General Chat

Hello all

Vera, I'm also of a generation where churches were always open for people to visit and sit quietly with their thoughts. Sadly those times have been and gone I'm afraid and I do think it's very very sad.

Our village church has been opened for folk to come inside and write in the book of condolence and to light a candle in memory of our Queen.

There has to be two volunteers in attendance like in Cynthia's church, but it's been a privilege for me to be there and help others through a difficult time.
There is a deep sadness all around our village now.

Cynthia, your post is very interesting, thank you.

Gentle hugs for all who are struggling today.

Good morning :-)

I don't like churches being locked either Vera but, unfortunately, that seems to be the case now. Insurance may play a part too. I've heard that a church in Liverpool, open for people to light candles etc., was vandalised at the weekend. Their Book of Condolence was ripped up and scattered around.

At our church, we are open three times per day, but there are at least two people on duty each time. Sad times.


There is so much information on the life of our late Queen going around at the moment but I’ve found a few snippets which may have been missed.

It seems as though there are bee hives in the grounds of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House. There is also a royal beekeeper, whose duty it is to inform the bees that they have a new master.

On Friday, John Chapple, 79, made the poignant journey to each location. Black ribbons were tied in bows on the hives, a little prayer was said and the ritual continued with him telling them the Queen had died and a new master would now be in charge. The bees are then urged to ‘be good’ to their new master, King Charles III

The reason behind doing all of this spans from an unusual ancient belief that, by not doing so, the bees would not produce honey for their new master or, worse still, would abandon the hive or even die.

We thank God for bees and beekeepers who are so essential to our lives. It is said that, without bees, there would be no life on earth.

Cx :-)

Indeed it is a time of sadness and we are blessed to have had such a dedicated and steadfast Head of State for so many years. She has inspired people the world over and has given this country a great deal of stability through times of change. We should be grateful for that and look forward with hope to the reign of King Charles III.

We have been away for a week and just near where we were staying was the parish church. From the outside it was an interesting building and we were hoping to be able to see the interior but, apart from when there was a service, all the doors were locked and there was no notice to say if or when it would be open, or if the key was available elsewhere. I wondered why it would be necessary as this was not a high crime area and we saw no vandalism or graffiti anywhere. It seemed so unwelcoming and it was impossible for anyone to go in for a moment of quiet or private prayer. Such a change from our welcoming local church which is open for 6 hours every day plus, of course, for services..

Hello all

A sad time indeed Cynthia.

A doubly sad service in church this morning as we reflected on the death of our amazing Queen, but it was also the last service for our lovely Curate, who has been with us in training for 4 years but now, as a fully qualified Priest, will take up Ministry in her own parish. They're sure to love her as we do.

"The Lord will stand with you and give you strength"
(2 Timothy 4:17)

Good morning :-)

We are at the start of a brand new week......but what a past week we have had! So much sadness, so many tears, such busyness as people adapt quickly to events as they unfold. Today is our day of rest.....I hope that those who are able to, find some peace.........and breathe

Today we remember Her Majesty as Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England - whose faith was her anchor in life. ??


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The Church of England's prayer for our New King


Everlasting God, we pray for our new King,
Bless his reign and the life of our nation.
Help us to work together
So that truth and justice, harmony and fairness
flourish among us;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

A sad day for us all. Our Queen was an inspiration to me and to many others. RIP your majesty.

"Well done, you good and faithful servant!"
"You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts, come on in and share my happiness." said the Lord.
(Matthew 25 v 21) NIV bible.

Sometimes, a few words can say a lot.

"Throughout my life,
the message and teachings of Christ
have been my guide
and in them, I find hope"

QUEEN ELIZABETH II
3rd August 2022

<3

Good morning :-)



A Prayer for Our Special Children
Lord of all kindness, we ask your blessing for the children who have such special needs. We ask for their comfort when their living is hard.

