General Chat

Good morning :-)

I rather like surprises - as long as they are good ones Elizabeth :-D Our late lamented vicar's daughter is about to give birth in a couple of weeks. They have asked not to be told what sex the baby is - so it will definitely be a surprise for everyone. Mind you, they will be delighted whichever it is :-D

For today:


I met God in the morning
When my day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to us a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the Presence left be behind.

So I think I know the secret
Led from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day.


Cx :-)

Just remembered! I had a surprise this morning.....my oldest friend, who lives in the States, is in England and hoping to pop in next week. <3

Hello Cynthia

"better late than never" as the saying goes. :-)

I was pleased to see from SuffolkVera's post that "surprises" do still happen!
One of the joys of being a midwife(in the olden days :-D)was saying "it is a girl/boy"to the exhausted mum.

Now it is scans :-(

Good afternoon......a bit late today. :-)

Dear Lord, thank you for this new day and for keeping me safe through the night.
Please protect my heart and mind today.

Help me to rise above the negativity, harshness and division that seems to be taking over our world.

Help me to focus my thoughts on things that are right, pure and true. Help me to be slow to anger.

Please give me your wisdom and fill me with your peace. May I show the same grace to others that you show to me. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you Vera and what lovely news - a new baby and a surprise too! :-D


Bearing this baby in mind, I think we all have reason to be grateful to the NHS for one reason or another. As it celebrates its 70th birthday today, we give thanks.

Father, we thank you for the gift of health services in our nation, freely available to everyone no matter their background, income level or need.

Give your wisdom to our government, health professionals, and advisers as they seek the right reforms.

Bless our health service to thrive, to prosper, and to heal.
Bless our doctors and nurses to care, to excel, and to bring healing.
Bless our nation to understand, thank, and honour those who seek to bring us health.

For everything that is good comes from you. Amen.

Love to all Cx. :-)

Your friends and church family seem to be a wonderful group of people Cynthia. I am very glad you had such a good weekend and I am sure you and Mr C deserved all the love and respect you were given.

I really like the prayer you have posted today. It made me think of my late father. In the last 20 years of his life he was physically disabled, registered blind and suffered many setbacks and problems, yet one of the things he often said was “I’m a lucky guy”.

We have a new little baby in our extended family - a little boy which was a surprise to his parents as they thought they were expecting a little girl :-S. Thinking of all new parents and their little ones tonight and wishing them joy and love.

Good morning :-)


Thank you God for the sounds that disturbed my sleep
For many woke today and could not hear.
We pray for those with hearing difficulties.

Thank you for all the things that I see around me,
For many woke today and could not see.
We pray for those who are visually impaired.

Thank you for muscles that move and allow me to get up,
As many woke today and could not move.
We pray for those who are physically disabled.

I thank you most of all for allowing me and to wake up.
As this morning, many did not wake.
We pray for those who life has come to an end. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


My word, catching up with myself is difficult....I am still trying to come to terms with the weekend. I need to count the donations as soon as I can settle down - they were divided between Parkinson's UK and our church. I have a feeling both will receive generous amounts. People are so kind. <3

For today:

Lord, we enjoy the warmth of the sun and the brightness of the days, but during these days of intense heat which brings its own problems, help us to be wise.

May we be wise in the care of our young children and our elderly friends, keeping them protected from the sun and ensuring that they drink plenty of fluids.

May we be wise in the care of our pets, giving them shelter from the heat and fresh water.

May we be wise in our use of your precious gift of water – may we not waste it unnecessarily or selfishly and to follow the guidelines given by the water companies.

As we encounter each hot day, help us to be sensible and wise. Amen.


Cx :-)

Cynthia .........

Your day was wonderful. What an amazing group of friends you both have in that church.

I am so glad that everything went so well, and that Mr C coped so well with it all. xxxx

Your day sounded wonderful Cynthia for you and
your husband. Hope it did not tire him out too much <3

I join you in your prayer today for all involved in trying
to control this fire x

Good morning :-)

We have had such a fabulous weekend and I am still spinning from it all. To be shown so much love, respect and care has been truly humbling. It has been amazing. <3


The appalling moorland fire at nearby Winter Hill continues to dominate the news..

Lord, we pray for the firefighters who are tackling the horrific fire which is closeby. We thank you for their bravery and for their dedication to this dangerous job.

