General Chat

Good morning :-)


We hear the word ‘blessing’ used in church quite a lot. Each service ends with a blessing as the priest sends us out into the world and back to our everyday life.

The blessing at the end of a service may only be given by the priest – there are authorised alternative forms of words for lay folk to use. There are some beautiful priestly blessings……….here is a familiar one.

The Lord bless you and watch over you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you,
the Lord look kindly on you
and give you peace;



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A miserable day in the North West, but we all have blessings……..of one kind or another, but do we always recognise them?


I have in my hands two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box
And all your joys in the gold."

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.

With curiosity I opened the black
I wanted to find out why.
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile and said
"My child, they're all here with me."

I asked God why He gave me the boxes
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings
The black is for you to let go."

:-D


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask
such things as shall please you; 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 for today tells the story of Jesus talking about what is in our hearts and then the healing the daughter of the woman who has great faith.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Yet more tragedy and pointless loss of life in Barcelona...... my thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected by the latest terrorist attack.

Vera we also were thinking of all A level students picking up their exam results on Thursday. Always a very stressful day for teachers, students and families alike.
Next Thursday our granddaughter will go into school for her GCSE results. There
seems to be so much more pressure on our young ones these days.Bless them all.

Good morning :-)


Out of respect to the dreadful events in Spain yesterday, there were no jokes on this page. Today, we return to remembering that God gave us the gift of laughter - and what a wonderful gift that is.

ADAM BLAMED EVE
EVE BLAMED THE SNAKE
AND THE SNAKE DIDN’T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

LET’S MEET AT MY HOUSE SUNDAY, BEFORE THE GAME
- GOD
________________________________________

DON’T GIVE UP – MOSES WAS ONCE A BASKET CASE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

WE ARE A FACEBOOK CHURCH -
WE SEEK HIS FACE AND READ HIS BOOK.


We thank God for his wonderful gift of humour. :-D



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


And we see yet another terrible attack on innocent victims :-(


Loving Lord, we come to you trusting in your mercy and knowing that your steadfast love endures forever.

Look with mercy on those who have lost loved ones or who have been injured by the attack in Barcelona.

Grant them your strength to meet the days ahead. Allow those who are affected to experience your peace which passes all understanding and new hope in the resurrection.

Move in those who are able to give aid, that they may be your hands and heart on the earth. Be with all who offer assistance; may your Spirit uphold them to face the challenges ahead.

Give us the assurance of your presence even in this time so that we can cling to your promise of hope and life shown us through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Some of the quotes are quite thought provoking I agree Vera. :-D

Love and prayers to all those who will be opening those special envelopes today.


Let's smile again..... :-D


OUR CHURCH IS LIKE FUDGE……
SWEET WITH A FEW NUTS.
________________________________________

LIFE WITHOUT GOD IS LIKE AN UNSHARPENED PENCIL –
NO POINT.
________________________________________

CHRISTIANITY IS LIKE CHICKENPOX –
IF YOU HAVE IT, YOU CAN GIVE IT TO OTHERS.


Love to all. Cx :-)

Have your ears stopped ringing yet Pat? I love the sound of church bells but not clanging away at all hours. Best in small doses I think.

I have had a smile at your posts this week Cynthia. I love some of the posters you see outside churches. They do make me laugh but make me think as well.

Tomorrow is A Level results day for many young people. It's a worrying time for them, particularly for those who have provisional university or training offers. My daughter, a teacher, will be there at school ready to congratulate or comfort and generally offer support. So gentle thoughts today for all those anxious youngsters, their parents and teachers.

Good morning :-)

Keeping on a thoughtful, happy theme.......



HE WHO KNEELS BEFORE GOD
CAN STAND BEFORE ANYONE

--------------------------------------------------------

GOD ANSWERS KNEE MAIL



:-D


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia I like your humorous posting this morning.

Pat, I hope you found some cotton wool. I wouldn't like the bell clanging at all, but
church bells are something very different and always a delight to hear pealing out.

Strange weather for Summer....... never mind. whatever your weather is like I hope
you all have a GREAT day. Just SMILE..... and pass it on to share with others. xx

Good morning :-)


Hahahaaa Pat and the bells, I love it! The bells are celebrating a day which is mostly kept by Roman Catholics and Orthodox members of the Christian faith. Quite an interesting read.

Some more humour from church signs to brighten your day :-D

FORBIDDEN FRUIT CAUSES MANY JAMS
________________________________________

ADAM AND EVE - THE FIRST PEOPLE NOT TO READ THE APPLE INSTRUC-TIONS.
________________________________________

THE WORLDS FIRST COMPUTER CAN BE TRACED BACK TO ADAM AND EVE.
SURPRISE! SURPRISE! IT WAS AN APPLE.
BUT WITH EXTREMELY LIMITED MEMORY.
JUST ONE BYTE
AND IT CRASHED!

