General Chat

Good morning :-)


Fortunately, the rain stayed off during the Act of Remembrance at church yesterday. A large crowd gathered to remember the fallen at the cenotaph outside church, and then moved into church for a service. It was, literally, standing room only which was very moving in itself.

So, as we remain in the season of remembrance, we move forward to remember those who serve us today….


Heavenly Father,
we commend to your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women in our Armed Forces at home and abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
and give them courage to face the perils that beset them;
and help them to know that nothing can separate them from your love;
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



Remembering the families of those who serve today. Cx :-)

They live on in our prayers, never to be forgotten.

"Lest We Forget"

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds encountered,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
We will remember them.

Thinking of all who have been affected by so many wars. xxx

Amen to that

On this Remembrance Sunday.


Lord, giver of life,

may your love break through where this earth has grown dark.
Where justice is destroyed, let righteousness rule.

Let the warmth and light of your love shine on the waste of our wrath and sorrow.

Teach us, through you, to save succeeding generations
from the scourge of war, which over the centuries has brought
untold sorrow to mankind,

and give peace to your Church,
peace among nations,
peace in our homes and peace in our hearts.

Amen.

Cx

Good morning :-)


As we approach Remembrance Sunday..................


I do not know your name –
Nor for which battle you died.
I do not know your home,
nor the tears that were cried.
I do not know where you rest
Nor the promise broken.
I do not know your uniform,
and your fears lay unspoken.
But, I know your spirit exists
That your courage is admired,
and your sacrifice is honoured by each soul that's inspired.
And I offer you from my heart,
Thank you, to guardians unknown,
for offering yourselves for all of us,
that we may keep freedom... Our home.

- Sherrie Ball.


Praying in thankfulness Cx :-)

Hello All

This is all very interesting Cynthia, thank you for sharing.

Army Chaplains have continued to serve wherever British soldiers have been sent.
The conflicts may have changed but the Ministry of care and compassion remains.

A prayer for Clergy in the Forces and in churches everywhere, including retired Clergy too.

Heavenly Father, thank you for all who are called into your Ministry. May you refresh their hearts and minds each day. Strengthen and encourage them all as they work for your good. Support those who work overseas in dark places, guide and protect them always.
Bless all retired Clergy who have given years of dedication and commitment to others. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Good morning :-)


I am a big softie when it comes to animals I must admit. We had dogs for many years but, since retirement, we have resisted the urge to have another one. Much as I would love one, it's another responsibility to add to what I already have.....if you get my drift.

Today, we are concentrating on Military Chaplains during the 2 wars.

The Army Chaplains Department had been in existence for some 120 years when the Great War started in the summer of 1914.

Initially comprising only Church of England men, over the years it had evolved to encompass Roman Catholic, Wesleyan, Jewish and other smaller denominations by the beginning of the 20th century.


Figures vary, but it is generally accepted that between 170 and 180 of these men paid the ultimate sacrifice and died or were killed in action serving God and their country whilst in the front line with the troops which is where many preferred to be.

A quote from an unknown padre sums up the attitude of many,
"If the men can't go to church then the church must go to the men."

It must be remembered that in their pockets would only be a Bible, Prayer Book and probably sweets and cigarettes "for the boys." They only had their faith to protect them, not rifle or revolver.

This quote from a soldier of the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters;
"The padres, what decent fellows they were, as we knelt in the fields or farmyards on a Sunday to listen to them speak. They were good fellows, many of them fell in France while telling Tommy a few lines from the good book. In my experience some of the best were the padres."

God bless them all.


Cx :-)

Hello All

Family pets bring much joy and companionship to everyone. We have a lot to be thankful for to all God's creatures who helped in different ways during war times.

Hear our humble prayer, O Lord, for all animals who are suffering; for any that are lost or abandoned, hungry or frightened. We bring each one to your mercy and ask that they may all be helped by compassionate and caring people. Amen.

Thinking of those who will work with sick animals today. xxx

Good morning :-)

Today, we think about the animals who played their part in the war effort.

Horses: Eight million horses and countless mules and donkeys died in the First World War. They were used to transport ammunition and supplies to the front and many died, not only from the horrors of shellfire but also in terrible weather and appalling conditions.

Pigeons: Often coming under fire and suffering injury, exhaustion or severe weather, pigeons were renowned for their perseverance in delivering their messages, helping to save the lives of many men.

Dogs: During two world wars dogs were given many duties including carrying messages, laying communication wires and helping to locate mines.

Camels: Camels were used as beasts of burden and often carried wounded men to safety. The Imperial Camel Corps Brigade (ICCB) was a camel-mounted infantry brigade that the British Empire raised in December 1916 during the First World War for service in the Middle East.

