General Chat

Good morning :-)


Today is known as Candlemas and is celebrated 40 days after Christmas.
Candlemas celebrates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple when Joseph and Mary brought Him to Jerusalem for the purification rites and when he was greeted by the elderly Simeon and Anna.

Besides its significance to Christianity, Candlemas marks the midpoint of winter.

Lord God, you kept faith with Simeon and Anna and showed them the infant King. Give us grace to put all our trust in your promises and the patience to wait for their fulfilment. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

January went so quickly. Welcome to February.

Learn from yesterday.
Live for today.
Hope for tomorrow.
(Albert Einstein).

Sending gentle hugs for people that need one.

Good morning :-)


Hope you got your signing in and out sorted Vera :-D


A teacher gave a balloon to every student, who had to inflate it, write their name on it and throw it in the hallway. The teacher then mixed all the balloons. The students were then given 5 minutes to find their own balloon. Despite a hectic search, no one found their balloon.

At that point, the teacher told the students to take the first balloon that they found and hand it to the person whose name was written on it. Within 5 minutes, everyone had their own balloon.

The teacher said to the students: "These balloons are like happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own. But if we care about other people's happiness, we'll find ours too."

May your day be filled with happiness. <3


Cx :-)

Loved that poem :-) (even though it took several attempts at signing out, signing back in and posting to say so!)

Good morning :-)


Drinking from My Saucer
by John Paul Moore

I’ve never made a fortune and
it’s probably too late now.
But I don’t worry about that much,
I’m happy anyhow.
And as I go along life’s way,
I’m reaping better than I sowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer,
‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

I don’t have a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going’s tough.
But I’ve got loved ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He’s bestowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer,
’Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
my faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.
So God, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I’ve hoed.
I’m drinking from my saucer,
‘Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I’ll not ask for other blessings,
I’m already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer,
‘Cause my cup has overflowed.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



There was a man was working with his horse when there was a huge storm - everyone ran everywhere to hide from the storm. Yet he didn't move from the horse, he stood beside him and hugged him tightly. They stood together in the pouring rain.

When the rain stopped, the man noticed that people were watching him, and with a kind smile, he told them he was simply taking care of his friend.

Don’t forget those who are by your side in the storm, because in the sun everyone can love.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

God our creator,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory in the
face of 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 :-)

Good morning :-)


Grandma had it right: Listen to your elders! Research released recently indicates that the elderly are actually smarter when it comes to knowing how to deal with conflicts, uncertainty and change. Imagine that. Age it seems may erode memory, the ability to master trivia, and even reasoning skills. But along with those losses comes one invaluable blessing that more traditional societies have long valued – “social wisdom.” God bless them!


God, you grant us only a few short years of life on this earth. Give us all enough “wisdom” ourselves to pause and ask and then rely upon the true wisdom of our elders. Give them encouragement to apply their age advantage and give them the strength to stay engaged enough to pass along their wealth of wisdom and their legacy of understanding to others. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good afternoon.........it's been a long and busy day! :-)


Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day, an annual event to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 is 'Ordinary People'.

This is the story of one such ordinary person.

Jane Haining, a committed member of the evangelical United Free Church of Scotland, took up her position in the girls’ hostel of the Jewish mission school in Budapest in 1932. Following the outbreak of World War II in 1939, she decided to remain with her young wards, despite her church’s advice that she should return to Edinburgh.

Jane’s assistance of persecuted Jews began before the German invasion of Hungary. From 1940, Jewish refugees from Nazi-occupied states had started to arrive in Budapest, and some were taken in by Jane and her school.

The assistance Jane had offered Jews had not gone unnoticed by the new German occupiers of Budapest. In late April 1944, Gestapo officers arrived at the hostel to arrest the Scot for possession of illicit radio receivers. During questioning, the charges were broadened to include working among Jews and political activity, amongst other allegations.

Following confession under duress, she was transferred to the Kistarcsa transit camp on the outskirts of Budapest. In May 1944, Jane was deported to Auschwitz, where she died of starvation three months later.

