General Chat

Good morning :-)


Continuing gently with St. Mark

The Man with a Withered Hand

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

God of grace and powerful weakness,
at times your works were ignored, rejected, belittled, and un-welcome.
Trusting that we, too, are called to be prophets,
fill us with your Spirit,
and support us by your gentle hands,
that we may persevere in speaking your word
and living our faith. Amen.

Good morning :-)

Looks as though I have missed another day….so sorry.....life is rather convoluted at the moment :-D


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
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 tells the story of Jesus turning water into wine.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


This week's journey with St. Mark - chapter 2.



The Question about Fasting
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fast-ing; and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.
“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”


Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit, that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and truth. Help me to seek you earnestly in prayer and fasting that I may turn away from sin and wilfulness and conform my life more fully to your will. May I always find joy in knowing, loving, and serving you."


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning .. :-)

Journeying with St. Mark....


Jesus Calls Levi

Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collec-tors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Almighty God,
our hope and strength,
without you we falter.
Help us to follow Christ
and to live according to your will.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. AMEN


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


How nice to see you all this morning and thank you for the kind words.......

I am happy to post both a reading and a prayer but don't want to overwhelm people....although I guess people will read what they want to read. Decisions, decisions. :-) For a while I will do both and get a concensus in a few days :-D

St Mark's gospel chapter 2. Jesus Heals a Paralytic
2 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them.

Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”


Gracious and Holy God,
give us the wisdom to discover You,
the intelligence to understand You,
the diligence to seek after You,
the patience to wait for You,
eyes to behold You,
a heart to meditate upon You,
and a life to proclaim You,
through the power of the Spirit of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)

Like Elizabeth and Vera I also look in everyday.

Sorry I do not add to the thread but do appreciate
your dedication and posts x

Haven’t been too well so haven’t been posting but, like Elizabeth, I am looking in each day.

Thank you for your continued posts Cynthia :-)

Hello Cynthia

Just to let you know I am still "looking in" each day and did read the St Marks Gospel pieces :-)

Love
Elizabeth

Good morning :-)

Today we think about those affected by Leprosy - a disease which has affected humanity for thousands of years and still affects us today sadly.

The Leprosy Mission Prayer

Almighty Father, the giver of life and health, look mercifully on those who suffer from leprosy. Stretch out your hand to touch and heal them as Jesus did during his earthly life.

Grant wisdom and insight to those who are seeking the prevention and cure of the disease; give skill and sympathy to those who minister to the patients; reunite the separated with their families and friends; and inspire your people with the task set before The Leprosy Mission, that it may never lack either the staff or the means to carry on its healing work, in accordance with your will, and to the glory of your holy name.

We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

As I am unsure as to how people have reacted to the daily bible reading, I have reverted to a daily prayer.



God our Father,
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all that is:
Thank you for calling me to faith,
for planting your Word in my heart,
and for delivering me from my sin.
Thank you for calling me to your service,
for giving me the ability to teach your Word
and share this good news with others.
Amen.

Cx :-)

..

Good morning......just went out to the garage and boy, it's certainly windy out there.....brrr ????

The collect (special prayer) for today :

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.

The gospel reading tells of the baptism of Jesus by his cousin John.


Love, Cx :-)

Good morning..... :-)

Oh dear...I see I missed a day...apologies - I was expecting visitors and got carried away.
Another visitor today, but I have my act together this time!

Continuing with St. Mark.

Jesus Heals Many at Simon’s House
As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with de-mons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Continuing our trial journey through St. Mark

The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news[ of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.


Lord Jesus Christ, you call us to follow you as disciples. Help us to respond wholeheartedly without counting the cost. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Continuing with the gospel of St. Mark

The Temptation of Jesus
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Some words from an old hymn we tend to sing when we remember Jesus in the wilderness....


Forty days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.

Sunbeams scorching all the day;
Chilly dew-drops nightly shed;
Prowling beasts about Thy way;
Stones Thy pillow; earth Thy bed.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Lovely to see you both popping in and much love to you. Thank you for that prayer Elizabeth - I had meant to look into it more - but life took over. <3


For today:

From the gospel of Mark. The Baptism of Jesus

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”


Eternal Father,
you have given us your only-begotten Son
to take our nature upon him,
and revealed him to us
at his baptism in the River Jordan,
grant that we, who have been born again of water and the Holy Spirit,
and made your children by adoption and grace,
may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
who is alive with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

I've not read back but just popped in to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.

Giving out ((hugs)) to all who need one right now. xx

Dear All

Hello

A very happy new year.

Here is a prayer for "Plough Monday":


"Prosper throughout the year

The work done on our local farms.

Bless all who work with the world’s resources

And enable them to be good stewards of your creation;

Fulfil the farmer’s hopes in a plentiful harvest;

Feed your people with wholesome food;

And may town and country, united in gratitude to you,

Be drawn nearer to the understanding

And true service of each other;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord".

Amen.

In the big cities, we sometimes lose touch with rural traditions; it would be good
if we could all see and appreciate nature more.

Take gentle care
Best wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning :-)

Oh Pat! I am quite disappointed now...…..but I do like thunderstorms too :-D

Hello Vera, sorry to hear you have been unwell and do hope you are much better now. I was reading about the Epiphany season and its interesting to see how different countries have their own ways of celebrating this special time. Apparently, the Monday after Epiphany is called Plough Monday - well, I never knew that!! :-D

I was recently asked about easy bible readings for those who may be interested in finding out more. I am happy to try that for a week or so and see how it goes.


The bible is made up of 66 books and isn’t really the sort of book you can pick up and begin at the first page. For new readers, it is recommended that you perhaps being with the New Testament and one of the 4 gospels. Each gospel has its own merits and its rather like reading about 4 friends who have been on a journey together and, through them, you begin to get familiar with the life of Jesus. This week, we will look at the Gospel of Mark which is the shortest gospel.

I will use the New Revised Standard Version.

St. Mark chapter 1. The Proclamation of John the Baptist

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”


Lord, we thank you for giving us your word as a guide to living our lives. May we read with humbleness and honesty and, if we don’t understand, give us the courage to ask questions. Amen.

Cx :-)

I have been catching up on posts today having been out of action for a while, first staying at son and dil's for Christmas and then being unwell for several days.Thank you folks for all your posts.

Like Cynthia I had a smile when I saw Pat's name. Pat you will forever be associated with bells I am sure they must make your ears ring at times but I would sometimes like to hear a few more ringing here.

Why do you think the Feast of Epiphany is so important overseas but less so here. I had a phone call today from a cousin who lives in Spain and she was just off to a special Epiphany lunch. Is it because we make so much of Christmas Day?

Anyway, I belatedly wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2019 <3

No bells heard above strong winds and rain lashing down in a prolonged thunder storm :-0 :-D