Elephants: . Sir William Slim, commander of the XIVth Army wrote about elephants in his introduction to Elephant Bill: "They built hundreds of bridges for us, they helped to build and launch more ships for us than Helen ever did for Greece. Without them our retreat from Burma would have been even more arduous and our advance to its liberation slower and more difficult."

There were other animals involved in the lives of the soldiers…..some were mascots, whilst others served a purpose……canaries to alert humans to gas….dolphins and sea lions for detecting mines…cats as mascots and for catching mice and rats on ships….and Glow worms - used in World War One to guide soldiers to read maps before going over the top of the trenches.

What all of our soldiers sacrifice and suffer is beyond words to describe. As we prepare to remember and give thanks for the brave men and women who have given so much in the service of our country, let us also remember the animals who provided them aid, comfort, and companionship.


Remembering friends in need of prayer. Cx :-)

We have dental check-ups soon. Not one of my favourite places, but hubby doesn't mind and the dentist is so patient and friendly towards him, that is always a bonus.

"Mankind must put an end to war, or war with put an end to mankind". A quote from
John F. Kennedy. Very poignant words indeed.

Remembering all who fought in war and will process this coming Sunday. xxx

Good morning :-)


Tooth all fixed......no charge. We do have one of those dental plans though...so I think it may have come in handy! :-D

Today, we will think about those left at home during wartime.

Apparently, in WW1 the Zeppelin raids on London in April 1915 had the effect of drawing everybody into the war.

Wearing a uniform of some kind (whether in the forces or as a male or female police officer, postal worker or bus conductor) was an obvious way of contributing, but civilians working in a factory making uniforms, guns, ammunition, tanks or ships had every right to feel they were contributing as much to the war effort as a man with a gun. Those working on the docks and in the mines also played a valiant part.

Families with men at the front certainly felt part of the war, whilst clergymen who comforted the bereaved, or journalists who wrote stirring patriotic editorials, likewise were drawn in.

In WW2 things came closer to home and those homes had to be protected. Sandbags were used as protection against explosives and black blinds made out of black material were hung in windows to prevent light coming out during a raid. There were Anderson shelters in gardens and air-raid shelters in most cities.

There was the fear of gas attacks, and everyone was issued with a gas mask which they took everywhere. Barrage balloons soared overhead to try and keep bombers from important targets. Railings and all metal were taken for scrap metal for the war effort. Petrol was only given to essential workers like doctors, etc. Ration books were issued and housewives queued endlessly for food.

Lord, we thank you for those who worked and waited at home for the hostilities to cease. We thank you for all who played their part in keeping families together – industry going and people informed. We thank you for their bravery, their persistence and their spirit of comradeship. Amen.


Remembering friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Hello All

Oh dear Cynthia..... that could prove to be quite costly! Does the tooth fairy call for a piece of broken tooth?????

I have never given a thought to nurses during wartime. Quite remice of me really.

This is a nurse's prayer, which I think is very interesting.

A NURSE'S PRAYER

Give me strength and wisdom, when others' need my touch;
A soothing word to speak to them, their hearts yearn for so much.
Give me joy and laughter, to life a weary soul;
Pour in me compassion to make the broken whole.
Give me gentle, healing hands, for those left in my care;
A blessing to those who need me. This is my nurses prayer.
(Allison C.Coxsey).

Praying for all nurses on duty throughout this night. xxx

Good morning :-)

Not quite as foggy here this morning thank goodness.

I had a mishap yesterday.... :-(

I was using sellotape and tearing it with my teeth (as you do) and I broke off a corner of my front tooth ..... arggghh. I kept the tiny piece and am hoping my dentist can do some repair work later. Until then, please don't ask me to smile :-D

Today, leading up to Remembrance Sunday, we think of the war time nurses.


No nurses died in World War 1 from a result of enemy attack, as women were kept way away from the front line. However, about 260 died in the line of duty, mainly because of diseases and illnesses, some of which spread very quickly and were difficult to contain. Many nurses also died because of the influenza epidemic of 1918.

Over 200 nurses died in WW2. Women as well as men cared for the injured and ill. Thousands of women volunteered as nurses, and many worked at least a fourteen-hour day in the hospitals. They often had to come back on duty when hospital trains arrived with more wounded soldiers. Nurses also served in evacuation hospitals only eight or ten miles behind the front lines and well within the range of German artillery. Wounded soldiers remarked that having female nurses as part of the medical staff was very important. Their skillful care saved many lives, and they reminded the injured of their mothers, wives, girlfriends, and sisters back home.
________________________________________

A prayer from the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.

O God, who through the healing touch of thy dear Son didst recover the sick and relieve their pain, grant to us who serve beneath thy Cross in the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps such love towards thee and devotion to our duty that the shadows may pass from those entrusted to our care, their darkness lighten into faith and hope, and thy love bring healing peace, for his sake who was content to suffer for all mankind, even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Thinking of all who are called to the nursing profession.

