General Chat

Good morning :-)


It's our granddaughter's birthday today - 23! How on earth did that happen? <3




A week of smiles and thanksgiving :




“Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life.”

Proverbs 15:13-15 “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”


Cx :-)

Hello all

I know that feeling too Cynthia as our grandson will soon be 25...those years have gone far too quickly.

Many happy returns to your granddaughter.

I'm liking the smile postings this week. Thank you.

"Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make others feel comfortable around you".
( Les Brown)

Take care and stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)


It was good to be able to share some of her birthday with her this year - much better than last year! :-D


A week of smiles and thanksgiving..


The best way to share the love of God is to show people that Christians are happy people, not doom bearers.


The prophet Job expressed that even though he was suffering the most devastating time of his life he wasn’t going to wallow in it but chose to “put off his sad face and wear a smile.” (Job 9:27 NLT



Cx :-)

I am very much enjoying the theme of smiles this week and it is particularly appropriate for me at the moment. Saturday is my brother's birthday, the first important anniversary since his death in January. One of the things that was mentioned time and again in letters and cards of condolence was his smile with words like "He was never far from a smile". At his request we had the old Jimmy Durante song "Smile" played at his funeral.

As for grandchildren - take your eyes off them for a second and they grow up. I hope your granddaughter had a lovely birthday Cynthia and I wish her a good year to come.

Good morning :-)

Thanks for your good wishes for my granddaughter Vera - and I am glad that you have enjoyed this week of smiles. <3


A week of smiles and thanksgiving.....





“The most beautiful Smile is the one that struggles through tears.”


James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”



Cx :-)

Hello all

A frosty morning but the sun is trying to shine now.

Vera, the firsts of everything are hard, but keep remembering all of the special memories your brother has left you and many others.

"The smile on my face doesn't mean that my life is perfect. It means that I appreciate what I have and what God has blessed me with."
(Anonymous)

Happy Friday blessings and stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)



Almighty and eternal God,
from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted,
either by death or life:
hear our prayers and thanksgivings
for the life of Prince Philip whom we remember this day;
fulfil in him the purpose of your love.
and bring us all, with him, to your eternal joy.
Grant to Her Majesty the Queen and all who mourn, a sure confidence in your fatherly care, that, casting all their grief on you, they may know the consolation of your love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your prayer for today Cynthia.

Heavenly Father,
We give thanks for the long life of Prince Philip, for all that he has brought to our nation and beyond and for his years of support towards HM our Queen.
We pray that he may rest in peace and rise in glory.
We bring before you HM our Queen and all the family who mourn, that they might be comforted and given strength to face the days and weeks ahead.
Amen.

Good morning :-)

I felt that yesterday's funeral for Prince Philip was a very fitting tribute to him. He had had a great deal to do with the planning etc, but even the pandemic restrictions didn't seem to detract from the whole event - apart from the Queen being on her own. As always, she set an example. May God bless all who mourn today.


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

I watched the funeral yesterday and thought it was very moving, symbolising all that was important in Prince Philip's long life. He was thoughtful to the end in arranging every detail and so allowing his wife and family time to mourn and grieve their loss.
The Queen looked so sad and frail on her own.

Off to church now..... have a good day everyone.

Good morning :-)



What’s it all about?

Over the last 12 months, whilst we have been in the midst of a pandemic, one of the things which church people have really missed, is Holy Communion. Churches have been mostly closed and this sacrament has been denied us. What is so important about Holy Communion (Eucharist) to Christians? The Church of England tells us……..


“The Eucharist is at the heart of Christian worship. It is celebrated by Christians around the world as a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in response to his words at the final meal he shared with his disciples, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the Eucharist, God invites us to his table as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet which he has prepared for people of all nations and cultures.”


We'll have a look at what it's all about this week :-D



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


What’s it all about?

Holy Communion takes the form of a shared meal of bread and wine, when we remember that, at the Last Supper, Jesus associated the breaking of bread and sharing of wine with his own imminent death, giving them special significance.

Due to the pandemic and when some Holy Communion services resumed, we have been offered Communion in bread only, but that is fine. Christ cannot be divided -the fullness of God’s grace is present in both of the consecrated elements.

“We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.”
“Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread”.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Holy Communion is such a very special part of the Sunday morning service, all so very different just now to keep Covid-safe guide lines, but it's still a deeply moving moment for me and for many others.

