General Chat

Cynthia, an interesting poem as always. Thank you.
So the hierarchy are coming to talk to your congregation? That is what should have happened earlier imho., and it surely is common courtesy for them to liaise with your late Vicar's widow and daughter during such an uncertain time for the two of them.

I must agree with John and also feel that Diocesan authorities are servants of local churches and not Masters (although in the past I have come across the high and mighty Clergy who must think they are God!!!). At the very least I feel your Area Dean should have had talks with your church wardens and PCC members to offer advice and support. This has been handled with very little thought for the shock and grief you are all feeling whilst coming to terms as a church family without your Vicar.

I say good luck with the Archdeacon's visit and pray that he will at least listen to the views and concerns of your church family.

I would be really grateful if someone else could please pop a prayer on here today and tomorrow.....it's our wedding fayre and I need to be in church...in a few mins. Love to all....thanks... Cx

Father. Our thoughts today are with Cynthia and all her friends and family. We pray that the wedding fayre is successful and that the interventions of the Archdeacon bring healing to the congregation. We also pray for the family of the late Vicar and trust that you will wrap your loving arms around them in this difficult time of grief and confusion. That wherever you place them, they can find Christian friends and continue their work for you through the remainder of their lives.

We also pray for all those who regularly contribute to this thread. Their personal concerns are rarely expressed here, but you know the hearts of each of us. You know our concerns for ourselves and others. And we bring all those concerns to you now and ask that you hear our prayer.

And lastly we pray for the wider Genes community. We thankyou for the friendship found on the community boards and through helping each other develop our family history. We thank you for the lovely ones, we thank you for the cantankerous ones. We pray that we will all grow closer to you in love, repentance and faith.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, the one who mediates between unrighteous Mankind and a most righteous God, we offer up these prayers

Amen

Coincidently John, there was a discussion on R4 this morning (during Woman's Hour, I believe) on the topic 'Why Bother Praying'?

I only heard the last few bits - so, I'll try to listen to the programme again.

Celtic Prayer

Come I this Day.


Come I this day to the Father,
Come I this day to the Son,
Come I to the Holy Spirit powerful,
Come I this day with God,
Come I this day with Christ.
Come I with the Spirit of kindly balm.

God, and Spirit, and Jesus,
From the crown of my head
To the soles of my feet;
Come I with my reputation,
Come I with my testimony,
Come I to you, Jesu;
Jesu, shelter me.

Amen

What a lovely prayer, Emma :-) :-)

There is a lovely hymn by James Montgomery (1771-1854) - "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire"

There are several verses that answer the question, Dermot - and I love this verse:

"Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can cry;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high"

It is nice to have these written prayers, but often the cry of someone is so important. It may make no sense at all to us, but God can turn all cries and utterances into well-crafted prayers that ascend to heaven with a sweet savour. :-) :-)

Loving today's contributions, thank you all.

Cynthia,
I think this is appropriate for your Wedding Fayre. I do hope it all goes well.

A MARRIAGE PRAYER

Lord, let our vows remain
safely in our heart.
The love that we have known
let it not depart.

Teach us to stand together
to face the world's demand,
Remind us that marriage takes
two pair of loving hands.

I've been offline for several days so am only just catching up with all the posts. As a "popper-in" and someone who is still not totally sure of her beliefs they do give me food for thought, so thank you all for posting.

Hello everyone. I am so grateful for the lovely thoughts and prayers for today. It has been a very long day and i spent most of it on my tootsies up and down the aisles :- It was almost a 12 hour day.

The church looks amazing and the people who have been seemed to really enjoy themselves. it is not a fund raiser, it is simply an effort to encourage marriage and to promote some small local businesses.

The church folk were simply amazing - taking it turns to be stewards, to help with the food and just generally so very, very helpful and happy.

I think our Vicar would have been pleased. I went to where he is buried in our Garden of Remembrance to 'have a word' before it started.

Tomorrow is the same again.....please could someone do the thought and prayer for the day........ :-


Love to you all.......Cx

What a busy weekend for you, Cynthia :-) And how we miss your thoughts every morning.

A prayer I can offer:

Father. We pray that this Wedding Fayre draws people in to see the wonders of Christian marriage.

To enjoy the planning, to enjoy the special stamp that each couple put on their own weddings.

But most of all, to see that it is a holy ordinance that has existed since time immemorial. Two people stood before God to pledge undying love for each other and for God.

It is wonderful that so many people came to visit the Fayre and to help. We thank you, Father, for the fellowship. For new friends and contacts. And we pray that you will give Cynthia continuing strength through her very long day of service to the local church and community.

