General Chat

Good morning :-)


What is Pentecost all about?

Pentecost means '50'.

Pentecost Sunday is one of movable feasts in the Church calendar. This is because it depends on the date of Easter. In the Church calendar, it falls seven Sundays or 50 days after Easter Sunday.
Pentecost commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’s disciples. This happened just after his Ascension at the Feast of Pentecost.


It's traditionally celebrated as Whitsun.
The word Pentecost has become more common in the UK, but traditionally the Church celebrated it as Whitsun – 'White Sunday'. It's believed that this is because it was a day for baptisms, and those being baptised would wear white.


Ever-present, ever-loving God,
May your gentle spirit surprise us,
shatter our complacency
and wake us
from our dreams.
We know the time is now.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you Vera <3



TODAY WE CELEBRATE PENTECOST – the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is a Christian festival commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit, observed 50 days after Easter. The name comes from the Greek word for "fiftieth." It's also known as Whitsun but doesn't always match the UK Whitsun Bank Holiday.

Pentecost is seen as the birthday of the Christian church and the beginning of its mission to the world.

It is also Walking Day for our church, when there is a parade with banners and bands around the area. A long-held tradition which is under threat, but we fight on!! :-D

Cx :-)

Thank you for this week's posts Cynthia - a lovely week of gentle smiles. OH and I particularly liked the little girl who asked God to "deliver us some email" :-D

I wish you all Sunday blessings tomorrow and a joyful and contented week ahead.

Good morning :-)

Little Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother.
His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night, and everything was beautiful.
His grandmother remarked, “Doesn’t it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?”
Bobby said, “Yes, God did it and he did it left-handed.”
This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him, “What makes you say God did this with his left hand?”
“Well,” said Bobby, “we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God’s right hand!”


Quotes from children!
Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.

Noah built an ark, which the animals came on to in pears.

The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.

A Christian should have only one wife. This is called monotony.

David fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.

Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.

David had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me.

God bless all children, everywhere. <3

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

KIDS IN CHURCH – we love them!

The Sunday School teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah had built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces and laid it upon the altar. And then Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times. “Now,” said the teacher, “can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?”
A little girl raised her hand and replied enthusiastically, “To make gravy!”


A mother was teaching her three-year old the Lord’s Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, the little girl repeated the prayer after her mother. One night, she said she was ready to say it by herself. The mother listened with pride as her child carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some E-mail. Amen.”

Thank you, God, for children. <3


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

KIDS IN CHURCH – we love them!
Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandma's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.
“Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer,” said his mother. “I don’t need to,” the boy replied. “Of course, you do,” his mother insisted. “We always say a prayer before eating at our house.”
“That’s at our house,” Johnny explained. “But this is Grandma’s house, and she knows how to cook!


One Sunday, after church, an 8-year-old asked her other what ‘The Word’ was. Her mother was confused. The girl continued, “Every Sunday, we say 'Only say the word, and I shall be healed', but the vicar never tells us WHICH word!"


Four children were running madly around the house when their mother shouted at them, “What is wrong with you all, were you born in a barn?”
The 4-year-old stopped, grinned toothlessly, and said, “No, but Jesus was and he turned out okay!”

Thank God for children. ??

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


KIDS IN CHURCH – we love them!


A Sunday School teacher asked:
“What is the first and greatest commandment?”
A child answered:
“Hang all the law and the prophets!”.

Another Sunday School teacher asked:
“Who lived in the Garden of Eden?”
A child answered:
“The Adamses.”

Yet another Sunday school teacher said to her children, “We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is?”
One child blurted out, “Aces!”


:-D :-D

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Dear Vera, it's lovely to have you posting, and it really doesn't have to be anything useful -- just knowing that someone is out there helps a lot! So pleased that your daughter is doing well, bless her. <3

KIDS IN CHURCH

A Sunday School teacher asked her class, "Does anyone here know what we mean by sins of omission?" A small girl replied: "Aren't those the sins we should have committed, but didn't?"



A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy,
don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."

A Sunday school class was
studying the Ten Commandments.
The teacher asked if anyone
could tell her what the last one was.
Susie raised her hand,
stood tall and quoted,
"Thou shalt not take the
covers off thy neighbour's wife."

Cx :-)

:-D :-D :-D I wish I'd noted down the funny things my children and grandchildren have said.

I do look in every day and enjoy your posts Cynthia as I invariably learn something new or am given some topic to think about. However I don't post as much as I used to as I seldom seem to have anything very useful to add.

