General Chat

Good morning :-)

I can remember collecting for Christian Aid Week too Kandj - we must have put some miles in back then! :-D

Good choice of hymn and, I have to say, that when I read the Gospel for today, I was reminded of "I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men, I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me." :-D

Collect (special prayer) for today:
Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
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, the Gospel reading tells us how Jesus wants us to be 'fishers of men'.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your morning prayer Cynthia and very many thanks to you for your postings about Christian Unity all this week.

I can remember many years ago we would collect envelopes for Christian Aid from church and distribute to streets around the village and then go back the following week and collect the (hopefully) filled envelopes and take them into church.

This old hymn comes uppermost in my mind.

Bind Us Together Lord.

Bind us together Lord, bind us together
with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together Lord, bind us together
Lord, bind us together with love.

There is only one God, there is only one King
There is only one Body,
That is why we can sing:

Bind us together Lord, bind us together
with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together Lord, bind us together
Lord, bind us together in love.

Take care everyone, stay warm and safe.

Good morning :-) :


WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling"

Heavenly Father,
you have called us in the Body of your Son Jesus Christ
to continue his work of reconciliation
and reveal you to the world:
forgive us the sins which tear us apart;
give us the courage to overcome our fears
and to seek that unity which is your gift and your will;
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.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling"

"One Body in Christ" by John Newton

One body in Christ, united by grace,
Joined by His love, with one heart and one face.
Though different our gifts, and diverse we may be,
Together we're strong, as His love sets us free.

Bound by His Spirit, we're one in His name,
His love is the tie that no power can tame.
For we are His children, He's called us His own,
And in unity, His light will be shown.

Through trials we'll stand, hand in hand we'll endure,
Our faith will remain, and His truth will secure.
For as one body in Christ, we're stronger than ever,
United in love, we'll face storms together.


Lord, guide our steps so that we may walk together in faith, even when our paths seem different. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling"


During a power outage, the streets were dark and cold, with the wind howling through empty lanes and the snow crunching under hurried footsteps. One family, wanting to offer comfort, lit a candle in their window as a sign of welcome, its small flame flickering like a beacon in the night.

Neighbours from different churches, drawn by the warm glow, knocked on the door and were invited in to warm themselves by the fire. They shared steaming cups of tea, sang familiar hymns that echoed softly through the house, and prayed together for their community and for those still out in the cold. Laughter mingled with the music, and strangers became friends as stories were exchanged.

When the lights finally returned and the hum of electricity filled the air, no one wanted to leave, for they realised that the light they had shared was more than wax and flame—it was the light of Christ, shining brighter when shared and binding their hearts together in unity.

God of mercy, heal our divisions and teach us to forgive as You have forgiven us. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I agree Vera, and hopefully, thinking leads to a bit more knowledge. <3

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling"

We are many,
God's great diversity,
Different faces,
different races,
yet we are one in Christ.

Butchers, bakers,
website makers,
bankers, tailors,
teachers, sailors,
yet we are one in Christ.

Fathers, mothers,
sisters, brothers,
single, married,
broken, carried,
yet we are one in Christ.

The happy, the clappy,
the barely out of nappies,
the ancient, the modern,
the famous, the forgotten,
yet we are one in Christ.

Some hopeful, some hopeless,
some cope well, some cope less.
Some sure and some doubt,
some whisper, some shout,
yet we are one in Christ.

Those with abundance,
those with need,
those who are generous
or wrestle with greed,
yet we are one in Christ.

Elbows, tummies, knees and noses,
kidneys, femurs, teeth and toeses.
Some unmentionable, some protected,
some accepted, some rejected,
yet we are one in Christ.

A broken body,
torn apart,
mars God's image,
breaks God's heart.
And yet our Father knows how the end will be,
when all his kids will sing in harmony,
the bride will dazzle, her branches bloom,
so add your voice to hymn the tune
that we are one in Christ.

Holy Spirit, breathe Your life into us, that our diverse gifts may glorify You in unity. Amen.




Cx :-)

I have been looking through last week’s points to ponder. I don’t really have thoughts to add except to say that, when you start thinking about them, they are really difficult questions to answer. However, it’s good to be made to think.

Good morning :-)

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling"

A young seamstress was asked to make a cloak for the town’s new pastor, a task she felt honoured to receive but also worried about, as she had very little fabric of her own. Determined to complete it, she set out across the town, visiting families from every church in the area, knocking on doors with a humble request for scraps of cloth.

Some pieces she received were bright and colourful, others plain and faded; some were smooth and silky, others coarse and worn from years of use. Each family shared a small story as they handed over their piece—memories of weddings, baptisms, or loved ones long gone.

When the cloak was finally finished, it was more than just warm and beautiful—it was a living tapestry, each patch telling the story of its giver and the love that bound them together. On the pastor’s first Sunday, he wore it proudly and said, “This is what the Body of Christ looks like—different in colour, texture, and history, yet stitched together by love into something whole and strong.”

