General Chat

Good morning :-)

It's a beautiful Sunday morning - how lovely to see the sun shining. Two baby girls are to be baptised this morning and we have a visitor leading the service - could be interesting! :-D

Glad you enjoyed the joke Emma - it's good to see you.....x


Today is the third Sunday after Easter......

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
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 :-)

Hello all

It does sound to be a special Sunday in church for you today Cynthia. Enjoy it.

How much did you make with your Spring Fair yesterday? Hope everything went well and many came along to support your church yesterday. Every penny counts.

We also have a beautiful blue sky and sunshine here this morning. Now do I begin
painting the fence, or continue weeding the back garden border, hmmmm?? Decisions/decisions? Whatever you all have planned, I hope you enjoy today.

Sunday Blessings
God bless your day with
sunshine, smiles, laughter
kindness, peace and joy.

A gentle hug for those who see no sunshine in their day today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Yesterday went well thank goodness. The visiting priest was a hit with the congregation and the baptism families seemed pleased. It's unbelievable to think that, just three short years ago, we were sailing along with our beloved vicar, unaware of the turmoil which was shortly to be thrust upon us.

We are now facing yet another period of uncertainty as the lady appointed as our priest-in-charge last year, is moving to another diocese in June. We can only place our church family into God's hands and see what the future brings.

The fair went well on Saturday, but was held in church because we didn't have access to school due to half term. We were a few stalls down too which made a difference. However, £800 was raised, which all helps towards the cost of running the church.


I think we all probably have a bible lurking somewhere in the house.

The bible is a wonderful book made up of a collection of scriptures written at different times by different authors in different locations. Both Jews and Christians consider the books of the Bible to be an authoritative record of the relationship between God and humans.

Whilst there are many, many versions and translations of the bible to choose from the C. of E. does not authorise any particular translation. However, it does set a criteria for what is suitable to be read in public worship.

So where does that leave us in which version to read for our personal use? This week we will be taking a look at the various societies who produce daily online bible reading resources and see where it leads us.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your written Word and the mighty truths it contains. We pray that in the power of Your Holy Spirit You would open our hearts and minds to the truths that You wish us to see. Amen.



Cx :-)

I have the bible I carried on my wedding day,
the ribbons that were on it although the lily
of the valley flowers are well past their best.

Amen to your prayer Cynthia x

Hello all

That will be a very special bible Emma, reminding you of your wedding day.

I have several bibles here. Two I bought new. Three purchased from second hand stall and one special bible that was given to me by a member of church family, who sadly is no longer with us.

£800 is a good sum for the church fair and will be welcomed by everyone in church.

Night Vigil............... before I head off to bed, hoping for a decent nights sleep.

Watch thou, dear Lord
with those who wake, or watch or weep tonight
and give thine angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend thy sick ones, heavenly Father
Rest thy weary ones, bless thy dying ones
Soothe thy suffering ones.
Pity thine afflicted ones.
Shield thy joyous ones.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Good morning :-)


What a lovely reminder of your special day Emma. I can't remember the last time I saw a bride carrying a bible though :-(


Today we start our travels through some of the various online daily bible readings which are available. We start with UCB - United Christian Broadcasters who offer both online and reading material. Please click on the link for today's reading on God's faithfulness. Enjoy!

http://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today.html



We pray for all those who have bibles laying around which are unused - that these precious books may be picked up, dusted off and read. Cx :-)

Thank you for all the "journeys" you take us on Cynthia. Do you never run out of ideas?

The Bible I treasure most was given to me by my aunt when I was her bridesmaid, aged 6. It means a great deal to me as I was very close to her and still miss her very much although she has been gone for many years now.

Thinking of all in need of support and strength to get them through today.

Hello all

Nice to have you pop in Vera.

After reading today's link, it has reminded me of one of my favourite old hymns

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is they faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thy forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning, new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me.

We had a vicar many years ago who loved this hymn so much that he had chosen it to be played at his funeral service. Now,I can't hear this without thinking of John.

Warm thoughts to all who feel cold and alone right now. xxx

Good morning :-)


Vera, let's just say that I have a very active imagination :-D


Continuing to look at online bible reading sites, we move to Scripture Union, a Christian organisation well known for providing many types of resources for churches and Sunday schools. This online resources is known as 'Word Live'. Please click on the link to read today's story about Abraham and Sarah and living in hope.


https://www.wordlive.org/Session


Good morning Lord.
Help me today, to trust in your guidance
Believe in your promises,
and receive your ever present mercies.
Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you for the link Cynthia, looking forward to other Christian reading sites.
"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, I'm Possible!"
(Audrey Hepburn)

Thinking of all awaiting hospital test/investigation results right now. xxx

Good morning :-)


Feeling happy this morning......our beautiful granddaughter is 18 today and we are going up to see her later this morning. She is having a party on Saturday night, but we oldies have been advised to give it a miss :-D

Last night was our church's AGM - the meeting that only the committed seem to attend. Fortunately, it was over and done with in about an hour, and all very peaceable too. The future remains a mystery as we face another interregnum at our church and also at two neighbouring churches. We can do nothing but place the situation into God's hands.


