General Chat

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us your gift of faith
that, forsaking what lies behind
and reaching out to that which is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
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:

Luke 18 1-8 Jesus tells the story of the Persistent Widow.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

An attitude of gratitude.....

A hymn of thankfulness...

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!

All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven—
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

An attitude of gratitude

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read, “I am blind, please help.”

There were only a few coins in the hat – spare change from folks as they hurried past.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. Then he put the sign back in the boy’s hand so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were.

The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.”
I wrote, “Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.”

Both signs spoke the truth. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind, while the second sign conveyed to everyone walking by how grateful they should be to see…

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


An attitude of gratitude

"Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude." A.A. Milne

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

An attitude of Gratitude

Be grateful for the kindly friends
that walk along your way,
Be grateful for the skies of blue
that smile from day to day,

Be grateful for the health you own,
the work you find to do,
For roundabout you there are those
less fortunate than you.

Be grateful for the growing trees,
the roses soon to bloom,
The tenderness of kindly hearts
that shared your days of gloom,

Be grateful for the morning dew,
the grass beneath your feet,
The soft caresses of your babes
and all their laughter sweet.

Acquire the grateful habit,
learn to see how blessed you are,
How much there is to gladden life,
how little life to mar!

And what if rain shall fall today
and you with grief are sad,
Be grateful that you can recall
the joys that you have had.

by Edgar Albert Guest

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

An attitude of gratitude

“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer

Lord, we thank you for those who have lit up our lives when we were facing dark days. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

An attitude of gratitude
Yesterday, we heard the story of Jesus healing 10 lepers and yet only one returned to thank him. We all have so much to be grateful for, maybe more than we imagine……..

A story of gratitude
Anthony Ray Hinton spent 30 years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit. The police told him he would be going to jail because he was black.

His time in jail was spent in solitary confinement in a five-by-seven-foot cell, allowed out only one hour a day. But, Hinton quickly became a friend and counsellor to other inmates and the death row guards, many of whom begged Hinton’s attorney to get him out.

A unanimous Supreme Court ruling ordered his release and he was able to walk free. In an interview he is quoted saying: “One does not know the value of freedom until it is taken away, People run out of the rain. I run into the rain…I am so grateful for every drop. Just to feel it on my face.”

In a later interview, the interviewer asked if he was angry at the people who put him in jail. He said he forgave them all. The interviewer asked, “but they took 30 years of your life — how can you not be angry?”

Hinton responded:
“If I’m angry and unforgiving, they will have taken the rest of my life.”

Lord, we are grateful for our freedom and for the rain. Thank you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face;
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.


Luke 17 11-19 The story of Jesus and the Lepers.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


October’s Party.

October gave a party;
And leaves by hundreds came –
The Chestnuts, Oaks and Maples
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet
And everything was grand
Miss Weather led the dancing and
Professor Wind, the band.

The Chestnuts came in yellow,
The Oaks in crimson dressed,
The lovely Misses Maple,
In scarlet looked their best;
All balanced to their partners
And gaily fluttered by;
The sight was like a rainbow
New fallen from the sky.

Then, in the rustic hollow
At hide-and-seek they played,
The party closed at sundown
And everybody stayed.
Professor Wind played louder;
They flew along the ground
And then the party ended
In jolly ‘hands around’.
- George Cooper

God of fallen leaves lying in coloured patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Thank you Vera - they are very good quotes aren't they?


Colours of Autumn

The colour brown reminds us of the beauty of nature especially the rich soil in our gardens. Our fruit, flowers, trees and vegetables depend much on good soil. Many of the leaves which are falling are a lovely brown colour.

When we see the colour brown this season, let’s remember that we are rooted in Christ. We no longer topple in life’s storms but stand firm. As part of the body of Christ, we celebrate the growing family we have within the church where we can offer a feeling of comfort and home to others. May we share the love of Christ with all.

Cx :-)

Another good theme this week Cynthia. Thank you.

I came across a couple of quotes yesterday that I thought I would share with you as they made me think. The first is Benjamin Disraeli and I think is quite well known though it was the first time I had heard it:

Judaism is not complete without Christianity and without Judaism, Christianity would not exist.

I do not know the author of the second:

Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is.

EDIT: The author is Mandy Hale

Good morning :-)

The colours of Autumn

Orange, that wonderful colour of the mixture of both red and yellow and a basic colour of this season. Although not specifically mentioned in scripture, the colour orange encourages contentment, joy and hope for the future.

When we watch those wonderful orange leaves tumbling to the ground, we remember that God provides us with wisdom, complete freedom and every reason for being optimistic.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The colours of Autumn

Another autumnal shade we see in nature is crimson/red in those beautiful leaves such as maple and rowan. In the bible, red tends to symbolize blood, fire, power and love. Red can also express anger and frustration as in ‘seeing red’.