Bless them as they struggle to control the flames spreading. Be with them as they continuously put their lives at risk.

Guide them as they move from section to section - never knowing what they are going to face.

We think of the wildlife which is being destroyed in this beautiful area.

We thank you for the other emergency services who have rallied round to help; for the helicopter pilots who are ferrying water to the scene and the organisations who are supplying refreshments.

We pray that the sightseers may see sense and realise that they are making things worse in an already dangerous situation.

Lord, be with the families of these brave firefighters so that they may be reunited soon. May all be kept safe. Amen.

Cx :-)

What a very special day and I'm so pleased that your husband coped with all the celebrations.
It sounds as if your parish surrounded you with a lot of care and love, which means so much, doesn't it.?


It was a special day in our parish too. Several of us went to Canterbury Cathedral to support our assistant curate, who was one of the people being ordained.
Today they were presiding at morning communion service followed by lunch in the church and grounds.

Good morning :-)


Oh my! We had such a wonderful day yesterday. People who go to church are often mocked or ridiculed for whatever reason and often, in complete ignorance. Yesterday, we were surrounded and spoilt by our church family....ordinary men and women who have chosen to follow the Christian faith.

They had decorated the church as for a wedding.

The bellringers gave up their Saturday afternoon off - to ring the bells.

Those who help with our lunch club provided a buffet fit for a king - not your church hall sandwich, cake and cup of tea type of buffet, but an amazing spread of salads, cold meats, rices and savouries, not to mention the cakes and trifles which followed!

The choir gave up their Saturday off - to augment the singing.

A guy who has recently started his own painting and decorating business made a wedding cake - a replica of the original one we had at our wedding - 3 tiers, the lot!

Our young female churchwarden - a highly qualified pharmacist - sorted out all the technical stuff we needed to show a powerpoint and a dvd.

The clergy - one Anglican, one Roman Catholic, and the whole congregation, were loving, supportive and happy.

OH managed to cope with it very well, which surprised us all! I feel as though I am floating on a cloud filled with faith and love.


For today :

The Collect (Special prayer)

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The gospel reading tells the story of the woman who had been haemorrhaging for 12 years.

I feel slightly mangled :-D

Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello


Former cabinet minister and MP, Mr Jonathan Aitken, who was jailed for 18 months in 1999, has become a prison chaplain.


Mr Aitken was sent to prison for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
Whilst there, he found his calling and helped other prisoners to read and write.


Later, he took a degree in theology.

He will be based at St Matthew's Church Westminster and will work as an unpaid prison chaplain.

May Rev Johnathan Aitken be blessed with peace and hope as he carried out his duties.

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

Take gentle care
Best wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Cynthia, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your hubby as you renew your vows
Such a special time for you both and for all your family and friends to be a part of. xxx

Beyond all things put on love which is the perfect gift of unity. (Colossians 3 v 14).

Good morning :-)

Awww thank you very much for your good wishes. Yesterday was relatively quiet but the fun begins later as we hold a special service to re-affirm our marriage vows at 3.00pm. It is an open occasion and I have no idea how many will turn up, but I do know there have been lots of 'mutterings' at church :-D I am hoping that one of my bridesmaids will be able to come - we haven't met for over 49 years :-D


For today :

Happiness is something we create in our mind,
it’s not something you search for and seldom find.
It’s just waking up and beginning the day,
by counting our blessings and kneeling to pray.
It’s giving up thoughts that breed discontent,
and accepting what comes as a gift “heaven-sent”.
It’s giving up whining for things we have not.
It’s knowing that life is determined for us,
and pursuing our tasks
without fret, fume or fuss.
For it’s by completing
what God gives us to do,
that we find real contentment,
and happiness too.
- Helen Steiner Rice

Love to all. Cx :-)

Cynthia and OH, I hope you have a wonderful day as you renew your vows and celebrate with your family <3

Congratulations to you both xxx

Welcome to the Over 50 Club :-)


We both hope you have a wonderful day today, and then another tomorrow when you renew your vows with family and friends xxxxx

Congratulations Cynthia and husband on your anniversary. x
May the years ahead bring you joy and happiness.

Cynthia and husband....... Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary.

I hope that you share a wonderful day and have many blessings in the years ahead. xx

Many congratulations, Cynthia and husband, on your special day. I am sure you have many happy memories of the past 50 years and I wish you joy in the future. God bless