General Chat

Good morning :-)

Oops! I missed yesterday - apologies. It was one of those days...... :-S



Father, clear my sleepy head and fill my mind with expectation Awake my slow body and energise my heart with love in action. Ignite my spirit and set this day on fire with promise. Make the ordinary extraordinary. Engage me, show me your kingdom alive Help me to see that every waking moment Is full of promise because of you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Prayers go up and blessings come down.
May you all sleep peacefully this night.
Sweet dreams.

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today.
Almighty Father,
you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification:
grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness
that we may always serve you
in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son 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.

The Gospel today is the story of Doubting Thomas

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


An Easter Prayer

God, give us eyes to see
the beauty of the Spring,
And to behold Your majesty
in every living thing.

And may we see in lacy leaves
and every budding flower
The Hand that rules the universe
with gentleness and power.

And may this Easter grandeur
that Spring lavishly imparts
Awaken faded flowers of faith
Luing dormant in our hearts.

And give us ears to hear, dear God
the Springtime song of birds
With messages more meaningful
than man’s often empty words.

Telling harried human beings
who are lost in dark despair
‘Be like us and do not worry
for God has you in his care.’

- By Helen Steiner Rice

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I think we're singing that hymn on Sunday kandj :-D


After Easter

An interesting way of praying is by reading a bible passage and imagining that you are there at the time. One story which really lends itself to this is when, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared on the beach whilst the disciples were out fishing.

Think of the splashing of the waves, the cool breeze and the smell of the fish cooking, Imagine how you felt when you realise that the man by the flames is Jesus – whom you saw nailed to a cross just a few days ago.

In this story, we are reminded of the way we continually turn away from Jesus, forgetting his love and power as we are consumed with our jobs, families, possessions, and so much more, and yet he’s always there to call us back and forgive us and provide us with an abundance.

Cx :-)

Hello All

Haven't heard of Bright Week, thank you.

Shine Jesus shine,
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze Spirit blaze,
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow river flow,
Fill the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word Lord, and
Let there be light.

Bright thoughts to share with all who pop in.

Good morning :-)


It seems that the week after Easter is also known as ‘Bright Week’. It is called this because of the light that Jesus brought into the world.
– one lives and learns.

Let your light shine.
As your light shines on others, the love of Jesus shines on you.
So encourage those who are weak.
Strengthen the faint-hearted.
See the good.
See the possibilities.
See the opportunity
To say a kind word.

Then love the Lord.
Avoid evil.
Condemn no one.
Give blessings to all.
Keep the faith
As you see and know it.
For as your light shines on others,
The love of Jesus shines on you.
- Ken Pilcher.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

After the resurrection……………

Who hasn’t doubted things at times? Most of us have doubts about one thing or another. The most famous of ‘doubters’ was, of course, Thomas……..

Thomas is famously known for doubting Jesus’ resurrection, telling the other disciples, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” Jesus then appeared and offered to let him do just that.

Upon seeing Jesus in the flesh with his own eyes (and possibly touching the wounds), Thomas proclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus responded with one of the most powerful and prophetic statements about faith in all of Scripture: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”

“Doubting Thomas,” evolved into a term for anyone who needs proof before they believe something.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The days leading up to Easter each have their own special significance as, indeed, do the days afterwards. They are all well known in their own way but it’s sometimes good to remind ourselves………..

Enjoying a meal, sitting around a table with family and friends, we relax and chatter. Suddenly, something comes up in conversation which has been puzzling us but, finally, ‘the penny drops’.

Jesus miraculously appears to two men while they are walking to Emmaus a small village that was roughly seven miles from Jerusalem. He scolds them for not believing what the prophets foretold regarding the Messiah, then explains to them all the Biblical verses that related to him.

The two men do not realize whom they are talking with until they all sit to eat. The moment 'their eyes were opened' and, when they realized it was Jesus they were talking with, he vanished from their sight!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you Gwyn, that is much appreciated. <3



An Easter Promise

If we but had the eyes to see
God's face in every cloud,
If we but had the ears to hear
His voice above the crowd,
If we could feel His gentle touch
In every Springtime breeze
And find a haven in His arms
'Neath sheltering, leafy trees...
If we could just lift up our hearts
Like flowers to the sun
And trust His Easter Promise
And pray, "Thy will be done",
We'd find the peace we're seeking,
The kind no man can give,
The peace that comes from knowing
He died so we might live!

