The opening words of Psalm 46 are a great source of strength, when we need reassurance that God is present and ready to help us when we need it.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46: 1-3

(photo: Mael Ballard)

Holy Week and Easter gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past year of unprecedented change and to look forward in renewed hope for the life promised by Jesus in his resurrection.

Amen!

During the Lockdown periods throughout the past year, many of our churches have been steaming online services, gatherings and special messages to help to keep our community together in the name of Jesus. 

The initiative has proved to be very popular high numbers of people checking in. This will continue over the Easter period, so please feel free to join our communities online if you are unable to attend a 'live' service in your area.

Available services and links

• The Lockdown Band website is hosting songs, video and audio recordings put together during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Link: www.wormleylockdownband.com
• Copthorne Chapel are posting weekly services on their website. Link: www.copthornechapel.org.uk
• Wormley Free Church are posting Sunday services each week, accessed though their website. The services are followed by a Zoom get-together for a virtual cup of coffee and a chat. Link: www.wormleyfreechurch.org.uk. 
• Rosedale Community Church has a selection of Sunday messages available on their YouTube page. Link: Rosedale Community Church
• Bolney Village Chapel are streaming Sunday services on their Facebook page. Services begin at 10.30am for approximately 45 mins and include worship, Bible readings and teaching. Link: Bolney Village Chapel
• South Street Free Church has also been posting Sunday services on their YouTube page, including Bible readings, hymns, songs and sermons. Link: South Street Free Church
• Goring Free Church is streaming Sunday video recordings on their YouTube page. Each week there is a playlist of worship songs to accompany the series of sermons. Link: Goring Free Church
• The Countess Free Church, Ely, have Livestreams of their whole church zoom gatherings, which occur roughly fortnightly on YouTube at Countess Free Church. They also create weekly messages that are available via their podcasts; to access these, go to their website: www.countessely.co.uk 

 

Today's inspiring verse from Psalm 37 reminds us of the importance of being patient, and allowing God to do his work.

With Valentine's Day coming up at the weekend, this verse from 1John is a timely reminder that God is Love.

St Valentine's Day began as a church holiday on 14 February to honour martyrs of the faith - saints whose names were Valentine or Valentinus. It is believed that the first ‘heart-illustrated valentine note’ was sent by Valentine, who’d been imprisoned for a girl he loved. 

Valentine messages have been recorded back to the Middle Ages, and although Valentine's Day has taken on a new meaning in more recent times, it remains a special day to send love to those close to us. 

With so much uncertainty, weariness, grief and fear stretching across the entire world, during this Coronavirus pandemic, these words from 1Peter 5, provide us with a simple, pure message of God's love and power.

 

Photo: snowdrop by Tomoko Uji (Unsplash)

With the inauguration today of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the US, this verse from Philippians provides a valuable instruction for all those in positions of leadership.

The verse continues: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Phil 2:4)

Amen!

 

(Photo: by Simon Fitall for Unsplash)

These words from Jesus in John 14:1, effectively bring comfort and reassurance to all of his followers.

After such a challenging year, which has been so hard for so many people, we can move forward into 2021 in prayer and hope, bolstered by God's promises. 

We are looking forward to seeing a great light in the darkness!

Isaiah's prophecy for the day we've all been waiting for!