General Chat

Good morning... :-)


The new carpet looks very nice - now I just have to tidy up and do some furniture removing... :-D



For today:


Each day there are showers of blessings
sent from the father above,
For God is a great, lavish, giver
and there is no end to His love....
And His grace is more than sufficient,
His mercy is boundless and deep,
and His infinite blessings are countless-
and all this we're given to keep,
if we but seek God and find Him
and ask for a bounteous measure
of this wholly immeasurable offering,
from God's inexhaustible treasure,
for no matter how big man's dreams are,
God's blessings are infinitely more,
for always God's giving is greater
than what man is asking for.


- Helen Steiner Rice


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

It will be worth it Cynthia :-)

Remembering those in need of prayer x

Good morning... :-)


Thanks kandj, I like that one too :-)


For today:

Lord God, we live in disturbing days:
across the world,
prices rise,
debts increase,
markets are in turmoil,
jobs are taken away,
and fragile security is under threat.
Loving God, meet us in our fear and hear our prayer:
be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands,
and a light in the darkness;
help us receive your gift of peace,
and fix our hearts where true joys are to be found,
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



And now I must go and get ready for the carpet fitters.... :-D


Love to all..Cx :-)

I've not heard that before Cynthia but it is very similar to these words that I am familiar with:-

IT'S NOT MY JOB!

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.
Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Anybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Hmm, it certainly does make you think doesn't it?

Sharing a gentle hug today with those who need one.x

Good morning :-)


I thought that it was, maybe, time to have a smile with a thought this morning.

I have seen this many times before, but it still makes me smile.......and think.



Obituary

Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else.

Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work.

Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it."

Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group."

It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.

Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else.

Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do.

Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it?

Who is going to do the things Someone Else did?

When you are asked to help this year, remember -- we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.



Continuing to uphold friends in prayer Cx :-)

Cynthia, I hope that all goes well for your carpet fitting. It is so lovely to walk on a new carpet in bare feet and the extra work is sure to be worth it when this is fitted and tidy.

Your words today brought me to Ecclesiastes 3 v 1-8. A time and a season for everything in our lives. We all experience the good and not so good seasons I'm sure.

Joining Emma this evening and praying for all in need of comfort and support.

Remembering all in need of comfort and support x

Good morning... :-)


So nice to see friends popping in - thank you :-D


We are hoping to have some new carpet laid this week and it means I have had to empty and pack a rather large display cabinet. Not wanting to lug these boxes up the stairs, they are on the dining room table so it's rather like living in a warehouse at the moment........ :-)



A celtic prayer for today...:


The seasons of our lives

Creator God, in the springtime of our lives,
you give us the enthusiasm and daring of youth.
In the summer of our lives,
you encourage us to reach our full potential.
In the autumn of our lives,
you walk beside us as we reflect on years gone by
In the winter of our lives,
you enfold us in your love which will never let us go.
When the seasons of our lives are past,
you clothe us with resurrection bodies
which will live forever.


Love to all Cx :-)

Emma..... thanks for the memories that we all seem to have of the lovely words sang in our childhood days, which have brought back warm and special moments once again.

It's hard to believe that we are half way through the month of January already!

Dear Lord, we pray today, for leaders in government, health, education, police,
church ministry and our community. Give them all the wisdom to make the right choices and to implement them well. Amen.

Thank you everyone for your recent words.

Emma, I remember Jesus Bids Us Shine fondly as well. When I was very little I wouldn't go to sleep till my mother had sung three songs. The first was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, then Go to Sleep My Baby and we always ended with Jesus Bids Us Shine. So I will forever associate that hymn with feeling calm and safe.

I might add that my mother had the most terrible tuneless voice which I have inherited.

Keeping in my thoughts all our friends in need of comfort and strength at this time.

Good morning.... :-)



I remember singing that too Emma - so long ago.... :-)


A prayer for today :

God of serenity,
as we think of the cost of war,
we are reminded of the price of peace.
Watch over and protect all people who dutifully serve you
in areas of conflict throughout the world.
May their presence achieve the stability sought
and may harmony be restored. Amen.

- Hilary Cheng



Remembering our friends in prayer...... Cx :-)

Thank you for that Cynthia x

Reminded me of when I was little and sang....

Jesus bids us shine with a clear pure light
Like a little candle burning in the night
In this World of darkness we must shine
You in your small corner and I in mine.

Good morning :-)



Yes, chaos DID descend, but it was rather nice chaos. There were so many people in church that chairs had to be ferried in from the meeting room. Year 3 did very well with their presentation on 'Vocations' - they had some very good readers indeed. Three new babies and their families were welcomed into the church family and given their baptism certificates.



