General Chat

Just popped on to say thank you to all you regular posters and let you know that your posts are appreciated.

As someone who is neither an atheist nor a totally committed Christian your words on here often really make me think.

Thank you

Good morning and it was good to hear from you Vera.... :-)


Tonight I am hoping to go to the Ash Wednesday service. We will kneel at the altar and have ash (made from the burning of last year's palm crosses), placed on our foreheads in the sign of the cross.

The signing will be accompanied by the words "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ". It will be a privilege to bear the sign of Christ on my forehead.


Ashes to ashes, dust to dust

All that is not of God must die

All that is crushed will be restored

All that is lost will be made new

God may we repent of ways that do not serve you

And admit to the tensions that tell us where we need to change

Christ is coming walking towards the cross

God may we see him clearly

Pouring out love

Pouring out mercy

Pouring out peace

May we kneel before him in humble adoration

May we take up our cross and follow

And walk with Christ into the ways of life.

Amen.




Cx.

A gorgeous start to Ash Wednesday with the sun streaming across the valley. Freezing (literally) cold last night at midnight when we walked up hill from local station, so not too sure of temp yet. We only have Maundy Thursday service and, unlike kandj and Cynthia, cannot remember even attending an Ash Wednesday service. Hope you both have a lovley, uplifting day.

But I am just now tootling down now for midweek prayers at chapel. And important meetings tonight and tomorrow night to attend which will be helped by your prayers. Both about the direction of my group of chapels and how to breathe more life into our evangelism (16 chapels in total).

Really enjoyed London yesterday. It wasn't with "groups" incidentally. It was via trainline and "groupon" offers. With groupon you buy an advance meal voucher worth £50 at a participating restaurant for, say £22. So you can order £50 worth on menu for an almost affordable price. Also spent ages in V & A and quick visits to Harrods and Fortnums - just so we had little carrier bags to use when we shop at Farm Foods and Lidl :-D

Of course, I met two chapel friends in London. One from Aberdare, one from Dowlais Top. Had no idea they were in London - but how strange in all those faces you should see two friends from home. Often happens to me in London :-) :-S Must be a smaller place than we think :-) :-)

Cynthia, you explained the Ash Wednesday service beautifuly, thank you.

I have been this evening to the Ashing Service. It was held in our church and attended by folk from two other churches in our Mission Partnership Group
.
I must say it was good to be a part of an almost full church this evening. The service was shared in leadership with Rev Jan and Rev Mary, her curate Sarah (who looked like about 12years old bless her) and Rev Dee, so plenty of Clergy in evidence tonight and lots of Christian folk from the other local churches joining together to begin our Lenten journey together.

I came away with the faintest, tiniest ash cross marked on my forehead. This was done by Sarah who was very genteel...... I am used to Clergy who use a heavy thumb and leave a huge ash cross for me and others to see..... not so this year,
but still very special nevertheless.

Nice to have your kind comments Vera. Thank you.

John, you will have my prayers for your meetings. Important decisions for you all.

Thankyou kandj for prayers. Meeting this evening went well and I was ashed in prayer meeting this morning and we each ashed somebody else. No heavy thumbs but I had quite a pronounced black crosse on forehead and tried to wipe it off.

I was chastised and told I should walk through the whole town centre and be proud. So I did - at least for a few hundred yards.

At beginning of meeting tonight we had communion and the Minister said a few words about Ash Wednesday. Including about the 40 days and how people misunderstand that it was not days leading up to crucifixion. Also that Lent was not to do with giving up but TAKING UP.

Women's World Day of Prayer on Friday. I am not a woman, but have been invited to a service in local Sally Army citadel and very much looking forward to it. Hope I'm not only man - but don't suppose it matters.

I know it is an important day, but know nothing about it. Would appreciate any input from anybody who can tell me anything.

Good morning.......

There is something very special about an Ash Wednesday service. We too, had a united service with member from 4 churches joining together. When the vicar invited us to be blessed with the ash, he assured us that it was not compulsory and, indeed, a few of the Methodists with us sat firmly in their pews.

The rest of us, however, solemnly received the mark of Christ on our foreheads. I didn't actually check to see whether it was a heavy mark or not......it doesn't matter. Even if it had been an inch thick, I would still have worn it and would have been happy to explain what it meant to anyone who spotted it. I would not be ashamed of being seen with a cross on my forehead for it proclaims my belief in Christ.

There was a cup of tea shared after the service where we all chatted to each other.

As for the Women's World Day of Prayer - it has been going for donkey's years and there is a lot of info on Google.


The prayer this morning comes from the Methodist church......with a short introduction:

"As Christians use the Lent period to prepare themselves for God's great act of self-giving on Calvary, Dr Deidre Homer, a Methodist local preacher in training, reflects on the need for Christians to undertake their own self-giving - responding to God's activity in the world by acting on behalf of those around us:

Lord, as we enter Lent help us to draw near to you in praise, stripping away all that distracts us from worship. Amen"



Cx.

