General Chat

Hello all

Very cold today but more in keeping with the Winter season, and we are in January!

I used to be a part of a Bereavement Group in church which offered support to the bereaved in the parish. I was surprised that many who came for tea and sympathy were not the newly bereaved but an anniversary or some event had triggered the hurt and pain that comes with losing a loved one. Sadly, this service is not offered now.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds....... Psalm 147: 3.

Praying for people who feel lost and alone today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Thank goodness the snow has gone - it wasn't much in comparison with other places and countries but it is so inconvenient to some. We managed to get out yesterday - we took some things to the recycling centre! Can't say we don't have fun :-D :-D


Day two of our look at the Beatitudes.....

"Blessed are they that mourn:
for they shall be comforted."

Gracious God, surround all who mourn this day
with your continuing compassion.
Do not let grief overwhelm your children,
or turn them against you.
When grief seems never-ending,
take them one step at a time
along your road of death and resurrection
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Now to see what today brings........ Cx :-)

Hello all

Cold and frosty morning which might help to get rid of the many germs around now.

Cynthia's words today have made this traditional hymn come into my mind.

Blessed are the pure in heart
For they shall see our God
The secret of the Lord is theirs
Their heart is Christ's abode.

Lord, we Thy presence seek;
May ours this blessing be;
Give us a pure and lowly heart
A temple meet for Thee.

Praying for all who are coping with pain, anxiety or fear right now. xxx

Good morning :-)

Thank goodness the snow only lasted for a day! At least we can venture out hopefully. :-)

I thought that this week, we could take a wander through the Beatitudes - those wonderful words from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


God, help me realize how poor
I am. Poor at loving, poor at discerning,
poor in wisdom, poor at choosing
obedience, poor in generosity,
poor in seeking You. And so you
come to me. To me. Emmanuel.
With your abundance of all I need.
Thank you. Thank you.


Keep warm everyone. Cx :-)

Hello all

It was snowing last night and we awoke to a covering on the grass and roof tiles.
It made me feel chilly but blessed to have had the boiler renewed and all warm now.

Heavenly Father
Walk through my home and take away all worries and doubts.
Watch over and heal my family and friends.
Bring quiet where there is chaos.
Bring light where there is darkness, and
Put love in our hearts each day.
In Jesus name. Amen.

Remembering the many people who have no warm home today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Like you kandj, I have known such wonderfully happy times within the church fellowship. Times of laughter and silliness....times of friendship and faith.....times of sadness and care. Church families are like any other family - they have good times and bad - happy and sad - sharing and caring for each other. With the occasional fall out thrown in of course :-D

We have had some snow, so I don't think we will be venturing to church this morning :(

I daren't risk my husband and I doing a 'Torville and Dean' down the path!!


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty God,
in Christ you make all things new:
transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace,
and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory;
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 is that wonderful story of Christ's first miracle - the Wedding at Cana - where he changed water into wine.


Love to all and stay safe in this cold weather.

Hello all

I can still clearly remember Mrs Shepherd who was a Sunday School teacher.
She was gentle and patient and kind to everyone. I have never forgotten her.

There have been several church Ministers who have shared my journey in faith and we have shared good and not so good times together over very many years.

I also remember a great many church family members who have helped and encouraged me at various points in my life. Most have died now but I will never forget our praise and worship times together and how they all worked hard in church

His lord said unto him, "Well done thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter now into the joy of the lord."
Matthew 25;21. King James Version.

Praying now for all who feel upset and lonely this night. xxx

Good morning :-)

So many pubs are closing nowadays. We live in what was once a mining community and I have been told that there was a 'pub' on most street corners many years ago, some of which were houses from what I gather. There are still two 'proper' pubs within walking distance - both dating back a couple of hundred years or so and still seemingly going strong.


We end this week of praying for our Community by thinking of the church we attend or the church in whose parish we live.

We pray for the clergy who take services – that they may be loyal and true to their calling. May they be ready and willing to serve God and His people whenever and wherever needed.

We thank God for the church building where people have worshipped over the generations and where many memories are held.

We pray for the congregation – that they may be true witnesses of the faith and encourage others to learn more about Christ.

May the church fellowship always be welcoming to the stranger and extend God’s love beyond the walls of the church. Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Cold here to but bright and dry and not the sleet of yesterday. We are pleased to have had the new boiler fitted so we are warm and comfortable in our home.

