General Chat

Good morning :-)

Some dreadful weather conditions around - take care and stay warm. <3

Continuing with St. Mark...…

Jesus Stills a Storm

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.

A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”


Mighty God, who speaks a word of peace to calm our troubled sea;
Caring God, who nudges us away from fear and toward faith;
Ever-present God, who fills us with awe
but also raises many questions
without easy answers;
Open our eyes to see you in our boat—today,
Strengthen our hearts for the challenges that lie ahead,
Open our ears this hour to hear the word you speak.
This we pray, In Jesus’ name. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Rather chilly at the moment......says she in an understatement..... :-D

Continuing with St. Mark....

The Parable of the Mustard Seed
He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Father, today I confess my trust and reliance on you.
Thank you for depositing seeds of faith in my heart so that I can live in total victory. I believe that, with you, all things are possible. Amen.


Keep warm. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you Vera......I think that's a 'Marmite' hymn - you either love it or loathe it!! :-D :-D

Contining with St. Mark...

The Parable of the Growing Seed
He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”


Lord, please grow in us a harvest for the world. Sow a seed of hope within our souls Lord, that we might yield goodness, patience and kindness in abundance.

Sow a seed of peace in our lives Lord, that we might bear the fruits of forgiveness, compassion and righteousness.

Come sow a seed of love in our hearts Lord, that others would reap the blessings of family, friendship and community.

May each seed of hope, peace and love grow within us into a harvest that can be feasted on by all. Amen.

Cx :-)

Just popping in to say a quick hello to everyone

Cynthia, your post today made me think of the hymn Shine, Jesus, Shine and it’s been going round and round my brain all day :-)

Good morning :-)

Our journey with Mark....


A Lamp under a Bushel (Basket)

He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.”


Lord Jesus, you have said this with such power and finality -- hear and do, hear and put into practice, hear and proclaim. Let me never be ashamed of You and your Word as sometimes I have been. Forgive me. Let me proclaim it as fearlessly as you and your disciples did. Light of the world, come and shine on us and help us to shine our lights. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Emma <3


Moving on with St. Mark..

The Purpose of the Parables

When he was alone, those who were around him along with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that
‘they may indeed look, but not perceive, and may indeed listen, but not understand;
so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.’”

And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: when they hear the word, they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root, and endure only for a while; then, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

And others are those sown among the thorns: these are the ones who hear the word, but the cares of the world, and the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it yields nothing. And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.”


Jesus the sower
whatever I am today, whatever the mix
of path, rock, thorns or soil
help me to become good ground
for you, for your word and for your presence. Amen.



Love to all. Cx :-)

Amen for your prayer today Cynthia.

Good morning :-)


Today is Holocaust Memorial Day - a day to remember the millions of people who were murdered in the Holocaust under Nazi Persecution, as well as those killed in the genocides in the years that followed - Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. During the Holocaust - between 1941 and 1945 - six million Jewish men, women and children were killed.

The aim of Holocaust Memorial Day is to remember those killed and reflect on the circumstances that led to so many deaths in those genocides.

Let us pray for God’s ancient people, the Jews, the first to hear his word -
for greater understanding between Christian and Jew
for the removal of our blindness and bitterness of heart
that God will grant us grace to be faithful to his covenant and to grow in the love of his name. Amen.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Matchsticks needed today...…………….. :-D

A very familiar story from St. Mark today :


The Parable of the Sower

Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.

He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away.

Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” And he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”



Lord, Help me to grow in faith so my relationship with you is not shallow and weak, but a deep and mature faith.
Grant me a faith that can move mountains of doubt and oceans of fear.
Teach me to triumph over temptation.
Help me to believe in you, even when I do not understand the capricious nature of the weather and the cruelty in some people.
Lord, I am yours. Take me as I am. Shape me. Make me. Mould me into the person you would have me to be.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour we pray. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Continuing our journey with St. Mark....

The True Kindred of Jesus

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”


Let us come before God with humility and a willingness to obey.
Let us put others first and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ.
May we seek God first, putting aside our own desires.
May we become intercessors for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
May we pray more and criticize less. May we be encouragers and uplifters.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you Emma.... <3


The next story from St. Mark

Jesus and Beelzebub
Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Sa-tan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom can-not stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plun-der his property without first tying up the strong man; then in-deed the house can be plundered.
“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they had said, “He has an un-clean spirit.”


Almighty God, our heavenly Father:
We have sinned against you,
through our own fault,
in thought, and word, and deed,
and in what we have left undone.
For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,
forgive us all our offenses;
and grant that we may serve you
in newness of life,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good Morning Cynthia :-)

Your posts set me up for the day ahead Cynthia
thank you x

Lovely to see you kandj x

Good morning :-)

Another day missed......ooops….Lovely to see kandj popping in though.

Jesus Appoints the Twelve apostles

He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boa-nerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.


Surround us with your love,
fill us with your grace,
and strengthen us for your service.
Empower us to respond to the call of Jesus –
to deny ourselves,
to take up our crosses,
and to follow.
Make us your disciples.
Amen

Lovely to see your post Kandj. Just keep taking one step at a time. Sending you a gentle hug <3

I haven’t felt I had anything useful to add to the posts but I am looking in every day.

Hello all

I'm back in church from the start of this year. It seems strange without my
precious hubby beside me. I'm ok with the service/prayers but struggle with hymns as we both loved singing in church and I miss hearing his lovely voice now.

Gentle hugs to all in need today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Continuing gently with St. Mark

The Man with a Withered Hand

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

God of grace and powerful weakness,
at times your works were ignored, rejected, belittled, and un-welcome.
Trusting that we, too, are called to be prophets,
fill us with your Spirit,
and support us by your gentle hands,
that we may persevere in speaking your word
and living our faith. Amen.

Good morning :-)

Looks as though I have missed another day….so sorry.....life is rather convoluted at the moment :-D


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
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.

The gospel reading tells the story of Jesus turning water into wine.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


This week's journey with St. Mark - chapter 2.



The Question about Fasting
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fast-ing; and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.
“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”


Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Help me to seek you earnestly in prayer and fasting that I may turn away from sin and wilfulness and conform my life more fully to your will. May I always find joy in knowing, loving, and serving you."


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning .. :-)

Journeying with St. Mark....


Jesus Calls Levi

Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collec-tors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Almighty God,
our hope and strength,
without you we falter.
Help us to follow Christ
and to live according to your will.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


How nice to see you all this morning and thank you for the kind words.......

I am happy to post both a reading and a prayer but don't want to overwhelm people....although I guess people will read what they want to read. Decisions, decisions. :-) For a while I will do both and get a concensus in a few days :-D

St Mark's gospel chapter 2. Jesus Heals a Paralytic
2 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.

Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”


Gracious and Holy God,
give us the wisdom to discover You,
the intelligence to understand You,
the diligence to seek after You,
the patience to wait for You,
eyes to behold You,
a heart to meditate upon You,
and a life to proclaim You,
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)