General Chat

Hello all

Hard to think that already we are into Advent Season and the busy Christmas arrangements.

"Be still and know that I am with you."
Psalm 46:10.

Good morning :-)


So, we are now in the church season of Advent, but what is Advent?
Advent is an important part of the Christian calendar. It means 'coming' and it's the period before Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. It is all about preparing for Christmas Day.

Advent Wreaths
Many churches have an advent wreath with five candles, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day and one for Christmas Day itself. The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ.

Advent Candles
Advent candles shine brightly in the midst of darkness, symbolizing and reminding us that Jesus came as Light into our dark world. The candles are often set in a circular Advent wreath and are lit in turn on the Sundays leading up to Christmas. Sometimes people have their own Advent candle at home - a single candle with twenty-four marks on the side--the candle is lit each day and allowed to melt down to the next day’s mark.

Psalm 33:20-22
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Today is Advent Sunday



The Collect (special prayer) for today :

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty, to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Before Advent - a bit of this and that


Prayer at Sea
As the storm raged, the captain realized his ship was sinking fast. He called out, “Anyone here know how to pray?”
A pastor stepped forward. “Captain, I know how to pray.”
“Good,” said the captain, “you pray while the rest of us put on our life jackets – we’re one short.”

---------------------------------

A man sent his friend a cryptic Christmas card. It said: A B C D E F G H I J K M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z. The recipient puzzled over it for weeks, finally gave up and wrote asking for an explanation.

In July he received the explanation on a postcard: “No L.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Before Advent - a bit of this and that

One Saturday night, a pastor was working late and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was late but his wife didn't answer the phone even though he let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer and tried again, a few minutes later. This time she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke.

The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about.

Then the man said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer."

The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.

The man said, "That's okay. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point, my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer!"

The church that the pastor oversees is called Almighty God Tabernacle.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Before Advent a bit of this and that..............


It's three o'clock, I'm kneeling,
It's quiet in God's house,
It's then I hear him scratching,
A single, lone church mouse.

He's swimming in the water font,
Beside the huge front door,
Then squeaks a tune near hymnals,
Stacked neatly, four-by-four.

Standing on the lectern,
Distant from his lair,
Confident - he stares at me,
I think he's deep in prayer.

Squeezing through the organ knobs,
Sitting on the keys,
Pulling at the hymn sheets.
The dust - it makes him sneeze.

Sitting upright on the altar,
He's cheeky I would say,
Was that AMEN I heard him squeak?
Just like the priest would pray.

Does he dream of Hell?
Where cats would hunt, would tease?
Or does he dream of Heaven?
In a paradise of cheese?

It's three fifteen, I'm leaving,
It's quiet in God's house,
He's disappeared, he's hiding,
That single, lone church mouse.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

BEFORE ADVENT – this and that………out of the mouths of babes…..

A Sunday School teacher decided to have her class memorize Psalm 23, one of the most quoted passages in the Bible. She gave the children a month to learn the chapter.

One little boy was excited about the task, but he just couldn’t memorize the Psalm. Although he practiced and practiced, he could hardly get past the first line. The day came for the children to recite Psalm 23 before the congregation. The little boy was nervous. When his turn came, he stepped up to the microphone and proudly said, “The Lord is my Shepherd and that’s all I need to know!”

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


BEFORE ADVENT - this and that

The Reverend Douglas Johnston was not the best of drivers. One Sunday he was driving home from church when unfortunately, he had a minor bump with cyclist. The poor man was unhurt but knocked off his bike into the ditch. The Vicar naturally stopped his car, got out and profusely apologised and gave the cyclist his calling card saying that if he could ever be of help, then the man should not hesitate to ask.

As the man rode home he looked at the card which said, 'The Reverend Douglas Johnston is sorry he missed you today.'

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A selection of this and that before Advent begins... :-)

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy road. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing by stopping, even though he could have beaten the red light.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the crossroads, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, shouting and swearing at the man in front of you. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally... I assumed you had stolen the car."


Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you for your postings about PEACE Cynthia

Thinking of all who are seeking peace in a different country, looking for safety and a better way of life.
Praying that they will find the help and support needed and those who exploit them will be stopped.

Sunday hugs for all in emotional or physical pain.

Good morning :-)


Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King

The Collect (special prayer for today)

Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

PEACE

Heavenly Father, you are the God of peace which surpasses understanding. When my mind is full of the cares of the world, please calm my anxiety and soothe my fears. Give me your peace in my heart, my mind and my soul.

May I approach every part of the life with the assurance that comes from your peace. I have nothing to fear when you are with me. If you are for me, who can be against me? Remind my mind of your presence and your power. Cause your precious face to shine upon me. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

PEACE

Today we pray for peace in our schools

Loving Father, Thank you for all who are part of our schools. Please grant them your encouragement, wisdom and peace.

Strengthen teachers with heavy workloads. May they be firm, yet patient, expecting excellence but forgiving mistakes. May they support their students, playing to strengths, helping with struggles and motivating them to do their best.

Comfort and restore those living under shadows of unhappiness, abuse, pain or fear. May many find faith discovering their identity in You and knowing Your amazing grace in their lives.

Please pour out Your blessings upon our whole school community.
In Jesus name.
Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

PEACE

PEACE

Today we pray for families where there are problems.

Lord Jesus, we ask that you will be with those families who are unhappy. Grant them Your peace and harmony, an end to conflict and division. Give them compassion to better understand each other, wisdom and love to help each other, and trust and patience to live peacefully together. Amen.


Cx :-)

I have nothing to add to the thread except my thanks to Cynthia for the prayers and the theme of Peace this week. It never hurts to be reminded to try to keep our own little corner full of peace.

Good morning :-)

PEACE

Today we pray for peace in our homes.

Loving Lord, thank You for my home. I pray that it may be a place of peace and rest, a place of laughter, a place of rejoicing.

Abide in each room I pray, and may the sunshine of Your warming love enter into the hearts of all that come through the door. May this always be a place that is open and welcoming to others.

Heavenly Father, You are the God of peace and love, and I that Your perfect peace would fill this home now, and in the days to come. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

PEACE


Today we pray for peace in our community and neighbourhood

We pray for the communities in which we live: for our neighbours, that we may be friends and be at peace with one another. For local businesses and for those who are struggling to work from home, that they may find peace in doing their best. For our local councillors and committees that they may always work for peace within our community.

Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour as ourselves, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. Give us strength for our work and service, hope in our trouble and wisdom in our decision-making. And give us that peace which passes all understanding. For your name’s sake. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


After such a special time of remembrance, we pray for peace, in all its forms…..today we pray for the peace of the world.

"Make your ways known upon earth, Lord God,
Your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of all nations, that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace and let your glory be over all the earth.
Amen."
— Church of England

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today.

Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the King of all:
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

My thanks as always for the postings Cynthia.
Particularly poignant for this week.

I'm not well enough to attend the annual Service of Remembrance and laying of poppy wreaths tomorrow but instead I'll be glued to the tv screen tonight for the RBL Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall and then the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in London in the morning...with tissues nearby for both programmes.

Saturday hugs for all in need today.