General Chat

Good morning :-)


Lots of churches have now shut their doors and it's so sad. I actually feel safer in church than in the supermarket - no queuing, no-one breathing down your neck or pushing past you to reach something. People drift into church at a gentle pace - one by one unless its a couple. I feel we offer a place to sit and take stock, to pray, to weep, to find rest - not all of these things can be done at home. Logically I can understand the closure, but my heart says differently. <3

Whilst we're in lockdown once more, a chance to read maybe........


The Story of the Cracked Pot -

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?' 'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'



We need to realize that regardless of our past, we can be used by God. Many of our scars and wounds have life experiences that have shaped us and moulded us. The pain we once had is something that God healed and allows us to provide hope for other people. Our bumps and bruises often help us relate to others, as we walk with them in life.

Many people who experience the benefits of counselling, support groups, or recovery houses are being led by the very people who have benefitted from these very programs. God is in the healing business - He is called the Great Physician and Counsellor.

Cx :-)

Hello all

The village church has closed down again with this recent lock down. I'm really disappointed but I can understand the reasons why PCC made this decision

As we start a New Year, may we open the door to Christ's light and love and, in a world where there is darkness, may we bring light and love to others.

Stay well and keep safe everybody.

Good morning :-)


Eternal God, You gave us the greatest gift: the gift of life.
In the coming year, help us use it wisely.
May we grow in generosity, kindness and forgiveness, hope, faith and love.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yesterday we celebrated the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the river Jordan.

Jesus was God’s son, so he was sinless and there was no need for him to receive forgiveness. John tried to refuse to baptise Jesus saying that it was he, John, who should be baptised by Jesus.

Jesus was about to embark on His great work, and it was appropriate that He be recognized publicly by His forerunner.

By baptizing Him, John was declaring to all that here was the One they had been waiting for, the Son of God, the One he had predicted would baptize “with the Holy Spirit and fire”. It was also an opportunity to show his authority as God confirmed he was his Son.

Father, renew in us the grace of our Baptism so that we may reflect ever more faithfully the image of your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus

The Collect (special prayer) for today..

Collect
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 our Lord. Amen.



Mark 1:4-11
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.”

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.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The third gift offered to Jesus……Myrrh to represent His humanity and suggests death and burial.

Myrrh was a product of Arabia and was obtained from a tree in the same way as frankincense. The most bittersweet of the gifts, myrrh had been imported to Egypt in droves for embalming rituals, and the practice spread out through the surrounding areas. As myrrh was connected with death and burial, it must have seemed a strange gift to bring to a child, but we are reminded of what was to face Jesus in the future.

Lord Jesus
may your light shine our way,
as once it guided the steps of the magi:
that we too may be led into your presence
and worship you,
the Child of Mary,
the Word of the Father,
the King of nations,
the Saviour of mankind;
to whom be glory for ever.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A heated wrap sounds just the thing Sylvia. Enjoy it!! :-D


The second gift offered to Jesus…….frankincense as a symbol of His deity

Frankincense, was highly prized—thought to be worth its weight in gold—but it wouldn’t have been hard to find. Trees that yield the fragrant resin were widespread in the lands of the Bible and beyond. Frankincense, woodsy and sweetly aromatic, is one of the oldest commercial commodities, spanning more than 5,000 years.

To collect frankincense, harvesters make incisions into the trunks and scrape out the oozing sap, which hardens into frankincense resin. Frankincense was a key part of worship in the Old Testament and a costly gift brought to the baby Jesus.

Incense is still used in many churches today. Its smoke symbolizes the prayers of the faithful ascending to heaven.


Let us worship the Saviour with joy

and make our prayer to our heavenly Father.

The magi came from the east to worship your Son:

Father, grant to Christians everywhere

the spirit of adoration …


Cx :-)

Hello all

Happy birthday wishes Sylvia( a bit late in the day)

Granddaughter's birthday on 4th Jan... another family event I was unable to join in with.

A cremation service early in the morning, which I could well do without as I've been to the crematorium too often lately. Ice and snow is forecast so I hope its not too bad for me to drive.

Take care everyone and stay warm and safe.

Thank you all for your birthday wishes.

We have nothing planned, except my daughter will phone later today. This is such a very strange time for everyone, isn't it?

I received a lovely present from my daughter this morning, OH had hidden it since it arrived by mail just after Christmas. It's a microwave-able heat wrap for neck, shoulders and upper back, filled with rice and flax plus lavender and with a faux fur cover. I shall have to try it later, even though fortunately, my aches and pains are pretty good today!

Happy birthday Sylvia. I hope you are having a lovely day.

Happy New year - sorry its a little late - Hope everyone is safe and well.

Happy Birthday Sylvia - Many happy returns.

Keep safe everyone - Take care

Good morning :-)

Wishing our friend Sylvia in Canada a very Happy Birthday. Everyone will have had a birthday under restrictions soon! :-D


Epiphany: The first gift offered to Jesus – Gold

Gold is mentioned over 400 times in the bible, it is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. Gold is also a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Pagan idols were often made from gold and the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold. This was a gold-covered wooden chest described in the Book of Exodus as containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. According to New Testament Book of Hebrews, it also contained Aaron's rod and a pot of manna.

