General Chat

Dear All

Hello

Hope your Easter beings you peace and happiness.

God bless.

Take gentle care
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Happy Easter to all x

So many questions, and still so few answers for me. But I really do appreciate the time Cynthia and others put into this thread even if it provides yet more questions. :-)

Hello all

Happy Easter Blessings to everybody today.

Cynthia, thank you for leading our journey in faith.

Tabitha, you have some amazing memories to reflect upon, thank you for sharing them with us.

Vera, I hope all is well with you and your husband.

I'm still singing the last hymn from church this morning......... another great favourite of mine.


THINE BE THE GLORY.

Thine be the glory, risen,conquering Son
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won;
Angels in bright raiment, rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave-clothes, where the body lay.

Thine be the glory risen, conquering son.
Endless is the victory, thou o'er death has won.

Have a Happy Easter Day everyone.

A very Happy Easter to you all - Sorry i haven't posted in a while, but i have been looking in on you all.

Your Saturday post made me think of the time I spent in Jerusalem, just wondering around & thinking of what happened there & that i was walking in his footsteps.

Sitting peacefully in the Garden of Gethsemane, reflecting.
Visiting all the sites, sailing on the Sea of Galilee and paddling in it in the early hours of the morning, visiting the Dome of the Rock and so on.

How i wish i was back there again, feeling the peace it gave me.

I wish you all a blessed time at Easter.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

HE IS RISEN!

A very Happy and Blessed Easter to you all. <3

Cx :-)

Good Morning

Holy Saturday is the day between Good Friday and Easter Day. It is a continuation of the sorrow of Good Friday, when Christians of all traditions remember the disciples’ hopelessness in the wake of Jesus’s death on the cross; when they are unsure whether to believe that he will rise from the dead, as he said he would.


We think of Mary and John and those who left with them; of Peter wandering distraught through the streets of Jerusalem. It’s all too easy to imagine the disciples left to their own devices the night before and facing a new day, a chill sunrise, with their confusion bumping up against their faith.

Food had to be found in the marketplace, cooking in the kitchen, and cleaning to be done as the guests for Passover left for the countryside. It seemed to most of them to be “life after Jesus.” What now?


Cx

I see I haven't posted for quite a while but I have been looking in every day and following your Lent and Holy Week posts, Cynthia. There has been a lot of food for thought so thank you for continuing to add to the thread even when you are not getting a lot of response. I am sure there are plenty of others who look in from time to time.

Thank you to kandj too for her support of the thread.

Hello all

Thank you Cynthia for all the Holy week postings.

I joined my church family last night for a service followed with a Passover meal to think about all that Holy Thursday means.

This afternoon at 2pm I'll go along to a local church for the Watch by the Cross hour of music/scripture readings and quiet reflection time on this Good Friday day.

Journey with Jesus

THIS IS IT. THIS IS THE DAY WE WERE DREADING. GOOD FRIDAY

Today, at 2pm. in church, we will quietly gather to remember the events of that first Good Friday. This is the most difficult day of Passion Week. Christ's journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in the final hours leading to his death.

Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early Friday morning.

Jesus was arrested and endured the shame of ……..
false accusations,
condemnation,
mockery,
beatings,
and abandonment.

After multiple unlawful trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment known at the time.

Before Christ was led away, soldiers spat on him, tormented and mocked him, and pierced him with a crown of thorns. Then Jesus carried his cross to Calvary where, again, he was mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross.

Cx

Good morning :-)


Journey with Jesus
Christians need to journey with Jesus through Holy Week, and now things take a sombre turn.

HOLY THURSDAY
From Bethany, Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem to make preparations for the Passover Feast. That evening, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus showed by example how we should love one another. Today, many churches will have a small foot-washing ceremony as a reminder of what Jesus taught.

After he had washed their feet, Jesus shared the feast of Passover with his disciples. We know this as the Last Supper – the Holy Communion – The Mass – The Sharing of Bread. Jesus instructed His followers to continually remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Journey with Jesus
Christians need to journey with Jesus through Holy Week.

Yesterday we heard how Jesus chastised the Temple leaders for being hypocritical before moving on to speak about the end of the age. We continue the story from there……………
.
HOLY WEDNESDAY also known as Spy Wednesday. The Bible doesn't say what the Lord did on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of Passover.

Just a short time previously, Jesus had revealed to the disciples, and the world, that he had power over death by raising Lazarus from the grave. After seeing this incredible miracle, many people in Bethany believed that Jesus was the Son of God and put their faith in him. Also in Bethany just a few nights earlier, Lazarus' sister Mary had lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume.

