General Chat

Hello all

Reading your post this morning Cynthia an old school hymn came into my mind.
It was sung at the morning assemblies we had all those years ago. Isn't the brain
amazing as I can remember being with class friends singing loudly but not really
thinking of what these beautiful words really meant.

Loving shepherd of Thy sheep, keep Thy lambs in safety keep
Nothing can Thy power withstand, none can pluck me from Thy hand.

Loving Saviour Thy didst give, thine own life that we might live
And the hands outstretched to bless, bear the cruel nails impress.

I would praise Thee each day, gladly all Thy will obey
Like the blessed ones above, happy in Thy precious blood.

Loving Shepherd ever near, teach Thy lamb Thy voice to hear;
Suffer not my steps to stray, from the straight and narrow way.

Where Thou leadest I would go, walking in Thy steps below
Till before my Father's throne, I shall know as I am known.

Cynthia I hope that your ankle is less painful and I send healing vibes to
you and others who need them today. xx

Good morning :-)


After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to many people.

One morning, when Peter and some of the other disciples had just spent all night fishing and catching nothing they saw a figure standing on the shore.  They were startled to see that it was Jesus, and he was cooking breakfast. He called out to the men on the boat to cast their nets on the other side if they wanted to catch fish.

Miraculously, they immediately caught an enormous amount of big fish and then joined Jesus on the shore. During breakfast, Jesus talked to Peter and told him "Feed my sheep".  Even though Peter had denied Jesus during his trial, Jesus forgave Peter and accepted him back as a friend.


Tender Shepherd, thank you for being the God of second chances. Help us to embrace the calling you give us to care for the people you place in our paths. We pray in your name. Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Browsing through some of the events which happened after the resurrection.

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘Doubting Thomas’- it refers to a sceptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience—a reference to the Apostle Thomas who refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw him for himself.

When Christ did appear before him, Thomas fell to his knees saying “My Lord and my God!” Jesus responded ……“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

I have found some advice….

When you rise in the morning, greet your Saviour: “My Lord and my God!”
As you bow your head in gratitude for a meal, begin: “My Lord and my God!”
When you pray for a friend or someone in need, say, “My Lord and my God!”
When you lay your head on your pillow at night, whisper: “My Lord and my God!”



Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you kandj - my ankle is recovering slowly but surely. Certainly not as sore and I can hobble quite well :-D I am, indeed, blessed with my family.

Taking a look at some of the events which happened after the Resurrection.

St Luke chapter 24, tells the very powerful story of the two men walking along the road to Emmaus, discussing all that had happened in the last couple of days…..They are joined by a stranger who stays and eats with them. It’s a while till the penny drops and their eyes are opened – they are talking to the risen Jesus Christ!



Lord Jesus Christ,
Stay with us, too, we pray,
in every part of our journey,
no matter how full of doubt or fear we may be today.

Through your Holy Spirit,
we pray that you will open our eyes, too
Help us see you as our risen Lord
in all your beauty,
and in all your loving power.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Oh dear Cynthia, not the start for Easter Sunday that you wanted or deserved!!!
You are blessed to have your family living close enough to help. I hope that you
have been able to rest and today and will feel much more comfortable now.

Not liking the Wet Monday..... I think I will stick with Easter Monday instead.

What a kind gesture, you are obviously appreciated with the Shaun the Sheep choc.

Blessings to all in need today xxx

Good morning :-)


What an uplifting start to the day - with the postings from other members. Thank you. <3

Its been quite a weekend for me. On Good Friday I was given a parcel which had been left in church for me. When I opened it, I discovered it was an Easter Egg in the shape of Shaun the Sheep (whom I love). It was part of a scheme called Random Acts of Kindness and I do not know who it was from. My name was on the outside and there was a card inside which simply said 'With love'. I have been so touched by this lovely gesture. Mind you, he is just too cute to eat!

Easter Day got off to a good start.........not. Coming downstairs I fell off the bottom stairs and ended up in a heap by the front door..... :-( It was my wonky ankle again. I am not really hurt apart from the ankle and knee. I carried on (as we women do) and made it to church. No way was I going to miss Easter Day.

Church was as full as I have ever seen it. We used all the chairs in the meeting room and some of the men even went across the road to bring chairs from a building we have connections with.

There were two infant and one adult baptism taking place so it was total chaos but controlled chaos if you know what I mean. All the children were given a crème egg and everyone was happy. The church looked lovely.

As my daughter-in-law was working yesterday, I had invited my son and the grandchildren for lunch. When he saw me hobbling in, he immediately took over and cooked the lunch himself bless him. He even came back later in the day to take his sister home to save me - I don't think I could have driven though.

I am now hoping for a relaxing day........ :-D


So, it’s Easter Monday …….Bank Holiday Monday. Apparently, it is also known as Bright Monday, Renewal Monday, Wet Monday, and Dyngus Day, and is the Monday immediately after Easter Sunday.

I do rather like the Wet Monday idea…..where siblings and/or spouses wake each up by pouring a bucket of water on the other. That could come in useful :-D

I do hope that you all had a happy Easter Day and manage to get some rest and relaxation today.

Gracious God,
We praise you for the light of new life
made possible through Jesus.
We praise you for the light of new life
that shone on the first witnesses of resurrection.
We praise you for the light of new life
that continues to shine in our hearts today.
We pray that the Easter light of life, hope and joy,
will live in us each day;
and that we will be bearers of that light
into the lives of others.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Happy Easter everyone looking in.

