General Chat

Good morning :-)


Hi Vera. Bye Vera. Thanks for popping in :-D

Such dreadful news from Indonesia. We pray for the people of that country and for the rescue missions who are setting out to help them.


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us your gift of faith
that, forsaking what lies behind
and reaching out to that which is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


The gospel is taken from Mark and tells of Jesus teaching the disciples many things about following him and what is involved. We are encouraged to be salt in the world.

Cx :-)

Thank you for the week’s posts Cynthia. Life is a touch hectic at the moment so I am just having a quick read each morning but the posts are appreciated.

A quick wave to other lookers-in as I fly by ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I hope you all have a good week.

Good morning :-)


BE SILENT

We live in a noisy world full of distractions. Whether you love or hate silence, there is an incredible peace and connection to God when we practise stillness:

Try building times of silence and stillness into your day. Choose a time and place with few distractions. Turn off your phone, computer, music and any other sources of noise or connection.

If you find silence hard, just try 3 minutes to begin with, and build from there.
If you find your head full of unwanted thoughts, give each one to God, and consciously keep focusing back on Him.

Posture can help or hinder our focus - sit up and open your hands as a symbol of willingness to meet with God. Breathe deeply and slowly invite the Holy Spirit into your life.

Lord, help me to find some peace in my day to think about you. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Am I coming or am I going? That is the question!! :-D


For today:

If you often find yourself praying about the same things, bring some variety and balance to your conversation with God by using the ACTS acronym:

A is for Adoration – spend time thinking about Jesus and how amazing he is.

C is for Confession – Think about the things you have done wrong, however small.

T is for Thanksgiving – think, speak or write a list of good things in your life today and thank God for each of them.

S is for supplication – supplication is an old fashioned word for asking. Ask God to be with you in each situation you face today. There's no special language needed, keep it simple.



Lord, teach me to pray so that I may draw closer to you. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good afternoon...…..sorry I'm late. One of those days!!

Thanks for that lovely bible reading kandj.

For today :

Quite often you hear people say that they don’t know how to pray…….. maybe these ideas will help….hope so!

Learn to be constantly aware of God's presence - come up with ways to remind yourself to think about God every hour; then every half hour; then every 15 minutes - until you’re thinking of God unprompted. Talk to Jesus throughout the day and look for His presence in ordinary events.

Dear Lord, I pray that you would give me strength to be strong for You in the world today. Lord, you know the struggles that I will face today. Be with me as I go through them. Carry me if I am too weak to move. If I stumble in them, forgive me Father. When I succeed in them, I will thank You! Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all.............. no Cynthia?? I hope all is well with her and her family today.

I have just read a bible passage that is helping me today and I hope this verse from scripture will help others who are facing anxious times right now.

This quote is from 2 Corinthians chapter 1 v 3-4

God is the source of every mercy, and the one who strengthens and comforts us in
our hardship and trials. Why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement , we can pass on to them this same
help and comfort that God has passed on to us. (taken from The Living Bible).

Good morning :-)

Thank you kandj…..I hope these words help as well. x

Broken Pieces

If you are broken by life trials
and weary from life's defeats,
If you have been badly battered
and have no joy or peace, then
Give God your broken pieces
He will mould them back in place.
He can make them better than before,
with a touch of His sweet grace.

If your dreams perhaps have shattered
after much struggle, tears and pain
your life may just seem hopeless, but
God can restore you once again.
He can take your broken pieces
and He can make them whole,
It matters not how badly broken-
God has the power to restore.

So we’re never without hope
no matter the shape we’re in-
God can take our fragmented lives
and mould them together again.
So if you're broken beyond measure
and you don't know what to do.
God specializes in broken things-
so His glory can shine through.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you for today post Cynthia and Amen, the words really speak to me today.

