General Chat

Good morning :-)


Oh my! We had such a wonderful day yesterday. People who go to church are often mocked or ridiculed for whatever reason and often, in complete ignorance. Yesterday, we were surrounded and spoilt by our church family....ordinary men and women who have chosen to follow the Christian faith.

They had decorated the church as for a wedding.

The bellringers gave up their Saturday afternoon off - to ring the bells.

Those who help with our lunch club provided a buffet fit for a king - not your church hall sandwich, cake and cup of tea type of buffet, but an amazing spread of salads, cold meats, rices and savouries, not to mention the cakes and trifles which followed!

The choir gave up their Saturday off - to augment the singing.

A guy who has recently started his own painting and decorating business made a wedding cake - a replica of the original one we had at our wedding - 3 tiers, the lot!

Our young female churchwarden - a highly qualified pharmacist - sorted out all the technical stuff we needed to show a powerpoint and a dvd.

The clergy - one Anglican, one Roman Catholic, and the whole congregation, were loving, supportive and happy.

OH managed to cope with it very well, which surprised us all! I feel as though I am floating on a cloud filled with faith and love.


For today :

The Collect (Special prayer)

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The gospel reading tells the story of the woman who had been haemorrhaging for 12 years.

I feel slightly mangled :-D

Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello


Former cabinet minister and MP, Mr Jonathan Aitken, who was jailed for 18 months in 1999, has become a prison chaplain.


Mr Aitken was sent to prison for perjury and perverting the course of justice.
Whilst there, he found his calling and helped other prisoners to read and write.


Later, he took a degree in theology.

He will be based at St Matthew's Church Westminster and will work as an unpaid prison chaplain.

May Rev Johnathan Aitken be blessed with peace and hope as he carried out his duties.

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Take gentle care
Best wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Cynthia, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your hubby as you renew your vows
Such a special time for you both and for all your family and friends to be a part of. xxx

Beyond all things put on love which is the perfect gift of unity. (Colossians 3 v 14).

Good morning :-)

Awww thank you very much for your good wishes. Yesterday was relatively quiet but the fun begins later as we hold a special service to re-affirm our marriage vows at 3.00pm. It is an open occasion and I have no idea how many will turn up, but I do know there have been lots of 'mutterings' at church :-D I am hoping that one of my bridesmaids will be able to come - we haven't met for over 49 years :-D


For today :

Happiness is something we create in our mind,
it’s not something you search for and seldom find.
It’s just waking up and beginning the day,
by counting our blessings and kneeling to pray.
It’s giving up thoughts that breed discontent,
and accepting what comes as a gift “heaven-sent”.
It’s giving up whining for things we have not.
It’s knowing that life is determined for us,
and pursuing our tasks
without fret, fume or fuss.
For it’s by completing
what God gives us to do,
that we find real contentment,
and happiness too.
- Helen Steiner Rice

Love to all. Cx :-)

Cynthia and OH, I hope you have a wonderful day as you renew your vows and celebrate with your family <3

Congratulations to you both xxx

Welcome to the Over 50 Club :-)


We both hope you have a wonderful day today, and then another tomorrow when you renew your vows with family and friends xxxxx

Congratulations Cynthia and husband on your anniversary. x
May the years ahead bring you joy and happiness.

Cynthia and husband....... Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary.

I hope that you share a wonderful day and have many blessings in the years ahead. xx

Many congratulations, Cynthia and husband, on your special day. I am sure you have many happy memories of the past 50 years and I wish you joy in the future. God bless

Congratulations to you both on this very special day.

How lovely to celebrate by renewal of your vows and spend time with your family.

I wish you continuing happiness and contentment.

Good morning :-)


Today is our Golden Wedding Anniversary - I hope you don't mind if I share our wedding hymn with you :-)


Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!


Tomorrow we are celebrating with a Renewal of Vows in church and a buffet afterwards. Family will come back to our home for a good chat.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Lord, teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence, and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.
As I enjoy Your creation in these summer days, create in me
a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you for that lovely prayer Elizabeth - very fitting <3

Oh Vera, I love thunderstorms.....and I see your grandson is doing you proud again! <3


Lord, thank you for the holiday season and the increased time many can spend with their family and friends. Bless those who cannot go on holiday for whatever reason, that they may enjoy a more casual pace of life. Draw us close to you this summer. Amen.

Love to all Cx :-)

Dear All

Hello

This is a fitting prayer for the Football World Cup:


"A Prayer for the World Cup"

Lord of all the nations,

who played the cosmos into being,

guide, guard and protect all who work

or play in the World Cup.


May all find in this competition a source of celebration

an experience of common humanity and a growing attitude

of generous sportsmanship to others"

Amen.

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Take gentle care
With love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Amen to your prayer of thanks Cynthia.

It’s a lovely day again and we are blessed to live in such a temperate climate in such a beautiful world.

I have just been checking the weather in Patras in Greece as grandson is there with the GB team competing in the European Youth Archery Championships. The forecast is for heavy thunderstorms over the next few days! Should I send him gum boots and a sou’wester? :-D

Good morning :-)

Oh my word, it's hot out there!

Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!
Thank you for the warmth of the sun
and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty I see all around me
and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation. Amen.

Cx

Good morning :-)


Oh what glorious weather...……………..some will be on holiday, some will be resting at home....but whatever you are doing, take time to relax and enjoy life.


Take time to claim your strength; this is a gift from God.
Take time to have fun; it is God’s way of teaching you your strengths.
Take time to grow yourself; only you can grow you. Take time to trust yourself; God trusts you.
Take time to be self-reliant; it is better than being dependent.
Take time to share with others; they will bless you and you will bless them.
Take time to have hope; you are a child of God.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Today is the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist.

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Saviour by the preaching of repentance: lead us to repent according to his preaching, and after his example constantly to speak the truth, boldly to rebuke vice, and patiently to suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


Its going to be a glorious day!


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you Joy. Yes, Winnie is a clever old bear...…. :-)


"If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together,
Keep me in your heart, I will stay there forever".


Lord, we think of those who are sad because of the loss of a loved one. Surround them with your love and bring them peace. Amen.


Cx :-)

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"”




May all I do today begin with you, O Lord.
Plant dreams and hopes within my soul,
revive my tired spirit:
be with me today.

May all I do today continue with your help, O Lord.
Be at my side and walk with me:
Be my support today.

May all I do today reach far and wide, O Lord.
My thoughts, my work, my life:
make them blessings for your kingdom;
let them go beyond today,

O God Today is new unlike any other day,
for God makes each day different.
Today God's everyday grace falls on my soul like abundant seed,
though I may hardly see it.

Today is one of those days Jesus promised to be with me,
a companion on my journey,
And my life today, if I trust him,
has consequences unseen.
My life has a purpose.

"I have a mission...
"I am a link in a chain,
a bond of connection between persons.
God has not created me for naught...
Therefore I will trust him.
Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away.
God does nothing in vain.

"He knows what he is about."

(Author: J. H. Newman)