river flows,
emptying into Ocean's store.

 

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Creator of all,
Sustainer of all,
Saviour of all,
Your glory and majesty
are beyond our understanding,
Your power too awesome to behold.
And yet your love enfolds us as a gentle breeze.
Saviour of all,
Sustainer of all,
Creator of all,
We bless your holy name

 

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Creator God, you who love us more than we can know,,
Who chose us from the very beginning to be family
We praise your holy name.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Word become flesh,
Who dwelt among us and was sacrificed for us,
We praise your holy name.
Holy Spirit, present and power in our lives
From the moment that we first believed,
We praise your holy name.

 

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God whose love reaches to the highest heavens,
how can we keep silent?
God whose righteousness stands like the tallest mountain,
how can we keep silent?
God whose justice is deeper than any ocean,
how can we keep silent?
God whose grace flows like a never-ending river,
how can we keep silent?
How can we not proclaim your majesty,
from generation to generation?
How can we not raise the lamp of your Salvation,
for all the world to see?
God whose love reaches to the highest heavens,
we praise your mighty name!

 

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Son of God,
you love each one of us
as if there were just one of us;
those who have striven hard
to obey your commands,
those who have drifted here,
unsure of the path they trod,
those who are here simply
because of your grace,
individuals, all of us.
Son of God,
you love each one of us
as if there were just one of us,
how can we not sing your praises
for all that you have done.  Amen

 

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For the love you have shown us
since the moment of our birth;
the path you open up for us
to be your servants here on earth;
for the footsteps that we follow,
and your words that we shall say;
for the seed that we shall scatter
as we walk your narrow way;
and the harvest you shall gather
on that great and glorious day.
O Lord to you we raise,
this our offering of praise

 

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You are the Father who welcomes home
the prodigal who has wandered far.
You are the Father who prepares a meal
when others would simply ignore.
You are the Father whose love extends
beyond our thoughts or minds.
You are the Father who knows our hearts
and yet loves us as we are.
You are the Father whose word we trust
in whose presence we have no fear.
You are the Father whose tender touch
makes a wounded spirit whole.
You are the Father whose only Son
was born that he might die.
You are the Father whose gracious love
we celebrate this day. Amen

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Creator God, you who love us more than we can know,
who chose us from the very beginning to be family,
we praise your holy name.
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Word become flesh ,
who dwelt among us and was sacrificed for us,
we praise your holy name
Holy Spirit, present and power in our lives
from the moment that we first believed,
we praise your holy name.

 

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The God who breathed this world alive
and sustains it day by day,
whose hands flung stars into space
and controls our destiny
says, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you."
The God who filled the ocean depths
and set tides on their way,
who caused mountains to be raised up
and rainbows to display
Says, "I have called you by name, you are mine."
The God who made the fertile earth
and seed within to sow,
whose artistry creates butterflies
and the early morning dew
says, "You are precious in my sight."