General Chat

A belated good morning :-)


I hope you all had a good day yesterday. We went to our son's for lunch with the family which was lovely as usual. My OH managed quite well and we stayed for about 3 hours. We also managed to get to church in the morning too....that was really good. <3


BOXING DAY………..
One of two main theories is that the day after Christmas was traditionally associated with the opening of boxes distributed by those wealthy enough to have servants. These would be filled with small gifts and leftovers from Christmas dinner, and were given to servants, who would have been expected to work on Christmas Day, essentially as an end of year bonus.

Another believable theory is that the name comes from the opening of alms boxes, collected by churches. These boxes, which are still seen in some churches, were filled with collections from parishioners throughout Advent, and then distributed to those in need on Boxing Day.

December 26th also commemorates the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who was known for his service to the poor and his status as the first Christian martyr (he was stoned to death in AD 36).

PRAYER
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning and a very happy and blessed Christmas to you all :-)


Kandj, our love and prayers stay with you and we hope you have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by your loving family. <3


The final door on the Advent Calendar we have been following, needs no explanation. Just beautiful.


http://www.methodist.org.uk/adventcalendar/


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Our family are on the road all excited to be spending Christmas here with us two. We all know that things could have been very different and we thank God that we are all together again at so very special and holy time of the year. God is good!!

Thank you to all who have taken time to offer prayerful support throughout a very difficult and challenging few months. Reading your kind words has helped so much.

Happy Christmas blessings to everyone who reads Cynthia's daily postings.

Remembering all who will be in hospital or are grieving the loss of a loved one. xxx

Good morning :-)


Christmas Eve and a busy day for many, but it is still a Sunday and churches will be functioning as normal. We have a service at 11.am and 11.30 pm. A very long day for those who are involved in church life. I would love to go to the Midnight service, but those days are long gone. Hey ho............................


The next to last door on the Advent Calendar........rather nice.

http://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/advent-and-christmas/advent-calendar/



Cx :-)

That was so moving and beautiful to read Cynthia x

I count my blessings that I have my husband, family
and friends around me at this time of the year.

My thoughts and prayers to those who are alone and
in need of comfort.

Good morning :-)

Illness and death and funerals are sad at any time of years, but Christmas always brings that added poignancy doesn't it? Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are suffering in any way this Christmas time.


Today's Advent Calendar................

http://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/advent-and-christmas/advent-calendar/


Love to all Cx :-)

Your uncle was clearly a brave and a very modest man Cynthia. A sad week for you and Kandj. We also had the funeral of a distant relative yesterday. We were unable to attend in person though we were there in spirit.

Thoughts tonight for all who have recently lost loved ones <3

Your husband sounds as if he is doing well Kandj. He seems a very determined man - good for him. I hope he has a quiet but very happy time with your family at Christmas.

I will be busy tomorrow and have visitors staying from Sunday till Wednesday so may not be posting for a few days. I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful 2018
<3 <3 <3

Good morning :-)

Yes Emma, a brave man indeed bless him.

Some lovely words on today's Advent Calendar...


http://www.methodist.org.uk/adventcalendar/



Love to all. Cx :-)

Such a sad time for you Cynthia and a modest brave man indeed,
may he RIP.


Kandj a husband to be proud of God bless him and give him strength
to get stronger every day.
Such a sad time for you all.

Hello all

Two weeks now into hubbies recovery from pneumonia. heart attack and the MRSA hospital bug. He is still very very tired but the Physio has begun standing up exercises which is a big improvement from the bed/chair ones, he is doing his best to keep up and she is pleased with his progress so far, he is a real fighter, bless him

Our nephew came and kept hubby company whilst I went to the Crematorium for his brother funeral service. Another sad day for my in-laws as this was the third death in just 10 month, he wasn't well enough to be there, so I went to represent us both.

Cynthia this is also a very sad time you and your family. What an honour bestowed upon your Uncle. He really was a very remarkable man. RIP to all three.

Good morning :-)


My uncle's funeral was held on Tuesday. As I was unable to go, my last surviving cousin kept me informed of events. One thing which I did not know, was the fact that my uncle, who was 93 when he died, had been awarded, by the President of France, to the rank of Chevalier (Knight) in the Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur. This happened last year, and he never, ever, mentioned it to me when we spoke on the phone. Such a modest and brave man.