Now to a well known name who offers a daily bible reading and prayer.......Christian Aid. Please click on the link and then on today's date to find a story which we heard about recently.

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/churches/daily-readings/



Love to all Cx :-)

Congratulations and happy birthday to your granddaughter Cynthia. I hope she has a great day and has a happy and blessed life ahead of her. <3

Hello all

Happy Birthday wishes for your Granddaughter Cynthia. How special it must have been for you and your husband to go and join in the family celebrations today.

Church AGM don't seem to have the same importance now as in previous years, which is sad to say the least. Times change, and not always for the best imho.

Thinking of all who will be working throughout this night. xxx

Good morning :-)

Seeing our granddaughter open some of her presents was very special indeed. Apart from some fun items, we decided to give her some money instead of buying something she may not want. She is such a sweetie.....she opened the envelope, did a double take, and then said "No, you can't.......really, you can't". Of course, our response was......"Yes we can!" :-D She had a lovely day and has a party to look forward to tomorrow night. Thank you for your good wishes. <3



As we have looked at just a few of the online bible reading resources, we find that the bible is a fascinating book - take a look at these facts.....


1. The Bible contains 66 books, divided among the Old and New Testaments - 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Testament means “covenant” or “contract.”

2. The Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by over 40 different authors from all walks of life: shepherds, farmers, tent-makers, physicians, fishermen, priests, philosophers and kings. Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible, referred to as the Pentateuch; the foundation of the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote 14 books (over half) of the New Testament.

3. It was written over a period of some 1,500 years, from around 1450 B.C. (the time of Moses) to about 100 A.D. (following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ).

4. The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine Greek. It was first translated into English in 1382 A.D., by John Wycliffe.

5. It was printed in 1454 A.D. by Johannes Gutenberg who invented the “type mold” for the printing press. It was the first book ever printed.

6. The oldest almost-complete manuscript of the Bible now in existence is The Codex Vaticanus, which dates from the first half of the fourth Century. It is located in the library of the Vatican in Rome. There are older fragments of the Bible that are still preserved however– the oldest being a tiny scrap of the Gospel of John was found in Egypt, dating back to the beginning of the second century. (It is currently in the Ryland’s Library in Manchester.

7. The longest book in the Bible is The book of Psalms. The shortest book is 2 John.

8. The longest verse is Esther 8:9 and the shortest is John 11:35

9. The Holy Bible has been translated into 2,018 languages. (This is an enormous amount of translations. In comparison, Shakespeare, considered by many to be the master writer of the English language, has only been translated into 50 languages.)

10. Is the Bible still the best-selling book in the world? Yes, indeed!


Cx :-)

Hello all

Well that sounds like a very generous amount for your Granddaughter's 18th Cynthia
She was surprised and really grateful too, bless her. I'm sure she will enjoy spending it.

Happy Friday everyone. It has come around quickly once again.

Wishing you all a great weekend, filled with smiles, happiness and joy. xxx

Good morning :-)

It wasn't a mega amount kandj, just more than we usually give her - as a one off!


Over the last few days, we have been looking at how easy it is to read the bible on line. The bible is the book of our faith. We need to read the bible because it is God's word to us and will help us to develop our relationship with him. It helps us to understand what we believe and what our faith is all about. This prayer from Thomas Cranmer says it all...

“Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.”

- Thomas Cranmer, The Book of Common Prayer (1549), Collect for the second Sunday in Advent.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, It is good to be able to treat our grandchildren, we do and it gives pleasure.

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest".
(Benjamin Franklin)

Hope you all will sleep well tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)


Judging by the photos on FB, our granddaughter had a very good time last night - I doubt she will be awake right now though :-D

Today is Parade Service at church, where all our youth organisations join with us for the morning service. It is always good to see these youngsters and their families in church - chaotic but good. :-)

The gospel reading tells of Jesus walking in Solomon's portico and explaining to the Jews that He and the father are one.

The Collect (special prayer) for today :
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him,
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Praying for all those who give up their time and energies leading youth groups.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your Collect this morning Cynthia. Modern technology is good when you
can see the happy pictures of your Granddaughter's 18th birthday party. I think
there may be a few more weary youngsters still asleep this morning.

It is a bright sunny God-given morning. Looking out of the window we can see lots of colourful Spring flowers and pretty blossoms on the trees, a reminder of God's creation for all to enjoy.

New every morning is the love
Our waking and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness, safely brought,
Restored to life and power and thought.............. tra la la la la

Hoping everyone will have some brightness in their lives today. xxx

Good morning :-)

A good service with the youngsters yesterday - especially when our Lay Reader received a 'phone call from God' during his talk :-D

This week we will be looking at journeying with God.

Lord,
In my journeying with you,
may I never lose my sense of direction,
never lose sight of the landmark
towards which I travel.
And should cloud or rain obscure my vision,
may I draw closer to you,
so that my feet may tread
in your footsteps,
your words be my encouragement,
and your love my protection
against the storms that assail me. Amen.

-John Birch.

Praying for all embarking on a journey today. Cx :-)