A murder, a suicide and a death of a little boy!!! Such sadness and heartache around and I'm joining Vera and feeling the pain that relatives and friends will be coping with
and sending prayerful support and gentle hugs to all in need right now.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. (Psalm 41 v 6)

Good morning :-)

For today:

When

Tragedy strikes and you’re grieving
When you’re held in the depths of despair
When you know that the world cannot help you
Be patient - for God will be there.

If

You call out His Name in your darkness
If you cry for His help in despair
If your tears are rivers of anguish
Be silent - for God will be there.

Then...

He will lift you above all your darkness
He will carry you through your despair
He will watch through your long night of sorrow
Be confident. God’s always there.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


In the community surrounding the church I attend, it has been a very emotionally charged week. There has been a murder, a suicide and the tragic death of a small boy. It has become apparent how much the church means to people at times of crisis in their lives. I thought I would share this with you.

There is so much emotion in our community at the moment and, as a church, we want to be there to help and support you and to show how much God loves us all.

Our church, as a building, has been a focal point (you can't really miss it can you?) for over 150 years and has welcomed both sinners and saints across those worn steps. Our altar has witnessed both tears of happiness and of sadness with marriages and funerals; over 7,000 have been baptised at our font.

On Saturday night, we welcomed over 500 people who were mourning the loss of a small boy. The building seemed to enfold and comfort these sad people.

Within these walls, people are helped and encouraged to learn about God, to hear the story of Jesus and to learn how to forgive . When this happens, we become 'the church' to our friends and family and to the community. We are known as the Body of Christ in this place.

We are happy to talk about learning more about the Christian faith without embarrassment or threat - to just simply chat and explore.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Hundreds and hundreds of people queued outside our church last night in order to pay tribute to the small child. It was an amazing scene. We printed some small prayer cards for people to take home with them. We printed some more and more and more. Quite a night.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The gospel reading is from St. John and we hear how Jesus tells us that that is room for us in heaven. He is the Way and the Truth and the Life.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Tonight our church will be open from 6pm to allow people to pay their respects to the child from our school who has sadly drowned whilst on holiday.



We finish our week of looking at some of the various stages of life with...… retirement. For some a joy, for others a burden - we think of those who are facing this stage in life.

Lord, Thank you for the seasons of life, for the joy of childhood, the excitement of youth, and the stability of maturity. Thank you for the blessings that come with age, for all the happy memories to enjoy, for the wisdom that comes through experience, and for the freedom that is given with retirement.

Lord, we give thanks for the tremendous blessing that has come from the work of many years, and thank you that you still anoint and use us always, in all seasons. We pray that this would be a new beginning, may your hope arise, and your vision be the guide. May a new rhythm emerge, one that forms a beautiful balance be-tween rest and engagement with life.

And now Lord, we ask for your blessing. May there be good health, joy in abundance and peace in heart and mind, from this day forwards and each day that follows.

In Jesus name,

Amen.


Cx :-)

That is so sad Cynthia. I can’t imagine how his family must feel. My heart goes out to them <3 RIP little man.

Good morning :-)


Yesterday, we were shocked to hear the new that one of the pupils at our school had drowned on holiday. He was just 4 years old. Our FB page has been inundated with condolences and its been hard to keep up with things. Please remember this family in your prayers.

We have been praying for the young, the elderly, the teenagers and those who are married. All part of life’s journey. However, sometimes life becomes too much for some people. It is sad that, during the last few months, we have heard of the deaths of young people by their own hands. We pray for those who are finding life too hard to handle at the moment.


Most loving and forgiving God,
hear our prayers for all
who seek to end their life
by their own hand.
The despair is too great,
the loneliness is unbearable,
the inability to share
thoughts and feelings overwhelming,
the seeming lack of options a dead end.
Bless them with the strength of love
to meet each day with new courage;
friendships to bring moments of joy
in their days of anguish;
and hope for the future.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Good to see you on here once more kandj….and thank you for your thanks :-D


One of the hardest parts of life is to lose one’s job and to be unable to find employment. Today, we pray for those who are unemployed.