A day of hope and joy after darkness.

Thank you Cynthia for your constant postings.

Happy Easter everyone x

Wishing you all a very happy, peaceful and blessed Easter time.

Hello all and a Happy Easter to everyone.

Many thanks for the lovely posting on such a holy day

He is not here; for He has risen as He said!. Come, see the place where
the Lord lay. (Matthew 28: v 6 King James Bible)

Here is my favourite Easter hymn to share with you all on this
very special Easter Sunday morning.

Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won;
Angels in bright raiment, rolled the stone away
Kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.

Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

Lo Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
For her Lord now liveth, death has lost its sting.

Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death has won.

No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life
There is nought without thee, aid us in our strife,
Make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love,
Bring us safe through Jordan, through thy home above

Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won.

Wishing you Peace and Happiness at Easter. xx

Wishing all of you on this thread a very Happy Easter. <3 <3

Happy Easter <3

Good morning :-)

Great news...........He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!.............Allelulia. <3


The collect for Easter Day.

Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity.

The gospel is, as may be expected, telling the wonderful story of the resurrection Jesus Christ.

We have two babies and one adult for baptism this morning.


A very Happy Easter and blessed Easter to you all.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Almost at the climax of the long period of waiting throughout Lent.......this is Holy Saturday.

Father,
Creator of heaven and earth,
Grant that as your son Jesus lay dead in the tomb,
on this holy Sabbath,
That we may wait along with him,
and his faithful disciples,
for his glorious resurrection,
on Easter morning.
And, that along with all the saints,
grant us the grace
to boldly celebrate
his conquering of sin and death. Amen

- David Bennett


Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you to Cynthia for continuing to post interesting things each day.
Dermot, I do find your posts very interesting to read too.... thank you.

Thanks Vera hubby is recovering from his latest set back. I am plodding on still.

For this very Holy Good Friday, I send blessings, a gentle hug to all in need today. xx

Good morning.....

I don't often agree with Piers Morgan, Dermot, but I do in this case. Christians are still being persecuted today.

Today is Good Friday, one of the holiest days in the year for Christians around the world. We pray that all are allowed to worship in safety.

HANG IT ON THE CROSS

If you have a secret sorrow,
a burden or a loss,
an aching need for healing,
HANG IT ON THE CROSS.

If worry steals your sleep
and makes you turn and toss
if your heart is feeling heavy,
HANG IT ON THE CROSS.

Every obstacle to faith
or doubt you come across
every prayer unanswered,
HANG IT ON THE CROSS.

For Christ has borne our brokenness
and dearly paid the cost
to turn our trials to triumph
BY HANGING ON THE CROSS.

- Lisa O. Engehardt.


Cx

Piers Morgan has criticised the US media for not giving enough coverage to the bombings of two Egyptian churches on Palm Sunday that left more than 40 people dead.

Speaking to Fox News, Morgan said that the latest attack on Egypt’s Coptic Christians was “unbelievably significant” and that ISIS was carrying out “a genocidal attack” on Christianity across the Middle East.

“You know, if you look at what ISIS really stands for, what they are carrying out in the Middle East, and in Egypt in particular, is a kind of genocidal attack on Christians and Christianity,” he said.

“They want Christianity eradicated, and they want to convert all Muslims to their crusade, they want it to be a Holy War, and they want Christians gone.”

He added: “I don’t think that narrative is getting the attention it should get in the American media, and I have to say in other media around the world also.”

(Excerpt from 'The Catholic Herald' - a weekly magazine.)

Good morning :-)


Thank you Vera, it is good to know that someone is 'out there' <3


Good morning everyone.......we are nearly at the end of Holy Week......so much drama....so much pain. Many churches will be holding services to commemorate this special day.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. Christians remember it as the day of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist.

The night of Maundy Thursday is the night on which Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The word maundy comes from the command (mandate) given by Christ at the Last Supper, that we should love one another.

It is indeed right to give you thanks,
Father most holy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For on this night he girded himself with a towel
and, taking the form of a servant,
washed the feet of his disciples.
He gave us a new commandment
that we should love one another as he has loved us.
Knowing that his hour had come,
in his great love he gave this supper to his disciples
to be a memorial of his passion,
that we might proclaim his death until he comes again,
and feast with him in his kingdom.
Therefore earth unites with heaven
to sing a new song of praise;
we too join with angels and archangels
as they proclaim your glory without end:


The altar will be stripped of all cloths and silverware. There is no blessing at the end of the Maundy Thursday service.....we leave in silence.


Cx :-)

Just letting you know I am still here and looking in every day though I have little to add, so you are not talking to thin air Cynthia.

I hope your hubby is feeling a bit better now Kandj.

Sending a hug to all in need of a little tlc.

Good morning :-)

Wednesday of Holy Week

'Then one of the twelve disciples—the one named Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas was looking for a good chance to hand Jesus over to them.'

It’s so easy to betray Jesus in the ordinary course of life. It’s so easy to make big promises to God on Sunday, only to see them crumble when we are with our co-workers on Monday morning, or meeting up with friends on Tuesday evening.

The call to follow Jesus is a call to endure and even suffer for his sake. It’s a call to deny what’s easiest for you, and give up earthly comfort; a call to follow him and trust the course that he sets even when it seems that it’s not “working”.

Lord, may we ever be true to you.

Cx :-)