The Spy connection comes from the fact that this is the day when Judas Iscariot plotted with the Chief Priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Journey with Jesus
Christians need to journey with Jesus through Holy Week.
Yesterday was HOLY MONDAY when Jesus cleared the corrupt people out of the Temple. We continue the story from there…………….

On HOLY TUESDAY morning, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. The Temple leaders were upset with Jesus after yesterday. They tried to organise an ambush to place him under arrest, but it failed, and Jesus had harsh words for them….”You are hypocrites! You are like white tombs which look fine on the outside but are full of all kinds of filth. People think you are Godly, but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and evil”.

Jesus moved on to the Mount of Olives which overlooks Jerusalem. He gave a very detailed prophecy about the end of the age and his Second Coming and the final judgement. After a long and exhausting day of confrontations and warnings about the future, Jesus and his disciples returned to Bethany to spend the night.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Journey with Jesus
It is said that to fully appreciate Easter in its truest meaning, Christians need to journey with Jesus through Holy Week – otherwise what is the point? If we don’t experience the agony of Good Friday, how can we appreciate the true glory of Easter Day? There are services on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon to help us to understand that Easter is not about chocolate eggs (nice as they are!)
Yesterday was Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey – we take up the story from there…………….

Holy Monday
The following morning, Jesus returned with his disciples to Jerusalem. When Jesus arrived at the Temple, he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. He began overturning their tables and clearing the Temple, saying, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves" On Monday evening Jesus stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

TODAY IS PALM SUNDAY AND THE BEGINNING OF HOLY WEEK.

Collect (special Prayer for today)

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
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.
All Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning everyone...... :-)

That was a shock announcement from the Princess of Wales yesterday. We pray for her complete recovery and privacy for the family as they come to terms with this diagnosis. May God bless them all. <3


Aspects of Lent – almsgiving

Focus on self only makes
the world a dreary place to live.
But you make it a brighter scene
when you find a way to give.
Share with random strangers,
not only those you know.
It's by practicing such kindness
God's love in you will show.

Try to give to people
who have no means to repay.
This may then return to you
in a most unlikely way.
Practice giving out to friends,
it helps to make them smile.
No matter if they have it all.
It's a gesture most worthwhile.

Leave a gift for someone
who won't know it's from you.
Give God all the glory
It makes giving pure and true.
When you find a way to give,
you sow seeds of joy around.
You leave behind a scent of hope
and make the light of God abound.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent - almsgiving

Simple acts of kindness, such as helping an elderly neighbour with household chores, offering a ride to someone without transport or being a supportive friend in times of difficulty, are all forms of almsgiving. When people witness or experience kindness, they are often motivated to do the same, creating a chain reaction of generosity and goodwill within communities.

Acts of kindness help with a sense of ‘belonging’. They remind individuals that they are part of a larger community where people care for one another.

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yesterday was hectic, but I thought I had posted - apologies!

Aspects of Lent……almsgiving

Education is not only about personal development, income, and career advancement. It also has societal benefits such as reducing poverty, crime, and health issues and promoting social and economic stability. Helping others access education is an effective way to improve communities. This may not have been considered but it is very useful. Education is important because it can help to provide stability and financial security.

We can help by maybe making a donation to a local school or funding the education for a child living abroad. Youth organisations are always looking for new volunteers to help guide young people along life’s way. Sometimes a school may request volunteers to help pupils who may be struggling with reading.

By investing in the education of individuals, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, donors contribute to creating pathways for better economic prospects and a brighter future.

Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”

Cx :-)

Hello all

Our church has supported The Trussell Trust Fund (the Church of England charity) for very many years, there is also a Food Bank in the village always in need of any donations, small or large.

"Each one must give, as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent……almsgiving

Giving at Lent doesn’t have to be about money, it often includes providing essential items such as food and clothing to those who lack basic necessities. This can be done through donations to food banks, shelters, or community programs.

Food and clothing donations are particularly crucial during times of crisis, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or conflicts. They offer immediate relief to those affected, providing comfort and support in the face of adversity.

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent - Almsgiving
Along with prayer and fasting, almsgiving is common for many Christians during Lent. You may be wondering, Almsgiving? What’s that?
Almsgiving is defined by Dictionary.com as "the act of donating money, food, or other items to people in need of them, especially as a spiritual practice."
It is seen as a way to express compassion, generosity, and a sense of social responsibility towards individuals or communities facing financial difficulties or hardship.
It responds to the Bible's call to give to those less fortunate than us.
Jesus says, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Cx :-)