General Chat

Good morning :-)

I got on here so quickly this morning that my head shot back in disbelief! I will just realign my neck :-D



Today is Palm Sunday – the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and people scattered palm branches before him. In many churches, palm crosses will be blessed and distributed to the congregation. They may be taken home and put somewhere appropriate as a reminder of this special event.

Dear Jesus, we thank you!

You did not enter your holy city Jerusalem on the back of a war horse, but humbly and on a donkey.

You knew that you were surrounded by enemies, yet you came in peace. We pray today that your ‘kingdom may truly come’ so that your people can live in peace.

Watch over us this Holy Week and draw us nearer to yourself in faith, hope and love. Amen.

Cx :-)

Thank you for those HOLD ON words Kandj. Sometimes the only way through a difficult time is to do just that - grit your teeth and hold on. I can only imagine how challenging life is for you at the moment but just take one day at a time. Sending you a ((((hug)))) <3

I have been keeping in mind the little one with meningitis that Cynthia mentioned and I hope he is beginning to recover. Thinking now of sick children everywhere and of their families who will be worried and upset, and hoping that they will receive the support they need.

Good morning :-)


The little one with meningitis has been taken out of ICU apparently Vera. That is good news but he still has a long way to go apparently. As he is a pupil at our church school, the parents have allowed updates to go on our church page on FB. The page went bananas with comments, prayers and new people looking in. We already had a following of over 500 people but, over the weekend, that shot up to almost 700. It has been like a full time job keeping an eye on it as some folk have asked questions about church etc.

Lovely though this is, the cynical side of me wonders if, when hopefully the young lad is fully recovered, will a lot 'unlike' us?? I hope not, but I am prepared :-D

We have now reached Holy Week - the week that changed the world as it is sometimes called.

Monday of Holy Week

God of love,
My prayer is simple:
Your son, Jesus, suffered and died for me.
I know only
that I cannot have real strength
unless I rely on you.
I cannot feel protected
from my many weaknesses
until I turn to you
for forgiveness and your unalterable love.
Help me to share this
strength, protection and love with others. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good to read that there is improvement with the young one Cynthia.

I hope he continues to make steady progress.

Before we leave Palm Sunday too far behind, I'd like to mention Flossie, a donkey, which was led through a nearby town followed by parishioners and anyone else who wanted to join in.Some dressed in flowing garments and carried palms.

They climbed the hill to the church, then with gentle coaxing of an apple, she went into church leading her followers down the aisle and stood in front of the congregation for a blessing before being taken outside again and back home.

Maybe the scene touched a few onlookers to remember the Easter story......

Good morning :-)


Hi Gwyn - love the story about Flossie and I think taking her in and out in a short space of time was probably wise :-D I do hope it stirred some to think about this holy season but, when I take the baptism preparation classes, I am disturbed by the number of parents who don't seem to have much of a clue what Easter is all about. Sad. Very sad. I do tell them though :-D

A prayer for Tuesday of Holy Week

Tuesday
God of such unwavering love,
how do I "celebrate"
the passion and death of Jesus?
I often want to look the other way
and not watch,
not stay with Jesus in his suffering.
Give me the strength
to see his love with honesty and compassion
and to feel deeply
your own forgiveness and mercy for me.
Help me to understand
how to "celebrate" this week.
I want be able to bring
my weaknesses and imperfections with me
as I journey with Jesus this week,
so aware of his love. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Wednesday of Holy Week is the day when we remember how Judas betrayed Jesus. It is also known as 'Spy' Wednesday - for obvious reasons.

Lord God,
We tremble to think
That it was one of Jesus’ own friends who betrayed him.
One who sat by him, who broke bread with him.
Give us strength, we pray,
To walk faithfully with Jesus,
Even when the road we walk is rocky
Even when the message of the cross seems like foolishness
And even when we feel betrayed.
You, Lord, are always faithful.
We stumble, we become lost,
But you are steady and sure.
Give us the grace to endure our troubles,
And reveal to us the glory of your kingdom,
Through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

We are fast approaching that most amazing time of year for Christians - an event which is unique to us. Firstly, though, we must take the path of pain with our Lord.

Maundy Thursday

Father,
on this, the night he was betrayed,
your Son Jesus Christ washed his disciples' feet.
We commit ourselves to follow his example
of love and service.
On this night, he prayed for his disciples to be one.
We pray for the unity of your Church...
On this night, he prayed for those who were to believe
through their ministry.
We pray for the mission of your Church...
On this night, he commanded them to love,
but suffered rejection himself.
We pray for the rejected and unloved...
On this night, he reminded them that if the world hated them
it hated him first.
We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith...
Lord, hear us
and give us your peace. Amen

Cx :-)

Hello all

Can't get my head around it is almost the end of Holy Week and Easter at weekend.