Cx :-)

Hello All

2nd November 2015 is All Souls Day, when we remember and pray for all our family and friends (and GR friends) who are not with us in the physical sense any more.
Ofcourse, we don't need a special date to remember our loved ones, they are with us in our hearts and in our thoughts always, but 2nd November is the date chosen for All Souls Day in the church calendar this year..

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

The lighting of candles in church during a Memorial Service is poignant yet comforting for congregation who are able to bring light into a dark moment for all.

"Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness"
(words written by Anne Frank).

Praying for those who are in a dark place today. xxx

Good morning :-)

We sang 'For all the Saints' yesterday..........goosebumps indeed.

The Memorial Service went very well and was much appreciated. Apart from names being read out, everyone was invited to the front to light a candle in memory of loved ones. Very touching.

As we approach Remembrance Sunday, and whilst not forgetting all other conflicts, I thought we would take a look at various aspects of the two world wars during the next few days.

Today we think of those who died during those hostilities. The statistics are staggeringly dreadful.

The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I was over 38 million: over 17 million deaths and 20 million wounded, ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history.

World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history in absolute terms of total dead. Over 60 million people were killed, which was about 3% of the 1940 world population (est. 2.3 billion).

Remember, O Lord, all those who died as a result of warfare.
In life they, like us, could see only a clouded and partial view; may they now see you clearly face to face. We ask that they may find eternal rest in the comfort of your love. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello All

Cynthia, I will be praying for all who attend your Memorial Service this afternoon.

I awoke this morning remembering that today is All Saints Day and a very old traditional hymn came into my mind and so I will share the words with you now.
It seems appropriate for All Saints Day and I think others may remember it too.

FOR ALL THE SAINTS WHO FROM THEIR LABOURS REST
written by William W.Howe 1823-1897

For all the saints who from their labours rest
Who Thee by faith before the world confess
Thy name, o Jesus be forever blest
Alleluia! Alleluia.

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might
Thou, Lord their Captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light
Alleluia! Alleluia.

Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia.

O blest communion, fellowship divine
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet, all are one in Thee, for all are Thine
Alleluia! Alleluia.

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long
Steals on the ear, the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are long
Alleluia! Alleluia.

But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory, passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia.

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's widest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Alleluia! Alleluia.

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia.

A rousing old traditional hymn that has given me goosebumps many times, when sung in church with an organ music almost lifting the rafters. Such lovely memories!

Good morning :-)


As kandj so rightly says, today is known as All Saints Day....... a day to remember the glorious departed. This afternoon in church, we are holding our Annual Service of Remembrance, where the names of those who have died during the last year are read out. Other names are also read out by request.

The Collect for today :

Almighty God,
you have knit together your elect in one communion
and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:
grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
that you have prepared for those who truly love you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Amen.


Two wonderful bible readings this morning........Jesus - the Alpha and the Omega and the raising of Lazarus.

Love to all

Cx :-)

Hello All

Today is All Hallows Eve , held 31 October and a time to prepare for All Hallows' Day to keep a vigil and pray before the Feast Day tomorrow. 31st October is now known and celebrated by many as Halloween.

Tomorrow 1st November is All Hallows Day or All Saints Day. A time to remember all Saints and martyrs who dedicated or sacrificed their lives for Christianity

Monday 2nd November is All Souls Day. Traditionally a day set aside to pray for the souls of family members and friends and indeed all those who we have loved and who have died.

These three dates are connected. Each date is significant in the Christian calendar and each one is different and special in its own particular way.

A Prayer for Halloween

God of laughter and joy.
We turn to you in the way of our ancient ancestors,
grateful for the abundance of food and festivity
that surrounds us all at this time of the year.

Keep all children safe as they go out this Halloween night.
Light their way through the dark night and
enfold them all in your love.

May the real treat in their lives be goodness
that multiplies in depth as they grow older.
We pray this with all the Saints in heaven.
Amen

Good morning :-)


Today is All Hallow's Eve

Halloween, no matter how commercialized, has almost completely pagan origins. As innocent as it may seem to some, it is not something to be taken lightly. Christians tend to have various ways to celebrate or not to celebrate Halloween. The New Testament teaching about the occult is clear. Acts 8:9-24, the story of Simon, shows that occultism and Christianity don't mix. With our freedom as Christians, we are at liberty to decide how to act.

A Prayer For Halloween
Father
We thank you
for your many blessings,
in particular for
all the holy men and women
we celebrate on All Saints Day.
Help us to contemplate
their holiness
on this eve of that holiday.
And may your protection
be upon all those
involved in Halloween festivities
during this night.
We pray in Jesus name. Amen.



Continuing to remember friends in prayer. Cx :-)