:-D :-D :-D

Love to all Cx :-)

6.30 am - clang clang clang.

Got up and pottered a few minutes then sorted out the dog for her walk - just started the walk, it was about 7.15 when clang clang (end of service). That went on for a while then peace and quiet. Walked for about another 5 minutes and just as I walked past the olive grove - clang, clang, clang the other church in the village was finishing their service.

Ayiou Louka (St Luke's) church in the centre of the village is the closest to us and I expect a service around 9 am but at least I'm awake then ;-)

Happy Ascension of St Mary day for those who celebrate it. :-)

Thank you for your remarks Cynthia and Kandj much appreciated.

Anyone got any cotton wool to spare. :-( Tomorrow is Ascension of St Mary - mother of Jesus. Holiday here tomorrow, all the shops are shut. It's starts with early services - the bells will start at either 6.30 or 7 am. :-(

Bet I'm out walking the dog when they start ringing - should have written start clanging :-|.

:-D

Good morning :-)

I know what you mean kandj. There are only a small percentage of families who stay with us after baptism and this, apparently is the norm :-( However, we do what we can to prepare them as to what baptism is all about and make the day as special as we can. We welcome them into the family of the church. The ball is then in their court - we have done our best :-D

It's a rather dismal morning, so how about some summer madness and a smile to start the day?

WITH ALL THIS RAIN, WE NEED AN ARK. FEAR NOT
(WAIT FOR IT)
WE NOAH GUY!
_______________________

TWEET OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TWEETED.

Thank you Lord, for the gift of laughter.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Pat, best wishes to your friend as she copes with her bereavement.

Cynthia, it sounds as if it could be a very hectic/noisy morning service today.
It would perhaps be a miracle if the newly baptized children and their families became regular attenders in the weeks/months ahead. My years experience of baptism services recall the norm is never to see families again until next baby is baptized..... I hope that I am wrong in my assumption within your own congregation.

The sun is shining and it's a good tonic after so much heavy rain.

Sending happy Sunday blessings to everyone right now. xxx

Good morning :-)

Its good that your friend is now feeling so much better Pat and, hopefully, she can now move on bless her.


This morning, we have the baptism of 3 young children during our morning service. Such is the demand for baptism that we are having to add extra services from September.

We pray for these children as they take their first steps on the Christian path. We also pray for their parents and Godparents, that they may be sincere and true to the promises they are about to make on behalf of these little ones.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of your Church:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus walking on the water.

Its going to be a lovely day :-D


Cx :-)

Spoke with my friend today. She's so pleased she kept on going to see her mother. She said the last time she saw her they extended their stay because she was having lots of good days. Only days later she became ill with the chest infection. Friend seems to be OK now the funeral is over.

Friend said thank you to those on here for their thoughts and prayers she does appreciate it.

Have you all have a good weekend :-) <3

Hello all

We both admire HM the Queen. Neither of us could do as much as she does and we are not anywhere near our 90s yet.

Hoping that everyone will enjoy a good weekend. Sending Happy Saturday
Blessing and (((hugs))) to all who need one this morning. xx

Good morning :-)


To end our week of thinking about the Transfiguration of Jesus and some of the famous people who have allowed Him into their lives, we finish with, perhaps, the most famous…..the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Her Majesty the Queen

The Queen doesn’t reveal what she thinks about a whole host of subjects, but about her trust in Christ she has been open, clear and direct. Here are 3 quotes that show something of the Queen’s relationship with Christ and how that strengthens her and shapes the way she lives and works.

'I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God!'

'Christ not only revealed to us the truth in his teachings. He lived by what he believed and gave us the strength to try to do the same - and, finally, on the cross, he showed the supreme example of physical and moral courage.'

'To many of us our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ's words and example.'


We give thanks for the example of Christian faith the Queen gives to our nation.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Last Sunday we heard about the Transfiguration of Jesus whilst he was on a mountain. Someone who knows all about mountains and a lot about Jesus Christ, is Bear Grylls......the British adventurer who is also the Chief Scout in the UK.


"Jesus, the heart of the Christian faith is the wildest, most radical guy you’d ever come across.

Faith is personal if it's to be real. And I think things that are personal are sometimes hard to talk about. And I think Brits are especially bad at that. But I've definitely learned over my life through a lot of difficult times — whether it's military stuff or losing people on big expeditions on high mountains — I've definitely learned it takes a proud man to say he never needs any help. I'm not that man. I do need some help sometimes. And my faith has been that to me. It's been a real quiet strength and a real glue to our family, as well. For me to be able to climb big mountains with a person I feel has made these mountains is a huge privilege."


Cx :-)