Vera and Elizabeth, I found the HOLD ON words whilst clearing out a box file. It has lots of drawing pin marks as I had it up on the notice board years ago at work.

Wyn, I am liking your posting about Flossie for last weeks Palm Sunday. Just lovely.

Emma, I have always had lots of patience, a real blessing indeed. Loving your avatar, so who is the pretty lady please? Looks like a Helen Shapiro double.

"Pray for me, as I will for thee, that we may merrily meet in Heaven."
(words written by Saint Thomas More).

I am so enjoying the postings for Holy Week, thank you all.

Kandj that was me 50 years ago, how time flies.

My thoughts and prayers for all x

Dear All

Hello


The following are two prayers I found some years ago. I hope you like them.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"IN NEED"


"I am a person I need.

A person you know

I may be sick, lonely, afraid, alone or hurting.

Speak my name in your heart,

hold me in your love.

Please pray for me"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"MY FAITH"


"I am a person who is timid about my faith.

I find it so much easier to live it than to tell others about Jesus Christ.

I find it more natural to be a silent witness for God and to hope others

can see his love in what I do.

But I am concerned that, because he told me to speak of him,
there is no alternative.

I am not aware of anyone whose life has been changed because of the way I live.

But perhaps it might be different if I also named his name.

I long for the courage to be a witness for my Lord.

Please pray for me".

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take gentle care
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning. :-)


They are 2 very special prayers Elizabeth. Thank you for sharing them - it's always good to hear from you.

Thank you Emma and kandji - I am also having trouble believing that Lent has flown so quickly......sheeeesh


Yesterday, at church, we had a quiet service - well I say quiet. There were almost 40 of us. We met in church for quiet readings and a hymn and then we went into the meeting room which adjoins the building and enjoyed a hotpot! Lots of noise and chattering. We then fell silent as the lady vicar who visits us a lot, led us in a service of Holy Communion - and we enacted the Last Supper - sitting round a table and sharing the bread and wine together.

We then moved quietly back into church for some short meditations and lovely music. During the reading of psalm 22 the altar and chancel were stripped of all finery. The candles, altar cloths and any bric-a-brac was removed silently. We were left staring at a plain wooden altar. The choir and servers removed their 'whites' - surplices, collars and cuffs and until they were just in their plain cassocks. The lights gradually dimmed and we left as and when we wanted to - silently.

And so we have reached Good Friday.



My Lord,
your son has suffered so much, shed so much blood.
I was born with so many faults
and my nature is so full of weakness,
and yet your son Jesus has died on the cross.
For me.
I know your grace has the power
to cleanse me of my many sins
and to make me more like your Son.
Thank you for your goodness and love for me.
I ask you, Father, to watch over me - always. Amen.



Cx <3

Thank you Elizabeth and Cynthia for those beautiful prayers.

How wonderful to be able to express ones thoughts
and feelings x

Dear All

Hello

I managed to go to a service, very solemn and moving.

I placed a candle at the foot of the cross and spent a few moments reflecting.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This prayer is for Saturday:

"HOLY SATURDAY"

In the silence of the grave, Lord Jesus,
you restore our life


In the darkness of death,
you bring light to our grief.


In the destruction of the body,
you heal the brokenness.


In the dawning of the new day,
you shake the earth with a power no tomb can hold.


May we live in anticipation of your glory
and rejoice in your hope,


now and always.
Amen.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take gentle care
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Good morning :-)

Yes, today is Holy Saturday and I am going to leave you with the prayer from Elizabeth as it is absolutely spot on and fabulous. Thank you so much Elizabeth. <3


Cx :-)

Thank you Elizabeth x

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!

Lord God,
You loved this world so much,
That you gave your one and only Son,
That we might be called your children too.
Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace
Of Easter Sunday, everyday.
Let us have hearts of thankfulness
For your sacrifice.
Let us have eyes that look upon
Your grace and rejoice in our salvation.
Help us to walk in that mighty grace
And tell your good news to the world.
All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen.

Happy Easter everyone <3

Cx :-)

Happy Easter everyone.

The bells for Palm Sunday were clanging this morning when I was walking the dog. Saturday night/Sunday morning we'll have fireworks.

Happy Easter everyone. <3 <3

Dear All

Hello


A very happy Easter and may we all have peace and contentment. <3


Cynthia and Emma, very pleased you like the prayer. <3


Take gentle care
Love Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Happy Easter to all who look in <3