General Chat

Wonderful news Vera, congratulations to all.

I'm with kandj, I'm going to be happy on this Monday.

I believe in pink.
I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.
I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.
I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.
I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.
I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.

Audrey Hepburn

Hello All

Thanks Emma for the Audrey Hepburn quote.

Cynthia, it will be interesting to see if the baptism families will find the new format more to their liking. I have not too good memories of a total disrespect whilst in church for a baptism where famies attending were not in the least interested in being there and in fact were very noisy and rude throughout the whole service.

Watching TV coverage showing the plight of so many refugees and migrants I have been thinking.... "There but for the grace of God, go I" (John Bradford 1510-1555)
I can remember my Mum saying this out loud on more than one occasion when I was growing up. I have googled these words and they make for interesting reading.

I have much to be thankful for, and it's good to look around and feel grateful daily.

"If the only prayer you said was 'Thank you', that would be enough.
(Meister Eckhart).

Good morning :-)


Sometimes, at baptisms and weddings, the behaviour of people who are not used to going to church is pretty bad. There can be total disrespect and a lack of interest with what is happening, but we still welcome them and try to set a good example.

I must admit to a certain frustration when folk are given books which they never pick up, or when they remain seated even during hymns, playing on their phones. I do sometimes wonder what their manners are like in the world outside. I saw something yesterday about pubs complaining about the unruly children spoiling things for other folk..........yes, well........I know exactly what they mean! :-D


For today:

To cheer us on our way.......


Celtic Blessing
(An ancient prayer for happiness and joy)

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.



Cx :-)

Hello All

Quite a few years ago we had a vicar who would end all services with
this Irish blessing.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rain fall soft upon your fields, and
Until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I can never hear these words now without thinking of John and
the years of work he did so wonderfully in our village church.

Thinking of all in need of an Irish blessing this night. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today, our Queen becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch.
The official photographs have her seated at her desk. How many people, at the age of 89, still work at a desk....? :-D


From the Church of England.......of which Her Majesty is the Supreme Governor...

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ exchanged the glory of a heavenly throne for the form of a servant,
we thank you that you have given Elizabeth our Queen a heart to serve her people,
and have kept her devoted in this service beyond all who were before her:
encourage us by her example to serve one another, and to seek the common good,
until you call us all to reign with Christ in your eternal kingdom.
Amen.



Cx :-)

We watched the news and saw the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in Scotland. They are an amazing couple and work so hard for people of their ages. Becoming Britain's longest serving Monarch is a wonderful achievement and I admire the Queen and Prince Philip even though he often opens his mouth and puts his foot in it!
Sadly, I don't feel the same about many other members of the Royal family.

Remembering all in need of prayerful support tonight. xxx

Good morning.. :-)


An amazing couple indeed and, like any family, there are those members whose behaviour, at times, can leave a lot to be desired. :-D


Three families for baptism prep last night and we had babies crawling all over the place! Hopefully, the new service will go well on Sunday.


For today:

My days are so crowded and my hours so few
And I can no longer work fast like I used to do.
But I know I must learn to be satisfied,
That God has not completely denied
The joy of working -- at a much slower pace--
For as long as He gives me a little place
To work with Him in His vineyard of love,
Just to know that He's helping me from above
Gives me strength to meet each day
As I travel along life's changing way.

- Helen Steiner Rice


Remembering those in need of prayer. Cx :-)

Hello All

I do hope that all goes well at the baptism prep Cynthia.

Baptism is a special event and a happy time for family and friends to come together in church. Baptism means different things to different people, but I'm sure that everyone will want the occasion to be a special time for the baby, parents and godparents

A child is a very special gift from God
Baptism is God's gift-wrapping
Delightfully wrapped in love
Safe and sound in the arms of the divine.

Do Mum's still ask for the churching prayers Cynthia... or is that something else that is no longer performed in church any more?

'A Wake-Up Call To All Protestants!'

If you attend a "mainline" Protestant church, you have probably noticed that it is shrinking. Why is this happening? What should you be doing about it?

As a former Protestant with many family members still Protestant, I feel compelled to warn you of a soon-coming disaster! Most of the Protestant churches will not even exist a decade or two from right now!

Why?
Because to the vast majority of people in America and the entire English-speaking world, Protestantism is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Millions of Protestant church members are voting with their feet and getting out. They are becoming Roman Catholics.

Many are also simply disheartened, discouraged and confused. These unsettled people often describe themselves as "nones"—meaning they belong to no organized religion. They just try to become "spiritual"- just trying to worship God in their own way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Excerpt from an extensive article by Roderick C Meredith published in the current edition of 'Tomorrow's World' magazine. www.TomorrowsWorld.org

Just popping by.......


Dear oh dear Dermot.......Matthew 7.15


:-D

Good morning :-)


Today we commemorate the 14th anniversary of the appalling terrorist attack known as '9/11'. I think most people can remember where they were when they heard the dreadful news of the attack on the World Trade Centre.



May all of us remember with love and compassion this day.
May we grieve with those who still mourn,
And share memories with those who cannot forget.
May we draw strength from those who bravely responded,
And gave their lives to save others.
May we stand with strangers who became neighbours that day,
And remember their generosity and hospitality.
Above all God may we remember your faithfulness
And learn to trust in your unfailing love

Amen.


Cx :-)

Amen.

Today we pray for the families
and remember the victims of 9/11.

Amen indeed.

