General Chat

Good morning :-)

A great hymn kandj - I agree!


Halloween is here again – pretty obvious given the shops have been full of witches' hats, pumpkins and goodness knows what else for weeks! They focus on death, occultism, and the thought of spirits returning to haunt the living.

However, as Christians, we remember that this is also known as All Hallows Eve – the night before All Saints Day when we remember those saints and martyrs, both known and unknown, throughout Christian history.

This prayer comes from the Church of England.

We will face all that most concerns us: our fears, the shadowed places of the mind; the coming of winter darkness; the cold thin place between waking and sleep.

We call to mind the powerless, the lonely, those who most fear the knock at the door; all those deceived by the world’s empty promises; all those cowed by menaces or threats.

We stand with those weak in body, mind or spirit and those seduced by treats or hurt by tricks.

Lord, your light shines into every darkness. You told us: pray ‘deliver us from evil’. Your Spirit gives us hope, gives us courage, a candle in the window unhurt by the wind.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Many thanks for the daily postings Cynthia.

As we are in a period of interregnum we have had another different Vicar today to lead our worship.
She spoke about All Saints Day and we sang a classic traditional hymns which I love.

For all the Saints, who from their labours rest
Who Thee, by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed,
Alleluia, alleluia.

Thou was their rock, their fortress and their might:
Thou Lord, a Captain in their well fought fight.
Thou, in the darkest drear, their one true light.
Alleluia, alleluia.

O blessed communion fellowship divine,
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine.
Yet all are one, for all are truly Thine
Alleluia, alleluia.


The golden evening brightens in the west,
Soon, soon to faithful warriers cometh rest.
Sweet is the calm, of paradise the blest,
Alleluia, alleluia.

But wonder breaks a yet more glorious day.
The Saints, triumphant rise in bright array.
The king of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia, alleluia.

From earth's wide bounds,
From oceon's farthest coast
Through gates of pearl,
Stream in the countless host.
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Alleluai, alleluia.

Loved singing this old hymn this morning.

Good morning :-)



The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
you have knit together your elect
in one communion and fellowship
in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord:
grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints
in all virtuous and godly living
that we may come to those inexpressible joys
that you have prepared for those who truly love you;
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.

The Gospel reading is taken from Luke 6:20-31
This reading is known as The Sermon on the Plain.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

To end the week – some quotes to make us smile/think

• Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

• If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.

• When I hear somebody sigh, “Life is hard,” I am always tempted to ask, “Compared to what?”

• Age is not important unless you’re a cheese.

• A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.

• It’s a funny old world. A man’s lucky if he gets out of it alive.

• Stop worrying about the world ending today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


As we start this Friday Lord help us bring a smile to the faces of others as we pass through their lives today. If it is possible, let us share our love for you both in words and deeds and help us show kindness and respect for our neighbours and friends.

As we work, help us pay attention to doing a good job, and not to be tempted to stray into the path of deceit or conceit. Help us be humble in our abilities and help others to do whatever is needed to get a good job done. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Last Sunday was known as Bible Sunday........................

I supposed I knew the Bible,
Reading piece-meal, hit or miss;
Now a bit of John or Matthew,
Now a snatch of Genesis.

Certain chapters of Isaiah,
Certain Psalms–the twenty-third!
Twelfth of Romans, first of Proverbs
Yes, I thought I knew the Word!

But I found that thorough reading
Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
When I read the Bible through.

You who like to play at Bible,
Dip and dabble, here and there,
Just before you kneel aweary,
And yawn through a hurried prayer,

You who treat the Crown of Writings,
As you treat no other book,
–Just a paragraph disjointed,
Just a crude, impatient look.

Try a worthier procedure,
Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
When you read the Bible through.
—Amos R. Wells


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I think we all remember this person .......

Obituary of Someone Else

I know that all of you were saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our church's most valuable members -- Someone Else.

Someone's passing created 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 the normal person's share of the work.

Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results. Someone Else can work with that group. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's lips, "Let Someone Else do it."

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

Someone Else was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing super-human, but a person can only do so much. Were the truth known, everyone 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? Remember, we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.



- Author Unknown -

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Just out of interest……..

One of the hymns yesterday, mentioned ‘sapphire’, that beautiful stone beloved by many.

Sapphires are mentioned several times in the bible where it is said to mean truth, faithfulness, and honesty. The throne of God is described as of the colour of a sapphire. However, on reading up on it, it seems that the sapphire of the ancients was not our gem of that name, that is the azure or indigo-blue but our lapis lazuli (ultra-marine).

In the early Christian tradition, lapis lazuli was regarded as the stone of the Virgin Mary. In late classical times and as late as the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli was often called sapphire.

In modern times, we have come to recognise both Lapis lazuli and sapphire as the birthstone for September and sapphire as the stone for a 45th wedding anniversary.

Now on those eternal mountains
Stands the sapphire throne, all bright,
With the ceaseless alleluias
Which they raise, the sons of light;
Sion's people tell His praises,
Victor after hard-won fight.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

That sounds like a wonderful service - so glad you enjoyed it kandj xx

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast
the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Gospel reading is Luke 18 9-14 – The story of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Cx :-)

Hello all

Grateful thanks Cynthia for your ongoing postings.

Vera.... Now Thank Thee All Our God is a traditional/beautiful favourite hymn of mine and such a lovely choice to be sung at your wedding.

Last Thursday evening I joined many others for the Licensing/Induction Service for the curate who has been with us for the last 4 years, but is now fully Priested and has chosen her first ever parish..... our loss is definitely their gain!

I was really looking forward to the service and I wasn't disappointed at all... I loved seeing the church hierarchy in their robes and witnessing the tradition of the Induction/Licensing service..... not forgetting the "bun fight" afterwards and an opportunity to congratulate Rev Sarah and to speak to her church wardens and others during the fellowship later on. We will really miss her.

Our interregnum is an opportunity to welcome other Priests and share our journey in faith together.

Not sure yet who will lead our HC service tomorrow, but they will be given a very warm welcome.

Good morning :-)



Creator God,
You hear us, our words in prayer, our silent thoughts and pleas and each note or melody we sing and play. May our praises connect with heaven and unite our hearts with the sound of eternity.
Lord, may the gifts of our voices and melodies of our instruments move with the work of your Holy Spirit in building your church, Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Musical instruments in worship - the organ.

Organs of sorts have been made at least since 265B.C.(Greek) They were known to be in England in 1100. Organs were, until the advent of the clock the most complicated machines known to man.

They have evolved according to the wealth of the Church, taste, fashion, the development of music, and the endless possibilities afforded by the industrial revolution and beyond. The resulting explosion in technical ingenuity and the advent of new materials took organ building to new heights.

Organs were first with programmable music…… the barrel organ with pinned drum, others with perforated paper “recordings”, perforated card books, and now even midi interfaces for church pipe organs. Memories can store stop selections set up in advance of a performance. Today, organs can, indeed, be ‘all singing and all dancing’!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Musical instruments in worship - The harp.

Several sorts of stringed instruments are mentioned in the Bible. The harp and the lyre, especially, were prominent in the music of the sanctuary. The harp was the national instrument of the Hebrews and was well-known throughout Asia.

Ancient stringed instruments were plucked, not used with a bow like the instruments of the violin family that we see today. The harp is the only musical instrument that Scripture describes as pleasant:

Scripture mentions only the harp as the musical instrument that is played in the worship music of heaven.

Psalm 147:7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Musical instruments in worship

There are many stories about trumpets in the bible. Early trumpets were made from animal horns (such as a ram’s horn) perforated at the tip, and used for various purposes.

Trumpets were blown at special festivals, and to herald the arrival of special seasons and the beginning of each Jubilee year. They were used to gather the people together and to announce the imminent presence of God.

Over the following centuries, the trumpet evolved into what we know today. Some churches have bands and groups and there is usually a trumpeter to be found. We are also used to seeing State Trumpeters at formal royal occasions and there are those who specialise in playing the trumpet at weddings and other celebratory events.

Trumpets have certainly moved on - a solid platinum trumpet manufactured by Yahama, went on sale for $125,000!

“With trumpets and the sound of the horn
Shout joyfully before the King, the LORD.” —Psalm 98:6

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Music has been an essential part of worship since the beginning – both in the Old and New Testaments. It can cheer us up and also soothe and calm us. Most of all, it gives us the chance to sing God’s praises in thanksgiving.

Tambourines are mentioned a few times in Scripture, most notably when Miriam played one to celebrate the Israelite’s Exodus from Egypt. They are great for spontaneous parties! The tambourine is held in one hand and hit with the other, which means you can play and dance at the same time.

‘Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.’ (Exodus 15:20)

The Salvation Army are well known for its tambourine playing, especially during their open-air meetings. Check this link ....
Cx :-)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPH80sd0bZI

Good morning :-)

Nearly 60 years Vera - that's quite a milestone. Glad you enjoyed the hymn. <3

Music is an inherent part of every society. The unearthly sounds of throat-singing in Mongolia and Siberia are as important to their cultures as Bach is to European cultures or drum-driven song and dance are to Native American cultures. Since music is such an important part of life, it should not be surprising that the Bible says much about it. We'll find out more :-D


Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalm 33:3

Cx :-)

Another interesting theme this week Cynthia - thank you.

The hymn yesterday brought back many happy memories as it was one that I chose for our wedding almost 60 years ago. We have been very blessed in our marriage and are very fortunate to still be able to enjoy life together so I certainly have much to be grateful for.

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us your gift of faith
that, forsaking what lies behind
and reaching out to that which is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
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.
The Gospel reading for today:

Luke 18 1-8 Jesus tells the story of the Persistent Widow.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

An attitude of gratitude.....

A hymn of thankfulness...

Now thank we all our God, with heart 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.

Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till 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 Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

An attitude of gratitude

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read, “I am blind, please help.”

There were only a few coins in the hat – spare change from folks as they hurried past.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. Then he put the sign back in the boy’s hand so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were.

The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.”
I wrote, “Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.”

Both signs spoke the truth. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind, while the second sign conveyed to everyone walking by how grateful they should be to see…

Cx :-)