General Chat

Good morning :-)

Today we have reached the Third Sunday of Advent - the theme of Joy.

The Collect for today :

O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,
that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

The Gospel reading tells us how John the Baptist foretold the coming of Christ. A wonderful story.

We have two baptisms this morning and the large Carol Service tonight. Our son is coming to sit with his dad this evening which is helpful.

Cx :-)

The third candle is lit on the Advent wreath today. This week we think of JOY.
Cynthia I am sure that you will enjoy the carol service knowing your son is keeping your husband company.

Sharing one of my favourite hymns with you for the 3rd week of Advent.

JOY TO THE WORLD (written by Isaac Watts and based on Psalm 98)

Joy to the world, the Saviour comes
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world the Saviour reigns!
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found
Far as the curse is found
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove.
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.
And wonders of His love,
And wonders wonders, of His love.

Love, Peace and Joy to all today. xxx

Good morning :-)


That's probably one of my favourite carols.........love it. :-D


A busy day yesterday indeed. My husband made it to the morning service and the two babies were duly baptised, but the congregation numbers were quite sparse.

However

The church was packed for the Carol Service. Chairs were being brought in and some people stood. It was lovely to see the church so full with folk of all ages, from a tiny two week old to those in their 80's.

We have a young music group who played and sang 'Feed the World' and the whole congregation seemed to sway in time with the music :-D

As we heard about John the Baptist yesterday, it may be interesting to learn a little more about this charismatic figure.

John the Baptist is one of the most distinctive characters in the New Testament. He had an unusual flair for fashion, wearing wild-looking clothing made of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He lived in the desert wilderness, ate locust and wild honey and preached a strange message. Unlike so many people, John the Baptist knew his mission in life.

Through God's direction, John the Baptist challenged the people to prepare for the coming of the Messiah by turning away from sin and being baptized as a symbol of repentance.

People could not resist the overpowering truth of his words, as they flocked by the hundreds to hear him and be baptized. And even as he attracted the attention of the crowds, he never lost sight of his mission—to point people to Christ.

The remarkable ministry of John the Baptist included the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. John did not lack boldness as he challenged even Herod to repent of his sins. In approximately 29 AD, Herod Antipas had John the Baptist arrested and put in prison. Later John was beheaded through a plot devised by Herodias, the illegal wife of Herod and ex-wife of his brother, Philip.

In Luke 7:28, Jesus declared John the Baptist to be the greatest man to have ever lived: "I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John."

Lord, help us to follow the example of John by always telling the truth and being sorry for what we have done wrong. May we always speak against evil and stand firm in our faith. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Sounds like a busy but happy day yesterday Cynthia. It's good your church has a young section to entertain the church family. How wonderful to have a packed church as the young and the young in heart share worship and fellowship together.

Amen to your morning prayer Cynthia, as we begin our 3rd week of Advent and reflect upon the Hope and Peace of the last two weeks and the Joy of this week.
Matthew 3 v 1-12 gives a good account of John the Baptist as he Prepares the Way

During this Advent season, as we reflect on hope and anticipation, we remember now all pregnant women and their unborn babies and pray for good care for all. xxx

Good morning :-)


We were encouraged to support our local food bank on Sunday and a request was made for donations of warm coats etc. Its just so sad that there are still so many folk in need these days :-(


As we have heard, for the Third week of Advent, the theme is Joy.

The bible teaches that there is a difference between happiness and joy.

Happiness is fleeting because it often depends on things outside of ourselves, but true joy is eternal because it is based on our relationship Jesus Christ. Depending on the translation, the bible uses the words ‘happy’ and ‘happiness’ about 30 times, whilst ‘joy’ and ‘rejoice’ appear over 300 times.


Lord Jesus Christ, light of the world,
be with us on our journey through Advent,
that we may know you better.
Amen.



Love to all, Cx :-)

Hello all

I only need to look around and see others who are in need of food/shelter/warmth/.

It is good to feel gratitude and humility each day and feel joyful for many blessings.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, count them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
(Written by Johnson Oatman Jnr in 1897).

Heavenly Father
We pause now to consider all that we have in You. Open our eyes to see Your
provision and help us to remember every blessing that we have received from You.
Amen.

Thinking of all volunteers who work alongside the homeless today. xxx

Good morning :-)


I forgot to say that, yesterday was our 3rd birthday! Golly, where have those three years gone since John began this thread? I occasionally hear from him and he is always busy. We thank God for John's initiative in thinking of having such a thread and pray that those who read it may find it source of help and comfort.

