General Chat

What terrible news to wake up to..........those poor, poor people in Paris.

As we reach the end of the week of Remembrance, I had thought that the following hymn was suitable........now, in the light of what has happened in France, I still think so.…..


Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH2FekyDKdw


Cx <3

I echo Cynthia's words "Let peace begin with me".

I was listening to the radio in the early hours of this morning and couldn't believe what I was hearing. My heart goes out to all those affected by these terrible events.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people
of Paris today.

Lost for words really.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost family and friends in Paris.

Good morning :-)

As we struggle to come to terms with the events of yesterday, we look at the rather pertinent Collect and Gospel for today.

The Collect

Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil
and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:
grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure;
that when he shall appear in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

The Gospel Mark 13.1-8

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’ When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.’


Cx :-)

Keep hope alive.

Hello all

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.
Psalm 34 v 18.

Praying for the people in Paris and all who are mourning. xxx

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Mathew 5:4

Good morning :-)


As we have watched the events of the weekend unfold, it made me think of those to whom we turn in such a crisis. This week, we will look at and pray for, the people who come to our rescue.

The police.

In Britain today all policemen are commonly referred to as ‘Bobbies’! Originally though, they were known as ‘Peelers’ in reference to one Sir Robert Peel (1788 - 1850).

The first thousand of Peel’s police, dressed in blue tail-coats and top hats, began to patrol the streets of London on 29th September 1829. The uniform was carefully selected to make the ‘Peelers’ look more like ordinary citizens, rather than a red-coated soldier with a helmet.

The 'Peelers' were issued with a wooden truncheon carried in a long pocket in the tail of their coat, a pair of handcuffs and a wooden rattle to raise the alarm. By the 1880s this rattle had been replaced by a whistle. How times have changed!

Lord,
give our Police Officers Courage.
Courage to face and conquer their own fears.
Courage to go where others will not.
Give them strength.
Strength of body to protect others.
Strength of spirit to help others.
Give them dedication.
Dedication to the job, to do it well.
Dedication to the community, to keep it safe.
Give them Lord, concern for those who trust them
and compassion for those in need.
And please, Lord, through it all,
be at their side.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Our nephew is in the Police Force as his chosen career which is worrying as sadly, there now seems to be little respect for the work that they all face each and every day.

Heavenly Father
Bless all Police Officers as they protect our lives, guard our safety and try to
keep the peace in all places. Amen.

Remembering all who are faced with keeping us safe from terrorist attacks. xxx

Good morning :-)

Continuing our look at those we turn to in times of crisis :

The Fire Service

The first organised firefighting is believed to have originated in the UK during the Roman invasion in AD43. Even then, fighting fires was often limited to nothing better than buckets of water or simple syringes that squirted water at the fire.
During the middle ages many towns and cities simply burned down because of ineffective firefighting arrangements and because of the building materials used at the time; mainly wood.

The Great Fire of London, in 1666, changed things and helped to standardise urban firefighting.

A major change in the way fires were fought came into being in the mid 1850s when the first reliable steam powered appliances were adopted by brigades. These appliances replaced the manual engines and allowed a far great quantity of water to be to be directed onto a fire. These Steam powered appliances were only to last slightly longer than 50 years due to the introduction of the internal combustion engine in the early 1900s.

There are at present 63 brigades in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Merciful Father in heaven,

look down in Your love upon all those who protect us and ours from the ravages of fire and flame.

Grant them the courage and skills to carry out their duties well and safely.

When they must go into the face of danger, be by their side in the smoke and flames.

Watch over their families, ever reminding them that those who fight fire are also in Your loving care.

This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Amen.



Continuing to remember those who have asked for prayer.... Cx :-)

Hello all

Firefighters are another of the Emergency Services that are often taken for granted.

We thank you Lord for all who chose a career in the Fire Service.
We ask you to bless all who take risks and make sacrifices for others every day.
Be with them all and keep them safe in the dangerous profession they have chosen.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Remembering all who are grieving today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Just a quick visit this morning. My husband was taken to hospital yesterday with severe confusion. They have kept him in overnight to try and find out what the problem is as nothing obvious was showing. I am going back shortly hopefully, to get some answers.

