General Chat

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!

Good morning :-)

Lord in the stillness, move me.
In the silence, speak to me.
In the solitude, accompany me.
In my weakness, strengthen me,
In my emptiness, dwell in me,
In my wretchedness, sanctify me, as this morning
I open myself to you completely.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We have 3 children to be baptised this morning …...the little girl's name is Nevaeh which is heaven spelt backwards...….quite trendy I believe!!

The Collect (special prayer) for today:heaven
Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son was revealed
to destroy the works of the devil
and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:
grant that we, having this hope,
may purify ourselves even as he is pure;
that when he shall appear in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells of the destruction of the temple and the end times to come.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Remembering all who are affected by the floods all around the country right now, and the fire in the students rooms in Bolton. All really really worrying.

Heavenly Father
In the middle of all the difficult challenges thrown our way, help us to know that
You are always with us and that we aren't ever left alone to cope on our own.
Amen

Good morning Cynthia and others <3

The Nebuchadnezzar account is given in Daniel 4 : 1 - 18

Good morning :-)

Good heaven's, where do you get these questions from David? It takes me all my time to get through the day...….. :-D

Thank you Rambling :-D

For today......our last look at peace - metaphorically speaking of course!

God, teach me to be patient,
teach me to go slow.
Teach me how to wait on You
when my way I do not know.
Teach me sweet forbearance,
when things do not go right,
So I remain unruffled
when others grow uptight.
Teach me how to quiet
my racing, rising heart,
and to hear the answer
You are trying to impart.
Teach me to let go, dear God,
and pray undisturbed until
My heart is filled with inner peace
and I learn to know Your will.
- Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

David It was a good stab at chronology given the literal interpretation of the calendar and genealogy chronicled in the bible. But science has shown that the continents have shifted and continue to do so though it was a long walk, it may have been a short walk done many times over many thousands of years.

And don't forget rafts, and 'primitive' boats.... canoes made from trees have been around a long time.

Which inevitably reminds me of my mum's favourite saying "Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe"...to which I'll add, with respect to the thread we're on,

"Dear God, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small."

—Breton fishermans’ prayer