General Chat

Good morning :-)

LOVE

I love coffee…….but maybe I should say I like it or I enjoy it?

The word ‘Love’ is mentioned hundreds of time in the bible but different kinds of love which are communicated through four Greek words: Eros – romantic love. Storge – family love. Philia – brotherly love and Agape – God’s divine love. Nothing about loving coffee. ??

But what does the word ‘love’ mean to some primary school children?


1. 'When my grandmother got arthritis , she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.. So my grandfather does it for her all the time , even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.' Rebecca- age 8


2. 'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.' Karl - age 5


3. 'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4



We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19



Cx :-)

Good morning...... :-)


Yes, kandj - definitely a move in the right direction. It's a bit strange at first, but certainly an improvement :-)


One lives and learns.......

I travel to a local town quite a bit and am aware of a school called Holy Cross. It is a Church school of the Roman Catholic tradition.

It was only yesterday that I discovered that the Church of England celebrates Holy Cross Day – which is today. So I googled, and here’s what I found.

Holy Cross Day is a day which honours and commemorates the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for our salvation.

It has been associated with the dedication of a group of buildings that were built by Emperor Constantine in Jerusalem on the sites of Christ’s crucifixion and his tomb. This dedication occurred on September 14, 335. During the excavation, a relic that was believed to be the cross was discovered by Constantine’s mother, Helena.

From the fourth century on, the Church of Jerusalem claimed to have this relic in their possession and had a feast to celebrate its discovery. This feast also celebrates the exposition given at Jerusalem on the matter of the cross by Heraclius – the Byzantine Emperor. It is said he recovered the cross from the Persians who seized in from Jerusalem around the 7th century when they sacked the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The authenticity of these claims remains unproven.

One is never too old to learn it seems!!


Cx :-)

Hello all

Holy Communion service in church this morning. First time since before lockdown and lots of Do and Don't beforehand to keep us all safe.

A really strange experience, but good to be moving in the right direction once again.

Definitely an important message to take away from today's Gospel reading Cynthia.

"Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace."
(anon).

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

O God, because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things direct and rule our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


I have included the gospel reading for today as it carries such an important message to the world.:

Matthew 18:21-35

Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.

But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.

When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.

So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Cx :-)

Hello all

Vera I try to start and end each day by thinking of 3 things to be grateful for. It helps me keep focused.

Thinking of people who are in hospital and their relatives during these strange Covid times.

Stay safe and well everyone.

Good morning :-)


Not silly whatsoever Vera, but a lovely idea and one to share with others. Thank you. <3


God sometimes brings us to a place
where answers can't be found...
Where we cannot see tomorrow,
for confusion all around.

Yet deep inside we realize
that all things work for good...
Even times when we've been wounded
and we feel misunderstood.

Don't dwell on the injustice
and stay focused on God's heart...
Find forgiveness and go on,
you can make a brand new start.
by Jill Lemming



Cx :-)

Lovely poems this week Cynthia. Thank you. I particularly like today’s. It probably sounds a bit silly but before I go to sleep I try to think of one or two things to be thankful for that day. They are nearly always simple things - a bit of sunshine, a phone call from a friend, watching the birds on a feeder - but it is amazing how much they can help on even a bad day. I started doing it when I was going through a bad patch and I read of someone keeping a “gratitude diary”. You are supposed to write down 5 things every day but I find that too formal and rigid so I just have a quiet think to myself. Works for me :-D

Good morning :-)



Thank you, Lord, for simple things
that brighten every day
like sunshine in the morning
and daffodils in May.

Thank you, too, for friends who care
when tears begin to fall
and thank you, too, for answered prayer...
the greatest gift of all!

Thank you for each spring bouquet
and for the summer rose,
for rainbows in the meadow
and every stream that flows.

Thank you, Lord, for simple things
which really are quite grand
for each one is a miracle
wrought by the Master's hand!


by Clay Harrison

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Get up, get up, the Spirit said
Don’t just lie in bed
Let God prepare you for the day
For whatever lies ahead.

But the covers felt so nice and warm
All nestled round my head
And instead of choosing to come to God
I chose the bed instead.

