General Chat

Good morning :-)


Thank you Dermot - there have been some brilliant photos on FB regarding the Pope meeting the Archbishop......it looks as though they have really 'hit it off' too :-D


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

God, the giver of life,
whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church:
by the Spirit's gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ
and make us eager to do your will,
that we may share with the whole creation
the joys of eternal life;
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 is taken from St. Luke and tells the story of Jesus healing ten lepers - and only one returning to say thank you.


Facts from the Leprosy Mission :

One child is diagnosed with leprosy every two minutes.

Since 1982, over 15 million people have been cured from leprosy using multi drug therapy.

At the beginning of 2007, there were over 240,000 cases of leprosy.


Sobering thoughts.


Cx :-)

'The Pope & Archbishop of Canterbury prayed together publicly for the first time since the churches split nearly 500 years ago.

The landmark event happened just two weeks after the Catholic & Orthodox churches reached a deal that will pave the way for greater unity between the churches that formerly split in 1054.

Meanwhile, Lutheran leaders have said that they hope to fully heal their divide with Rome during this 500th anniversary year'.

(Excerpt from 'The Philadelphia Trumpet' magazine.)

Good morning :-)

Praying everyone is well.....



May you find a gift this morning
Laid out for you in the sky.
A beautiful reminder
That sets your hope in flight.

May you notice birds above you
That soar and ride the winds.
And know that as you lift your prayer
God lifts your heart and sings.

May you hear the sweet birds chirping
May you smell the fresh cool air
And know that God's love is all around
Holding you so dear.

May this day be like a present
That fills your heart with awe
And takes your world from grey to gold
And soothes your very soul.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I managed to have quite an easy day yesterday which was lovely. I was able to get my act together re my efforts for our church's 150th anniversary....so that's a relief :-D

For today:


I come before you O Lord
As the sun rises may your hope rise up in me.
As the birds sing may your love flow out of me.
As the light floods into this new day,
May your joy shine through me.
I come before you, O Lord.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I had a non-stop day yesterday..........it was one thing after another. Two more babies for baptism on Sunday, so that's where I was in the evening. We are now booked up until June with baptisms.

My son came for his evening meal and stayed with his dad. There was a power cut when I left them but apparently it came back on without half an hour! :-D


I see there is a thread from Phyll asking for prayers for her daughter who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Lord, we ask for your blessing on Phyll's family as they come to terms with this news. May they know your peace as treatments are discussed, options considered and appointments made. Help them to lean on you and draw strength from your endless love and limitless grace and to face the future with confidence. Amen.


For today :

Lord, You walk beside me
You are always there.
Come into my workplace
Go with me everywhere.

Lord, Your hand will guide me
Your light will show the way.
Come into my thinking
Journey with me today.


Love to all Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Hi Emma - yes life can take over and you can't always think clearly, never mind pray!
At times like that I have always found it helpful to have prayerful friends who will step in to pray for me when I am struggling. :-)

Lord,

As I face a new day
Let me take your hope
Rising with the dawn.

As I face a new day
Let me feel your love
Dancing through the birdsong.

As I face a new day
Let me see your promises
Glittering through my day.

Lord, as I face a new day
I turn my face to yours
That I may feel and see you close to me today.
Amen.


Love and prayers Cx :-)

I agree Cynthia, prayer does not come easy,
circumstances, stress and strain of life are
difficult at times and often take over.

Good morning :-)

I came across this prayer yesterday…..I had never heard of Fenelon before but thought this was helpful to those who struggle with prayer……that’s all of us at times.


Prayer of Fenelon:

God, I don't know what I ought to ask of you.
You only, know what I need.
You love me more than I know how to love myself.
God! Give me what I don't know how to ask!
I don't dare ask for crosses or consolations.
I simply present myself before you.
I would have no other desire than to accomplish your will.
Teach me to pray. Pray yourself… in me.

Amen.


Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Goodness me! I had to scroll up and down the page - it was like being on the wrong page with the extra comments :-D That was an interesting article Dermot and I will try and remember to mention it to our friend who is an RC priest when he next pops in for coffee....we have some wonderful discussions and always end up in laughter.

I will also post a link to an article on FB which gives some encouraging news from Lambeth Palace and is linked in to the impending meeting in Rome - I'm quite impressed by the Archbishop's page on there.


https://www.facebook.com/archbishopofcanterbury/photos/pcb.
1100108050043340/1100107700043375/?type=3&theater


For today:

Dear Lord, thank you so much for another day of life on Earth.

