General Chat

Good morning :-)

We sang two or three of those hymns yesterday kandj, and the churchwarden told me later that some folk had complained! We can't win can we?


A prayer for guidance:

Lord, you promised that when I seek You with all our heart, I will find You.

I seek only after You.

Still my troubled heart.

Calm my wayward mind.


I seek only after You.

I'm never going to be able to figure this out on my own,

And right now I'm leaning heavily on You.

I seek only after You.


I give you all the anxieties and fears I feel inside

I release them all to You


I seek only after You.

I open up my life

So that it becomes like an open book before You

May You write in it Your words of inspiration and direction.


Still my troubled heart.

Calm my wayward mind.

I seek only after You.


I await Your voice.


Remembering those who have asked for prayer Cx :-)

I am still shocked by the sad news about DIzzi....... may she Rest In Peace, bless her.

Pentecost Sunday today, and very important in the church calendar.. We watched the TV service and neither of us knew a single hymn. Very disappointing indeed.

I well remember years of praise and worship of Holy Spirit at Pentecost services where favourite hymns were always sung during this special morning gathering.

1. Come Down O Love Divine
2. Breath On Me Breath Of God
3. Holy Spirit We Welcome You
4. Spirit Of Our Living God, Fall Afresh On Me.
5. All Creatures Of Our God and King
6. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty the King of Creation, and very many more.

Spirit of life
Fill our emptiness with your fullness

Spirit of power
Stir our hearts afresh

Spirit of love
Touch us, and through us, our neighbours

Spirit of creativity
Enable and empower the gifts You have given

Spirit of eternity
Draw us ever deeper into Your Kingdom.

Praying for those who are struggling with drug addiction and their families tonight xxx

Good morning :-)


So many members shocked and saddened by Dizzi's sudden death - it's a tribute to how much people thought of her. <3


Today is Pentecost Sunday..............when we hear the fabulous reading from Acts 2.1-21. I have always loved that reading.

The Collect for today:

The Collect

God, who as at this time taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.



Cx :-)

I am as shocked as everyone else by the sudden death of dear Dizzi. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and close friends at such a shocking time.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted , and
He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.
Psalm 34 v 18.

Continuing to pray for our friends in need today. xx

Such sad news today, she will be sorely missed.
My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
R.I.P Dizzi

To those in need of prayer....

Don't Worry

God is never blind to your tears,
never deaf to your prayers or silent
to your pain.
He sees, He hears and He is never too far.x

Good morning :-)


It was a shock to hear of the death of Dizzi from General Chat this morning. She will be sorely missed. :-(



A prayer which is used at many funeral services.............

May he support us all the day long till the shades lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last.

John Newman (1801-1890)


Amen.


Continuing to remember our friends in prayer.

Cx :-)

Such a lot of ill health and daily battles coping with medical problems about now.

A Prayer For Those In Need'

May all of my family and friends who need a miracle be blessed.
May whoever is feeling weak be given strength.
May all of those who carry heavy burdens have their load lightened. Amen.

Always be joyful: Never stop praying: Be thankful in all circumstances.
( 1 Thessalonians 5 v 16).

Remembering all who need a prayer tonight. xx

I am so pleased that you are getting a wet room. It will be such a help to your husband and is sure to boost his morale. We have a family member with quite advanced MS and he has found his wet room a boon.

My aunt is now comfortable in a nursing home where she is getting more rest than in the noisy hospital. Unfortunately distance and other commitments make it difficult for me to see her but I have sent cards and am about to write her a chatty letter.

I haven't yet heard how the little one is getting on after his major surgery on Tuesday. I think the family have plenty to cope with at the moment so I don't want to harass them with further calls. I think I will just send another email with my good wishes but I am sure your continuing prayers for his recovery would be appreciated.

Thinking of all who are in need of strength and support today x

Such a help for your husband Cynthia, most important
for him that wee bit of independence and dignity that
we all need at certain times x

Remembering all in need of prayers and support x

Good morning :-)


I am really looking forward to the wet room being completed I must admit. It will certainly help my husband to retain more independence and dignity bless him.





For today :

Discouragement and Dreams


So many things in the line of duty

Drain us of effort and leave us no beauty.

And the dust of the soul grows thick and unswept;

The spirit is drenched in tears unwept.

But just as we fall beside the road,

Discouraged with life and bowed down with our load,

We lift our eyes, and what seemed a dead end

Is the street of dreams where we meet a friend.

-Helen Steiner Rice


Love to all. Cx :-)

Keep focused when the wet room work begins Cynthia, it is sure to make life very much easier for your husband and you too in the long term.