It didn’t take me long to see
I had made a foolish choice.
When I did arise the first I heard
Was Mr. Regretful’s voice -

I overheard Mr. Doubtful,
He was speaking to Mr. Gloom
They plan to visit you today
The time will be at noon.

They are bringing their friend Ungrateful,
Mister Forgetful too -
Who will do his best to make you forget
How good God is to you.

I knew I was in trouble,
How could I face the day?
Right then and there I took the time
To get on my knees and pray.

My child. a voice gently whispered,
Let all the worry cease -
Mr. Hopeful, Mr. Thankful, and Mr. Joy,
At noon will bring my peace

by Cheremiah


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A lovely sunny morning and more confused messages from the government - what more could one ask for?? :-D


I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day,
I'd rather one would walk with me
than merely tell the way;

The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear;

The best of all the preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it,
if you'll let me see it done,
I can watch your hands in action,
your tongue too fast may run;

The lectures you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;

I may not understand
the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.

by Edgar A. Guest

Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to the words you posted today Cynthia.

Thoughts and prayers for all who face anxious times.

Good morning :-)


Lord, You are the one that guides me,
When I'm lost in the darkness of night,
When I'm adrift on a sea of doubt
You are my guiding light.

You are the one who hears my voice,
When my words are held within,
You are the one that calms me
When my world is crashing in.

You are the one I talk to,
When no one can understand,
You are the one that walks with me
You hold my trembling hand.

You are the one who sees me,
For what I hope to be,
You are the one that lifts me up
To more than I can be.
-Ron Orcutt


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Hoping David is okay.


I think there are some very confused churchgoers around at the moment Dermot - from all denominations. :-S :-S (and some very confused priests) ;-)

For today:

On the table side by side
The Holy Bible and the T.V. Guide.
One is well worn, yet cherished with pride,
But that one is not the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide.

One is used daily to help folks decide,
No! it isn't the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide.
As the pages are turned what shall they see?
Oh! it doesn't matter, just turn on the T.V.

Then confusion is started, for they can't all agree
On what they shall watch on the old T.V.
So they refer to the book in which they all confide
But it isn't the Bible, it's the T.V. Guide.

The Word of God is seldom read.
Maybe a verse before they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be,
Not from reading the Bible, but from watching T.V.

Then back to the table side by side,
The Holy Bible and the T.V. Guide.
No time for prayer, No time for the Word.
The plan of salvation is seldom heard.

Forgiveness of sin so full and free
We find in the Bible and not on T.V.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Plans to return to the Holy Communion service next Sunday. No plans to return to hymn singing though.

Strange times indeed. Stay safe everyone.

Anyone know where David is as he hasn't popped in here for quite a long time. Just hope that he is ok.

I have a feeling that the congregation this morning came away after the service more confused than ever.

A long meandering sermon using a dodgy microphone on the expected 'return to normal' - whatever that is.

Unprecedented chaos more likely.

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
who called your Church to bear witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Gospel for today:

Matthew 18. 15-20
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If another member of the church sins
against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are
alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.
But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with
you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two
or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it
to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the
church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector.
Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything
you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For
where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among
them.’

Cx :-)

:-D :-D :-D :-D

Good morning :-)


Hi Tabitha - don't work too hard! :-D


The end of our light-hearted week....


A preacher was completing a temperance sermon: with great expression he said, “If I had all the beer in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river”.

With even greater emphasis, he said “And if I had all the wine in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.”

Finally, he said, “And if I had all the whisky in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.” He sat down.

The organist, very cautiously and with a smile announced, “Our next hymn is No. 365 – Shall we Gather at the River?”.



Cx :-)

Hope everyone is keeping well - just a flying visit - sorry so busy here doing a 12 hour day most days. I am sure it will slow down a bit soon.

Take care all

Good morning.. :-)

Good to know that you are enjoying the smiles :-D


The Lord is my programmer, I shall not crash.

He installed His software on the hard disk of my heart. All of His commands are user friendly.

His directory guides me to the right choices for His name's sake.

Even though I scroll through the problems of life, I will fear no bugs, for He is my back-up.

His password protects me. He prepares a menu before me in the presence of my enemies.

His help is only a keystroke away.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and my file will be merged with His and saved forever. – Amen


Cx :-)