General Chat

Good morning :-)

It's good to know that your spirits are lifting Vera.......a new baby can cheer even the saddest of times. I bet there were plenty of cuddles all round <3 I love the adaptation of Fishers of Men. That's now going to stick with me whenever I hear it next :-D :-D


Aspects of Lent – traditions and symbols

ALMSGIVING: donating gifts of money, food or time to help those less fortunate

Almsgiving is a traditional practice during Lent. Almsgiving refers to giving money or goods to the needy. Jesus assumed that people would give alms because he told them to do it in secret. He did not say, ”IF you give alms.” Rather He said, “WHEN you give alms.” St. Paul admonishes us to be a cheerful giver. St. James tells us that our faith is proved by our almsgiving to the needy. Almsgiving is not an option; it is a necessity for a person who claims to follow Jesus. Almsgiving is seen as a way to express compassion, generosity, and a sense of social responsibility towards individuals or communities facing financial difficulties or hardship.

LORD, open my hand wider so that a bit more of my plenty may escape to help those more in need than I. Amen

Cx :-)

Hello all

Happy St David's Day to all our GR friends.

Vera, I hope having cuddles with your great granddaughter helped with your sadness. How quickly the 6 months have passed by.

Cynthia, I second Vera's thanks for all the very interesting Lenten postings this week.

Thank you for your posts during Lent Cynthia. I have been enjoying them. It has been good to be reminded of some things I already knew but had forgotten and to learn one or two new things. For instance I knew, of course, that the fish was an early Christian symbol and I knew that the Greek name for it was ichthus but I never knew that the letters of the word stood for anything special.

I also smiled at today's post remembering how as children we would sing the Fishers of Men chorus with the words "I will make you vicious old men". It seems very irreverent now but as children we just thought it was funny.

Like many others, our life is still one of ups and downs but I do think that the ups are beginning to outnumber the downs at last so something to be grateful for. The end of February saw the 50th anniversary of my mother's death and the 18th anniversary of my father's and I always feel a little down then. They both died around my birthday which was last weekend but this year grandson brought his partner and beautiful 6 month old baby daughter to see us and this weekend one of my granddaughters is coming. As they all live in Yorkshire it is quite a trek for them and I feel very blessed to have such a good and loving family and very sad for anyone who is estranged from their family.

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent. Traditions and symbols

FISH:
A fish is a symbol of Lent because, for some Christians, all Fridays during Lent are meatless days. In medieval times, meat was not eaten at all during Lent. Early Christians used a fish as a symbol of Christ because the letters of the Greek word for fish (ichthus) formed the first letters of the phrase “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour.”
After the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus told Peter, James, and John, “From now on, you will be catching men.” So each Christian is symbolically one of those fish caught in God’s net and hauled into the Kingdom.

LORD, You are my God and my All. Catch me in Your net and take me home. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – traditions and symbols

HOT CROSS BUNS:
Those of a certain age will remember this: “Hot Cross Buns, Hot Cross Buns, One ha’penny, Two ha’penny, Hot Cross Buns! If you have no daughters, Give them to your son. One ha’penny, Two ha’penny, Hot Cross Buns.”

Once only available at Easter time, these tasty buns are now available all year round but they are, in fact, a Lenten tradition with quite a history. For example, in 1582 London, cross buns were temporarily banned because they were believed to have supernatural qualities, along the lines of warding off evil and curing illnesses. 10 years later, Queen Elizabeth had banned them entirely, unless for funerals and, of course, Good Friday.

Traditionally, the bun marks the end of the Christian season of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial and sometimes also orange peel to reflect the bitterness of his time on the cross.

LORD, may I follow You in Your suffering and passion so that I may taste the sweetness of eternity with You. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent – traditions and symbols

THE PRETZEL:

Pretzels? Yes. Pretzels. It is said that the bread from which pretzels were originally made, way back in the early Middle Ages, was a simple recipe of only flour, water, and salt. This was used during Lent when Christians were not permitted to eat eggs, lard, or any dairy products.
An Italian monk, teaching children in Northern Italy, is said to have made these little biscuits and called them pretiola or 'little rewards', to reward children for learning their prayers. He is said that he made the treats with little arms forming the 'knot', to resemble the arms of the children when they were crossed over the chest in prayer.

LORD, may I spend much time in prayer and penance and may my Lent be fruitful. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – traditions and symbols

Some churches may have a display of rocks out during Lent.
Why rocks?

Rocks are symbols of Lent for many reasons. Jesus foiled Satan’s temptation to change rocks into bread before beginning His ministry.

Jesus fasted and prayed in the desert which, in Israel, is a rocky, arid region. Jesus called St. Peter the “rock” when He said, “On this rock [Peter] I will build my Church.” Rocks are cold and unyielding. Scripture tells us that we need to exchange our stony hearts for hearts of flesh—in other words, our unfeeling spirit needs to become one that is soft and pliable, able to soothe, comfort, and love others.

LORD, You are the foundation of my life. Without You, my life is barren, cold, and lifeless, as unyielding as a rock. Soften my hard heart with Your grace. Make it a welcoming dwelling place for Your Spirit. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – traditions and symbols
It’s interesting to discover that, throughout the Christian church, there are different traditions and symbols used during Lent.
We have already had the use of ashes on Ash Wednesday, and we’ve looked at the 5 different colours which are used during this season.

Praying Hands
Praying hands are a common symbol of Lent and prayer in general. In popular depictions of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see His hands clasped in prayer.

Lent is a time for reflection, evaluation and repentance. Through prayer we communicate with God, express our love and ask for forgiveness. Time given to prayer during Lent allows us to draw closer to God.

