General Chat

Good morning :-)


My word, that poem evoked some response - I'm so pleased it was appreciated and helpful.

Varying the style as usual, some celtic words for today :


Always Remember To Forget

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.


Love to all.......Cx :-)

As always Cynthia, HSR words always touches my heart,
thank you <3

To kandj and others in need my thoughts and prayers are
sent to you.

Emma xx

That is beautiful Cynthia :-)

That poem is so true Cynthia. Wishing Kandj and other friends in need "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow".

I don't post on here much (if at all), but that is lovely Cynthia and so true :-)

Good morning :-)

Good to see you popping in Vera....


Well, there were no soggy dresses at the baptism yesterday, but I am guessing that some of the young women were slightly chilly in the cold wind.

Things are beginning to settle down somewhat at church, but we still miss our vicar terribly. It has taken some time to get used to the new man but we are getting there. Mind you, as he has oversight of two churches, we don't see that much of him as he is here, there and everywhere.

Our late vicar's widow has finally moved and is settling down in her new home. It's still near enough for her to get to work and for folk to visit. I went there yesterday afternoon for a simple house blessing service, led by one of her husband's friends, which was rather nice.


So, thinking about our friend, kandj and others who are bearing a heavy load at this time, I use this poem for today's prayer:


Before You Can Dry Another's Tears - You Too Must Weep

Let me not live a life that's free
From "the things" that draw me close to Thee,
For how can I ever hope to heal
The wounds of others I do not feel?

If my eyes are dry and I never weep,
How do I know when the hurt is deep?
If my heart is cold and it never bleeds
How can I tell what my brother needs?

For when ears are deaf to the beggar's plea,
And we close our eyes and refuse to see,
And we steel our hearts and harden our mind,
And we count it a weakness whenever we're kind,
We are no longer following the Father's Way
Or seeking His guidance from day to day.

For without "crosses to carry" and "burdens to bear,"
We dance through a life that is frothy and fair;
And "chasing the rainbow" we have no desire
For "roads that are rough" and "realms that are higher."

So spare me no heartache or sorrow, dear Lord,
For the heart that is hurt reaps the richest reward,
And God enters the heart that is broken with sorrow
As He opens the door to a "brighter tomorrow" ...
For only through tears can we recognize
The suffering that lies in another's eyes.

~ Helen Steiner Rice




Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia and regular posters. I am still popping in most days.

Continuing to keep Kandj and others in need in my thoughts

Vera

Good Morning :-)


We've just bought a compact power hose......and ever since, it has rained! :-)

We have a couple of baptisms after the service again - hopefully the rain will have eased by then or we will have some extremely soggy party dresses......


The Collect for today:

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life:
raise us, who trust in him,
from the death of sin to the life of righteousness,
that we may seek those things which are above,
where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.


The Old Testament lesson for today is a very familiar reading to many of us and is frequently read/sung at funeral services.....the 23rd Psalm


The Lord is my shepherd; *therefore can I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
He shall refresh my soul
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;
you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.
Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.



I hope these words bring comfort to kandj and all those whom we know who are going through troubled times.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Emma, I vaguely remember reading Little Women but, I have to confess, I was much more of an Enid Blyton fan when young. I loved her adventure books but wasn't too keen on the fairy stuff - maybe I was too much of a realist. I still have all my Famous Five books tucked away in the attic somewhere I think. :-)


I hope those who pop in for a look at this thread are keeping well and, of course, we continue to send our love and prayers to kandj and all who are going through difficult times.


Our prayer for today:


Benediction
May the loving God embrace us
may the healing Christ restore us
may the powerful Spirit encourage us
may God, the three in one, go with us.
Amen.

- Colin Bemrose



Cx :-)

My most favourite of books Cynthia and have re read it many
times over the years :-)
Thank you for the prayer and as always thoughts and prayers
to those in need <3

Emma xx

Good morning... :-)


My word, it's May and yet it looks more like November where I am...... :-0


Our late vicar's widow has now moved house and is settling down in her new home. It will take a while for her to adjust to her new situation but, hopefully, she will be happy there. It just shows how life can change in the blink of an eye. No wonder we are advised in St. Mark's gospel to...."Beware. Keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come."

Our prayer for today, from the authoress who wrote the book which many of us read when younger.....Little Women.


Father of all,
pour into our hearts the love that casts out fear,
the truth that sets us free and
the grace that is sufficient for all our needs,
and grant that we may rejoice that though you are unseen,
you are not unknown and that,
though you are hidden from our eyes,
we may behold your beauty at the last;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888)



Love to all......Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


kandj continues to be grateful for all kind thoughts and prayers on behalf of her and her family. Meanwhile, she continues to watch and wait.


Our prayer for today:


A PRAYER FOR LOVE

Teach me to love, Lord, as You love,
Make it unconditional, honest, and kind,
To ask nothing back in return, Lord,
To encompass the whole of mankind.