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The prices for wreaths and decorations can be extortionate can't they? Early is December I thought I would buy just a simple wreath for the front door. HOW MUCH??? No thanks. I went home and rooted around and found two large openwork gold stars which, when put together, looked very effective. Job done :-D


Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany - a season which lasts until February.


Most of us were brought up with the story of three foreign kings, arriving with their gifts at the manger scene just after Jesus was born.

However, when you read up about it, it is more likely that the wise men were intelligent, educated men rather than kings. The number of men is not mentioned in the bible, simply that they brought three gifts. It also appears that they didn’t actually get to visit Jesus until he was aged between one and two and living in a house.

However it happened, they arrived and brought three gifts for the infant Jesus – Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

I have read where the ancient church understood the gifts to symbolize aspects of Christ's life and ministry, the work He would do. Gold, to suggest His royalty as King of the Jews and Lord of lords. Frankincense for his divinity. Myrrh to represent His humanity - because myrrh suggests death and burial. Thus, the gifts came to show Jesus as King, God, and Man.

Father, you revealed your Son to the nations by the guidance of a star. Lead us to your glory in heaven by the light of faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.

Cx :-)

We also used to take down our tree, any greenery and decorations on January 6, and burn greenery (holly, bits from the front-door wreath or table decorations) in the fireplace, just as our parents used to do when we were young. The tree immediately went out the back door to wait for the next garbage (later compost) pickup.

We didn't bother putting up anything this year, although OH was given a table decoration by the Friends of the Garden ............. a few twigs of different conifers and a bit of holly stuck in a vase. Not one of their best efforts!! We'll get rid of that tomorrow.

I always used to make our front door wreath and any table decorations myself ............ the staff at the Botanical Garden would have an afternoon of decoration making accompanied by mulled "wine" ;-) . After I retired, OH still had an office there so he would bring home some "pickings" and I used what we had at home to make them. I still have a couple of wreath rings in the basement.

It is incredibly easy to make both wreaths and table decorations .......... basically using "prunings" and clippings from trees and shrubs. The price charged in stores is a huge profit!


I was always disappointed when I was young ........... my birthday is the 7th, and the house always looked so dreary when the tree and decorations were put away.

I remember on one occasion asking Mum if we could take the tree down but then put it back up for my party. Another time, I had discovered that January 7 was Orthodox Christmas, so I tried to convince her that we should have the tree up for that.

Nothing worked!! :-D :-D :-D :-(

Amen to your prayer from me as well Cynthia.

We always leave our tree and lights up till 6th January but we took them down today because I got in a muddle with the dates. That’s the problem with life at the moment, one day is just like the next. I keep having to check what day of the week it is :-S

I know I have mentioned it in previous years but around Epiphany I always have another read of T S Eliot’s poem Journey of the Magi. This poem made such an impression on me when I was introduced to it at school aged about 12 or 13. More than 60 years later it is still a favourite of mine and always makes me think.

Take care and stay safe

Hello all

Amen to your prayer for today Cynthia.

I am a traditionalist and still have my Christmas tree and candles shining brightly in two front windows, but after tonight they will be all taken down and put away in the attic until December.

National lock down yet again!!!

Take care everyone and stay safe,

Good morning :-)


Twelfth Night – Epiphany Eve

It is said to be unlucky to leave your Christmas decorations up later than 6th January because tree spirits living in the decorations need to be released outdoors once Christmas is over. If they are not released it causes agricultural and food problems. Good job we are Christians and don’t believe in tree spirits then!!

here are still people, HM the Queen included, who keep their decorations up until the beginning of February, taking them down at Candlemas on the 2nd.

For many people, they are just glad to take the decorations down to restore some sort of order (I know that feeling), and here’s an interesting point……

Shiny and metallic varieties of paper are not recyclable but we are advised to use the ‘scrunch test’ to confirm. If the scrunched-up paper in your hand stays in a ball it can go in the recycling, but if it springs back then it can’t. ??

Lord, may we live the grace of Christmas every day, only without all the trappings: May we always give generously, receive gifts gratefully, welcome others, and study your life. Make our houses be homes which have Christmas at their core, and our souls a home where Jesus always dwells. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Lovely to see you Emma - hope all is well with you <3


Sylvia, we have had snow and you can have it - willingly!! :-D


Christmas and New Year are behind us and we are now heading towards Twelfth Night and the season of Epiphany. We've all heard The Twelve Days of Christmas song and there are several ideas as to it’s meaning….this is one of the Christian versions for it.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus Christ

Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments

Three French Hens - The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity

Four Calling/Collie Birds - Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Five Golden Rings - First five books of the Old Testament

Six Geese-a-Laying - Six days of creation before God's rest on the seventh day

Seven Swans-a-Swimming - Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

Eight Maids-a-Milking - Eight Beatitudes

Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

Ten Lords-a-Leaping - Ten Commandments

Eleven Pipers Piping - Eleven faithful disciples

Twelve Drummers Drumming -Twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed


O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Cx :-)

Happy New Year to all on this lovely thread. <3

Thank you, Cynthia


Now if only the rain would stop!!

I'm even beginning to wish for snow .......at least it seems to be lighter with snow on the ground than water!