General Chat

Good morning to you all <3

In 2019 building regulations wouldn't permit so much asbestos content.

Good morning :-)

William Davies was born in Newport, Gwent, in 1871. He was a poet, and wrote: “What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare?”

Let’s pray for a growing sense of wonder and appreciation for all that is around us: Lord God, may all of your creation - from the vastness of mighty stars and planets to the lowliness of the smallest living creature I can see - remind me to live in wonder and appreciation of all that is around me. Amen.

“What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?”


Cx :-)

Cynthia,

We had to learn that poem in school and it's one I often think of, especially when I stop to notice a butterfly basking in the late summer sun or see the lovely display of mauve Autumn crocus in a nearby town.

A busy day in Kent today, when cyclists are out visiting as many churches as possible for the annual Ride and Stride event and are sponsored to raise funds for their nominated church and the diocese.
The forecast is great, so I hope they do well and keep safe.

Good morning :-)


Hi Gwyn......I remember that we have had similar things round here - the sponsored cycling around bit. I don't remember it being called Ride and Stride, but what a great title! :-D

The Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty God,
who called your Church to bear witness
that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may be drawn to you;
through him who was lifted up on the cross,
and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The gospel reading tells the stories of the Lost Sheep and the Woman who lost a coin.

Cx :-)

Good morning Cynthia and others :-D <3

The most poignant story for me is the parable of The Prodigal Son

Good morning

Ride and Stride is an annual national event that started here in Suffolk but I think it used to be called something else. I hope everyone taking part enjoyed their day and finished safely.

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday

Another warm, sunny day here. Maybe even warmer than yesterday.

We didn't have many visiting cyclists to sign in yesterday at our little local church, but those that came were glad of a drink, light refreshment and fruit to take away, if they wished to.
We are not on a main road and the council's failure to put the signpost back after road works probably didn't help. ... It points across the Channel to France at the moment :-(

I think towns might get a few 'striders' who walk their chosen route, but because we are out of town, we only see cyclists.

Hello all and welcome GwyninKent, lovely to have you adding to this thread.
Ride and Stride is all new to me, so I have learnt something new today, thank you.

Vera, I hope that your OH and brother are improving as before, you must be tired.

David, The Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-15) was what our Curate chose to preach on
in church this morning, tying in nicely with the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin readings that Cynthia has mentioned earlier........ how coincidental is that?

Sending out Sunday ((hugs)) to anyone feeling lost or alone today.

Good morning...….. :-)


Not many cyclists will attempt to cross the Channel to France I wouldn't think Gwyn :-D :-D What a shame about the signage - out of the way churches need to advertise their presence or people can miss out on some great events.

Talking of cyclists, we had the Tour de Britain (!) through our village on Saturday....blink and it had gone. :-D

Lost and Found was very much the theme for yesterday, and we sang a hymn that I am not familiar with but I knew the tune. It was an old hymn, but there is nothing wrong with that, and it was really tied in beautifully with the readings.


I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me;
How He left His home in glory
For the cross of Calvary.
Refrain:
Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ Who died for me,
Sing it with the saints in glory,
Gathered by the crystal sea.

I was lost, but Jesus found me,
Found the sheep that went astray,
Threw His loving arms around me,
Drew me back into His way.

I was bruised, but Jesus healed me,
Faint was I from many a fall,
Sight was gone, and fears possessed me,
But He freed me from them all.

Days of darkness still come o’er me,
Sorrow’s path I often tread,
But His presence still is with me;
By His guiding hand I’m led.

He will keep me till the river
Rolls its waters at my feet;
Then He’ll bear me safely over,
Where the loved ones I shall meet.


Cx :-)

Thank you for including that hymn, Cynthia.... Chosen for Holy Cross Sunday especially, I expect.
It's not one I've heard often, but if I recall correctly, it can be sung to the same tune as Ode to joy. The words are very meaningful.
Our church leaders chose Lift High the Cross for this Sunday.

When I became interested in Chrstian religion beyond the assembly hymn t recall someone trying to tell me that Luke was a Physician.

If that was / is correct why didn't he and Paul have much more to say
about the Virgin Birth of their master Jesus ?

David there are many aspects of medicine that were simply not known about then, everything from epilepsy to blood circulation. so maybe 'Luke the physician' healed but did not fully understand the mechanics?

I assume Luke believed in the virgin birth because he believed Jesus was the son of God... that's kind of the point of faith, you don't try and explain miracles you just accept that they can happen?

Crucifixion was a Roman way of death not Jewish, it was the Romans who executed
Jesus.

Agreed Pat , but Pilate said I find no fault in him. But members of the Sanhedrin called

out Crucify him. Pilate tried to reason with them and offered them Barabas who he had in custody, but the crowd insisted Jesus be Crucified.

? Would Jesus have said Joseph was not his biological Father ?

https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/did-jesus-call-joseph-father/

Following his successes Constantine gave the previously outlawed Christians

a hill, which in the fullness of time they built the Vatican.

Good morning :-)


Not quite sure where to start this morning......such a range of topics... :-S

I'll stick to Ode to Joy I think. Yes, that hymn does go well to it Gwyn - so much so that I have just sung it!!! :-D

For today:

Dear Lord,
I give you my hands to do your work; I give you my feet to go your way; I give you my eyes to see as you see; I give you my tongue to speak your words; I give you my mind that you may think in me; I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.

Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me. I give you my whole self, Lord, that you may grow in me, so that it is you who lives, works and prays in me. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning

I tried that hymn to Ode to Joy as well Cynthia, in private as a good voice is not something I count among my many blessings. It’s strange - I don’t really remember the hymn yet I could immediately fit it to a melody so I must have sung it as a youngster. The tune that immediately came to mind for me was that of Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.

Kandj, thank you for you kind concern for my brother and OH. They are both doing very well. Life with OH is nearly back to normal, much more quickly than expected, and yesterday we had some good news about my brother. So today I am feeling full of thanks.

My thoughts today are with all those struggling with illness and fear for the future. May they be given strength and a calm mind.

When I was a child I used to go to Clarence Street Mission. a sort of Sunday

School to watch the lantern slides about missionaries and sing

My cup is full and running over :-D