General Chat

Thank you again Cynthia for your posts.
Always a daily visit for me x

Good morning :-)

Almost through our Lenten journey.....

Help us today, O God, to examine the level of our faith - to look seriously at our resistance to talk about the Cross and about sacrifice; and to consider in prayer our reluctance to give up the things of this world - to risk our reputations, our comfort, and our security for the sake of following you - for the sake of witnessing to you - for the sake of obeying you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I apologise for not appearing yesterday, but I was without internet - my laptop had an update which threw it out of kilter. Thanks to a kind tekkie friend, I am now sorted! :-D



The Collect (special prayer) for today

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
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.


The gospel tells of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus.


Cx :-)

Good morning...... :-)


As we journey through Lent.....

I haven't got a lot of riches
and sometimes the going's tough
but I've got a friend in Jesus
and that makes me rich enough
I thank God for his blessings
and the mercies he's bestowed
I’m drinking from my saucer
because my cup has overflowed

I remember times when things
went wrong
my faith wore somewhat thin
but all at once the dark clouds broke
and sun peeped through again
so lord, help me not to gripe
about the tough rows that I've hoed
I'm drinking from my saucer
because my cup has overflowed

If God gives me strength and courage
when the way grows steep and rough
I'll not ask for other blessings
I'm already blessed enough
and may I never be too busy
to help others bear their loads
then I'll keep drinking from my saucer
" because my cup has overflowed!"



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Loving and merciful God,
I am so aware of my sins and weaknesses.
But as painfully aware of my faults as I am,
Let me also remember your tender love,
your gentle and limitless forgiveness.
I come before you filled with pain and guilt
but look into your eyes and see the forgiving love
I so long for in my life.
Help me to forgive the same way.
Teach me to love as you love. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Dear Vera, what a time you are having to be sure. I do hope that your brother's health improves soon. Thank you for the hug.....much appreciated... <3

Hot Cross buns.

A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun made with currants or raisins and marked with a cross on the top, traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and India. As such, they mark the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus and the spices inside reminding Christians "of the spices put on the body of Jesus."

In many historically Christian countries, the buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the crucifixion.

According to food historian Elizabeth David, the buns were seen by Protestant English monarchs as a dangerous hold over of Catholic belief in England, being baked from the consecrated dough used in making the communion wafer.

Protestant England attempted to ban the sale of the buns by bakers but they were too popular, and instead Elizabeth I passed a law permitting bakeries to sell them, but only at Easter and Christmas. Nowadays, of course, they are on sale all year round.

Prayers for making of the Hot Cross buns

As you stir the mixture: Thank you Jesus that you came into the world and stirred things up so that people thought about what really mattered.

As you lay the cross on top of the bun: Thank you Jesus for coming to save us by dying on a cross and taking the punishment for the bad things I do.

As they go in the oven: Thank you that, although you were buried in a tomb, you rose three days later and you are still alive today.

As you eat a hot cross bun: Thank you Lord Jesus for giving me all I need to live a life following you. Amen.


Cx :-)

Oh dear Cynthia, I do hope your days are getting a bit less hectic. I appreciate you finding time to keep the thread going. Here’s sending you a gentle, soothing hug <3

We have also had a bit of a week of it. We had the funeral of a friend, who lived a considerable distance from us, so a lot of travelling at an upsetting time and then my brother has had yet another major operation, this time in a hospital in London. He was discharged into the care of his local medical team last night so after an early lunch we are going to visit him at home - only 100 mile round trip this time.

I am not really moaning about this as I am very grateful for the skill and kindness of the doctors who have been looking after him. We do have much to be thankful for.

I have managed to look at the thread each day and at the interesting Lenten prayers. Thank you Cynthia.

Good morning :-)

Thanks Emma I needed that. Life has gone into hectic mode at the moment :-D

Some countries have different traditions during Lent. On the 4th Friday of Lent, Mexicans celebrate La Samaritana where people give water, ice cream and fruit to passers-by in homage to the Samaritan woman who gave Jesus water at the well.


Lord, give me the eyes to see the true spiritual thirst in the people around me.
May I see those who seek to hide from their shame in broad daylight.
Give me the opportunity today to hear the spiritual thirst in a conversation and grant me the grace to engage the person in conversation about it.
Grant me the patience to avoid the conversational detours. Amen.


Cx :-)

Cynthia, relax....now breathe in for four ..hold
breathe out for four ..hold :-D

Good morning :-)

Oh heck! Missing again yesterday..... :-( My excuse is that it was an exceedingly fraught morning....honestly! :-D

Hi Emma, lovely to see you <3


God who created me,
You offer me new life through your Son
and through the gift of your sacraments.
While I see new life all around me,
I don't always recognize the new life you offer me.
Help me to grow this Lent in an awareness
of the gifts you place in my life
and in a greater appreciation for your care.
Give me the courage to ask for help. Amen.


Cx :-)

Another week of wonderful prayers.

My thoughts and prayers for those who give their time
to help others in need.