Also, in the quiet of a Saturday morning, dear Father, we pray for our friends who are Genes members and need an interest in our prayers today. We know some of them, but not all. And you know absolutely everything about them - even their innermost thoughts that they never share. And you will know how best to help them in their hour of need.

Day by day, dear Father
Of thee three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
To love thee more dearly
To follow thee more nearly
Day by day

Amen

Amen

Cynthia, how special for you to share a few moments with your late vicar before such a busy day yesterday. We have a very cold wet and windy day here in Yorkshire so I hope the weather is finer for you today
Fellowship and sharing your church with many is uplifting but also very tiring for you and your church family members, but how blessed you all have been by many visitors. I hope that many more will feel welcomed into your church today.

John, thank you for your meaningful prayer and words today. Like Emma I can also add my Amen to that.

Hello to SuffolkVera, everyone is welcome to join in our happy little thread.

Continuing Wedding Fayre theme. 1 Corinthians ch 13 . LOVE IS THE GREATEST

These words are often read during the marriage ceremony. The last verse (13)
Three things will last forever - faith, hope and love - and the greatest of these is love

FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE

Faith, hope and love
Is more than enough, when times get tough
Faith, hope and love
Will tunnel through what's in front of you
If you just trust in faith, hope and love.

There's a lot of things we face
That seem to pull us down
There's a lot of tears and pain
That will turn our world around
Seems the hammer always falls against us
At our weakest times.

But I know a power that can heal
The wounds it leaves behind
It's a stone's throw away
From anything we may face.

Faith, hope and love
Is more than enough when times get tough
Faith, hope and love
Will tunnel through what's in front of you
If you just trust in faith, hope and love.

There's a lot of hurt and sorrow
That can cloud the bluest skies
Still there's hope in tomorrow
If we just close our eyes
to fear we must face
As we learn to embrace.

Faith, hope and love
Is more than enough when times get tough
Faith, hope and love
Will tunnel through what's in front of you
If you just trust in faith, hope and love.

You can trust
You can really, really trust
In faith, hope and love.

Just a little faith will pave the road before you, to see you through.

I hope Cynthia will be both pleased and exhausted (in a righteous and good way after her fayre) when she reads thread this evening or in the morning.

That passage from Corinthians was exceptionally important to me when I first became a Christian 31years ago, kandj. The last word "love" is a very special word in Greek - agape. If married couples remembered that Paul was not referring to filial love ("I will love you if you love me") but love that has no conditions whatsoever, I believe many more marriages would survive the inevitable rocky patches.

I have an uncle who has been married for 68 years and their marriage has never been a "lovey dovey, we do everything together, we never argue" type of marriage. Yet it is pretty clear they have always tried to love each other for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear.
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.

It is so difficult sometimes to offer up a prayer. We watch in awe as our church leaders make wonderfully crafted prayers and we appreciate their skill with words.

However, it is something that we can all do well. We just need to have the love of God in our hearts, and a concern that we and God share. And God will hear our cries.

Let us pray for everyone today that we know - those that we like and those we don't like much. Because you have been placed in your acre of God's garden to love those people to the best of your ability.

And Jesus shows us the way. How he loves, how he heals, and how he prays:

Avvon d-bish-maiya, nith-qaddash shim-mukh.
Tih-teh mal-chootukh. Nih-weh çiw-yanukh:
ei-chana d'bish-maiya: ap b'ar-ah.
Haw lan lakh-ma d'soonqa-nan yoo-mana.
O'shwooq lan kho-bein:
ei-chana d'ap kh'nan shwiq-qan l'khaya-ween.
Oo'la te-ellan l'niss-yoona:
il-la paç-çan min beesha.
Mid-til de-di-lukh hai mal-choota
oo khai-la oo tush-bookh-ta
l'alam al-mein. Aa-meen.

The actual words of the Lord's prayer that he would have delivered in his native Aramaic during his sermon from the mount :-) Matthew Chapter 6 verses 9-13.

John, not come across the Aramaic words of the Lord's prayer before........ interesting!

Cynthia I hope that all went well with the weekend wedding fayre and that you are not too drained by it all. I am remembering your church family in prayer at such a challenging time.

Good morning my dear friends and thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers. It's lovely to see and to read the wonderful words which have been posted during my absence.

Yes, I am tired but happy. The Fayre went well; the exhibitors produced some magnificent displays of their talents and people came through and looked and enjoyed and asked questions.

Amazingly, when it closed, the church was emptied within around 30 mins and the vacuums were put to good use.

The service of Affirmation of Marriage Vows was gentle and lovely and, afterwards, we celebrated with wedding cake!