Like Cynthia, I also have joined in The Women's World Day of Prayer for many many years. Accept the invitation John you will no doubt feel humbled by the experience. It is not only for women but they usually do outnumber the men present

WWDP dates back to 19C and began when a group of Christian women in USA and Canada aimed to support and share fellowship with Christian women in their home towns and eventually throughout all Countries of the world.

The WWDP is a global, ecumenical service which is organized annually by Christian women and traditionally held on the first Friday in March.

The service sheet is written by different Countries each year and the Country then becomes the focus of the world's prayers.

It is truly awesome taking part in a service which is held throughout the whole wide world and sharing the culture and faith of our Sisters in Christ. For one hour we sing from the same hymn-sheet and feel blessed to be able to freely do so, remembering so many persecuted Christians throughout the world.

The recognized symbol of the WWDP was designed in 1982 for the joint service provided by the women of Northern and Southern Ireland, and was then adopted as the International Logo. The design comprises of arrows converging from four points of the compass, four figures kneeling in prayer, the Celtic cross and a circle representing the world and our unity through all our diversity....... truly amazing!!
This is usually printed on the front of the service sheet given out at the service.

This years WWDP is written by the Christian ladies in Egypt and the sermon is entitled Streams In the Desert. I am looking forward to it and would encourage others to join in and become a part of this traditional WWDP service for just one hour......with usually tea/coffe and "a bun-fight" afterwards with an opportunity to ask questions of the Speaker and share fellowship with other like minded folk on a very special day.

www.wwdp-natcomm.org will take you to a link with much more information on it.

Just a thought but wondering why John would accept the ash cross on his forehead and then feel the need to rub it off??? I just don't understand that.... explanation John please??

kandj :-) Not quite sure about answer to your question. We all had crosses on our foreheads and I am quite happy to do extraordinary things with Christian friends. And I felt it was a good thing to do within a safe and loving church environment.

But I didn't want people in street staring at my dirty forehead. I doubt any would have stopped me and said "your face is dirty. Why is it dirty?" They would just have thought I had a dirty face - scruffbag.

And I am naturally shy. Ladies in my old church used to get a donkey and parade it round town - on Palm Sunday, I suppose. I know they felt they were making a statement - but people within the church and without felt sorry for the donkey and just thought it a gimmick.

On the other hand, I love being part of fairly public pilgrimages, praying round the housing estates with a couple of friends and singing carols in open air before Christmas. And, of course, I preach which is certainly a test of shyness.

I have never minded being seen in the street or the village shops with a black ash cross on my forehead following on from the Ash Wednesday service. In the past I have often forgotten that it is there but I have always been more than happy to explain the significance of this Christian symbol when questioned. Village folk are used to seeing me regularly attending church and I would certainly never hide my Christian belief.

We are all very different John. I certainly would not be comfortable to preach as you do. Perhaps on the ash cross issue, we ought to agree to disagree.

Good morning all......kandj and I are doing well at echoing each other's thoughts :-)

A Lenten Prayer

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Permit me not to be separated from you
From the wicked foe, defend me
At the hour of my death call me home
And bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever, Amen


–St. Ignatius of Loyola

Perhaps another God-incidence Cynthia they keep cropping up don't they?

WWDP today, how quickly this annual event seems to come around.
I hope that John takes up the invitation to join the S.A. celebrate this special service, they are sure to warmly welcome him today.

Lent is a time for meditation and reflection (imho) As we begin to think of our journey in Lent, and prepare for a time of silence and seek the Lord with the words of this Taize chant:-

"Wait for the Lord, whose day is near,
Wait for the Lord, keep watch, take heart".

Well, kandj. Have just got back from Women's World Day of Prayer at my local Salvation Army city dell. It was one of best services I have attended for many a day.

What I loved most was that it was prepared by a group of Christian women in Egypt and we saw the great significance of Egypt in the Bible story. And their service was presumably delivered to loads andf loads of women (and several men) across the world today. The women in our village (Church in Wales, Salvation Army, Methodist and Independent) did us credit. And the lady Major in charge is both young, gifted and wore black.

I would not normally have attended because of "Women" in title, but there were 6 men (about 10%) in service in my village. And tea and lovely cakes after. Loved it all. :-D :-D

I thought that you would enjoy the experience John.

I just find that the WWDP service is always a very humbling experience. A good opportunity for me to learn and pray together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. For a short while we are all joined in praise and fellowship with other Christian people all around the world. It's surprising just how quickly this annual service comes around

It is traditionally always held on the first Friday in March...... make a note John and go along and be blessed again next year..

