General Chat

Good morning :-)

You were not rabbiting Vera, you were, very eloquently, telling us lots of interesting things - thank you. So glad you enjoyed your holiday and how nice to go away with so many friends.

It's good to know that you have enjoyed the various posts over the last couple of week.....thank you.

For today:

Continuing to think of our elderly friends, we pray for those who have some form of dementia. We hear of so many who are suffering from this awful disease.

Loving God, Healer and Comforter,

we pray for those who suffer from the anxiety and confusion of all forms of dementia. Look with mercy upon their distress, confusion or isolation. Grant them understanding helpers and the willingness to accept the help need. As they face loss of memory and control of their lives, help them to know that you are with them and that you love them. Amen.

Do not ask me to remember,
Don’t try to make me understand,
Let me rest and know you’re with me,
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concept,
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you
To be with me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me,
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t help the way I’m acting,
Can’t be different though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone,
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
Love me ’til my life is done.
– Owen Darnell


Cx :-)

Thank you for posting Owen Darnell's poem, says so much, concisely <3

Hello all

Cynthia, I have just read last weeks prayers for all children and students. My Granddaughter has returned to final 6th form last week and visiting possible university sites for next year.......it seems no time at all since K went up into secondary school.

I am going out soon to spend a little time with a gentleman who celebrated his 90th birthday a week ago. He is an inspiration to many and I count my blessings to come back to a comfortable bungalow afterwards.

David, I agree with your words for the poem posted today.

Vera, nice to have you back again and I'm sure you and OH enjoyed your break.

Dear All

Can we offer prayers and caring thoughts for all the people on the East Coast
of America as Hurricane Florence is set to move in.


"Dear Jesus, be with and among the people
in their hour of need."

Amen.

Sincere wishes
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning :-)

Lovely to see friends popping in.....everyone is welcome. <3


Thank you for that prayer Elizabeth - Hurricane Florence sounds terrifying and I pray that people will be kept safe. There is also the tornado in the Philippines which is very bad. We keep them in our thoughts also.

Kandji I know exactly what you mean about your granddaughter. I was startled to realise that my grandson has been working for 12 months. Seems like only yesterday we were playing with splashy water! :-D

David, that poem was something special wasn't it? <3

For today:

It’s a sad fact of life that there are people who are lonely. Many older folk are affected by loneliness, sometimes not seeing or speaking to anyone for days on end. We think of them today.

Loving God,
there are times in each life
when there is no one.
No one with whom to share
a word,
a laugh,
a sad remembrance,
a gentle touch,
a fond embrace,
a kiss of love.
Bless each one who suffers
from such loneliness.
Enrich life with a friend
or gentle stranger
who will spend a moment
noticing
and loving.
In those times
your love shines through,
the world is reborn,
and Christ is known.
So be it!
Amen.

Love to all, Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We continue to remember those affected by the dreadful weather in the US. Such awful scenes. :-(

During the last week we have been thinking about the elderly in our communities. Today we think about those who care for them.

Blessing for a home carer

In your devoted but demanding ministry,
may you receive God’s blessing and be a blessing in return to the one you care for.
When exhaustion overwhelms you, may God renew your strength.
When patience is tested, may He grant strength.
When all seems bleak, may He shed light.
When tears flow, may He bring comfort.
May you and your loved one know His peace,
receive his strength and experience His love,
surrounding and supporting you always,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Love to all. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Today, our church is celebrating Harvest Festival..

The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Eternal God,
you crown the year with your goodness and
you give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
grant that we may use them to your glory,
for the relief of those in need and for your own well-being;
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 from Matthew tells the story of Jesus telling us not to worry about what we eat, drink or wear but to strive first for the Kingdom of God.


Cx :-)

I have been away for three days again. We are not really gadabouts but this year everything seems to be happening around September. This time it was for our annual get together with OH’s siblings and their partners. I am so thankful that both OH and myself come from close knit families, even if we are geographically separated and only meet occasionally.

Cynthia, thank you for the Owen Darnell poem. I agree with David. It says a great deal in a concise but moving way. It reminded me of my father and the times when I wasn’t as patient with him as I should have been. I also say Amen to your prayer for carers. It is often an exhausting, frustrating 24/7 job performed with love and compassion.

Keeping in my thoughts those who are affected by hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)

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 :-)


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 :-)

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 :-)