General Chat

Good morning :-)


Leadership in the Bible.

Nehemiah
Not a chap we may be very familiar with but Nehemiah rises from his position as the king’s cupbearer to be the governor of Jerusalem.

The book of Nehemiah starts with a conversation between Nehemiah and his brother. When Nehemiah learns about the conditions in Jerusalem, he’s disheartened for his people.

From the first chapter to the last, Nehemiah brought his requests to God. The man was always praying. Sometimes, his prayers were long and eloquent, other times, they were short and to the point.

From Nehemiah, we learn how to respond to trials and adversaries. We learn to pray through our problems and to choose prayer as our first response.

We can learn a lot from this chap!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Bible is full of leaders. Good leaders and bad leaders!

One of the greatest leaders was Moses

This man came from humble beginnings. The son of slaves, he should have been thrown into the River Nile, but God had a plan for him. Moses grew up in Pharoah’s household as a prince (yes, the same Pharoah who’d ordered his death and that of the sons of Moses’s people).

Moses would become one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. A man the Jews still revered when Jesus was on earth. But Moses didn’t step into his role as the leader of God’s people easily. His first attempt at helping his people resulted in him killing a man and then 40 years in the desert.

How did this man go from cowering in the desert to challenging Pharoah? How did he become the man who the Israelites spoke of with such reverence and awe?

It started with humility and a desire to do the will of God. The Bible calls Moses the “humblest man who ever lived” and also the man God talked to as a friend. From this leader in the Bible, we learn to humble ourselves before God and He will exalt us.

We thank God for Moses.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Being a leader is not everyone's ideal role. With Christians, Jesus is the leader and what a fantastic leader he was!!

Servant Leadership: Jesus showed servant leadership by putting the needs of others first and leading through service.

Compassion and Love: His leadership focused on deep compassion and a strong commitment to love and forgiveness.

Truth and Selflessness: Jesus always acted with honesty and selflessness, promoting moral integrity in his interactions.

Sacrifice: He demonstrated leadership through sacrifice, showing that true leadership involves putting others ahead of oneself.
Humility: Jesus led with humility, teaching that real greatness comes from serving others. These qualities illustrate how Jesus' leadership style continues to inspire and challenge modern leaders.


Lord, may we follow where you lead. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yesterday, our Girl Guiding units gave a presentation at the morning service. They had been 'thinking' - (Thinking Day) about leadership and what it means to them. They gave us a good acrostic example of how they feel about their leaders!


L is for lovely; they’re kind and giving
E is for energy; they make things exciting
A is for activities; they always come up with fun things to do
D is for doing; they are always doing something for somebody else
E is for encouraging; they always cheer us on and say nice things
R is for respect; they are kind and supportive
S is for service; they give their time willingly and lend a hand
H is for helping; they help us to do lots of things like making things,
playing games and learning new skills
I is for inspire; they always have new ideas and make us want to
do our best
P is for progress; they are always learning new things and moving
forwards just like us

The girls are more than happy with their leaders. How lovely.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer for today)
Almighty God,
who alone can bring order
to the unruly wills and passions of sinful humanity:
give your people grace
so to love what you command
and to desire what you promise,
that, among the many changes of this world,
our hearts may surely there be fixed
where true joys are to be found;
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.

In today’s gospel reading, we hear Jesus pronouncing blessings on the poor, hungry and persecuted while warning the comfortable and complacent.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Tomorrow, there will be Girl Guiding Groups joining their local church services because it is the nearest Sunday to Thinking Day!

Celebrated since 1926, World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship. It is an opportunity to celebrate the Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Movement speak out on issues that affect young women and fundraise for 10.8 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 153 countries.

What do they do on World Thinking Day?
• Celebrate World Thinking Day and be one in ten million!
• Be inspired by the history and impact of this global Movement
• Connect with the worldwide sisterhood of Girl Guiding and Girl
Scouting
• Take action and speak out on issues they most care about
• Make a difference by fundraising for projects around the world

We thank God for this organisation, for its members, leaders and supporters.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It’s dear old St. Valentine’s Day once more – the Christian martyr whose name sparked the giving of romantic gifts. There are many stories and legends about St. Valentine, most lost in the mists of time. However, we remember him as a person who encouraged people to know Christ and was persecuted and killed as a result of his faith.

God's Valentine Gift

God's Valentine gift of love to us
Was not a bunch of flowers;
It wasn't candy, or a book
To while away the hours.

His gift was to become a man,
So He could freely give
His sacrificial love for us,
So you and I could live.