The only down spot to the weekend was the Archdeacon's visit I suppose. There was a bit of kerfluffle at the morning service and some feelings were hurt but, the church council apparently gave as good as it got and he left looking rather subdued so I am told. Hey ho.....thank God for a great bunch of committed people!


With thoughts of marriage and love in mind, I found the following which, interestingly enough, was part of the sermon given at the Affirmation service last night. Hope you enjoy it and thank you again.... :-)

The Creation


God made woman from man's rib,
Not from his head ...
That he should command her,
Nor from his feet ...
That he should walk upon her,
But rather from his side ...
To be his partner in life,
From under his arm ...
To be protected by him,
And from near his heart ...
To be loved by him.


"A Message From God"

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned. I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity of ME.

From one bone I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the strong, yet delicate rib which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Your characteristics are as the rib ... strong ... yet delicate and fragile.

You provide protection for the most delicate organs in man ... his heart and lungs. His heart is the center of his whole being, his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to his heart and lungs. Support him as the rib cage supports the body.

Around this one bone, I fashioned you and I shaped you. I created you perfect. Your eyes ... don't change them, your lips ... how lovely when they part in prayer, your nose ... so perfect in form, your hands ... so gentle to touch. Oh yes, I've touched your hands, I've held your heart. Of all that lives and breathes, you are the most like me. That is why I made you the mother of life. You see, you woman ... reside in me.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day and yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me ... I fashioned in you. My holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my support, and my protection. You are special because you are the extension of me.

Man represents my image, and woman ... my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God. So man ... treat woman well. Love her and respect her ... for she is fragile. In hurting her ... you hurt me. What you do to her ... you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart and lungs.

Woman ... support man as the rib cage. In humility, show him the power of emotion that I have given to you. In gentle quietness ... show your strength. In love ... show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.

~ Author Unknown ~


Cx :-)

God gives us strength for those type of weekends, doesn't he, Cynthia. I was a bit worried with all you were putting yourself through and the long days. Have a chillax today and tomorrow if you can (I love that word - though sincere apologies to the many who dislike it)

Sounds like the Bishop needs to get involved now - possibly even higher. But at least the Archdeacon will have been stirred and will be able to report problems upwards.

Was out twice yesterday. Once to my own chapel where the main Minister led the service. The reading was from Luke 17:11-19 (Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy)

"Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed."

Two things I noticed:
1. Jesus sent them to the priests (Jewish rabbis like himself presumably) to be healed.
2. Only one of the ten (a Foreigner or Samaritan) could be bothered to come back and give thanks to Jesus.

How often something good happens in our life and we forget to give thanks for it. Just accept our good fortune and move on - as if we deserved it.

Anyway, Minister concentrated on 2 Kings 5 (the healing of Naaman, warrior leader of Syria throught the prophet Elisha). Masterful sermon.

Luke 17:11-19 must have been the lectionary reading for yesterday as the young preacher I am mentoring took it at his theme. A modern service with plenty of technology and both a guitar and an organ and lots of both noise and silence. Very simple, yet very profound about "giving thanks".

And last night and this morning I have indeed given thanks to God for giving me such an uplifting day. :-) :-) :-)

Good to have you back Cynthia and as John suggests just try and relax and unwind after such a busy weekend...... pity the Archdeacons visit coincided with such a happy event though. Seems like he was given food for thought and I hope he listens and acts accordingly....... time will tell.

Morning has broken
Like the first morning.
Blackbird has spoken
Like the first bird.
Praise for the singing!
Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing
Fresh from the Word.

A crisp and cool autumnal day this morning. Makes you feel full of energy and raring to go :-) :-)

Good morning my friends. I am a little late this morning because I overslept a little....I wonder why? :-D


Here are some words for today:


God's Steppingstones

An aching heart is but a steppingstone
To greater joy than you've ever known,
For things that cause the heart to ache
Until you think that it must break,
Become the strength by which we climb
To higher heights that are sublime,
And feel the radiance of God's smiles
When we have soared above life's trials.


So when you're overwhelmed with fears
And all your hopes are drenched in tears,
Think not that life has been unfair
And given you too much to bear.
For God has chosen you because,
With all your weaknesses and flaws,
He feels that you are worthy of
The greatness of His wondrous love.

So welcome every stumbling block
And every thorn and jagged rock;
For each one is a steppingstone
To God, who wants you for His own.
For discipline in daily duty
Will shape your life for deeper beauty;
And as you grow in strength and grace,
The clearer you can see God's face;
And on the steppingstones of strife,
You reach at last eternal life.

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~


Hope you all have a good day......Cx :-)