General Chat

Good morning :-)


Today, we celebrate the Baptism of Christ and, oddly enough, we do not have any baptisms in church today. :-S


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Heavenly Father,
at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:
may we recognise Him as our Lord
and know ourselves to be your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Thanks Cynthia. Life does indeed throw lots of challenges to us all each day.
How blessed to feel that we are never left alone in dark and troubled times.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
Give thanks in all circumstances;
For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
First Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Remembering people who feel alone this night. xxx

Good morning :-)


I think many folk will relate to this prayer......


Whatever the New Year has in store,
Remember there's always a good reason for
Everything that comes into our life.
For even in times of struggle and strife,
If we but lift our eyes above
We see "our cross" as a "gift of love."

For things that cause the heart to ache
Until we feel that it must break,
Become the strength by which we climb
To higher heights that are sublime.
So welcome every stumbling block
And every thorn and jagged rock;
For each one is a stepping-stone
To a fuller life than we've ever known;
And in the radiance of God's smiles
We learn to soar above life's trials.
So let us accept what the New Year brings,
Seeing the hand of God in all things,
And as we grow in strength and grace
The clearer we can see God's face.


Praying that those who are sleepless may find rest tonight. Cx :-)

Hello all

New boiler in place and up and running, so we are cozy and warm here now.

As evening approaches I will share this prayer today. It will help me to relax through the night and I hope it may help others like me, who aren't sleeping very well now.

May the Holy Trinity
encircle you throughout this night.

May the Heavenly Father
enfold you in his arms.

May Jesus Christ
save you from all harm.

May the Holy Spirit
guide you through the night.

That you may wake up fresh
in the morning light. (Gavin Ellis).
Amen.

Good morning



Brrr.....hope your boiler is soon fixed kandj.....we take so much for granted I agree.


As we draw to the end of our thoughts on the arrival of the Three Kings, we offer this prayer…..



Lord Jesus
may your light shine our way,
as once it guided the steps of the magi:
that we too may be led into your presence
and worship you,
the Child of Mary,
the Word of the Father,
the King of nations,
the Saviour of mankind;
to whom be glory for ever.
- Frank Colquhoun


Cx :-)

Hello all

A dark rainy day here. We have no heating as our gas boiler is being replaced today.
How easily we have become used to modern day heating and a warm home. We have been thinking of the poor people who have been badly affected by the floods.

Heavenly Father
We pray for those who are affected by the floods and face destruction in their homes and livelihood. Give daily strength to everyone and to those working to bring relief.
Amen.

Good morning :-)


Hi Pat, it sounds as though it could get quite noisy at this time of year in your village. :-D

I love church bells, but the one note chime can sound very solemn and reminds me of funerals.

For today...

The Three Kings presented the Christ child with three famous gifts……….gold, frankincense and myrrh. Why?

Gold is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in flesh.

Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, comparable to a burnt offering.

Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Lovely to have others pop in and share kind words and traditions of today Epiphany.

Many years ago hubby and I spent Christmas/New Year in Spain and 6th January was Epiphany and great excitement and celebrations all day long, from church bells ringing out early mornings until firework displays into the late evening. Wonderful day..

"We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar"

May the light of the shining star, brighten your days, always. xxx

Today is Epiphany and a holiday here.

This is the religious part of Christmas for the Orthodox church. Some people have a meat free diet for weeks and today is when this stops. I do believe it's 40 days and 50 days for Lent.

The bells were ringing at 7am, I could hear the 2 churches in the village plus the next village's church. They were all ringing again, around 7.30 at the end of the service. I was walking the dog as they all started up the second time. It's not like the beautiful bells of UK, just a one note clanging.

There will be lots of feasting later.

Good morning :-)


Thank you Elizabeth, and it's so nice to see you popping in <3


Well!

They've arrived!

They've made it!

After an incredibly long journey, these educated, wealthy and influential men have finally found the king they have been searching for. They have travelled many miles through various landscapes - undergone hardships and dangers and now they approach the long promised Christ child.


We come like the magi, as wise and as foolish men and women to kneel before the Christ child. We bring our regrets from the past year, our shame, our guilt, acknowledging our failures and ready to begin afresh.


With my love, Cx :-)

Dear Cynthia, Kandji, Emma and All

Hello

A gentle message to say hope the new year brings you peace, better health and many lovely moments to cherish.

I think it was our colleague and friend, Dermot, who said this thread is like an oasis of calm.

I would endorse that too. :-)

Sending you very best wishes


Take gentle care
Love from Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Hello all

Today is 12th night, it is the night before the 12th Day of Christmas. This marks
the coming of the Epiphany when the Three Wise Men arrived at the stable where Jesus was born.

Our tree and window candle lights are down and I have boxed them and put them all back into the loft for another year. Everywhere looks very bare now.

New Year, and the months ahead can feel quite daunting but this reading from Scripture is a good reminder that whatever challenges lie ahead, we are not alone.

The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise
you and watch over you always." Psalm 32:8.

Offering a gentle hug to those in need today. xxx

Good morning :-)

My word, the year is flying past :-D


For today :

Dear Lord, please give me…
A few friends who understand me and remain my friends;
A work to do which has real value,
without which the world would be the poorer;
A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed;
An understanding heart;
A sense of humour;
Time for quiet, silent meditation;
A feeling of the presence of God;
The patience to wait for the coming of these things,
With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen.


Remembering friends in prayer Cx :-)

Hello all

Each new year brings us new opportunities
to seek the Lord and to walk in faith.

May your year be blessed by the Lord.

Good morning :-)


Those words are very true Emma........ :-)

And still more rain to come - will it ever end? :-(


For today:

"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.

Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.

As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance."

Amen.


Praying for all those affected by the dreadful weather Cx :-)

Hello all

Very dark and wet all day today. Poor flood victims have had an horrendous Christmas/New Year. One that they will remember for all the wrong reasons.

In this new year, may we all be blessed with the good things God has to give.
Amen.

All settled down after all the festivities, I love the
calmness now.

Pray not that you need something

but because you have

a lot to thank God for!

xx

Good morning :-)


My decorations were very sparse this year, so it wont take long to remove them. However, I am keeping my nativity scene up until Epiphany as I am sharing it on FB and the Magi are moving closer all the time :-D


The Collect - special prayer for today :

Almighty God,
in the birth of your Son you have poured on us
the new light of your incarnate Word,
and shown us the fullness of your love:
help us to walk in his light and dwell in his love
that we may know the fullness of his joy;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen


Probably a very quiet Sunday in church today............


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

I am wanting to take down some of the Christmas decorations, but hubby is still liking the tree lights and the arch bridge candle lights in the windows and so I will hold back a little longer to please him.

A new year and new challenges to face ahead in the months to come. I wonder if this year will pass as quickly as the old year did???

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God"
(Corrie Ten Boom).

Remembering now the many people who have struggled through the Christmas and New Year celebrations. xxx

Good morning :-)


I hope everyone has now recovered from the New Year festivities.......... :-D


For today:

New Year's Prayer

Lord, this year I want to change,
and I've said that in the past.
but now my prayer is different
'cause I understand at last.
I wanted my own way before,
I ignored your loving plans.
But now I'm putting everything
into your nail-scarred hands.
I promise to obey you
out of gratitude and love.
I won't be giving orders
to my Father up above.
I finally realize the truth
and so I've changed my prayer.
The safest place for me to be
is in your gentle care.
Please be my shepherd, Jesus,
that's all I ask of you.
In good times and in bad this year,
Take my hand and lead me through.
Amen.


Cx :-)