Good morning :-)

God of Mercy and Understanding,
I know that with help
I can open my heart more fully
to the mysteries of the suffering and death
of your son.
Help me to be humble in this journey
and remember that any mercy and compassion I feel
is a gift from you.
I await the joy of Easter with new longing and patience.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


A hymn which is often sung during Lent......meaningful words. I remember someone who found difficulty in singing the words 'Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold', with honesty.

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch…


Cx :-)

Good morning :-) ~~~~~~~~~ to Rambling. :-D

Looking for ideas for Lent, I came upon the following :

Symbols in our homes.
We need to choose to let our homes be a place full of the holy things that help raise our minds and hearts to God. Our world is full of so many images that lure our minds and hearts elsewhere. Here are some symbols that will carry the ongoing meaning we give them, for us and for our families and loved ones.

Many of us may have a CROSS in our homes. If not, Lent might be a wonderful time to buy one and place it in a central place.

CANDLES are very popular, so what about a special candle in a central place in our home. Imagine praying over ‘Lord thank you for the gift of your Light in the midst of all darkness. Let this candle be a symbol of our faith in your presence among us.'

THE BIBLE. The Word is so important for us during Lent. Perhaps the prominent presence of a Bible in our home can represent for us our desire for God’s Word in our lives.

Many of us grew up in the knowledge that Lent is a time for sacrificial giving. Boxes for various good causes can be found in many homes. A BOX OR BOWL on the dining room table makes our giving very concrete and focused on solidarity with those who have so much less than ourselves.

Cx :-)

~~~~~ to Cynthia :-)

Good morning :-)

Hang on a mo whilst I clean my specs - I thought I saw our Rose in the last post. That's better, now let me look again....oh. my. word. what. a. surprise - but what a lovely surprise <3 Good morning Rambling, I certainly wasn't expecting that today <3 :-D

Thank you for the hymn - it is still sung fairly regularly at our church.

God of infinite love,
I thank you for the reminders of your love
and your call that we be more patient,
gentle and compassionate with others.
Here in the middle of Lent,
I turn to you to beg for your help.
Please soften my heart.
Help me to let go of judging others.
I ask you this, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Cx :-)

Popping in to say "hello" ( and surprise Cynthia :-) )

Hadn't heard this for a long time, but it was on Songs of praise on Sunday ( from Aberystwyth which I know quite well) and I really enjoyed hearing it again :-)

"When I needed a neighbour,
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour, were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter,
Were you there?

I was hungry and thirsty,
Were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty, were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter,
Were you there?

I was cold, I was naked,
Were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked, were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter,
Were you there?

When I needed a shelter
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter,
Were you there?

When I needed a healer,
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer, were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter,
Were you there?

Wherever you travel,
I'll be there, I'll be there.
Wherever you travel, I'll be there.
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter,
I'll be there. "

Rose xx

Good morning :-)


I suppose the word 'popular' is one way of describing it Vera but, as the Church of England stands at the moment, we have a legal duty to baptise anyone who fulfils the present criteria - living in the parish etc. We have some new housing estates going up and a lot of them seem to come from these.

Our lovely late vicar is not easily forgotten and is thought of so often by the church folk. We miss the love, encouragement and support he gave us. We miss his sense of humour and his hard work. Life is very different now. We have different clergy leading our services and their styles differ. This is unsettling to the loyal core of worshippers as we are never sure what is happening.

We continue to go through the process of being 'transformed' - an initiative from the powers that be which, whilst there are some good ideas, is causing much distress to various congregations. So very much a curate's egg I'm afraid :-(

Wittering apart.......a thought for today!

During Lent, we remember how Jesus experienced a wilderness period in his life For 40 days and 40 nights, he endured a trying period where he ate nothing and was tempted by Satan.

Reflect on times of shared wilderness experiences in your society and life.

Wilderness could represent a place of danger, chaos, confusion, uncertainty and even scarcity or drought. Do wilderness experiences provide a reality of what living really means?

People sometimes wonder whether going through the wilderness is a punishment from God, a result of poor life decisions or even at times a strategic push or guide from God to help us accomplish some greater goals in life.

What remains encouraging, is that irrespective of all the trials and tests Jesus was subjected to, he did not succumb to the ploy of the enemy. He emerged victorious. It is after this period that he launched his world-changing three-year ministry before his crucifixion.

For many the wilderness is far from metaphorical

Cx :-)

Your church seems to be very popular still Cynthia. I remember some of the stories of your old vicar and your concerns for your church when he sadly died.

I think baptism was actually taken more lightly when we were young, simply because pretty much everyone was "done" and it was taken for granted. I think people think more deeply about it now which must be a good thing. I understand parents having their child baptised or choosing to just have a church blessing or making a conscious choice to do neither. What I don't really understand is the concept of a "naming ceremony". I can't see the reason for it.

Sending a gentle hug to anyone in need of a little love <3

Good morning :-)


We continue to have baptisms at quite a rate.....four per month at the moment and we are fully booked for the year. I do not wear rose coloured specs and am well aware that there are various reasons for people for wishing to have their children baptised. We just pray that the parents and Godparents do their very best to fulfil the promises they take during the service.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; 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.

In the reading for today, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree.

Cx :-)