General Chat

Good morning :-)


For many years, pubs are places where people have gathered to enjoy food and drink in the company of others.

Lord, we pray for those who are landlords and responsible for the smooth running of our local pubs. Help them to be dutiful in their service and welcoming in their hospitality. May those who enter their doors find friendship and refreshment and remember to be responsible in their drinking. Amen.


Brrr.....its chilly here today........love to all Cx :-)

Hello all

We have much to thank the NHS for. We give thanks for the dedication and kindness given at all visits, where staff are clearly overworked but still manage to smile at us.

Thinking of all who are in need of prayerful support today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today we think of those in the field of medicine who live and work in our community.

We pray for all doctors, nurses and dentists as they strive to take care of our health and wellbeing.

May they be blessed with expertise, sensitivity and patience in their dealings with those in pain or despair and with compassion to those facing death. Amen


Remembering those who have asked for prayer Cx :-)

Pray for the teachers of the faith, both past and present.
Remember evangelists, people of vision who have started Christian Movements.
Pray for the present Missionaries and their families who face danger each day.

Good morning :-)

Dear me.....my computer decided it needed to update, do a dance, cook lunch and 101 other things besides.............grrrrrrrr Anyway, I am here now! :-D


For today:

We pray for the schools in our community.

Bless the teachers as they endeavour to teach and educate the children in their care.

May they be given patience and understanding ..... stamina and enthusiasm as they face each day.

In return, may the pupils respect their teachers and be willing and helpful students.

We pray that bullying may be banished and good work encouraged.


Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello all

An interesting thread Cynthia. We live in a village that has an abundance of shops!
Many of the small family run businesses have sadly had to end through one thing or another, although there is a newsagents and a gardening/pet shop and both are run by 3rd generation and it's always pleasant to buy items and have a little chat too.

Heavenly Father

We pray for all who work in small shops and in large supermarkets.
Bless them all with happy days and pleasant company each day.
Amen

Good morning :-)


Continuing our look round at the communities where we live.......

Lord, we pray for the shops in our community.

For those who open early and close late in order to serve us.

For those shops which have been handed down from generation to generation and those who have recently opened.

For the shops where we buy food to feed us, clothes to clothe us, comforts for our homes and holidays to help us relax.

Bless them in their work and may their dealings with both employee and customer always be honest and fair.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

So glad that your husband was able to be with you in church Cynthia. He is obviously very well thought of to be given so many hugs and kisses. It will have made his day!

We are blessed to live in a road with kind and caring neighbours, although this hasn't always been the case over the years.

I often "prayer walk" which is simply walking the streets and silently praying for the homes that I pass, the people in the houses and any worries that they might have.

Loving our neighbour means helping those in need, even if they do not live near us

Praying for the true ultimate neighbour spirit in the flooded areas, help one another..
Praying for the rescue teams, police, fireman, river and water management workers

Good morning :-)

My OH has had a few better days lately so we made it to church reasonably easily. As usual, he was hugged and kissed and fussed over......by both men and women! :-D

For this week, I thought we could take a look at our community - the people we meet and the places we go.

'Love your neighbour as yourself'.

Father, please use me to be an example of your love among my neighbours.

Help me to be more like you so that I become more effective in helping them come to know you.

Lord, please let me see my street transformed, as people turn to you.

Help me to look for situations where I can do good for others, whether at home or at work.

Help me not to tire of trying to be a good neighbour, especially when I face rejection.

Give me strength to keep persevering, and guide me to the people who need my help the most.

Amen.


Thinking of all those who have 'difficult' neighbours. Cx :-)

Hello all

"When you arise in the morning,
think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive,
to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."

Prophetic words written by Marcus Aurelius.

Hoping everyone will have a happy day today. xxx

Good morning :-)


Today, we celebrate the Baptism of Christ and, oddly enough, we do not have any baptisms in church today. :-S


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Heavenly Father,
at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:
may we recognise Him as our Lord
and know ourselves to be your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.