My cousin's funeral will be held today.


A message behind today's Advent Calendar...

http://www.methodist.org.uk/adventcalendar/



Love to all and remembering Kandj and her husband. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Be inspired, be uplifted, be calmed by what is behind today's Advent Calendar door....


http://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/advent-and-christmas/advent-calendar/

Remember to scroll down.


Love and prayers Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A note from kandj tells me that she is coping quite well at the moment - thanks to online food shopping and a local shop delivering some meals. This is so good to hear and she continues to be grateful for our love and prayers.



And behind today's Advent Calendar door is...................................... :-)

Always remember to scroll down........

www.methodist.org.uk/adventcalendar/


Busy day today and tomorrow but much love to all Cx :-)

I smiled when I read about the children and was so pleased for you that your
son was able to dadsit. :-)

My son arrived home today from Nigeria and popped
in for a coffee before he went home with my grand daughter
to his new house.
That is all my family together for Christmas <3

Good morning :-)


It's strange how sometimes the link doesn't work...its happened to me too. Like yourselves, however, I find there is always another link to try :-D


Our son came over to dadsit which was great. Our carol service went well and the children had the 'Awwww' factor as they trotted down the aisle carrying Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the three kings and a camel to the stable at the front of church. :-D

Behind today's door is.................................. :-D


http://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/advent-and-christmas/advent-calendar/


Love to all. Cx :-)

Same with me Vera, but as you say other
links take you there.

Cynthia thank you once again x

Good morning everyone

For some reason today’s calendar link didn’t work but it’s not a problem because the earlier links take you there.

I hope your son’s cold is not too bad and he is able to Dadsit so you are can get to the carol service Cynthia.

Elizabeth, I think the translation of that hymn is later, somewhere about 1850 I believe, but still quite old. I also think it’s one of those rare times when the translation is better than the original. I don’t know if you know any German but the original “Stille, mein Wille” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as “Be Still My Soul”.

Have a peaceful Sunday everyone

Good Morning :-)

Thank you Suffolk Vera for the Psalm number ,I had not realised the hymn was quite that old !

Love from
Elizabeth :-)

Good morning :-)


Lovely to see a conversation once more....... :-) A bit of a long post today - sorry....


That is such a lovely hymn Elizabeth and very comforting to listen to as well as to sing.

With church funerals, we have seen a rise in the number of people wanting a modern song played as the cortege leaves the building. We also find that many people simply do not know where to start when choosing suitable hymns. If they have no church background, that is understandable but such a shame as there are so many hymns with wonderful tunes and heartening words.

Sorry about the chocolate Emma - I would post a picture of a different chocolate every day if this site would let me :-D

It is our church Carol Service tonight. If it goes as usual, it will be a case of 'standing on heads'. I have arranged for my son to come and dadsit whilst I am out - but he has a cold and I need to see how he is today......sigh.

I also run our church's Facebook page and will, hopefully, be posting many pictures of people singing their hearts out as we draw near to the day itself :-D


The Collect (special prayer) set for today.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise
so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the
disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to
judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel tells us “There was a man sent by God, whose name was John.”

Behind today's Advent Calendar door is...........................

http://www.methodist.org.uk/…/advent-and-c…/advent-calendar/


Love to all Cx :-)

Elizabeth, Be Still My Soul was written in the 1700s by Katharina Von Schlegel and it is generally believed that she based it on Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I am God. There are other possibilities in the psalms and other biblical verses that she could have based it on but psalm 46 is most often quoted.

I love that hymn. I think most of us aspire to be still sometimes even if we don’t achieve it. Also the hymn nowadays is usually sung to the theme tune from Finlandia which is one of my all time favourite pieces of music. At my funeral (which is hopefully a long way off) I would like this hymn to be played either at the beginning or the end of the service. Perhaps I had better make sure my family know :-)

Kandj, it is lovely to hear from you. I realise your priority is your husband but try to look after yourself as well. You clearly have a very loving family so let them take over some of the chores at Christmas and give yourself time to relax a little. We are all keeping you in our thoughts <3

I loved the piece of artwork behind today’s advent door but I am glad there was an explanation as I would not otherwise have understood the significance.