General Chat

Good morning.... :-)


We both made it to church yesterday and, as per usual, my husband was cosseted and cared for, hugged and kissed - and the lipstick was wiped from his face.... :-D
Being part of a church family is a wonderful thing, despite the similar ups and downs that one experiences within everyday family life.

I am up before dawn each morning, and today I was chilled by the noise of the wind and rain beating against the back door.....brrrrr


A Celtic blessing for today :

As the rain hides the stars,
as the autumn mist
hides the hills,
as the clouds veil
the blue of the sky, so
the dark happenings of my lot
hide the shining of thy face from me.
Yet, if I may hold thy hand in the darkness,
it is enough, since I know,
that though I may stumble in my going,
Thou dost not fall.


Remembering our friends in prayer...... Cx :-)

SpanishEyes, that is wonderful news. Your family must be feeling so relieved and thankful. I hope your granddaughter will continue to get stronger every day and will soon be able to live life to the full.

My thoughts are with all who need support at this time

Good morning.... :-)


Another busy morning with three baptisms is looming. My OH is not 'up to speed' at the moment, so I am not sure whether he will be able to come with me. We will see........ :-)


The Collect for today:


The Collect

Eternal Father,
who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit:
grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children;
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.


With love to all......Cx :-)

Amen indeed x

Good morning... :-)

SpanishEyes, that is wonderful news indeed and I am delighted for you and your family. God bless you all.... <3


What better words to celebrate with than this well known doxology...


Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen





With love to all Cx :-)

Amen Cynthia to your prayer for the people coping with the tragic event in Paris.

I agree with Emma that your news is just wonderful, Thank you Spanish Eyes for sharing good news with us because there just is not enough good news around now.
The power of prayer is amazing. I hope that your Granddaughter will continue to improve and enjoy her young life out of the hospital. Your family must be elated!!!

Remembering now the doctors and nurses and all who work tirelessly in hospital today

SpanishEyes wonderful news long may she continue to get stronger
and enjoy her life out with the hospital, God Bless her <3

Remembering all in need of support at this time. x

Today I had the most wonderful news. It was from one of my grandchildren who has been very ill and not at home often for more than a few years. She is only 14 now, so I feel sure that you will all understand when I tell you that she has been told that in a few days she can leave for good the hospital she has been in and hopefully will be well for the rest of her life.

So I simple want to say, the many believers on here may not have known this but your help has been a blessing foe me and my family.

Thank you. <3 <3

Good morning :-)



That was the other hymn I was considering yesterday kandj - thank you :-D


Today we think of the dreadful event which has taken place in Paris :

Holy and merciful God,
We pray for the people of Paris today.
For those who mourn and those lost in the bewilderment and fear of facing violence.
Lord, bring comfort, consolation and peace we pray.
Dry the tears of the broken-hearted and still the hearts of the frightened.
We pray for all who are victims of acts of hatred and violence across our world.
Lord have mercy
In Jesus name
Amen.


- Fred Drummond.



Remembering our friends in prayer......Cx

Sounds like a busy but exciting time in your church yesterday Cynthia?
Thank you for the Epiphany hymn.

I am sharing my own favourite Epiphany hymn today which reminds us of the visit from the Wise Men who traveled to present their special gifts to Jesus.

BRIGHTEST AND BEST OF THE SONS OF THE MORNING.

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining,
Low lies His head with the beasts of the stall;
Angels adore Him in slumber reclining,
Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.

Shall we not yield Him, in costly devotion
Odors of Edom and offerings divine.
Gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean
Myrrh from the forest and gold from the mine?

Vainly we offer each ample oblation
Vainly with gifts would His favour secure.
Richer by far is the heart's adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

Brightest and best are the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us Thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

(Bishop Reginald Heper, 1783-1826)

Remembering all who need a kind word and prayerful support today. xx

Good morning :-)


Baptism preparation class last night. Three young families were taken through the service and the meaning behind the promises they are to take. This was all done to the background of church folk bustling around taking down the Christmas decorations. Quite a busy scene all in all.