One Body in Christ
Jesus, bind us together as one body, that we may serve You in harmony and love. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

This is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026, when churches throughout the world take time to consider how much we have in common and how we can build on our shared values.

For 2026, the prayers and reflections for this special week have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. The theme they have chosen is "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling" (Ephesians 4:4).

One Body, One Spirit – a short story.
In a small village, two churches had been divided for years over a forgotten disagreement. One harsh winter, a heavy snowstorm left everyone without supplies. Driven by compassion, members from both congregations baked loaves of bread and bravely crossed the frozen river to share. That day, the bread became a bridge of kindness, melting away their old quarrel faster than the snow beneath the returning sun.

Lord of hope, unite our hearts in trust and joy, that we may live as people of Your promise. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer for today)
Eternal Lord,
our beginning and our end:
bring us with the whole creation
to your glory, hidden through past ages
and made known
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Today, in the Gospel reading, we hear about St. John explaining that Jesus is the Lamb of God.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A final point to ponder :-D

Mission and Baptism: How can you live out your baptismal calling in practical ways this week?


The Church of England highlights the importance of fulfilling baptismal promises through:

Reflection: Remembering and Sharing Your Faith Journey with Others.
Support and prayer: The church community welcomes and promises to provide support and prayer for new Christians.
Water as new life: Baptism symbolises being born again, reminding individuals of Jesus' baptism.
Community involvement: Encouraging participation in community activities to strengthen faith journeys.

These practices help the baptised live out their promises and grow in faith.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The 5th pondering point!! :-D

Which of the Father’s words — You are mine, You are loved, I delight in you — speaks most deeply to you today? Why?

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The 4th point we were asked to ponder:


Baptised into the Trinity: How does baptism shape your understanding of belonging to God’s family?
This is a question which we can only answer as individuals and comments would be good.


Basic thought.
Baptism is a way to publicly show our faith in Christ and our commitment to the church. It brings us together as a community, encouraging us to support each other in our faith. The church is like a family where believers become children of God. This means we can approach God confidently and receive the promise of eternal life. It's a family for everyone who believes in Jesus.
Thoughts?


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The 3rd point we were asked to ponder:

Why Baptism? What does Jesus’ baptism teach us about solidarity and identification with humanity?


Jesus' baptism highlights humility, the Holy Trinity, and our identity as beloved children of God. It encourages us to think about our own baptism and our call to live by the Holy Spirit, participating in God's mission. This understanding helps us grow in faith and follow Jesus' teachings in our everyday lives.

Cx :-)

Good evening :-)

The 2nd point we were asked to ponder!

Grace Persists: Where have you experienced God’s persistence in your life, even when you resisted?

The message that God does not give up on us is a central theme in the Bible, offering comfort and encouragement. His love is everlasting, His presence is constant, and His support is unwavering. As we navigate life's challenges, we can find strength in the assurance that God is always with us, inviting us to persevere and trust in His plans for our lives.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

We sang that hymn yesterday kandj! :-D


Also, yesterday, we were given some thoughts to take home and ponder. In the first one, we are asked

Jesus Comes Near: How does the truth that “God moves toward us” challenge the way we think about grace and our spiritual life?

In other words, how do we feel about the fact that Jesus comes to find us rather than us having to worship a God who is far, far away? Does this affect the way we feel about our spiritual lives?

If you have any thoughts, no matter how small or insignificant, you are very welcome to share them on here. It’s good to chat.


Lord Jesus Christ,
You have come to us,
You are one with us,
Mary’s Son;
Cleansing our souls from all their sin,
Pouring your love and goodness in;
Jesus, our love for you we sing,
Living Lord.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia thank you for this morning's prayer.

On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every christian breast
and furnished for so great a guest.
Yea let us each our hearts prepare
For Christ to come and enter there.

For thou art our salvation Lord
Our refuge and our great reward
Without thy grace our soul must fade
and wither like a flower decayed.

Stretch forth thy hand to heal our sore
and make us rise to fall no more,
Once more upon thy people shine
and fill the world with love divine.

All praise eternal son to thee
Whose Advents set thy people free.
Whom with the Father we adore
and spirit bless for evermore.

Stay warm and well everyone.

Good morning :-)

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus


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 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.


Cx :-)

Good evening :-)


When the song of the angels is stilled
when the star in the sky is gone
when the kings and princes are home
when the shepherds are back with their flocks
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost
to heal the broken
to feed the hungry
to release the prisoner
to rebuild the nations
to bring peace among the people
to make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Magi, though mentioned only briefly in the New Testament, have a lasting impact on the story of Christ. Their worship of Jesus as a child symbolises more than a single event; it reflects themes of redemption and God's grace.

The gifts they bring show that even small acts of devotion can carry great meaning. Their journey not only celebrates the birth of a King but also conveys a message of inclusion and mystery. The Magi's legacy continues to inspire people over time.

Cx :-)