He gave us sweet salvation, and
Instruction, good and true--
To love our friends and enemies
And love our Saviour, too.

So as we give our Valentines,
Let's thank our Lord and King;
The reason we have love to give
Is that He gave everything.

By Joanna Fuchs

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Fishers of Men and how to be one.

Find where the people are.
We don’t catch fish in a barrel. We have to go to where the fish are. This is true of the gospel as well, we need to go to the people. The good news is that there are people who don’t know Jesus all around us. They may be our neighbours, family, friends or workmates.

Bait the hook/cast the net
We need to engage with them regularly. This daily engagement is the work that it takes to reel in the fish. This is where patience comes into play. People are watching not just our words but our actions, our attitudes and how we interact with other people. These are the things that will bait the hook and draw people to us.

Focus on casting the net not how many fish we catch.
Any good fisherman will tell us that we have no control over the number of fish we catch. The same is true with the gospel. As we go out to be fishers of men and share the gospel we only need to worry about how many nets we throw. When it comes to Christians being fishers of men and sharing the gospel this is what Jesus wants us to focus on.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Like Vera I well remember singing Wide, Wide as the Ocean and also I Will Make You Fishers of Men in Sunday school. I can remember the actions too.

Last Sunday we sang Jesus Bids Us Shine which also reminded me of my Sunday school days.

Jesus Bids Us Shine

Jesus bids us shine with a clear pure light,
Like a little candle burning in the night,
In this world of darkness we must shine,
You in your small corner and I in mine.

Beautiful songs and precious memories too.

Good morning :-)


This poem was written by Mary Anne Procter, Queen Victoria’s favourite poet and a contemporary of Charles Dickens. She was born in 1825 and died in 1864.

Fishers of Men

The boats are out, and the storm is high;
We kneel on the shore and pray:
The Star of the Sea shines still in the sky,
And God is our help and stay.

The fishers are weak, and the tide is strong,
And their boat seems slight and frail;
But St. Peter has steered it for them so long,
It would weather a rougher gale.

St. John the Beloved sails with them too,
And his loving words they hear;
So with tender trust the boat's brave crew
Neither doubt, or pause, or fear.

He who sent them fishing is with them still,
And He bids them cast their net;
And He has the power their boat to fill,
So we know He will do it yet.

They have cast their nets again and again,
And now call to us on shore;
If our feeble prayers seem only in vain,
We will pray and pray the more.

Though the storm is loud, and our voice is drowned
By the roar of the wind and sea,
We know that more terrible tempest found
Their Ruler, O Lord, in Thee!

See, they do not pause, they are toiling on,
Yet they cast a loving glance
On the star above, and ever anon
Look up through the blue expanse.

O Mary, listen! for danger is nigh,
And we know thou art near us then;
For thy Son's dear servants to thee we cry,
Sent out as fishers of men.

O, watch, — as of old thou didst watch the boat
On the Galilean lake, —
And grant that the fishers may keep afloat
Till the nets, o'ercharged, shall break.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

That made me smile Vera..........and brought back memories of the Christmas hymn which contains the words 'Highly favoured Mary', which children would turn into 'Highly flavoured gravy'!! :-D :-D

Fishers of Men.

There is an inter-denominational Christian charity called Fishers of Men, which ministers, without distinction to those who are homeless, at threat of homelessness, or poor or needy.

This Australian charity was founded by Bobby Mearns who was himself a heroin addict, dealer and Triad member for over 20 years in Hong Kong before he became a Christian in a rehabilitation programme. Bobby lived in their residential service and has been “clean” for over 25 years.

The charity aims to direct people away from their life-controlling behaviours and focus them instead on Christ so that they can be free and, in turn, help others.

We thank God for charities such as this.


Cx :-)

You stirred a few memories with today’s post Cynthia. I well remember Wide, Wide as the Ocean and Fishers of Men from singing them at Sunday School at the age of 7 or 8. We were naughty as we used to think it very funny to sing “I will make you vicious old men” although I don’t think we really understood the meaning of vicious.

Good morning :-)

Yesterday, we heard how Jesus called ordinary, everyday working fishermen to follow him. In our church, we sang the old hymn ‘Wide, wide as the ocean’ complete with actions! ??

We are ordinary, everyday working people – are we serious about following Jesus?

Does anyone remember this other old chorus?

