General Chat

Cynthia :-D :-D I have been just as naughty as Mr William Bigelow, but reformed now :-D Still sunny outside (winters always bring the nicest days).

Clarence Odbody! What an angel he was to be sure! ;-)

"a clear and cold (and hopefully) dry and sunny Tuesday"

It was still dark when I wrote that this morning. Yet for last 2 hours it has been a glorious dry, clear, sunny day here in South Wales.

"Summer suns are glowing
Over land and sea,
Happy light is flowing
Bountiful and free.
Everything rejoices
In the mellow rays,
All earth's thousand voices
Swell the psalm of praise"
(William Walsham How)

Probably too early in the year for that hymn. And perhaps too early in day for some, as I noticed sun was spreading from the west slowly thought today. But you have some nice weather coming over the hills soon. Wish I could push it east and northwards for you.
:-D :-D

:-D :-D :-D Mine is called Clarence, lovely old gentleman with a New England accent.

Good morning on a grey, wet and rather miserable looking scene here in the NW........the flood situation is terrible......and, as John says, there seems to be no let up at the moment.


Something to give you a wry smile :

Since I have grown older,
Things have changed a lot for me;
I have learned to make adjustments,
And do things differently.

For instance, now when I climb stairs,
I hold on to the rails;
I don't indulge in rich desserts,
And I do not drink cocktails.

I don't tote groceries in one bag,
Now, I ask for two;
I don't clean the whole house at one time,
A room or two will do.

It isn't just things physical,
My thinking's changed as well;
I don't read romance novels now,
I think biographies are swell.

I'm more selective with my movies,
My music choice has changed a lot;
Now I pick the slow and dreamy,
And skip what others say is "hot."

But, new thoughts now occur to me,
Perhaps of another nature;
From time to time I think about
My guardian angel's stature.

I thought that guardian angels
Should match one's age in years;
So they could truly understand
One's joys and one's tears.

Now, if that statement's really true,
My angel's hair should be snow white;
Her wings, most likely stiff from age,
So she can't do angel flights.

She probably wears bifocals, too,
She may even use a cane;
I suspect that her arthritis,
May have made her sore and lame.

But I guess she still can care for me,
Since I don't go anywhere;
I can not be too hard on her,
So, no more wear and tear.

For many years she's worked real hard,
Watching me was quite a chore;
And, while now I live so differently,
I just might need her more.

She'll be with me now I'm alone,
She'll soothe my tired brow;
She knows my pains and heartaches,
And how much I need God now.

Her line to God is still in place,
And, though she's slow and fragile;
She still communicates with Him,
There's no need to be so agile.

I think my guardian angel
Has grown old ... along with me;
And when my earthly ties are loosed,
She will help to set me free.

She'll take my hand ... we'll both go Home,
Our trip will be first rate;
Neither one of us will falter,
We'll help each other find the Gate.

~ Virginia Ellis ~


Cx :-)

Can you imagine? Six baptisms, six children, six sets of godparents all dutifully saying their vows before God, six sets of family supporters. And a lovely congregation to wish all six children well in their lives.

We seldom have a baptism, but have one this Sunday and am looking forward to it immensely. Alfred is his name (what a great name!!) and he must be about 3 months old already and looks like a budding Welsh rugby player (and we could do with him now).

It brings so many children into chapel. And the older people (we have five now over 90 in quite a small congregation) love to see babies and youngsters in chapel. And the noise they make is a wonderful background to worship. Hard to concentrate on The Word, but distractions like children should enhance rather than distract.

So peek a boo to everyone on what appears to be a clear and cold (and hopefully) dry and sunny Tuesday. And lots of smiles kandj, Emma and Cynthia and all our other friends who look in and/or comment :-) :-) :-)

Thames Valley flooding top of news this morning, and we pray for all those families who have had to abandon their homes. And we pray for all the staff of the Environment Agency, who seem to be doing a sterling job despite all the criticism of their Chairman and their policy. No signs yet of floods receding :-( :-(

Smiles cost nothing........ pass smiles on to all who you see today because they might need one.

Good morning everyone.


Lovely news indeed kandj, it's always good when wanderers return to the fold and it sounds as though Rev. Jan is doing a grand job.

We had the same readings too........"You are the salt of the earth"...... and "You are the light of the world". One of our newly licensed Lay Readers preached on that theme and used some visual aids to illustrate the points she was making. ARE we as 'salty' as we should be? DO we really show Christ's light in the world?