In autumn, the leaves change and fall from the tree. When they meet the soil, they are nourished, allowing for new growth in the spring. As we watch the beautiful red leaves flutter down, we can think of Jesus and the sacrifice he made on the cross so that we could have eternal life.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The colours of Autumn
For many people, this is a favourite time of the year due, mainly, to the wonderful colours we see as nature takes its course with the falling leaves and fading plants.

One colour which particularly catches the eye is – Gold and those beautiful golden leaves fluttering down.

Gold can symbolise several things such as wealth, love, and light as in wedding rings and gifts. It can symbolise diligence and learning as in receiving a Gold Star. In the bible, yellow and gold are commonly associated with fire – fire represents the mighty, all-consuming presence of God and the Holy Spirit.

When we see the colour gold this season, may we remember God's amazing love for us, which brings light to our spirit and joy to our hearts.

Cx :-)

Hello all

No sermon in our church yesterday. It was the Harvest Service and we had a talk from the organiser of the village food bank, all very interesting, but upsetting hearing that so many villagers (young and elderly) are struggling now.

I loved singing the traditional hymns yesterday.

Come Ye Faithful People Come.

We Plough the Fields and Scatter.

All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Good morning :-)

Yesterday, we had the gospel reading for the day – the parable of the mustard seed, that tiny little seed which grows into a very large shrub. Jesus was indicating that however small our faith is, nothing will be impossible for us.

Interesting:

It seems that there are many types of mustards ranging from sweet to spicy.

The trees can grow between 6ft - 2-ft in height.

They produce small green/yellowish flowers followed by pink or scarlet berries.

The tree originated in Persia but is now grown worldwide.

There are at least 40 types of mustard varieties ranging from black, brown and white.

Mustards are among the fastest-growing plants.

Extracts from the plant include making toothbrushes due to its anti-bacterial properties and is helpful in various medical conditions but mustard oil is considered dangerous.

Mustards are among the world's most widely consumed plants.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you know my every need. You said that if I have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for me. Lord, my faith feels so weak but I thank you that you are strong. It is not the power of my faith that does the impossible but it is your power. Let my faith increase as I trust in your power. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today :


O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers
of your people who call upon you;
and grant that they may both perceive and know
what things they ought to do,
and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them;
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 is where Jesus tells the parable of the tiny mustard seed.
Luke 17

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Father, as we celebrate this season of thanksgiving We give thanks for the blessings of food, provision and nourishment. Please grow in us a harvest for the world.

Come sow a seed of hope within our souls Lord, that we might yield goodness, patience and kindness in abundance.

Come sow a seed of peace in our lives Lord, that we might bear the fruits of forgiveness, compassion and righteousness.

Come sow a seed of love in our hearts Lord, that others would reap the blessings of family, friendship and community.

May each seed of hope, peace and love grow within us into a harvest that can be feasted on by all. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Harvest

The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.
The harvest all is gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway—
and praise our God again!


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Harvest

The Harvest mite…….a parasite……No. Forget that! :-D

Harvest hymns have always been popular……

We Plough the Fields, and Scatter
Matthias Claudius (1740-1815) was a newspaper man in Germany. The son of a Lutheran pastor, he found his faith slipping away after rubbing elbows with some of the leading philosophers of the day, including Goethe. However, a serious illness caused him to rethink his values and to rekindle his faith.

Claudius set out to write a poem rather than a hymn. The poem depicted friends coming to a home to partake in a feast. It depicted God as the one whose generous providence made it possible for those people to enjoy that festive gathering.

A British English teacher, Jane Campbell (1817-1878), translated Claudius’ poem, reshaping it as a hymn.

The hymn celebrates God’s role in providing the food and other good gifts that sustain us. It says what, while we sow and scatter the seed, God is the one who feeds and waters the seed so that it might end up as the daily bread on our table.

The hymn offers God thanks for “all things bright and good, the seed-time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food.” It then asks, “Accept the gifts we offer for all your love imparts, with what we know you long for: our humble, thankful hearts.”


And if you want to have it going round in your head all day....... :-D

1 We plough the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God's almighty hand;
he sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine
and soft refreshing rain.
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above,
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
for all his love.

2 He only is the maker
of all things near and far;
he paints the wayside flower,
he lights the evening star;
the wind and waves obey him,
by him the birds are fed;
much more to us his children,
he gives our daily bread.
All good gifts...

3 We thank you, then, O Father,
for all things bright and good,
the seed-time and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food:
accept the gifts we offer
for all your love imparts;
and that which you most welcome,
our humble, thankful hearts.
All good gifts...


Cx :-)