General Chat

Good morning :-)


A Lenten Prayer

Lord I know how much you love me,
it’s hard for me to feel it sometimes
but I know your love is always with me.
Help me to use your love as a way
to persevere in my Lenten intentions
I am weak, but I know with your help
I can use these small sacrifices in my
life to draw closer to you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Bought some narcissi yesterday and they are so pretty. Went to M and S and spent far too much.....tuts. :-D


This is an interesting thought for Lent.


If we were knives, Lent would be a time to sharpen out cutting edges. If we were cars, Lent would be a time for an oil change and a tune-up. If we were gardens, Lent would be a time to fertilize our soil and dig out our weeds. If we were carpets, Lent would be a time to get power-cleaned. If we were computers, Lent would be a time to overhaul our disk drive. If we were seeds, Lent would be a time to germinate and reach for the sun.

But we are none of these things: We are people who some times do wrong things; we have to atone for them. We are people who sometimes get spiritually lazy; we need to get back into shape.

We are people who sometimes become selfish; we need to stretch out of our narrowness and begin giving again. And because we are also people who sometimes tend to put those things off, we need a special sort of official time to concentrate on doing them.

So we have Lent. The Easter chocolate will taste sweeter, the Easter flowers will bloom more brightly, the Easter Sunday sun will shine more warmly if we are a better people – and all because of how we spent these forty days.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I love daffodils.....they are on my shopping list for today! :-D



O Christ, Son of God,
for our sake you fasted forty days and allowed
yourself to be tempted.
Protect us so that we may not be led astray
by any temptation.
Since man does not live by bread alone,
nourish our souls with the heavenly food of your Word;
through your mercy, O our God, you are blessed
and live and govern all things, now and forever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Happy St David's Day,

I too have daffodils in my home and daughter made Welsh Cakes at the weekend.

Spring is certainly just around the corner here.
My daughter and I are not long back from a walk in a local country park. The snowdrops were growing in great swathes under the trees and a few daffodils were just starting to bloom
Long catkins were moving gently in the trees near the little stream and the sun was shining brightly.
A beautiful day.

Hello all

Happy St David's Day wishes to all Welsh friends.

I have 3 vases filled with beautiful daffodils here and plan to have home-made leek and potato soup for lunch to keep warm as it's cold and frosty today.

Keep warm and stay safe everyone.

Good morning :-)



Today is St. David’s Day – a very special day for our Welsh friends. Daffodils are the national flower of Wales and they are often worn on this day. These beautiful yellow flowers are a reminder of Spring and we are now beginning to see that Spring is on its way…….thank you Lord!



After the Winter, God Sends the Spring
by Helen Steiner Rice

Springtime is a season
Of hope and joy and cheer.
There’s beauty all around us
To see and touch and hear.
So, no matter how downhearted
And discouraged we may be,
New hope is born when we behold
Leaves on a budding tree,
Or when we see a timid flower
Push through the frozen sod
And open wide in glad surprise
Its petaled eyes to God,
For this is just God saying,
“Lift up your eyes to Me,
And the bleakness of your spirit,
Like the budding Springtime tree,
Will lose its wintry darkness
And your heavy heart will sing” –
For God never sends the Winter
Without the joy of Spring.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty God,
you show to those who are in error the light of your truth,
that they may return to the way of righteousness:
grant to all those who are admitted
into the fellowship of Christ's religion,
that they may reject those things
that are contrary to their profession,
and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

A cold and frosty start to this morning so far.

Amen to your morning prayer Cynthia.

Thoughts and prayers for Captain Sir Tom Moore's family as this close family attend his funeral service.

A real inspiration to us all during the anxious times of the global pandemic. RIP Captain Tom.

Good morning :-)


Please, Lord, guide my mind
with your truth.
Strengthen my life by the humble
obedient example of Jesus.
He fulfilled your will by becoming
human and suffering with us.
He died so that I would no longer
be separated from you.
Help me to feel how close you are
and to live in union with you.
Amen.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I too, watched a live streamed funeral yesterday - a young woman in her forties. At least they managed to get the service in a church - following the allowed protocol of course. I do hope live streaming doesn't become the 'norm' :-(



During Lent, we hear much of giving to those in need……..

Early one morning, for no earthly reason, Sara Miles, raised an atheist, wandered into a church, received communion, and found herself transformed — embracing a faith she’d once scorned.

Before long, she turned the bread she ate at communion into tons of groceries, piled on the church’s altar to be given away.

In her appeal to the members of St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in the Mission District of San Francisco to support The Food Pantry, Miles wrote:

"The first time I came to the table at St. Gregory's, I was a hungry stranger. Each week since then, I've shown up — undeserving and needy — and each week, someone's hands have broken bread and brought me into communion. Because of how I've been welcomed and fed in the Eucharist, I see starting a food pantry at the church not as an act of ‘outreach’ but one of gratitude.

To feed others means acknowledging the amazing abundance we're fed with by God. At St. Gregory's, we do it now on Sundays, standing in a circle with the saints dancing bright above us. I believe we can do it one more time each week — gathered around the Table under those same icons, handing plastic bags full of macaroni and peanut butter to strangers, in remembrance of him.”