We haven't had a hymn for a while so, as we are in the season of Epiphany, I thought an Epiphany hymn may just fit the bill :-)


Christmas Hymn and Carol

As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped
To that lowly manger bed
There to bend the knee before
Him Whom Heaven and earth adore;
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!



Remembering our friends in prayer. Cx :-)

Good morning... :-)


It's so good to know that your young friend seems stabilised at the moment Emma. Hopefully, her progress will be sure and steady bless her.


I can imagine how you feel kandj. The church calendar is constantly moving on as we follow our Lord's life teaching. Tonight, as well as having baptism preparation going on, the Christmas decorations are being taken down in church and we will soon be thinking about Lent............................. and so the year rolls on.


The children are now back at school after the excitement of the Christmas holidays, so I thought a teacher's prayer may be appropriate...:



I want to teach my students how--
To live this life on earth,
To face its struggles and its strife
And to improve their worth.

Not just the lesson in a book,
Or how the rivers flow,
But to choose the proper path,
Wherever they may go.

To understand eternal truth,
And know right from wrong,
And gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song,

For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom and grace,
Then I feel that I have won
And I have filled my place.

And so I ask your guidance, God
That I may do my part,
For character and confidence
And happiness of heart.


- James J. Metcalf



With love to all. Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia. I'm still not back in church and it does seem strange as the church calendar unfolds and I'm not a part of it..... I forever live in hope though.

Emma, that is such good and positive news of your young friend. I pray that she continues to progress daily. Her family must have felt really blessed this Christmas.

Remembering all who face ongoing worries this night.

Thank you for that Cynthia x

Our young friend is much the same, still maintaining her
level of learning skills. I would think that full recovery will
not be achieved but her progress has given her family so
much to be grateful for.

Good morning :-)



Today is the day when, traditionally, we celebrate the feast of The Epiphany, an ancient Christian feast day which is significant in a number of ways.

In the East, where it originated, the Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. It also celebrates Jesus' birth.


The Western Church began celebrating the Epiphany in the 4th century where it was, and still is, associated with the visit of the magi (wise men) to the infant Jesus when God revealed himself to the world through the incarnation of Jesus.
They offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.


In the Spanish speaking world Epiphany is also known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day).


I've always found the aspect of the Three Wise Men interesting. We tend to take them for granted, and they appear in most Nativity scenes yet, they are only mentioned in one of the Gospels (Matthew), and no number is given. It is the fact that three gifts are mentioned is why it is assumed that there were 3 kings. However, there may have been more........ :-D


A prayer for this day:

Lord Jesus
may your light shine our way,
as once it guided the steps of the magi:
that we too may be led into your presence
and worship you,
the Child of Mary,
the Word of the Father,
the King of nations,
the Saviour of mankind;
to whom be glory for ever.

- Frank Colquhoun


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Thank you for those words kandj, I will leave them for today's thought. <3


We managed to get to church together again yesterday and it is good to see my husband chatting with friends once more. We have been pleasantly surprised by the numbers in church since Christmas as usually, numbers tend to fall a little bit due to continuing festivities etc. However, that doesn't seem to have happened this year which is very heartening. :-D


I have been thinking about Vera's widowed friend and Emma's young friend and wondered how Christmas has been for them.......


Love to all Cx :-)

The clock of life is wound but once
and no man has the power
to tell just when the hands will stop
at late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth, is sad indeed
to lose one's health is more.
to lose one's soul is such a loss
that no one can restore.

The present only is our own
so live, love, toil with a will
place no faith in tomorrow
for the clock may then be still.

Robert H.Smith (1932-1982).

I have been clearing books for the charity shop today and this poem fell onto the floor, written in my own handwriting, but I don't remember writing it or where the words came from..... however, I thought this worthy of sharing here today.

Praying now for the patients in hospital and all who care for them tonight.

Remembering all friends in prayer x

Good morning :-)


Welcome back from your holidays Sylvia - and a very happy and peaceful New Year to you too. :-)


As we are entering the season of the Epiphany, I will leave you with the collect for today:

O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your
only Son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
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.

Cx :-)

Happy New Year to all on this thread


May the coming year be a good one for all of us, and may there be peace in the world.