General Chat

Good morning :-)


What's it all about?

Since the earliest days of the Church, Christians have gathered together to bless, break and share bread and to bless and share a cup of wine in obedience to the Lord’s command, given on the night before He died, to ‘do this in remembrance of me.’ The Church of England has kept the importance of Holy Communion at the centre point of Christian living. Along with Baptism, Holy Communion is known as a ‘Sacrament ordained of Christ’.

After his resurrection, the disciples recognised Jesus as he broke bread to share with them. Each time we share the meal Jesus shared with his friends, we remember his offering of himself on the cross, we rejoice in his resurrection from the dead, and look forward to the coming of God’s Kingdom.

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Holy Communion is such a very special part of the Sunday morning service, all so very different just now to keep Covid-safe guide lines, but it's still a deeply moving moment for me and for many others.

Good morning :-)


What’s it all about?

Holy Communion takes the form of a shared meal of bread and wine, when we remember that, at the Last Supper, Jesus associated the breaking of bread and sharing of wine with his own imminent death, giving them special significance.

Due to the pandemic and when some Holy Communion services resumed, we have been offered Communion in bread only, but that is fine. Christ cannot be divided -the fullness of God’s grace is present in both of the consecrated elements.

“We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.”
“Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread”.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



What’s it all about?

Over the last 12 months, whilst we have been in the midst of a pandemic, one of the things which church people have really missed, is Holy Communion. Churches have been mostly closed and this sacrament has been denied us. What is so important about Holy Communion (Eucharist) to Christians? The Church of England tells us……..


“The Eucharist is at the heart of Christian worship. It is celebrated by Christians around the world as a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in response to his words at the final meal he shared with his disciples, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the Eucharist, God invites us to his table as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet which he has prepared for people of all nations and cultures.”


We'll have a look at what it's all about this week :-D



Cx :-)

Hello all

I watched the funeral yesterday and thought it was very moving, symbolising all that was important in Prince Philip's long life. He was thoughtful to the end in arranging every detail and so allowing his wife and family time to mourn and grieve their loss.
The Queen looked so sad and frail on her own.

Off to church now..... have a good day everyone.

Good morning :-)

I felt that yesterday's funeral for Prince Philip was a very fitting tribute to him. He had had a great deal to do with the planning etc, but even the pandemic restrictions didn't seem to detract from the whole event - apart from the Queen being on her own. As always, she set an example. May God bless all who mourn today.


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
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

Amen to your prayer for today Cynthia.

Heavenly Father,
We give thanks for the long life of Prince Philip, for all that he has brought to our nation and beyond and for his years of support towards HM our Queen.
We pray that he may rest in peace and rise in glory.
We bring before you HM our Queen and all the family who mourn, that they might be comforted and given strength to face the days and weeks ahead.
Amen.

Good morning :-)



Almighty and eternal God,
from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted,
either by death or life:
hear our prayers and thanksgivings
for the life of Prince Philip whom we remember this day;
fulfil in him the purpose of your love.
and bring us all, with him, to your eternal joy.
Grant to Her Majesty the Queen and all who mourn, a sure confidence in your fatherly care, that, casting all their grief on you, they may know the consolation of your love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

A frosty morning but the sun is trying to shine now.

Vera, the firsts of everything are hard, but keep remembering all of the special memories your brother has left you and many others.

"The smile on my face doesn't mean that my life is perfect. It means that I appreciate what I have and what God has blessed me with."
(Anonymous)

Happy Friday blessings and stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)

Thanks for your good wishes for my granddaughter Vera - and I am glad that you have enjoyed this week of smiles. <3


A week of smiles and thanksgiving.....





“The most beautiful Smile is the one that struggles through tears.”


James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”



Cx :-)

I am very much enjoying the theme of smiles this week and it is particularly appropriate for me at the moment. Saturday is my brother's birthday, the first important anniversary since his death in January. One of the things that was mentioned time and again in letters and cards of condolence was his smile with words like "He was never far from a smile". At his request we had the old Jimmy Durante song "Smile" played at his funeral.

As for grandchildren - take your eyes off them for a second and they grow up. I hope your granddaughter had a lovely birthday Cynthia and I wish her a good year to come.

Good morning :-)


It was good to be able to share some of her birthday with her this year - much better than last year! :-D


A week of smiles and thanksgiving..


The best way to share the love of God is to show people that Christians are happy people, not doom bearers.


The prophet Job expressed that even though he was suffering the most devastating time of his life he wasn’t going to wallow in it but chose to “put off his sad face and wear a smile.” (Job 9:27 NLT



Cx :-)

Hello all

I know that feeling too Cynthia as our grandson will soon be 25...those years have gone far too quickly.

Many happy returns to your granddaughter.

I'm liking the smile postings this week. Thank you.

"Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make others feel comfortable around you".
( Les Brown)

Take care and stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)


It's our granddaughter's birthday today - 23! How on earth did that happen? <3




A week of smiles and thanksgiving :




“Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you’ll start to see a big difference in your life.”

Proverbs 15:13-15 “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Smile please.......... :-D

Whilst the Royal family are very much in our thoughts, it is good to remember that Prince Philip had a great sense of humour. It is said to be this humour which helped to strengthen and enrich his marriage to Her Majesty.


“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

Proverbs 17:22 “A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.”



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Our church was open on Saturday for private prayer, so we put a union jack, picture, candle and cross in memory of Prince Philip. It was appreciated.

I went to the parish church yesterday and found that the Mayor and several councillors etc. were present and the whole service reflected the life of Prince Philip. It was lovely.



After 6 weeks of the thoughtfulness of Lent and the joy of being able to celebrate Easter Day in our churches, we actually have things to be able to smile about, so a week of smiles it is!!

A smile is a very powerful weapon. Instead of putting on a frown when in hard times, turn that frown upside down, we have much to be grateful for. A smile has health benefits too….
Lowers blood pressure.
Better mood, especially for bad days.
Relieves stress.
Strengthens your immune system.
It is contagious.


Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”


Cx :-)

Hello all

Good to be back in church again but still no hymn singing just yet.

A candle was lighted and prayers were said before the start of this morning's service for Prince Philip and HM the Queen and all of their family during this time of mourning.

Several snow flurries and bitterly cold today. Keep warm and stay safe everyone.

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


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Such sad news to hear of the death of HRH Prince Philip. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.



Springtime!
Your message of hope
to a world tiring of winter’s starkness,
longing for that first crocus
to push through snow’s icy blanket
and spread its leaves,
like arms outstretched,
to its creator.
Springtime!
Our yearly reminder, if we needed one,
that to a world that was dark and cold,
a world devoid of love’s sweet warmth,
you sent your Son
to break through sin’s icy blanket,
and, arms outstretched
on a cross,
he brought us
hope.
Thank you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

The Duke of Edinburgh has died, our Queen will be heartbroken and his family bereft. Not unexpected but still sad that he didn't make his 100th birthday.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.