Cx :-)

Hello all

Belated Happy Birthday wishes Vera and thank you for your kind words. Very much appreciated.

I joined the live-stream funeral service earlier today. Not ideal at all but it's necessary now given the Covid lock down restrictions we're all forced into.

Sending virtual gentle hugs to all in need today.

Good morning :-)

A very happy belated birthday Vera and how lovely to be surrounded by so much love. <3

I'm pretty good at remembering anniversary dates but I don't think about them too often if that makes sense. I remember those whom I loved but who have died most days, in one way or another. There are lots of things which trigger happy memories for me.

For today :


A hymn which we would be singing in church - if we were allowed to these days!!


1 Forty days and forty nights
You were fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.

2 Shall not we Your sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with You to suffer pain?

3 Then, if Satan on us press,
Flesh or spirit to assail,
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fail!

4 So shall we have peace divine;
Holier gladness ours shall be.
'Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as served You faithfully.

5 Keep, O keep us, Saviour dear,
Ever constant by Your side,
That with You we may appear
At the eternal Eastertide.


Cx :-)

Vera ................... Happy Birthday, late in the day I know xxxx

I am so glad that you had many cards, presents. etc.


I find March a strange month for me It used to be a month of birthdays ........... my dad, mum's brother, sister-in-law, daughter all had birthdays between the 24th and 30th.

Then daughter's birthday became bitter-sweet for me when a cousin sent a photograph of Mum and Dad's grave in 1992. It reminded me that Mum had died on the 24th March 1961 ............

I realised at that moment that I forget the date that my close relations died, always remember the year and the month. but obviously my way of coping right from my grandmother dying in 1954 is .......... forget the date.

But now I'm reminded every year that Mum died on 24 March 1961 and daughter was born 24th March 1974.

Grandson was born on March 9 2010 ....... so a happy date.

Many a wise word there Cynthia.

I hope the funeral of your family member goes as well as possible in these difficult times kandj. I will be thinking of you tomorrow as you watch online.

This time of year I often feel quite down. The anniversary of my mum’s death was yesterday, the anniversary of my dad’s death is on Saturday, a favourite aunt died in February and this year, of course, we have had my brother’s funeral. However this year I have had a real boost. Today is my birthday and I have had so many cards, presents, flowers and phone calls that I have felt really blessed and a bit overwhelmed. Aren’t people kind?

i am so thankful for my family and friends and my thoughts tonight are with anyone who is feeling lonely and in need of love and support.

Good morning :-)




This prayer was found written on the wall of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta. It is appropriate for Lent.

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Don't blame me if you get toothache kandj :-D :-D


Sylvia, some priests these days are very unlike what we have been used to and its very unsettling at times. We have one who didn't want one of our self-supporting (unpaid) priests, to wear a clerical collar if she went to church when it was open for private prayer. 'It may encourage mingling'. I nearly blew a gasket when I heard that!!! During the pandemic, there have been times when I have been ashamed of the church - and that's saying something. :-(

We press on knowing God is greater......


Father,
You have taught us to overcome our sins
by prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.
When we are discouraged by our weakness,
give us confidence in Your love.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with Your and the Holy Spirit
One God, for ever and ever. Amen


Cx :-)

Hello all

I'll buy M&M after reading yesterdays post. I've learned somethings new, so Thanks You to Cynthia.

Sylvia, well done to your OH, it's really difficult and strange times for us all right now during lock down.

Vera, I hope that you and your family are coming to terms with the loss of your brother.

Tabitha, sending positive vibes your way today.

I have a live-video link for when another family member has their funeral service on Thursday.

Sending gentle hugs for all who need them today.

Cynthia .............

he said it went "OK"

5 of them, well distance, just standing there. No music.

He did say that he had managed to talk himself out of doing prayers in the future ....... I sort of gathered that the new priest wasn't too happy with his more wide-ranging (ie world wide) references.

Not sure why!!

He didn't seem too upset though.

Good morning :-)

Most of you will know of these sweets - M and M's - which are each imprinted with the letter M


These candies tell a story
the best you’ll ever hear.
about Jesus dying on the cross
so we could be brought near.

So hold them and turn them
And very soon you’ll see…
the “M” become a “W”an
“E” and then a “3”.

The “E” it stands for Easter
And God’s eternal plan.
It reminds us of the holy cross –
how God rescued sinful man,

When it’s a “3” it reminds us
Of those three days in the grave,
For by His death we remember
That His children He did save.

The “M” reminds us of Miracles
And how Jesus died in our place.
And that miracle of resurrection
so we can see Him face to face.

The “W” reminds us of worship,
that He is worthy of worship and praise
and He calls us to be His witnesses
From now till the end of our days.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Hope all goes well for your OH and his reading today Sylvia. I am tired of services online now and want to get back to being part of the church community. As are many others!


Today is the First Sunday in Lent

The Collect (special prayer) for today…..

Almighty God,
whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness,
and was tempted as we are, yet without sin:
give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit;
and, as you know our weakness,
so may we know your power to save;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen


Cx :-)