May they be blessed with strength to overcome challenges, and with friendship to allow them to grow in love. Lord, we pray for all children, that they may realise their dreams and live their lives in the fullness of your love and mercy.

Let our hands be your hands, our words be your words, and let your grace flow through those who have your children in their care. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

I didn't realise I hadn't posted yesterday - but it was a bit of a manic day for me I must say! :-D


Dear God, we come to you today asking for your blessing on our school administrators. Thank you that they have answered the call to support our teachers and schools so that our children might learn in a safe and professional environment.

May they be approachable and friendly as they deal with paperwork and answer difficult questions.

Bless them with wisdom, integrity, a sense of humour, patience, and the physical and mental energy equal to their tasks. We ask this in your name. Amen.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Today, the village primary school children returned to school, and the senior children return Thursday.
How quickly the summer holidays have gone by.

Heaveny Father,

Thank you to all the teachers who have given their lives to teach our children. As they begin the new term, fill them with the strength to guide and lead each day. Bless them beyond measure, for their willingness and commitment to support and encourage the next generation day by day. Amen

Good morning :-D

It's hard to believe that it's time for the school year to begin again. We think of the schools in our area.


Almighty God, we give you our schools. We give you all the teachers and staff who work there, we give you all the children who study there. We think of those who are going to school for the first time.

We pray our schools would be a place of great discovery, adventure, and creativity. May they be places where children love to learn and where they learn to love, places where everyone is respected, and all are deeply valued.

We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things
which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation
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.


The Gospel for today is Luke 14 25=33. Jesus talks of the cost of discipleship.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Everyday sayings – straight from the bible!

A little bird told me.
Ecclesiastes 10:20 “Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words”.

Ask for his head on a platter.
Mark 6:25 “At once the girl hurried into the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter”.

The powers that be.
Romans 13:1 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God”.

In the twinkling of an eye.
1 Corinthians 15:51, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


~~~~~~ waving to kandj :-D


Everyday sayings – straight from the bible!

A leopard cannot change his spots.
Jeremiah 13:23 “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good, who are accustomed to do evil.”

Go the extra mile.
Matthew 5:41 “and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile”.

United we stand. Divided we fall.
Matthew 12:25, 26 “He knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?

The blind leading the blind.
Matthew 15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another
both will fall into a pit.’

Cx :-)

Hello all

Thank you Cynthia for the lovely welcome, it's soooo good to finally be back once again.

Vera, the past 3 months have been heartbreaking with 2 unexpected family deaths, the challenges go on even now, but like you said.... my strong faith is getting me through. Thank you for your kind words.

Good morning :-)

Welcome home kandj - good to have you back again <3

Vera.....................and there's more! :-D


Everyday sayings – straight from the bible!

A fly in the ointment.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a foul odour; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honour.

A drop in the bucket.
Isaiah 40:15 Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as dust on the scales; see, he takes up the isles like fine dust.

Rise and shine.
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”



Cx :-)

Lovely to see you back kandj :-). Isn’t it frustrating when silly little things like renewing a sub don’t go right. You mentioned a while ago that life was throwing you some challenges. I hope things are much easier now. I know your faith will give you the strength to cope with any problems.

A lovely theme again this week Cynthia. Thank you. I love language and am always googling to find the origins of words and phrases so this week’s posts are “right up my street”.

Hello all

I'M BACK..................... at long last, and feeling very thankful to be allowed to join in this thread again.

"Thank you" is the best prayer that anyone can say.
I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme
gratitude, humility and understanding.
(Alice Walker).

Good morning :-)


No sign of kandj - so frustrating for her!

Everyday sayings from scripture....

Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. This seems to have been a theme in the bible.

Ecclesiastes 8:15 “So I commend enjoyment, for there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat, and drink, and enjoy themselves, for this will go with them in their toil through the days of life that God gives them under the sun”.

Isaiah 22:13 “But instead there was joy and festivity, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating meat and drinking wine. Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die”.

Luke 12:19 “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry’”.

Cx :-)