General Chat

Lovely prayers for children, thank you Cynthia.
Made me smile reading them and their simplicity x

Good morning :-)

The benefit of bedtime prayers for children....


Praying Strengthens Faith in God
The best way for parents to help and maintain their child’s faith in God is by having them pray before bedtime. Even if kids are unable to visit places of worship, due to school and homework, they still maintain a connection to God. Having a specific prayer time builds a habit that is likely to continue into adulthood as well.

This prayer asks for God’s care and guidance. It also asks God to bless all the people who love you.

“Lord in heaven, hear my prayer,
Keep me in your loving care.
Be my guide in all I do.
Bless all those who love me, too.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The benefit of bedtime prayers for children.

Praying Helps Develop Trust
Praying with your child strengthens the bond of trust and unity between you and your child. Praying with family members can help your child get closer to them.

Praying Makes One More Forgiving
Adults and children who pray regularly are found to be more willing to forgive others and are less inclined to hold grudges.

“Hi, it’s me, just come to pray
And thank you for a fun-filled day!
You’ve been with me, so I know you’ve seen
All the great exciting things.
But also when I’m sad or cross
I know you love me, no matter what!
So help me rest and go to sleep
And feel the peace of your love for me.”

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Lovely to see folk round and about again and to share in their news.

Children and bedtime prayers

Praying Helps with Self-control and compassion
Research has found that people who pray regularly have better discipline and self-control than people who do not pray. Studies have also shown that children who pray regularly are less prone to throwing tantrums and are more disciplined.

It seems that praying makes people more kind and compassionate. This is a value you definitely want to inculcate in your child. Studies have shown that regular prayer can reduce aggressive behaviour and prevent angry outbursts in adults and children.

Praying for the needs of other people makes children more empathetic and sensitive to the feelings of people around them. Overall, praying makes kids nicer.

“Now I lay me down to sleep;
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May God guard me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.”


Cx :-)

Good evening :-D thank you for having me. In previous times people were more
interested in The Bible, even if they couldn't read. A Priest and a Church sermon
were the closest most came to religion. This century the majority can read, many
with understanding.With the growth of literacy there has been a decline in Church
service attendance sand a questioning by many of the authority of the Church.
In my personal experience I'm what's refereed to as a sinner and the only time
I confessed to a Priest was in Hospital, when I was very ill :(

Good morning all

I’m here and, like Kandj, I am ok (ish). A few problems but they are minor compared to a lot of people so I plod on.

Thank you, Kandj, for your kind thoughts for my OH and my brother. They are both doing astonishingly well. OH is nearly back to normal. He may never walk quite as fast or as far as he used to but is still more active than most men of his age. My brother has some limitations but otherwise is leading a fairly normal life. In both cases I believe their positive attitude and sheer determination has helped their recovery enormously.

I enjoy David’s questioning and Rambling’s well reasoned posts and as ever I am appreciative of Cynthia for keeping the thread going. Thank you all.

EDIT. Forgot to say that sometimes the simplest prayers are the best. This is another well known one I learnt as a child and have never forgotten.

Lord, keep us safe this night
Secure from all our fears
May angels guard us while we sleep
Till morning light appears

Hello all

I'm here and ok (ish) this morning.

A lovely simple prayer which I'd forgotten about, so thanks for the reminder Cynthia.

David, I hope your knee/leg is less painful.

Emma, is Connie still doing well?

Vera, I hope that your Husband and your Brother are improving daily.

Rambling, I enjoy reading all your posts and hope you are well today.

Pat, could you send some warm sunshine for my old bones please?

Dermot, the Lord loves cheerful giver...........................................
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,
not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
(2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV Bible).

I hope Elizabeth is ok or ok (ish) like I am today.

Apologies if I have missed anyone out. Have a Happy Monday everyone xx

Good morning :-)

Hope everyone is okay - it's gone quiet again <3

Children are very much a part of church life, and we have a large amount of baptisms each year. Each month, at baptism prep, parents and Godparents are taken briefly through what the Christian faith is about and how important their role is. They are encouraged to help the child on its journey of faith by example and by prayer. I came across the following thoughts….

Saying Bedtime Prayers Helps Reduce Stress
Studies have shown that spending some time each night on self-reflection and prayer reduces stress levels in both adults and children. Praying increases feelings of calmness and wellness, thus, reducing the ill-effects of stress. Prayers can also nullify the negative effects of stress, on physical health.