Love to all Cx :-)

Thanks Cynthia. Life does indeed throw lots of challenges to us all each day.
How blessed to feel that we are never left alone in dark and troubled times.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
Give thanks in all circumstances;
For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
First Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Remembering people who feel alone this night. xxx

Good morning :-)


I think many folk will relate to this prayer......


Whatever the New Year has in store,
Remember there's always a good reason for
Everything that comes into our life.
For even in times of struggle and strife,
If we but lift our eyes above
We see "our cross" as a "gift of love."

For things that cause the heart to ache
Until we feel that it must break,
Become the strength by which we climb
To higher heights that are sublime.
So welcome every stumbling block
And every thorn and jagged rock;
For each one is a stepping-stone
To a fuller life than we've ever known;
And in the radiance of God's smiles
We learn to soar above life's trials.
So let us accept what the New Year brings,
Seeing the hand of God in all things,
And as we grow in strength and grace
The clearer we can see God's face.


Praying that those who are sleepless may find rest tonight. Cx :-)

Hello all

New boiler in place and up and running, so we are cozy and warm here now.

As evening approaches I will share this prayer today. It will help me to relax through the night and I hope it may help others like me, who aren't sleeping very well now.

May the Holy Trinity
encircle you throughout this night.

May the Heavenly Father
enfold you in his arms.

May Jesus Christ
save you from all harm.

May the Holy Spirit
guide you through the night.

That you may wake up fresh
in the morning light. (Gavin Ellis).
Amen.

Good morning



Brrr.....hope your boiler is soon fixed kandj.....we take so much for granted I agree.


As we draw to the end of our thoughts on the arrival of the Three Kings, we offer this prayer…..



Lord Jesus
may your light shine our way,
as once it guided the steps of the magi:
that we too may be led into your presence
and worship you,
the Child of Mary,
the Word of the Father,
the King of nations,
the Saviour of mankind;
to whom be glory for ever.
- Frank Colquhoun


Cx :-)

Hello all

A dark rainy day here. We have no heating as our gas boiler is being replaced today.
How easily we have become used to modern day heating and a warm home. We have been thinking of the poor people who have been badly affected by the floods.

Heavenly Father
We pray for those who are affected by the floods and face destruction in their homes and livelihood. Give daily strength to everyone and to those working to bring relief.
Amen.

Good morning :-)


Hi Pat, it sounds as though it could get quite noisy at this time of year in your village. :-D

I love church bells, but the one note chime can sound very solemn and reminds me of funerals.

For today...

The Three Kings presented the Christ child with three famous gifts……….gold, frankincense and myrrh. Why?

Gold is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in flesh.

Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, comparable to a burnt offering.

Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Lovely to have others pop in and share kind words and traditions of today Epiphany.

Many years ago hubby and I spent Christmas/New Year in Spain and 6th January was Epiphany and great excitement and celebrations all day long, from church bells ringing out early mornings until firework displays into the late evening. Wonderful day..

"We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar"

May the light of the shining star, brighten your days, always. xxx

Today is Epiphany and a holiday here.

This is the religious part of Christmas for the Orthodox church. Some people have a meat free diet for weeks and today is when this stops. I do believe it's 40 days and 50 days for Lent.

The bells were ringing at 7am, I could hear the 2 churches in the village plus the next village's church. They were all ringing again, around 7.30 at the end of the service. I was walking the dog as they all started up the second time. It's not like the beautiful bells of UK, just a one note clanging.

There will be lots of feasting later.

Good morning :-)


Thank you Elizabeth, and it's so nice to see you popping in <3


Well!

They've arrived!

They've made it!

After an incredibly long journey, these educated, wealthy and influential men have finally found the king they have been searching for. They have travelled many miles through various landscapes - undergone hardships and dangers and now they approach the long promised Christ child.


We come like the magi, as wise and as foolish men and women to kneel before the Christ child. We bring our regrets from the past year, our shame, our guilt, acknowledging our failures and ready to begin afresh.


With my love, Cx :-)