May I offer my love without speaking,
May it radiate as it shines forth from me,
May it be seen in my face and my eyes, Lord,
May it be simple, sincere, and shame free.

Show me how to forgive, Lord, as You do,
To not burden another with guilt,
To not play the role of the martyr,
To be a rock on which trust may be built.

Make my love for others be greater by far
Than any love that is offered to me,
Led by the Spirit, Inspired of God,
As forgiving as Jesus...and free.

- Virginia Ellis



Cx :-)

Thinking of kandj and others in need of comfort.

Emma xx

Good morning.... :-)


Tonight, I shall be taking the Baptism Preparation class which all those who wish their child to be baptised in our church, will attend.

One of the points made during the evening, is the fact that baptism is the beginning of the child's Christian journey, and not a case of 'that's it....baptised, done, finished'.

I hope this prayer encourages all of us on our Christian journey through life.....



O God, our Father, we know that the issues of life and death are in your hands, and we know what you are loving us with an everlasting love. If it is your will, grant to us to live in happiness and in peace.

In all our undertakings,
Grant us prosperity and good success.
In all our friendships,
Grant us to find our friends faithful and true.

In all bodily things,
Make us fit and healthy,
Able for the work of the day.
In all the things of the mind,
Make us calm and serene,
Free from anxiety and worry.

In material things,
Save us from poverty and from want.
In spiritual things,
Save us from doubt and from distrust.

Grant us
In our work satisfaction;
In our study true wisdom;
In our pleasure gladness;
In our love loyalty.

And if misfortune does come to us, grant that any trial may only bring us closer to one another and closer to you; and grant that nothing may shake our certainty that you work all things together for good, and that a Father’s hand will never cause his child a needless tear. Hear this our prayer, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.


- William Barclay


Cx :-) ...... continuing to hold kandj and others in prayer.

Good morning :-)


As we begin another new day........


A prayer for the morning
Generous God,
throughout this day,
lighten our tasks
and shine through our speaking.
May we reflect
your love in our lives,
your presence in our world,
and our trust and hope in you. Amen.


A prayer for the end of the day
Eternal God,
when the light fails,
and the darkness enfolds us,
we look back on the day passed.
In celebrating the good things of this day
we also ask your forgiveness for our failings.
As you led your people with a fiery pillar,
lead us out of dark despair
into the light of your presence,
and the hope of a new and better tomorrow. Amen.

- Paul Martin


Thinking of kandj and all those who need our prayers..... Cx :-)

Good morning and thank you for those lovely words Elizabeth :-)



We had a fairly quiet morning yesterday - as it is bank holiday weekend, many folk seem to have gone away. However, there was still a good number of all ages in church and we were treated to a wonderful and inspiring sermon. The vicar who was with us, was once Head Teacher at our primary school, who went for ordination when she took early retirement. She is known and loved by the congregation and we enjoyed the morning.

Afterwards, there was the baptism of three children who were all related in one way or another, so it was a happy family gathering.


The hymn we finished with yesterday was 'Tell out my Soul' which was written in 1962 by Tim Dudley Smith and is based on the Magnificat - Mary's song of praise. I always find it so inspiring and uplifting, so I thought I would share it with you this morning.



Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age to same;
his holy Name--the Lord, the Mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6vwAAyYTMc


Love to all......Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello


"THE PRIVILEGE"

"Dear Lord, we thank you for the privilege of knowing elderly people;
the experience and the wisdom they bring to us,
and the stories they tell.


Be with them when they feel lonely and unwanted and insecure,
help them if frustration makes them angry,

surround them with your peace,
and let them know that you are always with them.

Amen.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take gentle care all
Best wishes
Elizabeth,
xx

Dear All

Hello


FOR PEACE IN PLACES OF CONFLICT

"In this land,
bricks and mortar have become,

not keystones of community
but weapons of occupation;

ploughing an act of resistance
not care for the open soil;

the growth of trees
no sign of shared blessing,
but proof of legal rights.


May all who love the land so fiercely
now build together for peace

with stones that no longer wound,
and work with friendly ploughshare,
not forced to act like swords".


BY JANET MORELY

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take gentle care
Sincere wishes
Elizabeth,
xx

Good morning everyone...... :-)


I have received a message from kandj and she has asked me to post the following on her behalf and I am more than happy to do so........


Over the many stressful weeks I have kept repeating Jeremiah 29 v 11
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

What a wonderful promise from God who sees and knows all things, the promise of better days and of a new beginning and a brighter future, if we take hold of Him who is our loving Father .... the giver of good things. - kandj


Wonderfully encouraging words to read on a Sunday morning......and we continue to hold both kandj and her husband in our thoughts and prayers :-)



More encouraging words from the Collect for today :


Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained
by his risen life and serve you continually
in righteousness and truth;
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.


Cx :-)

thinking of kandj and her OH xxxx