Here is a prayer which many children have been taught over time…..it is in the form of a rhyme and can be remembered by children easily. It is also simple and can be understood without difficulty. This prayer is about thanking God for all the good things he has provided - it's fine for adults too!!

“Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you, for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything!”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


TODAY IS THE FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

In the Gospel, we hear Jesus talking to the criminal who was hanging with him at the crucifixion.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

How will they fuse your knee David? I have absolutely no idea - but a blow torch may come in handy :-D :-D


Today is our church fair.....I am an elf. Yes. Really.

Lord, today I lift my church to you. It is the place I go to worship you. It is a place where I learn about you and I ask your blessing on it.

I know my church is more than a building, Lord, but it is here where I and others lift each other up. Give us the heart to continue in that way. Help us to have the desire to do more for the world around us and for each other. May we identify needs in the community and reach out to help and bless us with the resources to fulfil your mission for our church.

Lord, I ask that when people enter our church they feel you all around them. I ask that we remain hospitable to each other and to outsiders, and I ask for your grace and forgiveness when we slip up.

I ask that you guide our leaders to be examples to others, that you continue to bless them with servants' hearts and a sense of responsibility to those they lead.

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of this congregation — and a part of you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good evening <3 I know knees can be exceptionally painful Cynthia

The Doctor said my Knee is "fused" I have a 2013 X Ray of my left leg

showing my femur, knee cap and tibia as three separate (albeit damaged) bones.

How can they be fused ?

Good morning :-)

Knees are such painful things David - take the advice of the wise doctor. :-D


Jesus Wake me!
Warm my heart with your love.

Shake me! Inspire my mind with your words.
Fill me! Nourish my soul with your hope.

Hold me! Protect my life with your strength.
Be with me As I work, rest and relax today.

Amen.

Cx :-)

I've just had a visit from a Doctor. After such a long time (2013)

he felt my knee, winced, tut tutted and said its fused. Won't cannot bend..

Says he will make appointment for me to see an orthopaedic surgeon.

The last one I saw years ago said no more surgery. Today's Doctor says it's fused.

Good morning :-)

….and there he is! :-D Glad you are doing okay David - but just take things gently.


Lord, as I face a new day
Let me gather your hope
Rising with the dawn.

As I face a new day
Let me feel your love
Dancing to the birdsong.

Lord, as I face a new day
I turn my face to yours
and in the reciprocal gaze
May I feel and see you in everything.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning, I thank all sincerely for your concern <3

I was visited by two district nurses yesterday. Given flu vaccination and

had my legs examined. Also back and buttocks checked for pressure sores.

My GP retired last month. The nurses were very supportive to to my wife who

technically is my carer.

Hello all

Amen to your today's post Cynthia.

I hope David is ok and perhaps he's having a little rest just now.

Pat, could you spare some warm sunshine please? I am very cold today.

Sending gentle hugs for all in need right now.

Where's David? Hope he's OK not been on the boards since 16th and he was having problems with his legs. :-(

Good morning :-)

Lord, may we be ready:
to be led by you where you want us to go;
to see you as you truly are,
to listen to you,
to hear your call,
to move on with you into the life you lay before us,
and to do your will in all things,
that we may show you & your love to the world. Amen


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Ah......let us worship the God of finance eh Dermot? It's unsettling when finance becomes the be all and end all of church life - I've seen it happen so often. The churches which often fare better financially, are those where money is rarely mentioned, but the ethos, worship and fellowship stimulates people into being grateful for what they have and to show that gratitude in a financial way - if that makes sense.

Churches don't run on fresh air and it can take thousands of pounds to maintain a church even for one year. Planned giving is encouraged - fund raising is an added extra. I think there is an article in a recent Church Times questioning the 'morality' of raffles and such like. Must look it up. :-D

For today:

The world turns,
The sun rises,
The birds sing,
The dawn breaks.
The beauty of creation,
unfolds afresh, bathed in light!
I notice my breath,
I soak up the light of a new day
Full of possibility and joy
and to you O God, I give thanks... Amen.


Cx :-)

Our church's Newsletter for this week includes the following:
*Christmas Quiz Evening - Tickets £10.
*Christmas Raffle - £10 per book of 5 tickets.
*Food bank donations encouraged.
*Christmas hamper(s) - tinned & dried fruits; soups; meat & fish.
*Christmas Cards on sale now. Local designer.
*Advent Day Retreat - cost £25pp, incl light lunch.
*Finally, Church restoration fund raising appeal launch. Estimated cost £212,000, supplemented through Grants leaving £50,000 expected through donations, bequests & other occasional fund raising efforts.

AMEN!