Following the Communion service were the 6 baptisms.....chaos reigned!! :-) :-)



Our thought for today :


"Gracious God, thank you for the gift of today. Refresh me, invite me, to discover Your presence in each person that I meet and every event encountered.

Teach me when to speak and when to listen when to ponder and when to share. In moments of challenge and decision attune my heart to the whisperings of Your Wisdom.

As I undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks, gift me with simple joy. When the day goes well, may I rejoice! When it grows difficult surprise me with new possibilities.

When life is overwhelming call me to Sabbath moments to restore Your Peace and Harmony. May my living today reveal your goodness. Amen."

- Pat Bergen, CSJ


Enjoy your day......Cx :-)

Sounds a wonderful day, kandj. Lovely to see those two ladies back - makes a huge difference. We have 25 members and about a further 70 that we visit occasionally and keep informed. yet we are lucky to see 20 attend in total, and average must be about 16 now.

We had a local preacher this morning, full of humour, no airs and graces, no microphone, no pianist. We sang familiar hymns, read familiar passages, said prayers from the heart and I counted 22 (age range 12 to 96). Preacher is 73 but looks 50 and usually cycles from his chapel about 6 miles and 2 valleys east of Rhondda.

Lovely service about healing the woman who had been steeped up double for many years. Synagogue leader was upset Jesus had healed her on the Jewish sabbath, and Jesus said "she is a daughter of Abraham, bound by Satan for 18 years and she has been released by God from her tyranny this day"

Message was that Jesus can perform miracles any day of the week, and usually through his followers. We all have sufficient power to change peoples' lives. Praise be to God :-D :-D

Opening hymn was

"Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult
Of our life's wild restless sea.
Day by day his clear voice soundeth
Saying: "Christian, follow me""

Written by Mrs Alexander (1818-1895), wife of Primate of All Ireland.

Another meaningful and beautiful hymn this morning as our thoughts and prayers centre on the many who are suffering with the floods and extreme weather conditions, and no end in sight.

Our readings today were 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 and
Matthew 5 : 13-20

I need to read through both passages because guess who forgot to take her glasses to church this morning?...... silly me.

In church this morning were two ladies who used to belong to our church family and both told me today that "we are back"..... music to my ears and praise to Rev Jan for gathering the flock back into our fold. Our numbers are slowly increasing.

Another simple idea (has to be Jan's) is a display of cards with Christian names of babies baptized in church this year, under a banner BAPTISMS 2014. I counted 14 so far and another baptism service is booked for after next Sundays morning service. There is an obvious backlog and we have these special events fortnightly

Jan also announced that there will be an evening Ash Wednesday service and a Lent Course each Wednesday 7.30pm in church throughout Lent. I came away a very happy bunny because it is years since these events were held in our church.
I am sure they will be well supported too (Please God).

Like Cynthia's choice of hymn today,.....God is indeed working His purpose out!!

Good morning everyone, although I realise that it is not a good morning for so many poor folk caught in the storms which rage about us.

Nearly every time I hear about floods on the news, my mind goes to the old hymn....

God is working his purpose out
as year succeeds to year:
God is working his purpose out,
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled
with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.


The thoughts for this hymn are taken from the book of Habakkuk 2:14 - For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.



The Collect for today, the fourth Sunday before Lent.

O God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; 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.


So very relevant I thought........Cx :-)

It is so comforting and re-assuring every morning to know that you will post something fresh and appropriate, Cynthia.

I note that David Cameron has said that the floods in Somerset are of biblical proportions. Well, not yet - but to find this morning that a whole small village has been abandoned does remind us historians of terrible disasters of the past.

In 1607, 2000 people were drowned in the Bristol Channel floods and 2,000 square miles of land were inundated. From Laugharne to Chepstow on Welsh side, and Somerset levels were drowned, as far as Glastonbury Tor, 14 miles inland. Sea wall at Burnham also collapsed.

Some of us remember Lynmouth, also the 1953 North Sea floods that killed 2,000 (50 in UK), 2002 Glasgow floods, 2005 floods in Eden Valley in Kent and Cocker and Derwent valleys in Cumbria.

No sign of any abatement next week, and our prayers really need to include all these poor people who are seeing their life's purpose and possessions slowly sinking under water at best, stinking effluence at worst.