LORD, help me to pray more and better. May my prayers be united with those of the saints and angels, and may they be heard by You. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty God,
you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant to all those who are admitted
into the fellowship of Christ’s religion,
that they may reject those things
that are contrary to their profession,
and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent - Feast then Fast

Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – Colours of Lent
Red: Importance

Red is often the colour associated with martyrs of the faith, those who gave their lives over to the Lord. Red can symbolize the Passion of our Lord who gave His life for us and is often used on Palm Sunday. Later, it invariably marks the feast day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down and filled Jesus’s followers as it fills us, giving us the power and strength to do what we might never have thought we could do.

Red is the colour of the stop sign or that red light that makes us stop and keeps order on our roads. A red-letter day marks a day of some importance and significance in our lives. Red in Lent helps us to remember what was and what is, important in our Christian lives.

Our Father, today please lead me in all I say and do. Whenever I fall out of step from your will, draw me back. Lead me to repent and try again. Guide me with the light of your love now and always. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – Colours of Lent

Yellow: The Light Within

We are nothing without the warmth and golden light of the sun, waking us up in the morning, following us through the day, dropping over the horizon at day’s end, God with us always. Yellow is that God-given hue that when mixed with blue forms green or mixed with red becomes orange. It is the very light within.

In our Lenten meditations, we stop whatever we are doing at different times during the day and connect directly to God who is always there to connect to us. Like the sun. There’s nothing soft about yellow. It is strong, life-giving, life-sustaining. With Lent you see how each moment is golden, not to be missed.

Almighty and ever-living God,
you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent – Colours of Lent

Blue: Reflection

Lent is a time of deep reflection. When we offer ourselves up to the Lord in contemplative prayer, it is common to tap into sorrow and sometimes painful memories. We see our dark side. We remember our losses. We can be smitten with unexpected sadness. We find ourselves singing “the blues,” literally. But that very process is a letting go. We feel God’s forgiveness. The very singing of the blues becomes a way of healing. The clouds disappear. The blue skies open up. The air shimmers. Blue becomes crystal clear vision.

God Almighty, I thank you that in prayer I leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter your realm, where everything is possible – nothing is beyond your power or your reach. Nothing is too great for your almighty power, and nothing too small for your love. I thank you for being God of the impossible. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent - The colours of Lent

Purple: God’s Love

Purple has always been the liturgical colour associated with Lent, when ministers of God wear purple vestments and the altars where we worship are often decorated with purple cloth. Purple has long been the colour linked with royalty and nobility. Why? Because it was especially expensive to produce, made from thousands of mollusc shells. Only the rich could afford it. If the kings could wear it, shouldn’t it be appropriate for the King of Kings?
God came down to Earth and was reborn in Jesus as we become reborn in Him. Purple then becomes a link to what God put in our reach.

Our Father, today please lead me in all I say and do. Whenever I fall out of step from your will, draw me back. Lead me to repent and try again. Guide me with the light of your love now and always. Amen


Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your morning prayer Cynthia.

The snowdrops, miniature daffs, and crocus that I planted in Autumn are in flower and looking pretty.

There was a baptism service in church yesterday, and it felt good to have so many people there.

A bright but chilly day, take care and stay well all.

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent
The colours of Lent, often seen in church with vestments and altar frontals

Green: New Life

The very word “Lent” means spring and as the cool of winter fades, we look for all the green signs that the season of hope and redemption is at hand. The grass comes up, the leaves slowly burst forth on the trees. Bulbs that we planted in the autumn, digging deep into the earth, push up and show their true colours. As we pray in Lent, we are looking to be fertilised and watered with God’s wonderful love. We are not green with envy, we are green with new life.

Lord of All, life is a journey full of stumbling blocks and challenges. With each hurdle, there is growth. With each setback, a valuable lesson. Lord, I ask that You give me the wisdom and presence of mind to learn from my mistakes and pitfalls. Help me to approach these things with maturity so that I can be closer to You. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


This morning, many churches may be celebrating World Thinking Day when we think of the 10 million girls all over the world who are joined together in this great organisation.

The Collect (special prayer) for today
Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
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 :-)

Hello all

A lovely old traditional hymn for Lent Cynthia.
Perhaps we might sing it in church tomorrow??

A cold and wet weekend forecast, keep warm and stay safe everybody.

Good morning :-)


This is a slightly updated version of one of the favourite hymns of Lent - it helps to explain the biblical reason for fasting during these next few weeks. It takes us on the journey.

Forty days and forty nights
You were fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.

Shall not we your sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with you to suffer pain?

Then if Satan on us
Flesh or spirit to assail,
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fail!

So shall we have peace divine;
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as served You faithfully.

Keep, O keep us, Saviour dear,
Ever constant by your side,
That with you we may appear
At th'eternal Eastertide.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – giving up or adding

Often, when we ask ourselves, “What should I give up for Lent?” we might instead ask, “What can I add to my routine and life that would let me help others, strengthen my faith, and better myself?” Starting a new habit to bring us closer to God while bettering the lives of others and/or ourselves in preparation for Easter. So, maybe….

Give up sleep and use this extra time in the morning for prayer or bible reading.

Give up using your phone at night. Instead, limit your screen time before bed and use that extra time to connect with loved ones, read a spiritual book, or simply reflect on your day in prayer.

Only spend what is strictly necessary such as food and bills – this helps to show the difference between needs and wants.

Lord Jesus Christ, by your almighty power, you opened the eyes of the blind and showed yourself to them. Turn our eyes away from worthless things, and lead us to love you sincerely. Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Cx :-)