General Chat

Good morning :-)


Today in our Advent calendar we think about the size of our hearts - Grinch-style! ??
https://calendar.myadvent.net/...

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

In today's Advent calendar, we think about how we can make Christmas more meaningful.

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Oooh.....a new baby! I love new babies. <3


In today's Advent calendar we think about the state of the world we are living in.

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c

Cx :-)

Thank you for giving us this year's Advent calendar, Cynthia. I am enjoying looking at it and thinking about it. Yes, I'll certainly wave to you as you rush by. I'll be the one rushing in the opposite direction :-)

Since July we seem to have staggered from one crisis to another but we had a lovely break at the weekend. Grandson and his partner brought our gorgeous great-granddaughter down from Yorkshire and one of our granddaughters came down from Edinburgh and they all stayed for a couple of nights. It was a wonderful weekend and was a real pick-me-up for me. I know how very blessed I am in having such a close, loving family and am saddened that so many don't have that blessing. Prayers tonight for all who are lonely or estranged from their families.

Good morning :-)

If you see me rushing past, please wave :-D

The Advent calendar for today :


https://calendar.myadvent.net/...

Cx :-)

Hello all

I'm liking this year's Advent Calendar once again, thank you Cynthia.

This verse came into my mind after reading it today.

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for by so doing some people have shown
hospitality to angels without knowing it."
(Hebrews 13:2 New International Bible).

Good morning :-)


So many busy days!

The Advent calendar for today:

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c

Cx :-)

Good afternoon... :-)

My wifi was so slow this morning that I had to give up and get to church. We had a great day yesterday and made over £2000 which isn't at all bad in this day and age!

Today is Advent Sunday and here is the link to the Advent calendar....

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It's our Christmas Fair today - manic, manic, manic!!!


Today's Advent calendar

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I agree kandj - those poor folk without shelter and it's freezing cold.

It's that time of year when I invite you to join in my church's Advent Calendar and yes, it does come round so quickly!

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c


Cx :-)

Hello all

I've been in church today to help at the coffee morning and to set up the Advent candle wreath.

A traditional Advent wreath contains various evergreens with different symbolism;

LAUREL, victory over death and persecution.

PINE, immortality and everlasting love.

CEDAR, strength of faith.

HOLLY, symbolises the crown of thorns worn by
Jesus.

Four candles circle the Advent wreath. Each new candle is lit on the four Sundays before Christmas.
A fifth candle is placed in the centre and lit on Christmas Day.

I find it hard to think that this time next month Christmas will have been and gone!

I'm thinking of the homeless people now that the cold weather is here.

Good morning :-)


Some Go To Church To ...

Some go to church to take a walk,
Some go there to laugh and talk.
Some go to church for observation,
But some go there for speculation.

Some go there to meet a lover.
And some go there a fault to cover.
Some go there to meet a friend,
And some go there their time to spend.

Some go there to sing a sonnet.
But some go there to show their bonnet.
Some go to church oppressed with grief.
Some go there to find relief.

Some go to hear a grand oration,
Some go to glorify the nation.
Some go to hear about the war.
Some go to show how good they are.

Some go repentant and repenting,
But some go hardened, unrelenting.
Some go to praise, to pray and weep.
But some go there to lounge and sleep.

Some go to better their condition,
Some go to gain a good commission.
While some go there to doze and nod.
There's many go to worship God.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We may love our churches but we also have our part to play
Some thought-provoking reading:

If the church service depended solely on MY worship….. how full of worship would the service be?

If the church had to depend solely on MY faithfulness…… how faithful would my church be?

If the church had to survive solely on MY prayer life….. how much prayer would be going on?

If the church could only go as deep as MY relationship with God goes….. how deep would my church be?

If we had to make it on MY Bible reading and knowledge……. How knowledgeable would my church be?

If we have to go by my offerings, how BIG would the church outreach be?

If the preaching depended solely on my response to the preaching …….. how responsive would my church be?

If it all depended on me……. What would happen?
Before you start complaining…….. make sure that you’re:

The first one praying
The first one worshiping
The first one reading and studying
The first one responding
The first one fasting
The first one faithful
The first one giving

“I just don’t get anything out of his preaching” isn’t a valid argument. You’re there to worship Jesus and serve the lost.
Remember: we can’t complain if we’re not being what we say we want.
Author Unknown

Cx :-)

Hello all

Love these words Cynthia, thank you.

The temperature has dropped and it's really cold.

Stay warm and safe everyone.

Good morning :-)

2. A Grounding Place
In the stillness of the pews, hearts find solace,
A refuge from life's tumultuous flow.
Church stands as an anchor, a blessed grace,
Where souls seek respite and God's presence know.

For within these walls, whispers of peace thrive,
Melodies of faith whispering through souls.
A sanctuary where weary spirits revive,
Church binds us close to our purposeful goals.

From Sunday's embrace to each week anew,
Church, a grounding place guiding us through.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The topic of churches and church buildings has been very much in the thoughts and prayers of many people over the last few months. Whilst we are aware that the ‘church’ is a body of people serving God, what about our buildings?
This is an interesting article:

The church building is (hopefully):
• the place of worship for all Christians
• where the community gathers
• where works of charity are carried out
• a place of healing
• a place to be still with God
• a place of safety
• a place where the sacrament is offered
• a place which contains reminders of the greatness of God

Many churches have an atmosphere of ‘prayerfulness’ or ‘holiness’, where generations of people have engaged with God and the atmosphere seems to have permeated into the very walls. Historic churches often give a sense of awe and reverence for the magnificence of God. This sense of awe may make someone curious and interested in the faith on which they were founded.

Lord Jesus, may our church be a place where those who are lonely, find friendship. Where those who are grieving find comfort. Where those who are looking for you, find you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Vera, I hope that your worries have calmed a little.

Gwyn, thank you for sharing your student memories

Cynthia, it's hard to think how soon Christmas will be with us??

King of Kings

King of kings, majesty
God in Heaven living in me
Gentle Saviour, closest friend
Strong Deliverer, beginning and end
All within me falls at Your throne.

Your Majesty, I can but bow
I lay my all before You now
In royal robes I don't deserve
I live to serve Your Majesty.
I live to serve Your Majesty.

Sung this morning in church.

Good morning :-)

How lovely to hear about your experiences Gwyn. The chief cook bit sounds interesting!! Thank you so much. <3

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Christ the King.

Christ the King is a title of Jesus in Christianity referring to the idea of the Kingdom of God where Christ is described as being seated at the right hand of God. Christ is a prophet, priest, and king.


The Collect (special prayer) for today
Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Like Vera, I read the posts and Thursday's post brought back memories.

As a student and seeking a summer holiday job, I had found employment at a limbless ex-serviceman's home in Southsea, run by Blesma.
My job was to help Ada the cook with daily meals. ... They didn't tell me that Ada was going on holiday and I would be chief cook, ...but that's another story.
The men were very happy to chat with us young people, but seeing how injured they were and what they had been through at such a young age really brought home the effects of war.
The Gurkha regiment moved from Hampshire to near Folkestone some years ago and many of the families have settled in this area. I have always been impressed by their thirst for education of their young people and the Nepalese people in general are viewed with great respect.
Hari Budha Magar is a fine example of a proud people.

Good morning :-)

Hello Vera and I am so sorry to hear about the ups and downs you have been having lately. Hopefully, you are now back on an even keel and doing well. Sending love. xx <3



Eternal God, as veterans face life’s challenges, grants them the strength to persevere. May they find courage in their experiences and resilience in their hearts. Amen.

Cx :-)