General Chat

Hello all

That arctic blast yesterday battered a pretty tub of red tulips and flattened them.
Now they are in our home and look beautiful and are helping to cheer us up.

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature."
(Gerard de Nerval)

Thinking of all young children in nursery today. xxx

Good morning :-)

We woke to snow this morning - only a light covering, but not a welcome sight... :-(

Hopefully, the sun will get rid of it so that we can go for our lunch at church later on.


For this morning :

Loving God, as pilgrims on a journey,
we can often feel uncertain about the future.
Help us to remember that past, present and future
are all held in your loving hands.
Help us to learn more and more about how we can trust in you
so that, whatever the future brings,
we can know that you are with us and will help us to face it,
as we share the love you give us with a needy world. Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

A light covering of snow here too Cynthia. It looks so pretty from inside a warm home.

Kindness is snow - it beautifies everything it covers.
(Kalil Gibran)

Thinking of those who struggle to heat their homes. xxx

Good morning :-)


Thankfully, the snow cleared and we were able to get out for an hour or so..... :-D


We’ve had some very funny weather lately – four seasons in one day sometimes. One of the most beautiful sights in mixed weather is a rainbow……..



The falling rain dissolves into mist
And the thunder begins to die;
As the sporadic lightning fades
An arch of colours pours from the sky.

Rainbows appear after mighty storms
When things look their worst;
Just when the skies are darkest gray,
Out of heaven does the rainbow burst.

God first sent the rainbow to Noah
As a sign that His word is true;
The rainbow's eternal message
Still speaks to me and you.

The rainbow is a sign of God's promise
That He will guide us through any storm;
That He will ease all our troubles
No matter what their form.

When you feel battered by life's storms
And you are filled with doubt and dismay,
Just remember God's rainbow is coming
It's a blessing ... you just have to pray.

~ Author Unknown ~

Hello all

Bright but very very cold here today. No gardening for me, much too chilly just now.
The Spring flowers are taking a battering and I have cut some and brought them inside so we can really see how beautiful they are now.

"Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul." (Luther Burbank)

Thinking of all the cyclists taking part in the Tour de Yorkshire 2016. xxxx

Good morning :-)


I love spring flowers.......so full of freshness and hope <3


Today we have two babies being baptised by our Archdeacon - should be interesting :-D


The Collect (special prayer for today)

God our redeemer,
you have delivered us from the power of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom of your Son:
grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life,
so by his continual presence in us he may raise us
to eternal joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


In the Gospel reading we hear of where Jesus was explaining to his disciples about his imminent Ascension into heaven..........and he uses the words "Peace I give to you: my peace I leave with you". Wonderful words.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

Should be a fun time with two baptisms, two babies and their families Cynthia.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth the peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father, Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my Brother in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me let this be the moment now
With every step I take let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live each moment, with love eternally
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

Beautiful hymn, beautiful words. May the peace of our Lord be always with you. xxx

Good morning :-)

Fun? Well you could put it that way I suppose :-D An enormous crowd of people for just two babies. Despite the numbers, there was no unruliness we sometimes get. We had our American Archdeacon with us and I do wonder what she makes of all these northern folk. One older chap, on his way out said to her "Ah didn't know whether you wuz Irish or American". :-D


This week we will be taking a look at hands……those valuable extremities which we often take for granted…

Today……….we think of the hands that care for the sick and dying.

The hands that soothe those who are in pain or distress.

The hands that wipe away tears and hold trembling hands.

The hands that bandage wounds.

The hands that are skilled in surgery and the hands that smooth bedding for our comfort.

We think of the caring hands within our churches and thank God for them.

We thank you Lord for all those who care and comfort. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

I remember the song made popular in the 1950's You Need Hands, sung by
Max Bygraves. I look forward to reading about hands in the coming days Cynthia.

I hope that everyone has enjoyed a happy BH weekend with family or friends.

Thinking of those who have suffered a bereavement today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Max Bygraves - a blast from the past :-D


Following our theme of thinking about 'hands'.......