Lord,

I trust in you as I look for new work.
Lead me to the right job.
I rest in your goodness and give you all I have.
Help me as I seek to find, apply and interview for each position.
You know the skills I have, and the things that I enjoy.
Lord, I ask for more than a wage.
Lead me to a position where I can really feel valued, respected and part of a team.
Please watch over me and my family in this waiting time.
Help me to be confident in knowing your will.
Open the right doors for me, please come and direct my path.
I put my trust in you completely.

Amen.


Heavenly Father,
we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Many thanks for your postings. All are really interesting/meaningful Cynthia.

Today's marriage theme reminds me of the scripture reading in John 15 v 12.
"My commandment is this: Love one another as I have loved you" (NIV bible).

Vera, what a very frightening experience for your OH and for you too yesterday.
We are so lucky to have many caring doctors and nurses working in the NHS.

Good morning :-)

Oh dear Vera, I do hope it was nothing too serious but yes, we have so much to be grateful for with our NHS. Some wonderful work going on. One of the young women from our church is a finalist in some sort of prestigious nursing ward for her work with patients who have pancreatic cancer. She is so committed to her cause and I do hope her presentation was well received.

For today :

We have prayed for children, the elderly and teenagers. Today we think of those who are married. During the year we have had quite a lot of weddings at our church.

It’s always a joy to witness the happiness of a couple as they commit one to another. No marriage is ever without its problems – those things which were never taken into consideration; things that annoy and aggravate and niggle. Everyone goes through difficult days so we pray for all who are married.


Loving God, You who created each of us in Your own image and who called us together in community.

We give You thanks for the gift of marriage and for the many couples whose love and commitment to each other reminds us of Your never-ending love for humanity. Be with those who are going through times of difficulty.

We thank You for all the different types of marriages in our world: young couples beginning a life together, as well as couples celebrating decades of love, re-married couples and those who found each other later in life, couples whose marriages are recognized by our state and our Church.

Guide each couple and surround them with family and friends who honour and celebrate their commitment. Amen.


Cx :-)

Thank you for the teenage girl and boy prayers - a lovely idea.

Though it is not on the same theme, today I am saying a prayer of thanks for our NHS. It gets a lot of brickbats and not many bouquets. Yesterday we had to visit A&E after OH had a mishap. He was treated quickly and efficiently and we were both on the receiving end of much kindness and good humour. So thank you Lord for the skill of all our medical staff which is available to us regardless of our ability to pay.

Good morning (just) :-)


Yesterday we thought of the parents of teenage girls......today, teenage boys.

Dear Lord,

Help us to love, without expecting anything in return.
Help us to engage, even when we don't fully understand him.
Help us to provide, quietly and gently to give good gifts.
Help us to speak, not to sow criticism but encouragement.
Help us to say sorry, to own up when we mess up.
Help us to forgive, even when we feel hurt or ignored.
Help us to hope, to breathe out joy and vision for the future.
Help us to carry our son, through the patchwork of hopes, dreams, hurts, worries, anger and the joy of teenage years.
Help us to remain open and soft
To understand and not to judge
Our brilliant son.

Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Close knit families are a blessing Vera and its good to hear that you have had a good meet up. :-)

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been thinking about the very and also the elderly. But what about those in-between? Today we think about the parents of teenage daughters...….

Dear Lord,

Help us to love, when she is angry and upset.
Help us to engage, when she needs a friend and a listening ear.
Help us to provide, to accept her needs and give out when she is needy.
Help us to speak, not to sow harmful words, but encouraging ones.
Help us to say sorry, to apologise when we fail her.
Help us to forgive, each day to provide grace and a new start.
Help us to hope, to pour out love, acceptance and truth.
Help us to carry our daughter through the patchwork of hopes, dreams, hurts, worries, anger and the joy of teenage years.
Help us to remain open and soft
To understand and not to judge
Our beautiful daughter.


Love and prayers Cx :-)