General Chat

Thank you Cynthia and Kandji for your explanations. I was brought up with "The peace of The Lord be with you" from the priest and the response "And also with you" from the congregation and I think that is quite calming and reassuring.

The first time I came across the general passing of the Peace was many, many years ago in a church I had never before visited. A man sitting in front of me suddenly appeared at my side, flung his arms round me, gave me a hearty kiss on the cheek and sat down again. I just stood there like a ninny till someone hissed at me "pass it on" and I cottoned on to what was happening. It was not a comfortable experience. I've learnt now to just "go with the flow" on the rare occasions I attend church.

On Dermot's post, although I am uncertain of my own faith, I do think we should be trying harder with our youngsters. If nothing else, being taught the religious orientation of your own family and having the opportunity to practice your faith, will give young people information on which to base their later decisions. If they then turn away from religion, so be it, but they will at least know what it is they are rejecting.

My 11year old granddaughter was visiting recently. She has a good voice and had been asked to sing at a wedding, the reception not the service. She had to choose her own song and wanted suggestions. There were a dozen of us here, all coming up with titles and someone suggested "Ave Maria". Her reply was "I don't want to sing anything holy". I found that incredibly sad from an 11 year old.

Good afternoon all, it is a long time since I popped on here. I was thinking about John and hoping he is just having a break when I spotted this thread. I am sure that John will be looking in as he does love this thread. So hope you are OK John, come back soon.

You may remember that I was brought up a Baptist, my parents were life long Baptists. until the early sixites all was well in my Mum's world, she loved and lived for her church. then (I had moved away by now), there was a new minister and 'horror of horrors' he brought in 'all this hugging and shaking hand stuff''. she hated it, as did most of her friends. :-)

come back John - if only on here - you are missed <3

I agree Cynthia that the Peace has always been a part of worship for as long as I can remember. Only it is done differently and change is not always for the better (imho).

As Vera suggested, I feel the Priest conducting the service dictates how the Peace of the Lord will be shared. In earlier years it was said by the Priest who would be facing the congregation and proclaiming "The Peace of the Lord, be always with you" and our reply directed at the Priest would be "And also with you" which I felt was meaningful and the service continued without breaking the reverence.

We have a new Rector who is happy enough to come amongst us shaking hands with everyone present. This can be quite disruptive when folk walk about and huddle together in the aisles, and it is very clear from the faces of newcomers that this act is a source of great embarrassment..... certainly not peaceful at all.

Not too surprising statement from the Irish Independent Dermot, but alarming nonetheless. In my village the Sunday Mass is very well attended and I pass several families of 3 generations who take part and support this Catholic church despite having no permanent Priest for almost two years now.
A Catholic primary school is in the same grounds as the church and perhaps this gives added interest and commitment and support from the Headmaster and parents for the relief Priest who appears to take the daily Masses and Sunday Mass. Usually a full church and thriving social activities for my Catholic friends
.A real blessing indeed in these troubled times.

Good morning... :-)


I really don't know whether or not John will be joining us again on here. Maybe, after a respite, he will feel able to add his valuable contributions once more.


The Peace has been a major part of worship again for over 30 years now I think Vera. It was always there, but not used in a congregational sense.

I understand some people's reservations about how the Peace is shared in some places, and recall the story of a Churchwarden's wife who was grasped in a bear-hug by a gentleman whom she didn't know and who was, shall we say, somewhat shorter than herself! She was NOT impressed! :-)


However, extending the Peace of the Lord to one's neighbours and friends is part of the service. Those of you who remember the Book of Common Prayer will recall these words.....

Ye who do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling.


In a way, this is where Dermot's question fits in nicely. The older generation - of both Protestant and Roman Catholic persuasion were, perhaps, brought up in churches which were strong in the faith and where respect and piety were expected.

These days, however, with the advances of science, the influence of the media and the effect of political correctness, we seem to have lost much of that. Sadly, and this is a personal comment, I feel that the faith is being 'watered down' in an effort to appeal to people. It doesn't work like that though.....everyone needs guidelines and boundaries and yes, rules so that we learn to know right from wrong, good from bad................as once taught in the 10 Commandments.



I will leave you with part of what is known as 'the comfortable words' from the old service.....

So God loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. St. John iii.16


Now I had better get some work done.... Cx :-)

'At Mass on St Patrick's Day in our local church, the priest spoke about our Christian heritage. He surprised me by saying the present generation of Irish people was the first in history which has failed to pass on the Catholic faith to our children.

He said that we may have to look to our grandchildren now. I think, unfortunately, that he may be right'. (From today's Irish Independent.)

Where have we gone wrong?

Lovely words today. I hope John is looking in to see them.

When did passing the peace generally become part of the normal service in church? I was a regular attender at a "middle of the road" Anglican church until my mid thirties and it was never included then. Since then I have only occasionally gone to church and find it is now almost always included. Different churches have different forms - some just shake hands or kiss the cheek of immediate neighbours, some seem to hug everyone in sight and one I went to many years ago now had a very regimented system of handshakes. Is it down to the individual priest to include passing the peace and to decide what form it should take?

Nice to have you pop in Sylvia and Emma too. All are welcome here.

Yes Cynthia, quite an achievement to reach 100 pages and not a cross word, yet often differing thoughts and opinions. Sadly it appears that we are minus John who began this thread and has shared so many interesting thoughts with us all.
As brothers and sisters in Christ we can only send our good wishes along with very many blessing to John today.