Today’s hands to think about, are those which have green fingers……the hands that tend gardens and farms and grows our food.

The hands that plant tender seedlings and the hands which prepare and plough the soil.

The hands that drive the machinery which brings in the harvest and the hands which pack the produce ready for us to buy.

The green fingered hands within our churches that care for the flowers both inside

and out, and those that tend the church grounds.

We thank you Lord, for those green fingered hands. Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

I have green fingers...... always have had from being a tiny tot "helping" my lovely Dad plant vegetables and flowers. He taught me the joy of being in a garden and the love of planting seeds and watching God's creation at work. I loved spending time with Dad and I still miss him such a lot.

"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting hands dirty without feeling guilty and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity."
(Lindly Karstens).

Thinking of those who have a heavy heart this morning. xxx

Good morning :-)

I think I have green fingers which come and go kandj. Sometimes plants thrive and sometimes they don't. :-D


Our journey with hands.....

Today we think of the hands that are skilled in the preparation of food and the hands that polish and clean.

The hands that care for our families and homes.

The hands that prepare meals for those who are sick or homeless.

The hands that clean for those who are now unable to do this for themselves.

The hands that bake and create for special occasions.

The hands which decorate and repair and bring order to our homes.

The hands that care for our churches and provide meals for the community.


Thank you Lord for these skilful hands. Amen.


Praying for those in need at this time. Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your posting today Cynthia.

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands,
One for helping yourself and one for helping others".
(Audrey Hepburn)

Remembering all in need of prayerful support tonight. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today is ASCENSION DAY

According to the accounts in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus appeared to many of his disciples during the 40 days following his resurrection. On the 40th day, he came again to the Apostles and led them out to the Mount of Olives where he instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Then, as they were watching, he ascended into clouds. As they continued to watch, two angels appeared and declared to them that, just as he ascended, Jesus would return in glory.

Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens,
so we in heart and mind may also ascend
and with him continually dwell;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.



I'll continue with the hands theme tomorrow . Cx :-)

Hello all

I loved singing this during the Ascension Day service. A good rousing hymn.

All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem.
And Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him
Crown Him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel's race
Ye ransomed from the fall;
Hail Him who saves you from His grace
And Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him
Crown Him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe
On this terrestrial ball.
To Him all majesty ascribe
And Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him
Crown Him Lord of all.

O, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall.
We'll join the everlasting song
And Crown Him, Crown Him, Crown Him
Crown Him Lord of all.

Remembering all who are affected by the fires in Canada. xxx

Good morning :-)


Those fires in Canada are absolutely dreadful.......we pray for all who have lost their homes and livelihood..........


We think of the hands that are used in communication.

The hands that use sign language for those who are deaf.

The hands that signal when it is safe to move….. or not.

The hands that type and send messages around the globe.

The hands that wave to welcome us.

The hands within our church that are offered during the Peace.

Thank you Lord for these hands which help us to communicate and understand each other. Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello all

Our lives are in His hands, and He keeps our feet from stumbling.
(New Living Translation Bible)

A beautiful sunny day. Thinking of young children in parks with parents. xxx

I'm also thinking of those poor people
in Canada and the devastating fear and
heartbreak they are going through.

I pray for their safety and for the safety of those
who are trying to control the fires.x

Good morning :-)


.....and still the fires rage.......unbelievably dreadful. God bless all who are affected.


We end our journey of looking at hands by thinking of prayerful hands....

The hands which are used in spiritual healing.
The hands used to consecrate, baptise, confirm and bless.
The hands within our church which offer us the Body and Blood of Christ.
OUR hands as we receive that precious sacrament.

Lord, as we look at the way hands are used…..help us to always be useful to you and to offer ourselves to your service. Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello all

A family fun day here locally today. So glad that the sun is shining for everyone.

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands
If you're happy and you know it
And you really want to show it
If you're happy and you know it clap your hands.

Remembering in prayer our Canadian GR members whose family and friends are
affected by the ongoing fires in the Fort McMurray areas and the firefighters too. xxx