Loving God, you care for each
and every human life. All people
are cherished as your beloved
children, no matter how ordinary or
extraordinary their stories are.
Today we come before you to
remember the victims of the
Holocaust.
May our minds be clear and attentive
to their memory, and our hearts be
moved to bear witness to their lives.
Help us all to turn away from hatred
and division, and to build a world
where genocide is no more.
Strengthen us so that we, in our
own ordinary ways, may show
extraordinary love in the world
today.
Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Worried about being an older person in your church?

Question:
Our vicar keeps urging us to serve God, but how can I? I'm not talented at anything, and as an older person and widowed. I don't have a lot of money to give, and my health isn't the best. I feel kind of useless, to be honest.

Listen:
You aren’t useless in God’s eyes! God uses all kinds of people to accomplish His work—most of whom will never make the headlines or even be noticed by others. In other words, it’s a mistake to think that God only uses clergy or experts. God knows you and your circumstances, and He can use you right where you are.

First, ask God to make you an example of Christ’s love to others. All around you—even in your church—are people who are lonely or hurting, and God can use you to encourage them and let them know they are not alone. A gentle smile, a kind word, an opportunity to visit—God can use these to assure them of His love.

God can also use you in the lives of others through your prayers. Even when we’re sick or set aside because of our age, we still can pray.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Let us together pray for the elderly , especially those who feel isolated at home or in care homes.They are our roots and give us faith,
tradition and a sense of belonging.
Let us pray that our Lord will be near them always.

"Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old." (Job 12 v 12).

Good morning :-)


NEVER TOO OLD…..for God

Frank McCourt only took up writing at the age of 65. His book Angela’s Ashes won both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award. It was also made into a movie and there are even museums named after him now. In fact, he wrote at least 5 books before his death at the age of 78 in 2009.

One is never too old………

Lord, help us to remember that older people were young too and that each of them was created and is loved by you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Grey is the 'in' colour for house decoration at the moment, but it's also very grey outside today!!

Speaking of grey - don't worry if you find a grey hair or two, you're in good company.

In 1998, the space shuttle Discovery launched with a seven-member crew. One of them, John Glenn, was 77 years old. A lot of fuss was made about his age and that, obviously, he should retire, collect his pension and let younger people take over. They completely missed the point of his contribution to the scientific merits of the mission.

Gracious Father, we thank You for our senior adults. Thank You for blessing each day of their lives. Thank You for blessing them with wisdom and knowledge and help us to learn from them. Amen,

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



“There is no ageism with God” said the vicar yesterday. Well, that’s good to know because the church as a whole, even 50 years ago was biased on attracting young people.

Age is a funny old thing. The number of those aged over 70 who are in full- or part-time employment has been steadily rising year on year for the past decade, according to 2019 Office for National Statistics data.

Clergy are well known for continuing to work well past retirement age and the church relies heavily on them.

I read this yesterday, written by an evangelist …… “the churches have not yet begun to exploit the potential of the elderly in the mission. They are the greatest missionary force that we will have available in the coming decades. The church must awaken the mission call that the Lord gave them”.

Father, cover the elderly people in the church with Your love and protection. May we always remember to include elderly people in conversations and activities. They have wisdom and experiences to share. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to the Collect Cynthia.

"Two are better than one....... for if they fall,
one will pick up the other."

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Good morning :-)


Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
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.

The Gospel reading for today is about the Wedding at Cana – Jesus’ first miracle.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Collect (special prayer) for today

Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
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.

The Gospel reading for today is about the Wedding at Cana – Jesus’ first miracle.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


One of our long-standing church members is from a Ukrainian background and he has been telling us how our town is supporting the people who have fled in terror. It's really interesting to know what is going on in our own locality and good to hear how people are responding and trying to help. There is still a lot of good in this old world of ours!

Pray for Ukraine

Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

During an interregnum which is a challenging time, the bonus is that we have other clergy to lead our Sunday morning worship and support us in prayer.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Ukraine who didn't ask for this war, and just wanted to be left to get on with their daily lives, their jobs and with bringing up their families.
(Archbishop Eamon Martin).

Good morning :-)


Lord, we hold in our hearts the people of Ukraine as they stand in danger. We ask for peace and reconciliation. Conscious that thousands are likely to be uprooted, we pray for those who seek refuge, that they might find welcome and bridges to sanctuary. Amen.

Amen.

Cx :-)