I will make you fishers of men,
Fishers of men, fishers of men,
I will make you fishers of men
If you follow Me;
If you follow Me,
If you follow Me,
I will make you fishers of men
If you follow Me.

https://youtu.be/R0jpyeRpRq4

Dear Lord, thank you for this new day. Please guide me and bless me as I go about my day. Help me to be kind and loving to others, and to always remember to be grateful for the blessings in my life. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Collect (special prayer) for today:

O God,
you know us to be set
in the midst of so many and great dangers,
that by reason of the frailty of our nature
we cannot always stand upright:
grant to us such strength and protection
as may support us in all dangers
and carry us through all temptations;
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

Today we hear of Jesus calling his first disciples and how he wants us to be ‘fishers of men’.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Recalling what Candlemass was all about..............
They came, as called, according to the Law.
Though they were poor and had to keep things simple,
They moved in grace, in quietness, in awe,
For God was coming with them to His temple.
Amidst the outer court’s commercial bustle
They’d waited hours, enduring shouts and shoves,
Buyers and sellers, sensing one more hustle,
Had made a killing on the two young doves.
They come at last with us to Candlemas
And keep the day the prophecies came true
We glimpse with them, amidst our busyness,
The peace that Simeon and Anna knew.
For Candlemas still keeps His kindled light,
Against the dark our Saviour’s face is bright.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


There is a variety of candles in churches:

Altar Candles
Altar candles hold a significant role in religious ceremonies, symbolising the light of Christ. Typically placed on the altar, these candles are lit during services to represent Christ’s presence among the worshippers.

Votive Candles - those small candles set aside for people to light.
These are lit as a sign of prayer, remembrance, or thanksgiving. People light these candles with specific intentions, such as seeking blessings, expressing gratitude, or seeking comfort in times of need. The act of lighting a votive candle carries a deep spiritual significance in many traditions.

The sanctuary lamp, also known as the eternal light, is a candle that is suspended from the ceiling or mounted on the wall near the Lord's table and constantly burning throughout the week. These days, the lamp tends to be lit by electricity. The lamp is traditionally lit beside the tabernacle to indicate the presence of the consecrated elements.

The Paschal Candle has its origins in the early Christian church. In the first few centuries after Christ’s death and resurrection, Christians would celebrate the Easter Vigil by lighting a large bonfire, symbolizing Christ’s light overcoming the tomb's darkness. The Paschal Candle is lit from this fire, representing Christ’s resurrection and victory over death.

This candle reminds the faithful of the darkness of sin and death, and how Christ’s light brings hope and life.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Candles come in all shapes, sizes and colours and are very popular with many people. They are big business!

Candles have been important in religious ceremonies for centuries, starting with ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Romans. In Christian worship, candles symbolize the light of Christ and by the 4th century, churches commonly used candles to show the divine presence and to light up dim spaces.

Light is meaningful across many faiths, and in Christianity, it symbolizes God’s presence, hope, purity, and enlightenment. Candles represent Christ as the "light of the world." They help create a sacred atmosphere in worship and show the connection between the divine and the faithful followers.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I was 'churched' after the birth of my children too kandj. It doesn't really happen nowadays, but there is a service of thanksgiving that can be used. <3

A hymn which suits Candlemass perfectly.

Longing for light, we wait in darkness
Longing for truth, we turn to You.
Make us Your own, Your holy people
Light for the world to see.

Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow'r to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Refrain

Longing for food, many are hungry
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us Your bread, broken for others
Shared until all are fed.
Refrain

Longing for shelter, many are homeless
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us Your building, sheltering others
Walls made of living stone.
Refrain

Many the gift, many the people
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another
Making Your kingdom come.
Refrain

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia I was "churched" after my baby was born. It was the norm back then, I don't hear of it now?

Vera, so very sorry for your loss. The final resting place of your daughter's partner sounds peaceful, and I do hope this will bring some comfort to you all.

Good morning :-)


Candlemas isn’t that well known out of church circles, but it marks the day Mary completed her purification 40 days after giving birth to Jesus and presented Him at the Temple in Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke describes how Simeon recognized Jesus as a Light to the World.

In Jewish tradition, women were seen as unclean after childbirth for 40 days (60 for girls) and could not worship during that time. After this period, they underwent a purification ceremony to return to religious services. It's reminiscent of the service of 'churching' which was once very popular in this country.

Candlemas is named for the day when all church candles are blessed, representing hope and light. Many people light candles in their windows on Candlemas night. This celebration also connects to ancient festivals of light that marked the midpoint of winter, as people lit candles to drive away darkness and evil spirits.


Cx :-)