We cannot all be famous
or be listed in "Who's Who,"
But every person great or small,
Has important work to do.

For seldom do we realize
the importance of small deeds,
Or to what degree of greatness
Unnoticed kindness leads.

For it's not the big celebrity
in a world of fame and praise,
But it's doing unpretentiously
In an undistinguished way.

It is the work that we're assigned,
unimportant as it seems,
That makes our task outstanding,
And brings reality to dreams.

So do not sit and idly wish
for wider new dimensions
Where you can fantasize about
Your many good intentions.

But at the spot you are right now
begin at once to do
Little things to brighten up
The lives surrounding you.

If everybody brightened up
the spot where they are standing,
By being more considerate,
And a little less demanding,

This dark old world would very soon
eclipse the evening star,
If everybody brightened up
The corner where they are!

Brighten up your corner today!

~ Helen Steiner Rice



Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those words kandj - the lives of the saints are always interesting.


Oh my word! It is cold outside......brrrr Don't think OH will be going to church this morning - it's bad enough him staying upright when the weather is good, but when it is frosty and icy, we could turn into a circus.... :-D


A busy morning at church though as today is Education Sunday and parade service. Year 3 are leading the worship apparently, so what with them and their eager parents and the members of our uniformed organisations.............chaos could descend upon us. :-D


The Collect 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.



I notice that the reading from the Old Testament is the lovely story of Samuel and Eli........I wonder if year 3 will build on it?


Cx :-)

Beautiful words and lovely thoughts.... thank you Cynthia.

Have just been reading about Saint for today 17 January, who is St Anthony the Abbot. St Anthony was an Egyptian hermit. He was a very spiritual person who believed in living the Jesus life.

When people eventually found him, he moved even further away, eating only bread and water, praying, fasting and wearing skins as clothing.
Wise men from as far away as Greece sought his guidance. Some were healed physically, many were comforted by his words and others stayed to learn from him.

We have much to thank the many Saints for their belief and commitment.

Continuing to think and pray for those who are in need of support tonight.

Good morning.... :-)



Thank you for that prayer Emma xx


Prayer for today :


God of the mountain-top and of the valley,
when the mountain is steep and I am tired,
bless me with your strength.

When the mountain is misty and I am afraid,
bless me with your peace.

When the mountain is covered
in the snow of uncertainty,
bless me with your courage.

When the mountain is beautiful,
bless me with gratitude
and a sense of wonder that
you are with me always.

Amen


Love to all Cx :-)

Cynthia and Emma......... thank you and Amen to your words.

Let's remember those for whom January is a difficult month. Pray blessings for those who are feeling under pressure or anxious for whatever reason, that they might be helped or supported a little by reading today's postings.

Lord. Jesus ,
we ask you to bring your healing touch
to those whom we know
to be sick, afraid or worried.
Bring them your peace and healing.
Amen

Good morning.... :-)



Two prayers for today:


Give to us, Lord, the peace of those who have learnt to serve you, the joy of those who are glad to obey you and the delight of those who rejoice in your praise; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Aidan of Lindisfarne (d. 651)



We offer our thanks for people in every age
who have been moved to acts of courage and sacrifice,
in their concern for the well-being of others
and their commitment to the common good.
May their sacrificial living and dying
inspire us in our shared quest
for the fullness of life promised in Christ.
May we be more firmly rooted and grounded
in God's love for all people, and for the whole of creation.
Life-giving God, stretch our hearts and our horizons,
in the name of Christ. Amen.

- Liz Smith


Continuing to remember our friends in prayer Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those words kandj and yes, we are all sorted out once more. It was nothing the plumber had done during our recent work, simply a fault with a part within the innards - so we called British Gas out and they came within a good time :-)

Hoping to finally have the floor covering in the new loo fitted tonight.....and then that is another job done. I'm going to miss having all these men coming and going :-D


I'm certain most of us have one of these...........

Cherished Friends

God must have known there would be times
We'd need a word of cheer,
Someone to praise a triumph
Or brush away a tear.

He must have known we'd need to share
The joy of "little things"
In order to appreciate
The happiness life brings.

I think He knew our troubled hearts
Would sometimes throb with pain,
At trials and misfortunes,
Or goals we can't attain.

He knew we'd need the comfort
Of an understanding heart
To give us strength and courage
To make a fresh, new start.

He knew we'd need companionship,
Unselfish... lasting... true,
And so God answered the heart's great need
With cherished friends... like you!


- Anon


With my love and prayers Cx :-)