General Chat

Cynthia, I have heard this dying ember comparison before and I agree with every word. Our neighbour has offered to come and sit with my husband on a Sunday morning and it was a kind and genuine gesture but he isn't comfortable with this arrangement and so sadly, I had to decline this offer.

We have a Prayer at Home session each morning at 9.00am and I try to join in and pray for our church, villagers and folk who I know are in need of prayer. It is a way of connecting with the church family. I have to admit that I am often later than 9am but I don't think our Lord will mind in the least. This small act makes me feel a part of our church family until I can join in praise and worship and share fellowship once again.

Good morning :-)


I do hope you can manage to make arrangements to get back to your church soon kandj. Is there someone your husband is friendly with who would sit with him whilst you are out? I can just imagine how much you are missing the worship and fellowship which is so dear to you.

We've all heard people say that "you don't need to go to church to be a Christian", but that's not entirely the whole point unless, like kandj, one is simply unable to get there. For those who take the gospel seriously, then worshipping together is of vital importance - rather like an avid football fan who wouldn't miss going to a match.

I once heard it described as being like a coal which has fallen from the fireplace. It smoulders for a while on its own, but to be of any use, it needs to be back with the other coals - burning brightly. So with us, we need the teaching, support and love of fellow Christians if we are to be of any use in this world. :-)


Lord God,
your love for humankind
present in the beginning of all things,
extends throughout history
and touches even my life.

Your love sees failings
and forgives.

Your love feels pain
and wipes away our tears.

Your love knows grief
and comforts the sorrowful.

Your love sees sin
and still loves the sinner.

Forgive us when we fail to live
lives that reflect your love.
Forgive us the many times
when we take for granted
all that you have done for us.
Transform us, through your Spirit,
and empower us to serve you,
this day and all days

Amen



Continuing in prayer for kandj and her husband; Vera's widowed friend; Emma's young friend and all others known to us. Cx :-)

The church calendar is going fast, we soon will have the Harvest Festival upon us and then the lead up to Advent and I am still trying to get my head around where these past months have gone to? I am ever hopeful that at some point I will feel comfortable to leave my husband on his own while I can share in the village church family fellowship once again......... never say never..... the eternal optomist me.

Thank you for this posting Cynthia. Interesting again, as always.

Good morning... :-)



Thank you for those words Dermot, they reminded me that Back to Church Sunday is almost upon us. It's a day when regular churchgoers are invited to take someone they know to something they love. There are folk who have drifted away from church for one reason or another and who find it difficult to drift back, so to speak. A nudge, an invitation, a suggestion from a friend, may be just the thing they need to rejoin the fellowship of faith. This year the date for B to C.S. is 28th September - maybe it's something to think about for all of us. :-)


Yesterday went well at church with good congregations and an excellent sermon from a visiting priest well known to us. She is an ex-head teacher and is wonderful at getting her point across and really has no need for a microphone. For some unknown reason though, we had the Archdeacon and his wife in the congregation which threw us a little, but we coped. :-)


For our churches.......

God make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship, and a heavenly Father’s care,
and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and hate.

Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling-block to children,
nor to straying feet, but rugged enough to turn back the tempter’s power:
make it a gateway to thine eternal kingdom. Amen

Bishop Thomas Ken (1637 -1711)



Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia and Dermot for those words.

My thoughts and prayers to those who need a little
help to get them through their day.

Emma x

Prayer For Faith Rediscovery:

‘Loving & merciful Father, we know & believe that you are near & attentive to our every need. We bring before you now all those we hold dear & who are currently distant from the family of faith, the Body of Christ.

We ask in the name of Jesus, your Son, that you bless them abundantly. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, use us to reach out to them in a way that they may feel free to respond.

May we all seek & discover afresh the joy of faith & life in Christ, remembering that your ways are not our ways, that the last will be first & the first last.

Amen.’

(Words taken from a leaflet on ‘Home Mission Sunday’).

Good morning... :-)



I'm hoping to make it to church this morning, but not sure about my husband. There are 5 baptisms after the main service - all little girls - so it could be fun.... :-)



Today is known as Holy Cross Day - a day to commemorate the cross on which Jesus died as an instrument of salvation. When I read this, my mind immediately jumped to the old hymn.....The Old Rugged Cross....... there are many versions on Youtube.


The Collect

Almighty God,
who in the passion of your blessed Son
made an instrument of painful death to be
for us the means of life and peace:
grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ
that we may gladly suffer for his sake;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.


Love to you all and remembering those who need prayer. Cx :-)

Amen to this mornings posting. Reminding those in need that ongoing prayers are said.

Good morning :-)


I'm sure many of us have had pets over the years. We always used to have a dog but, when we retired and my husband's health started to fail, we decided that our dog owning days were over. We do miss them though.

Hearing of the deliberate fire set at the Manchester Dogs Home yesterday, was appalling and has affected many people.

With this in mind, I offer this prayer for today written by Albert Schweitzer - a name I was familiar with in my younger days.


"Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering;
for any that are hunted or lost or tormented
or abandoned or frightened or hungry or thirsty or ignored;
for all that will be put to death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to
animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful."
-Albert Schweitzer


With love to all who have asked for prayer. Cx :-)

The Praying Hands are familiar but I didn't know too much about them..... I do now after Googling for information, all very fascinating and humbling too...... thank you Cynthia

Cynthia thank you <3

Good morning... :-)


I think most of us have seen the picture of the Praying Hands.....by Albrecht Durer. Work worn hands, clasped in prayer.

I think this fits in nicely..........

The Praying Hands

The "Praying Hands" are much much more
than just a work of art,
They are the "soul's creation"
of a deeply grateful heart.
They are a priceless masterpiece
that love alone could paint,
And they reveal the selflessness
of an unheralded saint.

These hands so scarred and toil worn,
tell the story of a man,
Who sacrificed his talent
in accordance with God's plan
For in God's plan are many things
man cannot understand,
But we must trust God's judgement
and be quided by his hand.

Sometimes he asks us to give up
our dreams of happiness,
Sometimes we must forego our hopes
of fortune and success.
Not all of us can triumph
or rise to heights of fame,
And many times what should be ours,
goes to another name.

So he who makes a sacrifice,
so many may succeed,
Is indeed a true disciple
of our blessed Saviour's creed
For when we "give ourselves away"
In sacrifice and love,
We are "laying up rich treasures"
in God's kingdom up above.

And hidden in gnarled, toil worn hands
is the truest art of living,
Achieved alone by those who've learned
the victory of giving.
For any sacrifice on earth,
made in the dear Lord's name,
Assures the giver of a place
in heaven's hall of fame.

And who can say in certainty
Where the greatest talent lies,
or who will be the greatest
In Our Heavenly Fathers eyes!

- Helen Steiner Rice.

With love to all. Cx :-)

Interesting Cynthia, thank you.

Good morning.. :-)


So glad you enjoyed the humour yesterday :-)


A prayer from the past today:


Grant to us, O Lord, purity of heart and strength of purpose, that no passion may hinder us from doing your will, and no weakness from doing it; that in your light we may see light clearly, and in your service find perfect freedom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Augustine of Hippo (354-430

~~~~~~~~~~~

And a little about this important figure in Christianity...

Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine or Saint Austin, was an early Christian theologian and philosopher whose writings were very influential in the development of Western Christianity and Western philosophy.

Born: November 13, 354 AD, Tagaste
Died: August 28, 430 AD, Hippo Regius, Algeria
Full name: Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis
Nationality: Algerian
Parents: Saint Monica, Patricius Aurelius



Remembering our friends in our prayers.....Cx :-)

Cynthia :-D so enjoyed reading those.

Emma :-)

All so funny, made me chuckle Cynthia and just what I need to lighten the load this morning...... (another God-incidence methinks!). Thanks very much.

Good morning.... :-)


How about a little laughter for today? It's often thought that people who go to church are very serious and sombre; that we are very strait-laced and poker faced and that we disapprove of just about everything. Just shows how much some folk don't know...... :-D

The following items are taken from various church publications - some are old but there are come new ones to make you chuckle too. Enjoy.... :-)


The Prayer and Fasting Conference fee includes meals.


Boy Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

The sermon for this morning is: "Jesus Walks on the Water. "The sermon for tonight will be: "Searching for Jesus."


Don't let worry kill you off.
Let the Church help!


Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.


For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.


Next Thursday there will be try-outs for the choir. They need all the help they can get.


Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.


At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early
and listen to our choir practice.


The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.


Pot-luck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.


The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.


This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.


The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.


The Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.


Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.


This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.


This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.


22 members were present at the church meeting held at the home of Mrs. Marsha Crutchfield last evening. Mrs. Crutchfield and Mrs. Rankin sang a duet, The Lord Knows Why.




I hope these made folk smile a little and brightened your day..... Cx :-)

Not so bad then Cynthia, at least your husband made it for the consultation. I hope that he continues to improve a little each day.

Thoughts and prayers to all our friends who are anxious or feel stressed today.

Good morning.. :-)


A mixed visit to the Consultant yesterday. The leg problem is a side effect of one of the medications. If they reduce the medication, it will affect his mobility somewhat. Bit of a catch 22 situation so things are being left as they are for the time being to see how it goes. Onwards and upwards as they say...... :-)


For today:


Loving God,
we respond to your amazing love by serving you in all that we do.
But sometimes we feel tired and when we do,
we ask that you will refresh us.
Sometimes we feel we have let you down and when we do,
we ask that you will pick us up.
Sometimes we feel we have disowned you and when we do,
we ask that you will put your gentle arms of love around us.
Then, when we are refreshed, picked up and held by you, Lord,
send us out into the community
to continue to serve you in response to your amazing love.
Amen.

- Richard Teal

We continue to hold kandj and her husband, and Vera and Emma's friends in our prayers.

Cx :-)

That is so lovely Cynthia, thank you <3

My thoughts and prayers to all in need of comfort.

Emma x