Last week a pub in the village was demolished to make way for a supermarket.
We both felt quite sad as we used to meet for Saturday night dances to live band when we were in our teens. Half time drinks were tea, coffee, orange an lemonade.
No alcohol was served in this building and no one seemed to want this either.
The building began originally as a village social hall and used for weekend dances.
WI Meetings, Scouts and Brownie and St Johns Ambulance weekly meetings.

Alterations were done over the years and a Brewery refurbished the rooms and put in a bar. This lasted for very many years but was knocked down last week and a national supermarket will be built on this site and is planned to be open in Easter.

It's sad to see the rubble of the building where we have spent such happy hours for very many years.Not just us, but family and friends who also have similar memories

Count your blessings, count them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God has done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one
Count your blessings, see what God has done..

It is very cold here also Cynthia :-)

Every flower blooms when it's time,

Every prayer is answered in God's time.

xx

Good morning :-)


For many years, pubs are places where people have gathered to enjoy food and drink in the company of others.

Lord, we pray for those who are landlords and responsible for the smooth running of our local pubs. Help them to be dutiful in their service and welcoming in their hospitality. May those who enter their doors find friendship and refreshment and remember to be responsible in their drinking. Amen.


Brrr.....its chilly here today........love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

We have much to thank the NHS for. We give thanks for the dedication and kindness given at all visits, where staff are clearly overworked but still manage to smile at us.

Thinking of all who are in need of prayerful support today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today we think of those in the field of medicine who live and work in our community.

We pray for all doctors, nurses and dentists as they strive to take care of our health and wellbeing.

May they be blessed with expertise, sensitivity and patience in their dealings with those in pain or despair and with compassion to those facing death. Amen


Remembering those who have asked for prayer Cx :-)

Pray for the teachers of the faith, both past and present.
Remember evangelists, people of vision who have started Christian Movements.
Pray for the present Missionaries and their families who face danger each day.

Good morning :-)

Dear me.....my computer decided it needed to update, do a dance, cook lunch and 101 other things besides.............grrrrrrrr Anyway, I am here now! :-D


For today:

We pray for the schools in our community.

Bless the teachers as they endeavour to teach and educate the children in their care.

May they be given patience and understanding ..... stamina and enthusiasm as they face each day.

In return, may the pupils respect their teachers and be willing and helpful students.

We pray that bullying may be banished and good work encouraged.


Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello all

An interesting thread Cynthia. We live in a village that has an abundance of shops!
Many of the small family run businesses have sadly had to end through one thing or another, although there is a newsagents and a gardening/pet shop and both are run by 3rd generation and it's always pleasant to buy items and have a little chat too.

Heavenly Father

We pray for all who work in small shops and in large supermarkets.
Bless them all with happy days and pleasant company each day.
Amen

Good morning :-)


Continuing our look round at the communities where we live.......

Lord, we pray for the shops in our community.

For those who open early and close late in order to serve us.

For those shops which have been handed down from generation to generation and those who have recently opened.

For the shops where we buy food to feed us, clothes to clothe us, comforts for our homes and holidays to help us relax.

Bless them in their work and may their dealings with both employee and customer always be honest and fair.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

So glad that your husband was able to be with you in church Cynthia. He is obviously very well thought of to be given so many hugs and kisses. It will have made his day!

We are blessed to live in a road with kind and caring neighbours, although this hasn't always been the case over the years.

I often "prayer walk" which is simply walking the streets and silently praying for the homes that I pass, the people in the houses and any worries that they might have.

Loving our neighbour means helping those in need, even if they do not live near us

Praying for the true ultimate neighbour spirit in the flooded areas, help one another..
Praying for the rescue teams, police, fireman, river and water management workers

Good morning :-)

My OH has had a few better days lately so we made it to church reasonably easily. As usual, he was hugged and kissed and fussed over......by both men and women! :-D

For this week, I thought we could take a look at our community - the people we meet and the places we go.

'Love your neighbour as yourself'.

Father, please use me to be an example of your love among my neighbours.

Help me to be more like you so that I become more effective in helping them come to know you.

Lord, please let me see my street transformed, as people turn to you.

Help me to look for situations where I can do good for others, whether at home or at work.

Help me not to tire of trying to be a good neighbour, especially when I face rejection.

Give me strength to keep persevering, and guide me to the people who need my help the most.

Amen.


Thinking of all those who have 'difficult' neighbours. Cx :-)

Hello all

"When you arise in the morning,
think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive,
to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."

Prophetic words written by Marcus Aurelius.

Hoping everyone will have a happy day today. xxx