Thank you for another beautiful sunrise to enjoy.

Thank you for the wonderful sounds of nature, from the cool breeze brushing through the trees to the birds singing melodies.

You are a wonderful God, full of grace and mercy.

I praise you for allowing me another day to spend with my family.

I love you Father! Amen.


Cx :-)

ps. Arrrghhhhh it looks as though that link may not work - just look at his page if it doesn't. :-D

Although I have not added to the thread in sometime,
I have read the posts.

My thoughts and silent prayers are with you all x

"Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."

Kings 1

'A ring has long been seen as a sign of a bond, of a promise to be honoured, and sometimes as a sign of authority.

So when Pope Paul VI took off his papal ring and gave it to Michael Ramsey, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, during his visit to Rome in 1966, it was rich with meaning. With that gesture, the successor to St Peter reached out to the Church of England, helping to overcome centuries of tension and suspicion that had begun with Henry VIII’s break with Rome.

Ever since, Archbishops of Canterbury have worn that same ring whenever they visit Rome and meet the Pope, and Justin Welby will do so when he sees Pope Francis this week. His trip will commemorate that historic encounter between Ramsey and Paul VI as well as celebrate 50 years of the Anglican Centre in Rome.

In that time, individuals have played their part in mending relations. Benedict XVI and Rowan Williams were both intellectuals who enjoyed theological dialogue together; Francis and Justin Welby have focused more on common Christian witness, sharing, for example, a deep concern for the dispossessed, including refugees'.

(An encouraging excerpt from this week's 'The Tablet' - International Catholic Weekly.)

Hello all

A beautiful bright dry day here. A real tonic and just what we need right now.

It is the start of week 4 and not a great deal of improvement and hubby is worn out
with constant ongoing pain. It can only get better.... or so we pray for his healing.

Thank you Vera, you are kind to think of us and of many others too who live away
from family and are housebound and in pain.

Heavenly Father
Open our eyes to the glory around us today
Help us to overcome the pain and anxiety we feel
In Jesus name.
Amen

Good morning :-)

Indeed it is chilly, but the sun is out this morning, so it looks a better day than yesterday.

You are right about the days rushing by but I can imagine that some might find the days drag. If you do not have family and friends, if you are perhaps housebound and in pain, the days must sometimes seem very long. So my thoughts today are with them.

Kandj, if you are looking in, you and your OH are continuing to be in my thoughts <3

Good morning everyone


Sunday again - they come round so quickly and its getting a bit chilly now..

The Collect (special prayer) for today

O God, forasmuch as without you we are not able to please you;
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts;
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 forever
Amen.


The gospel tells the parable of the mustard seed – increase our faith. Plenty of food for thought.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We pray for Christians everywhere, striving to live out their faith
In the world of the 21st century
With all the pressures, challenges and demands
That confront them.
Give them guidance and encouragement,
So that they may grow in grace.
Grant them humility to learn more of you each day
And the ability to share their experience
Simply and effectively with others,
Making Christ known through word and deed.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It’s the season of Autumn and yesterday was Michaelmas – St. Michael and All Angels Day.

St. Michael isn’t a saint, but rather he is an angel, and the leader of all angels and of the army of God. This is what the title ‘Archangel’ means, that he is above all the others in rank.

The Book of Revelation describes a war in heaven between angels led by the Archangel Michael against those led by the devil (Lucifer), who are defeated and thrown down to the earth. Coventry cathedral has a wonderful statue depicting this event.

An ancient Collect (special prayer) for this day.....

O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the services of Angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as thy holy Angels alway do thee service in heaven, so by thy appointment they may succour and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I know what you mean Vera......it sort of sticks around. :-D

So here is the last verse......


Scent of gardens when the rain’s been falling
And a minnow darting down a stream
Picked-up engine that’s been stuttering and stalling
And a win for my home team.

So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9mvrkQbzgc


Cx :-)

This week's hymn is new to me so I've just played the YouTube link you gave. It's now going to be going round my head all day long :-)

Have a happy day everyone.

Good morning :-)


As we look at another verse of that autumn hymn, we give thanks for those things for which we are grateful.

Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered
And a swallow curving in the sky
Shoes so comfy though they’re worn out and they’re battered
And the taste of apple pie.

So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9mvrkQbzgc

Love to all. Cx :-)