Passing the peace in church is very often an embarrassment to non regular attenders. I can see their point of view when some folk have a kiss and cuddle amongst one another and often a little chat as well. At one time this act of shaking hands and offering the "Peace of the Lord" was simple and profound, shared with the people in the pew in front and behind you. Now folk choose to move out of their seats and into the aisle shaking hands, hugging and so it goes on.
A bit like, "I've started, and so I must finish" and that means including absolutely everybody for fear of missing somebody out. Not as peaceful an exercise as it was in the past. The quiet moment of such a special time is lost, at least in my church.

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In peaceful harmony.

Appropriate words to share and reflect upon today I think.

And to you Cynthia :-)

Good morning all...... :-)


What lovely words kandj and to think we have reached 100 pages....!! I hadn't noticed so good spotting :-)


Hello Sylvia, nice to see you again and I know you are going through some difficult times at the moment. How lovely to think of this as a peaceful place.......everyone needs such a place at some time....especially when beset by problems. :-)


This may be a good time to think of the Peace of the Lord......that time in the service where we turn to the person next to us and wish them....."The peace of the Lord be with you". Such a special moment.


Here is the beautiful version of The Lord Bless you and Keep You....by John Rutter. Based on the words from Numbers 6 24:26 Conducted by the composer himself......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCpxgEHqjFA


The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you
To shine upon you and be gracious
And be gracious unto you

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you,
The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you
And give you peace, and give you peace;
And give you peace, and give you peace



A peaceful day to you all.......Cx :-)

hello, everyone


I just thought I would pop my head around the door as I haven't been on here for so long.


I always think of this as the peaceful thread :-)



take care everyone



s
xx

Elizabeth, just spending a quiet moment in prayer, thinking especially of your friend and the family and friends who are in need of extra prayerful support right now.

There are many who are always in need of prayerful support (not least myself)

God of the broken, God of the wanderer
Christ who is without shelter, support those in deep need among us.
Surround them and help us hear their cries for help.
We are people who long for the broken to be mended
We long for justice in the face of much corruption
We want to practice hospitality but have legitimate fears
Surround us in our trying times and help us to reach beyond ourselves.
We confess that we are bogged down by so much need in the world
May we have the courage to stand for what is right even when it offends,
May we have the imaginations to help create a better world
And the strength of your Spirit to carry on.
Let us be as you are in this world.
Amen.

WOW, we have reached page 100....... what a blessing that truly is!!

Good morning everyone and how lovely to see such a busy thread...... :-)


The words of both of those hymns are wonderful indeed and I agree with John in how fortunate we are in being able to worship freely. I often comment to OH on how many churches, of all denominations we pass, in order to get to the one of our choice. I think it is still true that more people go to church on Sunday than go to football matches - they just get more coverage :-)


I spent a very busy day driving around yesterday. My son has a knee injury and so I was on the school run and hospital duty but, that's what mums are for isn't it? ;-)


Elizabeth, I am sure your friend will be uplifted by those timeless words - words that are always used to bring comfort and hope.


For today:

I Come to Meet You

I come to meet You, God,
And as I linger here
I seem to feel You very near;
A rustling leaf, a rolling slope
Speak to my heart of endless hope.

The sun just rising in the sky,
The waking birdlings as they fly,
The grass all wet with morning dew
Are telling me I just met You.

And, gently, thus the day is born
As night gives way to breaking morn;
And once again I've met you, God,
And worshipped on Your holy sod.

For who could see the dawn break through
Without a glimpse of heaven and You?
For who but God could make the day
And softly put the night away?

~ Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

Really nice, Elizabeth. Those words are so very suitable and I hope they will lift your friend and their family and friends in turn. :-)

Dear All

Hello

This is for a friend in need, for their family and friends and is sent with much love.



The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.


Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.


Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemes;
thou annointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.


Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and
I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever.

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

Thank you, sincere wishes
Take gentle care
Elizabeth
xx

Vera. How on earth do you remember a hymn from your wedding in 1963?

I can only remember a single verse from mine in 1979.

"Faint not nor fear, his arm is near:
He changes not, and thou art dear;
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee"

35 years without fainting. Perhaps a bit of fear occasionally :-) ;-)

Ha ha, Vera. I am still singing it right now. No particular reason why it should stay with me all day long, but I do like it and your choice of wedding hymn was so lovely.

Thanks John, yet again you are a mine of information and I have learned something new once more.

Kandj, that hymn is very important to me as it was one of the hymns I chose for my wedding (51years ago this month). OH left choice to me and I tried to pick words that seemed relevant. Now it is going to be going round and round in my head for the next week!

That is German hymn written about 1630, kandj.

Two things:
1. How very fortunate we are to have this freedom to go to church (or watch services on TV) and worship as we want. We do sing loads of lovely hymns (ancient and very modern) and they do buzz round in our mind.
2. What a wealth of hymnology was alive in Germany 400-500 years ago. Thank God that great Christians who have also studied German have been able to translate these hymns for us. :-) :-)

Lovely meaningful prayer today Cynthia thank you.

Nothing wrong in an alcoholic drink John if you enjoyed it then so much the better.

Shine Jesus Shine hasn't been sung in my church for quite some time and when it is we clap hands and tap toes and almost dance in the aisle to its catchy tune.

The hymn that is in my head today is very different, but worthy of sharing I think:-

NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

Now thank we all our God
With hearts and hands and voices
Who wondrous things has done
in whom this world rejoices
Who from our mothers' arms
Has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us
With ever joyful heart
and blessed peace to cheer us
And keep us in his grace
And guide us when perplexed
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next.

All praise and thanks to God
The Father, now be given
The Son and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven
The one eternal God
Whom earth and heaven adore
For thus it was, is now
And shall be evermore.

Now why do we awake and have a certain hymn tune and words filling our mind? These words are special to me, just for today, wonder what another day brings.