For today:

WARNING……WARNING: ADVENT VIRUS

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of many people have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that there may be an epidemic. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in conflict.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increased susceptibility to accept the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to pass it on.
• This last symptom is the most dangerous of all and comes in the form of inviting people to church or performing acts of service in Christ’s name.
• Be warned, this virus is highly contagious. Once someone has been exposed to God’s love, full recovery is seldom possible.
• If this virus takes hold, we could be in danger of having peace on earth.
.

God our Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. We make this prayer to you through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Goodness, it is really 3 years ago that John began this thread, I had missed that!
I hope John is keeping his eye on us all and happy with all our many contributions.

Among all the busyness of this 3rd week in Advent, let's remember family who live away, and won't be home for the special Christmas celebrations.

Heavenly Father,
Bring your blessings upon my family this Christmas.
Bless each and every one of them.
Keep them in your love and keep them from harm.
May your peace reign in our hearts, and may your love
be always at the heart of our family. In Jesus' name.
Amen

Thinking of all in need of prayerful support today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Yes, this thread has been going for three years................amazing how time flies when you're having fun! :-D

So we continue along the Third Week of Advent......Joy.

Circle us, Lord
Circle this world with the joy of your Salvation
Where there is sickness and disease bring healing
Where there is hunger and despair bring hope
Where there is torture and oppression bring release
Lord of creation, Lord of Salvation
Circle this world with the light of your presence.



Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Just written an earlier post and lost it.........not a happy bunny!!!

This is a favourite hymn of mine and I feel this is appropriate to share right now during the 3rd week in Advent when out theme is JOY.

GIVE ME JOY IN MY HEART.

Give me JOY in my heart keep me praising,
Give me JOY in my heart I pray.
Give me JOY in my heart keep me praising
Keep me praising till the end of day..

Sing Hosanna sing Hosanna,
Sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna
Sing Hosanna to the King.

Give me PEACE in my heart, keep me loving,
Give me PEACE in my heart I pray.
Give me PEACE in my heart, keep me loving
Keep me loving till the end of day.

Give me LOVE in my heart, keep me serving,
Give me LOVE in my heart I pray.
Give me LOVE in my heart, keep me serving.
Keep me serving till the end of day.

Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
Sing Hosanna to the King of Kings,
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
Sing Hosanna to the King.

In this joyful hymn we ask for the JOY, PEACE and LOVE, that we all need if we are to follow the teaching of Jesus in our lives. Hosanna is an Aramaic word of praise and adoration, and the title of King of Kings is one of the many names by which Jesus is known.

Joy-filled giver of life, let the anticipation of your birth
fill us all with overflowing JOY.
May our excitement and enthusiasm
Be a sign to the world, that you are always near.
Amen.

Good morning :-)


A good rousing hymn to start my day kandj - thank you.


Nearly at the end of our week of Advent Joy……

Widen my vision

God, open my eyes so I may see
And feel your presence close to me.
Give me strength for my stumbling feet
As I battle the crowd on life’s busy street,
And widen the vision of my unseeing eyes
So in passing faces I’ll recognize
Not just a stranger, unloved and unknown,
But a friend with a heart that is much like my own.
Give me perception to make me aware
That scattered profusely on life’s thoroughfare
Are the best gifts of God that we daily pass by
As we look at the world with an unseeing eye.
Helen Steiner Rice


Remembering friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Hello all

Pleased you liked yesterday's hymn Cynthia. Another favourite one to share today.

JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WE ADORE THEE.

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Fill us with the light of day.

All Thy works with JOY surround Thee
Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays;
Stars and angels sing around Thee
Centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving
Ever blessing, ever blessed.
Wellspring of the JOY of living
Ocean depth of happy rest.
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the JOY divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father, love is reigning o'er us
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife.
JOYFUL music, leads us onward
In the triumph song of life.

Everyone appears to be dashing quickly passed our bungalow. I am so pleased that all my Christmas presents have been bought and wrapped two months ago.
Hubby has spent more than one Christmas in a hospital ward which has taught me to be well prepared. Being together, listening to the volunteer carol singers singing Silent Night is very upsetting and emotional and not at all like depicted in the films.

Remembering all the doctors and nurses who are working at this busy time. xxx

Good morning :-)


I echo your thoughts kandj - thank God for the medical teams and nursing staff who will be on duty during the Christmas season.

As we reach the end of the Third Week of Advent....

Father in this season of advent we prepare our hearts for Your coming.
You are the vine, we are the branches.
Come and tend us, prune us, clean us.