Kandj, it is kind of you to ask about my daughter and I appreciate you thinking of her.. Of course, she has good days and bad days but is generally doing well. She is fortunate in having plenty of friends and has found that keeping busy works best for her. She has just helped a friend move house and redecorate. She volunteered to do a couple of hours a week at a local garden project and in no time at all was made a trustee and is helping to write a 10 year plan. She let it be known to the local amateur music world that she is back in circulation and has already been booked to play for 2 events. Sometimes I wonder how she finds time to breathe! She has been given strength when she needed it most and I thank God for that.

Good morning :-)


Kids can say the funniest things!


A mother took her three-year-old daughter to church for the first time. The church lights were lowered, and then the choir came down the aisle, carrying lighted candles. All was quiet until the little one started to sing in a loud voice, "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you...."

A three-year-old put his shoes on by himself. His mother noticed the left was on the right foot. She said, "David, your shoes are on the wrong feet." He looked up at her with a raised brow and said, "Don't be silly mummy. I know they're MY feet."

Casey asked her Sunday School teacher a question: “If the people of Israel are Israelites, and the people of Canaan are Canaanites, are the people of Paris called Parasites?”

:-D :-D

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer for today
O God the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:
we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,
but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us
and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Today we hear about Silas and Paul in jail and also, how Jesus wants us to be one.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Symbols of Peace – sharing The Peace

Minister: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Let us offer one another the sign of peace.

In the middle of our worship services, we pause to pass the Peace, a tradition where everyone greets one another with handshakes and hugs. This act, which may seem chaotic, serves a deeper purpose: to reconcile with one another before receiving Communion, as Jesus taught.

Passing the Peace is not about saying ‘Good Morning’ or having a natter, it reminds us to reflect on our relationships, to pray for those we've hurt or who have hurt us, to confess our sins, and to embrace forgiveness. It symbolises our new life in Christ, inviting us to engage meaningfully rather than simply going through the motions.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you EOS - much appreciated.


Symbols of Peace – The lion and the lamb.

The Bible speaks of a future where animals that usually don't get along live in peace together, like a "lion and lamb." This idea comes from Isaiah's prophecies. While the exact phrase isn't always used, it shows a time when enemies will live in harmony, highlighting themes of restoration and God's promises and outlining a vision of a future age of peace.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, thank you for posting each day.

Vera, I hope all is well with you and your hubby. I do hope that your daughter is with friends to help support her after losing her partner recently.

EOS, good to have you pop in, Amen to your prayer

Dear All

Hello

A small prayer for Ascension Day:

"Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten

Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven,

so we may also in heart and mind there ascend

and with him continually dwell."

Take gentle care.
Best wishes, EOS
xx

Good morning :-)

Good to hear from you Vera, I was getting a bit concerned. <3

Symbols of Peace - Still waters

Who doesn’t love to rest and relax beside a gently flowing stream, letting the world go by?

The phrase "still waters" is found in Psalm 23:2, where David says, "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters." This idea is important in Christian faith. Still waters represent peace and God's care, providing a place for rest and refreshment for the soul.


Psalm 23 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 enemies: thou anointest 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 for ever.


Cx :-)

There is something very special about a rainbow. I shall now have Clementine going through my head all day :-D

Such a dreadful time in Liverpool. My thoughts are with everyone affected in any way; the injured, their families, the emergency services and anyone who witnessed the events.

Good morning :-)

Dreadful events indeed kandj. :-(

Symbols of Peace

Rainbows
Who doesn’t love a rainbow with its sweeping, glowing colours?

In Christianity, the rainbow represents God’s covenant with Noah after the great flood. As a sign of God’s promise to never again destroy the earth with floodwaters, the rainbow came to symbolise divine forgiveness, mercy, and hope.

To the tune of ‘O my darling Clementine’

God Almighty set a rainbow
arching in the sky above,
and His people understand it
as a signal of His love.
Thank You, Father, thank You, Father,
thank You, Father, for Your care,
or Your warm and loving kindness
to Your people ev'rywhere.

Cx :-)

Hello all

My thoughts and prayers are with the football fans in Liverpool on what was meant to be a day of celebration in the City, but was changed dramatically when a car ploughed into the crowds injuring over 50 people. A shocking day for all.

Good morning :-)

Signs of peace

Yesterday, we had the dove carrying an olive branch back to the Ark. We often hear people say about ‘offering an olive branch’ after a disagreement, but why an olive branch? An olive branch is a sign of peace – the dove took an olive branch back to the Ark to signal the end of God's judgment and the restoration of peace between God and humanity

In ancient Israel, the olive tree symbolised prosperity and divine blessing. It was vital because it provided cooking, lighting, and anointing oil. The abundance of olives and olive oil is a sign of God's favour and provision.

Olive trees in pots seem to be very popular at the moment, and most garden centres sell them. At a price! ??


Cx :-)