Is it really that long since the 9/11 terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York?

I remember it was my day off work and I was busy with housework and no TV on when my friend phoned and was clearly upset at the TV news coverage. The housework didn't get finished. I went in the car to sit with my friend, we were glued to the TV set for hours on end....... unbelievabe scenes. Hubby and I had visited NY and seen the huge skyscraper twin towers, couldn't believe they crumbled as I watched.. We don't seem to have moved very far into a safer world even now!

Dermot...... don't believe all you read in newsprint.

Remembering all who are affected by terrorists years ago and right now. xxx

Good morning :-)


Lovely baby avatar Emma <3


Looking through the window, it is grey, wet and very miserable looking.......and after such a nice day yesterday! We are never bored with our weather are we? :-D


For today:

Failure does not mean I'm a failure ...
It does mean I have not yet succeeded.

Failure does not mean I have accomplished nothing ...
It does mean I have learned something.

Failure does not mean I have been a fool ...
It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.

Failure does not mean I have disgraced ...
It does mean I have dared to try.

Failure does not mean I don't have it ...
It does mean I have something to do in a different way.

Failure does not mean I am inferior ...
It does mean I am not perfect.

Failure does not mean I have wasted my life ...
It does mean that I have an excuse to start over.

Failure does not mean that I should give up ...
It does mean that I should try harder.

Failure does not mean that I will never make it ...
It does mean that I need more practice.

Failure does not mean that God has abandoned me ...
It does mean that He must have a better idea!

~ Author Unknown ~


Remember all in need of prayer. Cx :-)

Night time and another busy day is done.Hoping for a peaceful, restful night for us both

When you lie down you need not be afraid; when you lie down , your sleep will be sweet.
(proverbs 3 v 24).

The day is done
O God the Son
Look down upon
Thy little one.

O Light of Light
Keep me this night
and shed round
Thy presence bright.

I need not fear
If Thou art near;
Thou art my Saviour
Kind and dear.

Goodnight and sweet dreams to everyone xxx

Good morning :-)



This morning should be interesting at church...we are welcoming two babies, their families and friends into the main service. It's a while since we did this and, as both families are bringing around 100 guests each........................it could be manic. We will also be using the new service, so it could be fun all round! :-D

The Collect for today:

God, who in generous mercy sent the Holy Spirit
upon your Church in the burning fire of your love:
grant that your people may be fervent in the fellowship of the gospel that,
always abiding in you, they may be found steadfast
in faith and active in service;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Yesterday turned out to be a good day.......the new service went well and people seemed attentive. The two babies were as good as gold and my husband made it to church in pretty good form too! :-D

Today is Holy Cross Day. It's not a day I am very familiar with, so I had to do some research, and this is what I found :

.
"The cross on which our Lord was crucified has become the universal symbol for Christianity, replacing the fish symbol of the early church, though the latter has been revived in recent times. After the end of the persecution era, early in the fourth century, pilgrims began to travel to Jerusalem to visit and pray at the places associated with the life of Jesus.

Helena, the mother of the emperor, was a Christian and, whilst overseeing excavations in the city, is said to have uncovered a cross, which many believed to be the Cross of Christ. A basilica was built on the site of the Holy Sepulchre and dedicated on this day in the year 335."

A prayer for this day

Almighty God, whose Son our Saviour Jesus Christ was lifted
high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to
himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery
of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and
follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.
Amen.


The story makes me think of that old hymn.......The Old Rugged Cross.......


Continuing in prayer..... Cx :-)

My daughter's favourite hymn Cynthia x

Remembering all who are in need of prayer.

Cynthia, sounds like it was a good day in more ways than one for you yesterday.

Emma, a beautiful Avatar of gt grandson Ollie.

Several years ago in our village we had two Catholic nuns who belonged to the Order of the Holy Cross. They were both angels on earth and worked tirelessly each day to strengthen links between our parish church, the Methodist chapel and the Catholic church.
They are now enjoying retirement in Bucks Convent and I still am in contact.
They continue to visit the sick and attend assembly in schools and support trainee priests, as well as hospital visiting and other work within the community. They are a real inspiration as Sr. C is 84 and Sr. E is 92 years young!
It is my privilege to have shared my journey in faith with two spiritual nuns.

The Sisters of the Holy Cross Order of Nuns was founded by Mother Bernarda Heimgartner in Switzerland in 1844. The founding Sisters order set out to transform society by means of education and the Gospel.
They made a contribution to the improved standing of women and helped raise the standard of education in their society.

Remembering all who feel lonely and upset this night. xxx

Good morning :-)


I have the greatest respect for those who are called to serve as nuns....and your two friends sound like amazing women kandj. I once went on a retreat which was led by a nun - I can't remember which order she was from, but she still comes to mind which I hold a bible. She would not lay her bible on the floor, nor put anything on top of it because the word of God is so precious. Funny the things you remember isn't it? :-)

For today:

You are the glorious morning,
You are refreshment and peace.
You are the sounds as the dawn breaks,
You are the rose that smells sweet.

You are the Lord, my creator,
You are the wonder of life.
You are the great words of wisdom,
I read them and fill up inside.

You are the wonderful sunrise,
You are restorer of hope.
You are the air that we breathe now,
You are the warm winter coat.

You are the Lord, my creator,
You are a love without end.
You are all grace and forgiveness,
I stand loved and free as your friend.


Cx :-)