Here is love vast as the ocean

Thursday 6th February 2025

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. ¹³Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.¹⁴‘So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance.'” Exodus 12:12-14 NKJV

God of plagues and miracles,

Blood has been at the centre of our relationship with you. You had to kill animals to cover Adam and Eve when they sinned and knew they were naked. Here much blood was spilled before Pharaohs heart softened and he let Moses people go, Even the blood of his own grown up first born son. Many, many animals were also slaughtered in the days to come to atone for sin until Jesus. Then the most precious blood was shed, On the cross. Your first born. And no more was necessary.

They were to remember this night not just for its own sake but in order to understand the next Passover which was for the whole world. Fulfilling the promise that through Abraham all nations would be blessed. It is not just a memorial to them gaining their freedom from slavery and their journey to the promised land but that blood had to be shed and was used to mark who would be protected.

We cannot prettify Easter. It is about Your Son shedding his blood for us. And His blood is the only thing that protects us from sin and death. Thank you for the gift of Your Son, and His shed blood, His obedience on the cross and our life through Him.

In Jesus name we pray ,Amen.

Worship Thursday 6th February 2025

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Loving-kindness as the flood;
When the Prince of Life, my ransom,
Shed for me his precious blood.
Who his love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing his praise?
He shall never be forgotten,
Through Heav’n’s everlasting days

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide,
Through the flood-gates of God’s mercy,
Flowed the vast and gracious tide;
Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above,
And God’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Repeat both verses . . .

Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above,
And God’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Lyrics: William Rees
Translator: William Edwards (From Welsh)

Sunday 3rd November 2024

“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

God of Light and Life,

Sunday and we praise You, Father, Saviour, Provider, Redeemer, Almighty, God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We could go on as their are so many names trying to give us some understanding of who You are, what You do and what You mean to us. Till we get to “I Am” the name You told Moses at the burning bush and we are silenced by Your magnitude.

Some of may be praising You as they jump out of bed and others will be pulling up the covers and thinking about getting up for church . . . some will be busy getting others up and some . . . just having a second cuppa and thinking about moving!

However we start today, help us to remember to praise You for how wonderful You are and to thank You for who You are. Dawn brings light every day. The true light came into the world (John 1:9) comes into our hearts just as certainly every day, all day. If there is just one thing to start our praise today . . . it is for sending the light of Jesus for us and in us by Your Spirit.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of light and love,

For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship, ministers and our and neighbouring congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors.
For Ukraine and Russia. For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Miracles of Peace.
For schools as they reopen after half term tomorrow. Light of good knowledge.
For the power of the gospel to set shed light into new believers all over the world today.
For us to experience You today through Your Word even if we cannot get to church.

In Jesus name, Amen

Just enjoy this hymn first in Welsh and then in English. There is something beautiful about listening to it in the language it was written in.

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
loving-kindness as the flood,
when the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
throughout heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion
fountains opened deep and wide;
through the floodgates of God’s mercy
flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
poured incessant from above,
and heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
kissed a guilty world in love.

Lyrics: William Rees
Translator: William Edwards

Friday 10th November 2023

“And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” ” Luke 9:21
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ²My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-4

Father in Heaven,

We love You, because You first loved us. Loved us with an everlasting love. Not like earthly love, fragile, unpredictable, inconsistent. Love stronger than sin, suffering and death. Love that knew our unworthiness but paid the price. We bring You our worship and our praise and our love.

Father when we look at Jesus , in the gospels, we see how focused He was. Focused on the reason He came to earth. Focused on paying for our sin by dying on the cross. The angels announcing His birth and Simeon (Luke 2;11 and 26) called Him the Messiah – the one who came to save the people from their sins. He was the perfect sinless sacrifice. Nothing distracted Him. He prepared His disciples as best He could. He planned, even down to their last meal together. So they would always remember- every time they broke bread, sat down to eat. And then sent His Holy Spirit to be with them and us.

Paul, in Philippians 3:14, calls us to be focused on the goal. To win the prize to which You, God are calling us heavenward in Jesus Christ. Help us to be like Jesus, remembering where we are going. We are less likely to get lost, give up or start going backwards. Assure us, by Your Holy Spirit, that our sin is forgiven, that death is conquered and a place is prepared for us. A glorious place full of life and joyful fellowship and an atmosphere of unconditional love. “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now we know in part; then we shall know fully, even as we are fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12). Keep us focused on You.

In Jesus beautiful name we pray, Amen.

Father in Heaven,

We pray,
For all our family, friends, neighbours, and our church family. For their needs, some we know, some are urgent and some are known only to You. Bless them.
For our ministers, all who work through churches to support, help and bless their local communities. For food banks, social gatherings and warm places.
For our Government, that You would shake it up, so that those with the good of the nation would be seated there.
For our King and Queen and those who work for the best future for our nation.
For Gaza and the Middle East, Lord a miracle of peace, and wisdom from world leaders not division.
For Putin and Ukraine. An end to this conflict.
For our armed services as they prepare to take part in remembrance services. For Ambassadors who seek to represent our desire for peace and democracy.
For those in the midst of conflict, whose share their faith, to see people choose Christ Jesus.
For ourselves, to appreciate the peace we have in our nation and to give thanks for the peace the world cannot give us and which is only found in You. (John 14:27).

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Friday 10th November 2023
This is in Welsh and then in English.

First verse sung in Welsh.

Here is love, vast as the ocean
Loving kindness as the flood
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom
Shed for us His precious blood
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten
Throughout Heaven’s eternal days

On the mount of crucifixion
Fountains opened deep and wide
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide
Grace and love, like mighty rivers
Poured incessant from above
And Heaven’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love