Good morning........everyone... :-)


I get the impression that John had a really good time at the service yesterday........ :-)



Some words as we continue our Lenten journey :

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us Lord for our apathy,
for our lack of courage to speak out.
Forgive us when we walk past and don't offer help.
Forgive us when we get it wrong.

We confess that we are afraid -
we don't want to overcome our hidden doubts and prejudices
in order to be alongside those who are different from ourselves.
We ask that you would lead us into action:
give us strength to be a voice crying for justice and peace.
Help us to step into another person's shoes,
or if they have no shoes
then not to be afraid to take off our own,

peel off our preconceptions and assumptions,
uncurl and spread out our toes, and
tread in their footprints.

May we be a liberating presence
and offer love, compassion and whatever is needed
to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

- Dr. Deirdre Homer.



Cx :-)

Amen to that Cynthia and thank you for leading us in our Lenten journey in faith.

I love the Ecumenical service like yesterday and the WWDP, where Methodist, Catholic, Church of England, Baptist people make up the congregation in one building and share the love of our living Lord and their testimonies together.

We were told of a spiritual drought and the need to share Christian belief with one another. These words in the service were all written by the Christian ladies in Egypt.

On reflection I have experienced a spiritual drought in my own village for several years. Our previous Rector was not a spiritual man. Unbelievable given his title, but nevertheless sadly very true.
A young priest left the village and so my Catholic friends had visiting priests to provide the Mass for them, but no Catholic Father to hand 24x7.
Our Methodist chapel was pulled down and now has new apartments built on this site. The few elderly chapel folk are taken to a Methodist meetings in local chapel. It was a crying shame to be a witness during the very last fellowship service, with folk in their 80/90's before they closed the doors and the builders moved in.

Our village has gone through a spiritual drought. I have experienced this and as a Christian it's not good for the body, mind or soul. It was a time of testing and I feel us faithful few have now been rewarded and we feel spiritually fed and cared for and the village parish church at least has survived this low experience and are all smiles and on a high as we are now truly blessed to have Rev Jan as our guide and mentor.
Praise God, for his goodness to us all.

WWDP Egypt's theme was Streams in the Desert, and drinking from the spiritual well. Many years ago I attended a monthly Christian meeting for ladies only and we often sang these words (chorus only) as I have forgotten the many long verses.

I'm drinking from the well of living water
Happy and alive
My soul is satisfied
I'm drinking from the well of living water
A wonderful and bountiful supply.
Oh, I'm drinking, drinking from the well
Drinking, drinking from the well.
Drinking from the well of joy
I'm drinking from the well of joy...................... Amen for that!
.

Have got service in front of me, kandj. Loved the imagary of the Nile (blue cloth) and the other cloths and the items placed on these cloths.

And having been a few times to India, I could really understand these Egyptian women. Kerala similarly has about 12% Christian and is predominantly Muslim. But that 12% (compared to 93% "Christian" in South Wales) is so active and dutiful. None of this "I can worship Jesus at home, plenty of others to do things at my local church, they don't need my love and support". The women just get stuck in. In every Christian shop, they say "God bless you" as you leave - and really mean it.

My only criticism would have been final hymn. I think it is traditional - "The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended" by John Ellerton. It was 3pm and sun was streaming through all the citadel's windows and folk were cupping their hands round their eyes to see the words.

I would have chosen "Guide me o thou great Jehovah" because that talks of desert (anialdir in Welsh) in second line of Pantycelyn's greatest hymn.

As an aside (and the opposite of dry deserts), have just been watching villagers in a place called Fordgate in Somerset on Sky news. They are returning to their flooded homes and the pictures are absolutely heartbreaking. We must remember them and ask for strength for them in the coming weeks and months.

Good morning everyone............ :-)


Before I go and 'gird up my loins' ready to welcome 5 Baptism parties at church, I will leave you with the Collect for today....:



Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
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 :-)

Thanks Cynthia. Am out twice today and steward in a third service. So busy, busy and have been up half the night because I decided to change one of my sermons at last minute.

So few posts till tomorrow. Did I hear "hurray"? :-D :-D

Hope everyone has a lovely day, whether at church, or watching Songs of Praise or simply taking a few moments to meditate on the Collect and think about what Jesus achieved for you personally. :-) :-)

Last week we had 6 baptisms in our church. One in the morning service. One afterwards (a poorly baby) and 4 little ones were baptized at 12.30pm and so lots of comings and goings in church then. The norm is to have a baptism service fortnightly.

This morning Rev Jan explained about the Wednesday evening Lent Course that begins this week.( All very exciting!). We will be joined again by the two other churches in our Mission Partnership so praying for a good response to Jan's offer.

I am still reading daily chapters from The Purpose Driven Life written by Rick Warren as my extra take-up for this years Lenten period. I embrace the whole experience.

Lent is a very special time in the church's year, because it helps us to remember our need to draw closer to God - our need to give Him close attention. When we can do that, He never fails to meet us just where we are at.