The news today is that the unions have suspended proposed strike, so less disruptions to all who plan to travel this weekend, which is a relief for many I'm sure.

TRAVELLER'S PRAYER.

We thank you for the freedom to travel
and the resources to do so.
Surround all who travel with your love, and
Guardian Angels, and bring
them home again renewed and refreshed.
Help them to see the joy in the journey
as much as in the destination,
and keep them free from accidents,
injury and harm.
We ask this in your son Jesus' name.
Amen.

Ongoing prayers for all in need today. xx

Good morning :-)


Kandj, it was easy for Dermot to recite that old English version of the Lord's Prayer, he remembers it from when he was young :-D ;-)

We now have news that the work on our wetroom is to start in a couple of weeks' time. That should be fun - we cannot use the bathroom fully for about 8 days!

For today:

Lord, help me to be fully alive to your holy presence.
Enfold me in your love.
Let my heart become one with yours.


Remembering those who are in need of comfort and prayer today. Cx :-)

Crumbs Dermot. Looks like "double-dutch" initially. All very interesting though.
I had to google to find a translation of the Old English Text.

Father our thou that art in heavens
be thy name hallowed
come thy kingdom
be-done thy will
on earth as in heavens
our daily bread give us today
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive-those-who-have-sinned-against us
and not lead thou us into temptation
but deliver us from evil, truly.

and the familiar Lord's Prayer version.

Our Father, which art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.
(Taken from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 1662).

Continuing on from Cynthia's posting and sending a happy smile to everyone,
also remembering Vera and all who are in need of prayerful support right now. xx

'Old English' language version of The Lord's Prayer as recited by English people in the year 1,000:-

Fæder ure.

Fæder ure þu þe eart on heofonum
si þin nama gehalgod
tobecume þin rice
gewurþe þin willa
on eorðan swa swa on heofonum
urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us to dæg
and forgyf us ure gyltas
swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum
and ne gelæd þu us on costnunge
ac alys us of yfele soþlice.

Remembering all in need of prayer today x

Good morning :-)

Thank you for that insight into the life of St. Dunstan kandj. I had vaguely heard of this saint but knew little about him.


Dermot, there are preachers, and then there are preachers. :-D



Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.

A smile confuses an approaching frown.

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.

Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available.

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks.

Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.

A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home.

Everyone smiles in the same language.

:-) :-) :-) :-)



Continuing to hold friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Elizabeth, the Footprints words are so familiar and a real comfort in troubled times.

Dermot...... sounds good advice in an ideal world. Not sure how often this actually happens in churches during Sunday mornings sermon. Some preachers I have heard are truly gifted and amazing. Others are nothing short of boring and minds wander to other things.

Good to read such interesting words shared here. Thank you Elizabeth and Dermot.
Many thanks as always to Cynthia for her daily input to this Christian thread.

Today is the patron Saint of Dunstan. Born near Glastonbury to a wealthy family.
He became a Benedictine monk in 934 and was ordained by his uncle St Afege as , Bishop of Winchester about 939. After a time living as a hermit in Glastonbury, Dunstan was recalled to the royal court by King Edmund, who appointed him Abbot in Glastonbury Abbey in 943.
Dunstan developed the Abbey into a great place of learning as well as revitalizing other monasteries in the area.
Dunstan went to Ghent in Flanders and returned and was made Bishop of Worcester and London in 957. Soon after Dunstan was appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury. The king and archbishop then planned a thorough reform of the church and the state. Duncan served as a chief advisor for 16 years. Ethelred became king and under his reign Duncans role waned. He retired from the priesthood and took and interest in politics, and taught at Canterbury Cathedral school until he died on 19th May, 988, Dunstan was patron saint of goldsmiths, locksmiths an jewelers.
There is so much more and like all other Saints, Dunstan's life story is fascinating.

Remembering all who are in need of prayerful support right now, thinking especially of those who feel alone and low in spirit tonight. xx

A recent comment from the radio: ‘Every word from a good preacher’s lips should fall intelligibly into the eager listener’s heart’.

Good morning :-)


Yes kandj, my husband made it to church once more. Each day is different and brings it's own challenges, some bigger than others. I am just grateful for the strength which is given me on challenging days - even though I may get a bit ratty! :-D

Elizabeth and kandj have both left beautiful words for us - there is no need for me to add more. Thank you both.


Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello

This beautiful poem is lovingly sent for those who are in need:

"FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND"


"One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.


This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.


So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.


But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"


The Lord replied:
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you."


By Mary Stevenson


Take very gentle care all
With many good wishes
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx