General Chat

I am very much enjoying the theme of smiles this week and it is particularly appropriate for me at the moment. Saturday is my brother's birthday, the first important anniversary since his death in January. One of the things that was mentioned time and again in letters and cards of condolence was his smile with words like "He was never far from a smile". At his request we had the old Jimmy Durante song "Smile" played at his funeral.

As for grandchildren - take your eyes off them for a second and they grow up. I hope your granddaughter had a lovely birthday Cynthia and I wish her a good year to come.

Good morning :-)


It was good to be able to share some of her birthday with her this year - much better than last year! :-D


A week of smiles and thanksgiving..


The best way to share the love of God is to show people that Christians are happy people, not doom bearers.


The prophet Job expressed that even though he was suffering the most devastating time of his life he wasn’t going to wallow in it but chose to “put off his sad face and wear a smile.” (Job 9:27 NLT



Cx :-)

Hello all

I know that feeling too Cynthia as our grandson will soon be 25...those years have gone far too quickly.

Many happy returns to your granddaughter.

I'm liking the smile postings this week. Thank you.

"Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make others feel comfortable around you".
( Les Brown)

Take care and stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)


It's our granddaughter's birthday today - 23! How on earth did that happen? <3




A week of smiles and thanksgiving :




“Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life.”

Proverbs 15:13-15 “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Smile please.......... :-D

Whilst the Royal family are very much in our thoughts, it is good to remember that Prince Philip had a great sense of humour. It is said to be this humour which helped to strengthen and enrich his marriage to Her Majesty.


“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.”



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Our church was open on Saturday for private prayer, so we put a union jack, picture, candle and cross in memory of Prince Philip. It was appreciated.

I went to the parish church yesterday and found that the Mayor and several councillors etc. were present and the whole service reflected the life of Prince Philip. It was lovely.



After 6 weeks of the thoughtfulness of Lent and the joy of being able to celebrate Easter Day in our churches, we actually have things to be able to smile about, so a week of smiles it is!!

A smile is a very powerful weapon. Instead of putting on a frown when in hard times, turn that frown upside down, we have much to be grateful for. A smile has health benefits too….
Lowers blood pressure.
Better mood, especially for bad days.
Relieves stress.
Strengthens your immune system.
It is contagious.


Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”


Cx :-)

Hello all

Good to be back in church again but still no hymn singing just yet.

A candle was lighted and prayers were said before the start of this morning's service for Prince Philip and HM the Queen and all of their family during this time of mourning.

Several snow flurries and bitterly cold today. Keep warm and stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty Father,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and
wickedness that we may always serve you
in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Such sad news to hear of the death of HRH Prince Philip. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.



Springtime!
Your message of hope
to a world tiring of winter’s starkness,
longing for that first crocus
to push through snow’s icy blanket
and spread its leaves,
like arms outstretched,
to its creator.
Springtime!
Our yearly reminder, if we needed one,
that to a world that was dark and cold,
a world devoid of love’s sweet warmth,
you sent your Son
to break through sin’s icy blanket,
and, arms outstretched
on a cross,
he brought us
hope.
Thank you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

The Duke of Edinburgh has died, our Queen will be heartbroken and his family bereft. Not unexpected but still sad that he didn't make his 100th birthday.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.

Good morning :-)



In the lengthening of days,
Snowdrops emerging,
from winter's frozen ground.
WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND

In the sight of a tiny lamb
joyfully bounding
across hillside farm
WE SEE THE CREATOR'S HAND

Creator God, forgive our moments of ingratitude,
the spiritual blindness that prevents us
from appreciating the wonder that is this world,
the endless cycle of nature,
of life and death and rebirth.
Forgive us for taking without giving,
reaping without sowing.
Open our eyes to see,
our lips to praise,
our hands to share,
and may our feet tread lightly
on the road that, together, we travel.

Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello all

A beautiful poem. Thanks to Graham for sharing.

It is another cold windy day today, keep warm and stay safe everybody.

Good morning :-)


On Maundy Thursday, just a week ago, we heard Jesus say “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

Graham, a talented man, who lives local to me, has written this poem. Thank you Graham.


Love is a word given to us by God,
He taught us through Jesus to be understood,
For if we are loving, then there is no hate,
And the world once again would be joyous and great.
To Love is important, said Jesus one day,
Love thy neighbour as thyself, is what he did say,
And if you can do this and follow it through,
When you get to Heaven there's a place there for you.
It so stands to reason, for when you find love,
It forms a connection from on high above,
Not only does it stem from you to your friend,
But from our Lord, Christ Jesus to you till the end.
To love somebody, as he does love you,
Is testament to all the things he can do,
And your love is infectious, you'll have to agree,
It spreads round the world, like the birds in a tree.
So now I will leave you, a thought for your mind,
Be loving and faithful, happy and kind,
And when you achieve all these things that you do,
A blessing from God will be placed upon you.
Amen


Cx :-)

Hello all

I love this piece of scripture and have it on my kitchen notice board and I read it often. Thank you.

I have a Pieris Forest Flame outside the window and it's an amazing bright red with new Spring growth. A real joy to see such a beautiful sight.

Keep warm and stay safe today everyone.

Good morning everyone :-)


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

here is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Song of Solomon 2:11-12

'See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land'.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A rather manic weekend - I am just getting back onto a steady footing.....
Lovely service in our church yesterday and people were so appreciative of it.

Resurrection, new life and spring is in the air!!


God, give us eyes to see
the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty
in every living thing –
And may we see in lacy leaves
and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe
with gentleness and power –
And may this Easter grandeur
that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith
lying dormant in our hearts,
And give us ears to hear, dear God,
the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful
than man's often empty words
Telling harried human beings
who are lost in dark despair –
‘Be like us and do not worry
for God has you in His care.'

- Helen Steiner Rice


Cx :-)

Hello all

Easter Sunday and our village church reopened for the first time in 13 weeks. All Covid safe and a real joy to be back amongst my church family again.

Christ is risen.....He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Good morning :-)


HOLY SATURDAY

Lord God,
On the Sabbath,
Jesus rested.
He was in the grave.
He had finished his work.

To most people’s eyes,
It looked as if it were all over.
He was dead and buried.

But only as a seed dies when it is planted in the earth,
Not to decay, but to spring to new life.
Teach us to take refuge in you when we are afraid
Teach us that death is not our end

Teach us to hope always in you
And in the resurrection, the making of all things new.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.



Compassionate God,
cradle in your arms today
all who grieve.
We think especially of those
whose loved one lies
in an unmarked grave;
or whose loved one’s body
has never been found.
We remember those prevented by Covid
from sitting by a bedside
or saying a fonder farewell.
Come near, good God,
soothe the pain and torment
of deaths that haunt the living
and bring your deepest peace.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Thank you for the posts today x