Beautiful dry and sunny day here yesterday, and the new "front" hit us about 4am this morning. Rain crashing against windows. All damp, cloudy and safe this morning now, thanks be to God. :-) But another front due this weekend.

Blowing a gale here in Yorkshire, but thankfully we are well away from the floods. It was just shocking on TV to see the chaos and misery folk are coping with and no end in sight.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here
ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

We all need a Guardian Angel at our side, day and night......... some more than others!

Good morning everyone.


Such dreadful weather reports during the night - I pray that there is no loss of life during this continuing unsettled period.


Life is But A Weaving

My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors,
He worketh steadily.

Oft' times He weaveth sorrow,
And I ... in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I see the under side.

Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
To reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim;
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.

~ Author Unknown


I hope everyone has a peaceful day. Cx :-)

Still appropriate thoughts for 2014. Thank you Cynthia and AMEN to your posting'

Good morning. What a lovely story kandj and yes, I love that hymn too. Every so often, it is sung as people make their way to the altar during the Communion Service and what fitting words they are for such an important time.

We pray for all those poor people whose lives have been affected by the dreadful flooding and thank God for the agencies who have been sent to help them.


A prayer from a very well known person this morning:


O Lord God, since you have called us to devote ourselves to the needs of others, grant us the strength of your grace. In the midst of our work let us not lose sight of your great purposes. Let us not snatch the management of your world from your hands, lest we faint and fall in the presence of your wisdom; this we beg for Jesu's sake. Amen.

Florence Nightingale (1820-1910


Cx :-)

Two minds thinking alike, kandj. Expect there were others too. That "spirit of the living God" is often used in chapels at beginning and end of services. I often choose it as a hymn, and have been politely told to change my hymn as they already sing it once or twice.

So glad that you found someone to pray with so spontaneously and that you were not embarrassed. :-D

Oooops, sorry John. Just read your message. We obviously thought of the same hymn....... I'll just have to type faster ha ha.

Cynthia your poem today brought the hymn Spirit of the Living God immediately into my mind and now I will be humming it probably for hours.
All very calming a little like a chant, almost.

SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD

Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me
Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me
Break me, melt me,
Mould me, fill me,,
Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me.

John, your tale recalling praying in the coffee shop made me think back to several years ago when I was full of worries about my husbands poor health and then i bumped into a Pastor of a local Evangelical church I occasionally popped in at the time to be cheered up with their demonstrative "happy, clappy" type of service.

The Pastor greeted me warmly (we were in the carpark of Sains**rys supermarket at the time} and he asked how I was feeling. Normally when asked this question I would say "I'm fine, thank you" but I couldn't tell fibs to a Christian friend and so I shared my concerns with this lovely man of God.
He asked if we could pray together and I readily agreed........ so here we were....... holding hands and eyes closed praying in such a public place, but both oblivious to our surroundings.
It just seemed absolutely natural and I felt my worries melt away as we had passed them over to our living God. After a hug, we were both all smiles and went our different ways.
That prayerful experience seemed absolutely natural, one that we were both comfortable and at ease with. I have no idea if we looked like an odd-couple in the car park...... where cares?? Neither of us were embarrassed in any way. How could we be when, for a short while we found comfort and support praying together in the car park in Jesus presence.

I have to say I can't think of any other Rector, Vicar, Priest, Minister or Lay Person that I know who would have offered to pray with me right there and then. It was such a spontaneous and natural response from the Pastor. Other Clergy would have offered to remember me and hubby in their prayers...... but a laying on of hands and instant prayer in the middle of a busy supermarket ???........ I doubt it very much.

That was one absolutely spiritual and memorable occasion I will remember forever.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me

From Isaiah Chapter 64, verse 8:
"O Lord, you are our Father
We are the clay
You are our potter
We are all the work of your hand"

It is incredible to hear abolut problems with a baptismal "waiting list". What a shame some of those baptisms could not be transferred down here to the Valleys. We do have a baptism on Sunday, which will be a great event. Unlike past ones, where I have never seen any of them return, this one is very much part of our regular family.

First grandson and great grandson of two ladies who are members and very regular attenders. The great grandmother is 94, and is one of 4 ladies in my smallish chapel who are nonagenerians and are still quite well. Oldest of them is 96. In another chapel over in the Rhymney Valley, a lady who was 100 last July still walks strongly to chapel every Sunday.

I can only think they are all sinners who the Lord is keeping till last :-D ;-)