Funnily enough, today's thoughts are with the ambulance service.....

The Ambulance Service

There are many of us who have been very grateful over the years for the wonderful care received by paramedics.

• Roman Britain - Teams carrying bandages and water bottles ride behind fighting lines, bearing away the injured. Horse and foot soldiers earned a piece of gold for each life saved.

• Anglo-Saxon period - Invalids of rank transported on litter, cart or hammock.

• 17th century - Soldiers removed from civil war battlefields in wagons. Plague sufferers carried to plague-houses by fever-ambulance.

• In 1775 the first organised Ambulance service in Scotland was established.

• The purchase of a pair of sedan chairs in Edinburgh was the beginning of the service, these were acquired on behalf of the doctors at the Royal Infirmary, for the "carriage of persons needful of medicinal enquiry yet unable to proceed thereto"

• 19th century -Increase in ambulances used across the country.

• 1912 onwards - Horse-drawn ambulances replaced by 1946 - National Health Services Act requires local authorities to provide ambulances 'where necessary'. Initially staffed by volunteers, professionals are introduced gradually.

• 1964 - The Millar report recommends that the ambulance service should provide treatment as well as carry people to hospital. motor vehicles.


We thank you God for all those who are paramedics; for their skill and compassion as they tend the sick and injured.

Be with them as they answer each call Lord, never knowing what a day may bring.
We thank you for their patience, kindness and perseverance, often in difficult situations.
May they always be appreciated and respected by those who call on them.

Amen.

Cx :-)

Sorry to hear that your OH is in hospital Cynthia. Often the cause of confusion is a urine infection though I imagine the doctors would have checked for that. Whatever the problem I hope it can be quickly sorted out.

Thinking of you both and praying for your OH's speedy return home <3

Oh dear Cynthia. A worrying time for you and your family. I hope that the hospital staff can find the reason for your husband's confused state of mind. Sending a ((hug))

We have been so very grateful for the help and support of our local ambulance services many times. They are always professional and reassuring at a stressful time. We have come to know some by first names..... how sad a life is that??!!!

When I see an ambulance with its lights flashing or siren sounding, I make the sign of the cross and say a little prayer. I don't know how serious the situation inside the ambulance may be or where the driver is heading for but I pray quietly for them all.

Thinking of all who will have a need to use the ambulance services today. xxx

Cynthia I'm so sorry to hear that your husband
is in hospital.

My thoughts are with you and hope your husband
will return home soon <3

Good morning :-)

Thank you for your kind words. Things aren't looking too good at the moment I'm afraid - he is very restless and causing them some problems. He had a second scan yesterday, so I am going in later to see where we stand. Possibly a bleed on the brain or something like. Hey ho.

Continuing our look at those we turn to in times of need:

Up Up and away!

Air medical services is a comprehensive term covering the use of air transportation, airplane or helicopter, to move patients to and from healthcare facilities and accident scenes.

Personnel provide comprehensive prehospital and emergency and critical care to all types of patients during aeromedical evacuation or rescue operations aboard helicopter and propeller aircraft or jet aircraft.

The use of air transport of patients dates to World War I, but its role was expanded dramatically during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. Helicopters are used to transport patients between hospitals and from trauma scenes; fixed-wing aircraft are used for long-distance transports.

The advantages of medical transport by helicopter may include providing a higher level of care at the scene of trauma and improving access to trauma centres. Helicopter-based emergency medical service (EMS) also provides critical care capabilities during interfacility transport from community hospitals to trauma centres.

Lord,
we thank you for those men and women who take to the air to bring help and assistance to those in need.

Bless them in their endeavours and grant them safe journeys as they transport their patients to hospital.

We pray for their families, that they may know your love and care as their loved ones leave home to fly to the aid of the sick and injured.

Amen.

Cx :-)

A worrying time for you Cynthia. Your OH will be held in my thoughts <3

My thoughts and prayers are with you Cynthia and with your husband and family.

Psalm 55 v 22 comes to mind today.

Give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you.
(New Living Translation).

Cynthia <3 my prayers and thoughts for you both
at this time and also your family x