Discard in us everything that will not bear fruit,
Nourish in us everything that bears much fruit.

As we celebrate your first coming as a vulnerable baby
Our hearts await your glorious coming as the eternal King.
Nurture in us expectant hearts O Lord.
Cultivate in us a deep longing for more of you O God.
Until that Day when you burst through the heavens,
And flood our horizons with your glorious splendour.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
though out all ages and generations.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Our village schools finished yesterday until after Christmas and the New Year.
Lots of excited little ones waiting for Father Christmas trying to be very good ha ha.
Even our regular postman is getting into the festive spirit. He came down our drive today wearing a red Santa jacket and a Santa hat...... it made us both smile.

Continuing the JOY of our 3rd week in Advent with these words by Mother Teresa.

"If you are not JOYFUL, do not worry about lukewarmness. JOY will shine in your eyes and in your look, in your conversation and in your countenance. You will not
be able to hide it because JOY overflows."

Good morning :-)


As we reach the fourth and final week of Advent, with its theme of Joy, we will hear in our Gospel reading, the wonderful story of Mary - soon to be the mother of the Christ, travelling to meet with Elizabeth - soon to be the mother of John the Baptist.

The Collect for today:
God our redeemer,
who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son:
grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour,
so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge;
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.



Love to all friends on this thread.... Cx :-)

Hello all

Today in church all 3 previous candles of the Advent wreath will be lit.

1st candle for HOPE

2nd candle for PEACE

3rd candle for JOY

4th candle today will be lit to signify LOVE.

A familiar reading from John 13 v 34-35 expresses this theme so well.

"I give you a new commandment that you LOVE one another. Just as I have
LOVED you, you also should LOVE one another. By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you have LOVE for one another."

Remembering all who are in hospital and hope to be home for Christmas. xxx

Good morning :-)

Yes, the fourth Advent Candle was lit yesterday and, in our church, it was done by one of our churchwardens who was celebrating his birthday :-D


Yesterday, we heard about Mary and Elizabeth meeting together. It was a joyous occasion from which we gain that wonderful Song of Mary – The Magnificat. I imagine that many of our older folk will be able to say it without even looking at the words :-D x

Here it is in its traditional form

My soul doth magnify the Lord :
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded :
the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth :
all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him :
throughout all generations.

He hath shewed strength with his arm :
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things :
and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning is now and every shall be,
World without end.
Amen.


Praying for all those who are finding this Christmas week stressful. Cx :-)

Hello all

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" tra la la la la la.

Yesterday I found the energy to go into the loft for the trees/nativities/decorations.
The last Sunday before Christmas Day is traditionally the day our family decorate our home. For my efforts, there is a silver tree in the lounge with red baubles and beads and a green tree in the hall with gold baubles and beads. Nativity scenes are placed in the lounge/hall/dining room. Artificial snowflakes stuck on the two front windows and arch Christmas candlelights on both windowsill too. It all looks very festive and pretty. Our family arrive 23rd and hubby is a happy chappy.

Continuing the LOVE theme this fourth week of Advent with the traditional carol
written by the famous poet Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894).

LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS.

Love came down at Christmas
Love all lovely; love divine;
Love was born at Christmas
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men
Love for plea and gift and sign.

Remembering those who are grieving the loss of a loved one this Christmas. xxx

Good morning :-)


I have kept my Christmas decorations very few and far between this year. A nativity scene, a few ornaments and the cards hanging on the walls. Just nearly jumped out of my skin with loud banging on the front door......arrrrghhh. Oooooooh.....someone has sent me a gift of flowers! I will check them in a minute. :-)

For today:


MARY shifted her weight uncomfortably atop the little beast of burden. She had been riding for hours. Just ahead, Joseph walked steadily onward, leading the way along the road toward distant Bethlehem. Mary once again felt the stirring of life within her.

Mary was well along in her pregnancy; the Bible describes her at this time with the expressive phrase “heavy with child.” (Luke 2:5) As the couple passed by one field after another, perhaps some of the farmers looked up from their ploughing or sowing and wondered why a woman in such a condition would go on a journey. What had led Mary so far from her home in Nazareth?


Luke 2 : 4-5 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.




Cx :-)

Hello all

Ooooh, flowers Cynthia. How lovely! Sounds like a lovely surprise.

I am busy now like many others with extra jobs for Christmastime. I am trying to accept my weakness and limitations so as not to get too stressed right now.

Dear Lord, help me to be still: Nourish my soul, as I spend time with You in prayer.

Thinking of all who feel lonely and distressed at this time of year. xxx