Good morning :-)


What's it all about?

Since the earliest days of the Church, Christians have gathered together to bless, break and share bread and to bless and share a cup of wine in obedience to the Lord’s command, given on the night before He died, to ‘do this in remembrance of me.’ The Church of England has kept the importance of Holy Communion at the centre point of Christian living. Along with Baptism, Holy Communion is known as a ‘Sacrament ordained of Christ’.

After his resurrection, the disciples recognised Jesus as he broke bread to share with them. Each time we share the meal Jesus shared with his friends, we remember his offering of himself on the cross, we rejoice in his resurrection from the dead, and look forward to the coming of God’s Kingdom.

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


What's it all about? Holy Communion

Holy Communion can take many different forms across the Church of England, and it may be understood by Christians in different ways, but at the heart of the celebration there is always a special prayer of thanksgiving, or ‘Eucharistic Prayer’ (Eucharist means to ‘give thanks’ in Greek). This prayer is offered by the priest who has led the service, giving thanks for all that God has given us in Christ.

It is indeed right,
it is our duty and our joy,
at all times and in all places
to give you thanks and praise,
holy Father, heavenly King,
almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.
For he is your living Word;
through him you have created all things from the beginning,
and formed us in your own image.
Through him you have freed us from the slavery of sin,
giving him to be born of a woman and to die upon the cross;
you raised him from the dead
and exalted him to your right hand on high.

Through him you have sent upon us
your holy and life-giving Spirit,
and made us a people for your own possession.
Therefore with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your great and glorious name,
for ever praising you and saying:
All Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


What's it all about? Holy Communion

People who are brought up with the Anglican faith regard Holy Communion as central to their lives. However, as age takes its toll, some of the faithful become housebound or frail, but still wish to receive the Eucharist to which they are fully entitled – faith has no age limit.

In normal times, this is covered by Holy Communion being taken to them and can be of great comfort. Either the priest or an authorised person, takes bread and wine which has been consecrated at a recent service and kept ‘reserved’, to the person who has asked for it. A brief service takes place, and they are given this most holy Sacrament.

We are thankful for those who help with this special ministry, for their patience, understanding and willingness to support those in need.

‘The Church of God, of which we are members, has taken bread and wine and given thanks over them according to our Lord’s command. These holy gifts are now offered to us that, with faith and thanksgiving, we may share in the communion of the body and blood of Christ.’


Cx :-)

Hello all

Many years ago I used to drive the Curate around the village and I joined in the H C service in elderly parishioner's homes. A great privilege and a joy.

Another God-given sunny day, so gardening for me.

Wishing a Happy St George's Day to one and all.

The small church near here often had a service of Holy Communion by extension, when bread and wine were brought to the service after being blessed at an earlier service that day at the main parish church.

Sadly, there aren't any services yet at the small church, after closing due to the pandemic in March 2020, as we are in a time of interregnum.

A bright blue sky here too, so good to see.

Good morning :-)


Hello Gwyn and Kandj, yes I think most home communions have stopped at the moment and people are really missing them. It helps those who are housebound etc., to still feel part of the church doesn't it? Hopefully, not too long before they can be resumed but I am sorry for those where there isn't an incumbent :-(

What's it all about? Holy Communion - this hymn says it all......


O thou, who at thy Eucharist didst pray
that all thy Church might be for ever one,
grant us at every Eucharist to say
with longing heart and soul, "thy will be done."
O may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

For all thy Church, O Lord, we intercede;
make thou our sad divisions soon to cease;
draw us the nearer each to each, we plead,
by drawing all to thee, O Prince of Peace;
thus may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

We pray thee too for wanderers from thy fold;
O bring them back, good Shepherd of the sheep,
back to the faith which saints believed of old,
back to the Church which still that faith doth keep;
soon may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
may we be one with all thy Church above,
one with thy saints in one unbroken peace,
one with thy saints in one unbounded love;
more blessèd still, in peace and love to be
one with the Trinity in Unity.


Cx :-)

Hello all

A beautiful old hymn. I'm waiting patiently to be allowed to sing these wonderful hymns once again.

Heavenly Father
We pray for all those in India suffering because of the global pandemic. We pray for wisdom for the Indian government as they decide on an appropriate way to deal with the crisis. Amen.