- Helen Steiner Rice.


Cx :-)

Happy Easter Cynthia and everyone looking in.

Thank you Cynthia for your faithful service to this thread, especially your reflections during Lent.

Wishing you all a very special day. <3

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELULIA!

Wishing you, your family and everyone in your home, a very happy and blessed Easter.

The Collect (special prayer) for today :
Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity. Amen.

Cx :-)

I agree kandj about the words of Fulton J Sheen. I think they will stay with me.

I also like the piece Cynthia posted today. You’ve certainly made me think a bit with your Lent and Holy Week postings Cynthia. Thank you.

Hello all

I like the words by Fulton J Sheen..... worthy of repeating:

"Unless there is Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday".

"Spring adds new life and new joy to all that is."
(Jessica Harrelson).

Sending good wishes to all on this Holy Saturday.

And here we are.......saying "if only", mumuring "surely not"
counting the cost for once of our carelessness
and our lovelessness and our sin.
In trying so vainly to have it all,
we have lost the one who found us.
with the saints of all time,
we wait,
for only you can tell
whether we are worth rising for...........

Fulton J. Sheen
"Unless there is Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday."

Good morning :-)

Today is Maundy Thursday - the day when we remember Jesus and his disciples at what is known as The Last Supper. A poignant day for Christians. Many churches will hold a service of Holy Communion tonight. This service may end with the altar being stripped of all cloths and items and left completely bare. This reminds us of the starkness of what is to come.

SCRIPTURE Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” -Mt 26:36-39

REFLECTION This is the night of the Passover meal. For the Passover, the people are instructed to consume the sacrificial lamb as well as 4 cups of wine. Christ changes the Passover, he institutes the Eucharist at the Last Supper, a new feast of remembrance for us all to partake in. And He and the apostles leave for the Garden of Gethsemane after having only 3 cups of wine.
Jesus prays in the Garden for the cup to pass, the fourth cup, his death. The Passover is not complete until the Lamb is sacrificed and all four cups are consumed. The crucifixion has to happen.

PRAYER Lord, you entered into this world knowing you would suffer and die. For each of us. For me. Help me to remember that. Each time I am tempted towards sin, help me to remember that my sin nailed you to the Cross. Thank you Lord, for your sacrifice, for saving me from sin, and for giving me new life. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Wednesday of Holy Week

SCRIPTURE “Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.” -Mk 14:10-11

REFLECTION While the apostles are preparing for the Passover meal, Judas walks away from them and meets with the Pharisees and hands Jesus over in exchange for 30 pieces of silver.
The plot to kill Jesus is set, all Judas has to do is find the right time and place to execute the plan.
And on Holy Thursday, at the Last Supper, Jesus will share with the Twelve that one of them will betray Him. And Judas does. He betrays Jesus with a kiss. And he will come to realize the error of his ways, the truth of what he did, and the blood that is on his hands.

PRAYER Lord, it is so easy right now to turn away from you. To turn towards the TV or social media or the news and make that my god instead. Help me Lord, to remember Judas, who betrayed you in his sinfulness and brokenness. Help me to overcome the moments where I am tempted like Judas to betray you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Vera it sounds like you and your OH have enjoyed a special time away for your Diamond Anniversary..... making even more happy memories together.

Tomorrow our village church is hosting a Confirmation service..... I am excited!!!

Good morning :-)

Tuesday of Holy Week
SCRIPTURE: “The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs.
And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it.” (Mk 11:12-14)

REFLECTION : Here, the apostles and Jesus cross a fig tree and Jesus curses it. It seems really weird and random, but there’s more to it than the text says.
The Jewish people believed that the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, the Tree Adam and Eve ate from, was a fig tree, because after they had eaten from it, they clothed themselves in fig leaves. By cursing the fig tree, Jesus is demonstrating for the apostles how he, the New Adam, is going to redeem the actions of the first Adam.
Where Adam causes all of humanity to inherit sin, Jesus, the New Adam, wins salvation for all of humanity.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to overcome my sinfulness. In this time of anxiety and fear, in this time where I feel isolated, help me to turn to you for help and away from the temptation to sin. The temptation to place other things before you. The temptation to watch another episode of TV instead of entering into prayer. The temptation to be angry with my family or with this situation. Whatever temptations are placed before me, help me to turn away from them and to turn towards you. Amen


Cx :-)