General Chat

Good morning :-)


NO PERFECT CHURCH

I think that I shall never see
A church that’s all it ought to be;
A church whose members never stray
Beyond the strait and narrow way;
A church that has no empty pews,
Where all the people pay their dues;
A church whose members always sing
And flock to church when bells do ring.
Such perfect churches there may be,
But none of them are known to me.
But still we’ll work and pray and plan
To make our own the best we can.
~ Unknown


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


February 2nd Candlemas, and so much to commemorate on this day!

Candlemas :
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (where Jesus is presented to Simeon and Anna)

The Purification of the Virgin Mary (a ceremony where women were 'purified' after giving birth)

The Blessing of the Candles (where the year's supply of candles is blessed)

The taking down of Christmas decorations - marking the end of the Christmas period (an old custom still upheld by many people including Her Majesty the Queen)

An ancient festival marking the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox

And, on top of all that, it's Groundhog Day
And, on top of all that, it's Groundhog Day
And, on top of all that, it's Groundhog Day ????


Dear Lord,
give us the eyes of faith
to see you in the world.
Where fear closes our eyes, help us.
Where tears blind us, heal us.
Set us free to see your love at work in the world.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your morning prayer Cynthia.

My village church has a mainly elderly congregation, and so it was a joy to hear children's voices in during Sunday's service. Mum and Dad had brought their 3 year old and his 16 month old brother Noah who is being baptised next Sunday.
We desperately need young families to join us all.

White Rabbits..... for the 1st of February, wrap up and keep warm and safe everyone.

Good morning :-)


Remembering the elderly couple Simeon and Anna in the temple.

The elderly are, for us a living link to the past, becoming an invaluable resource in knowing and understanding the history and background of the church's practices and ways. A willingness to listen and learn from those who know our traditions often brings younger generations a wiser and more appreciative awareness of the heritage that is ours.


"My life is in Your hands and the joy of the Lord has been my strength throughout all the days of my life. My trust is in the Lord my God. My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus Christ and His righteousness. Praise Your glorious name for ever and ever, Amen."


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



Yesterday, we had the lovely story of the elderly Simeon and Anna greeting the baby Jesus and his parents in the Temple. These days, within church life, so much centres on youth and it’s easy to sometimes forget the value of age. We forget the wisdom and the priceless value of experience which many of our older folk have.

“Ageism prevents many people of all ages from seeing that potentials are as bountiful as problems among older adults… It diminishes the church's witness and mission.” —UM Discipleship Ministries

“Don't dismiss elders for there's wisdom with age” - Oumar Dieng.


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.

The gospel for today is from Luke 2. 22-40 and tells of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

So many styles of ministry…………Ordained Ministry

There is so much information about the ordained ministry, that we could spend a year on it. This quote, from an Anglican diocese, sums it up quite well.

‘Most often people are ordained first as Deacon and then a year later as Priest.
A priest (also known as presbyter) represents Christ and his Church in a particular way, through a ministry of teaching, preaching, celebration of the sacraments and pastoral care.

It is a ministry of leadership and mission, enabling all Christian people to share the Good News in their everyday lives.

But priesthood is not just about doing, but about being. Through the lives they lead, priests point to Jesus and encourage people to show love and compassion and to build the Kingdom of God. As they do this, priests share in people’s joys and sorrows as they walk with them on their journey through life.

"I would have every minister of the gospel address his audience with the zeal of a friend with the generous energy of a father and with the exuberant affection of a mother.”
~ Francois Fenelon

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Ministry……..so many styles of ministry….the ministry of altar servers

It’s quite common to hear of clerics and lay readers who began their Christian journey as altar servers, sometimes called acolytes. Doing this humble work can often make a great impression on young folk as they experience the atmosphere of reverence during Holy Communion.

An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a service of Holy Communion. They can be male or female (usually over the age of 10). They usually wear either a cassock and surplice or a plain white alb.

As one cleric puts it………………

“I tell my servers on a regular basis- they are on the forefront of evangelization at the parish.”

Cx :-)

Hello all

Another week of interesting posts. Thanks Cynthia.

We have blue skies and white clouds this morning. A much needed tonic after so many cold dull days.
The snowdrops are in bloom and other Spring bulbs are showing through. It's good to see God's work.

Thank you for waking me this morning
Thank you for giving me today
Thank you for every new day dawning
Thanks for everything.

I hope it's a good day for all looking in today.

Good morning :-)

So many styles of ministry..........



Ministry to the Sick.

This is a pastoral ministry of caring for those in hospital, in nursing homes, or confined to their own home. Pastoral care demonstrates the care and concern of the church community to those who are unable to attend church, giving them the opportunity to pray with others and to receive the Eucharist.

Church folk through the ages have usually appreciated a visit from their clergy – someone they relate to and can confide in.

Many churches have a small team of authorised lay folk who are able to take Holy Communion out to those who are unable to attend services.

‘It has always been the practice of the Church to take special care of those who are sick. We see the suffering Christ in them, and desire to take them his consolation’.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Many forms of ministry

Music ministry

During the pandemic, when our churches were closed and even when they were re=opened, one of the things people missed very much was singing. Singing has been an important part of worship for ever!

We thank God for those who lead and encourage the growth of music throughout our churches and for those who are willing to sing to the glory of God.

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
- Psalm 104:33

Good morning :-)


Ministry.......so many types of ministry……..

Children’s ministry. There are many volunteers who give happily of their time and talents to support and encourage the young in the church community. We give thanks for these people and ask God to give them energy and creativity to work together well in equipping, growing and encouraging the young people in their care. Help them to learn from one another and build one another up in Christ. Amen.


“Use your ministry to build people, not people to build your ministry.”
– Jacquelyn K. Heasley


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yesterday, in church, we heard about Jesus preaching in the synagogue before He began His ministry, but.............

What is Ministry?

Listening, when you'd rather fix the problem.
Searching for the joy, when it's easier to say "it's not fair."
Helping, when you feel like you're the one who needs the help.
Telling God, "use me", when you'd rather ask to be rescued.
Encouraging, even when you don't understand God's reasoning.
Hugging when it feels awkward.
Saying, "let's pray right now," instead of "I'll pray for you."
Serving, when you doubt you have anything left to give.
Comforting, by being the flicker of light in others' dark caverns.
~ Author Unknown

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The 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 is from St. Luke 4: 14-21 and tell us how Jesus preached in the synagogue before beginning his ministry.


Cx :-)

Hello all

Many thanks for another interesting weeks postings. I'm pleased that your router has arrived.

Bright but bitterly cold here today. I've been prayer walking around the village streets but not far and not for very long today either.

Sending virtual hugs for those who feel lonely.

Good morning :-)

Wine in the bible.....

From our service of Holy Communion :


“In the same way, after supper
he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.”


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Be gentle, when you touch bread,
Let it not be uncared for, unwanted.
So often bread is taken for granted.
There is so much beauty in bread,
Beauty of sun and soil,
Beauty of patient toil.
Winds and rain have caressed it,
Christ often blessed it;
Be gentle when you touch bread.

Be loving when you drink wine,
So freely received and joyfully shared
in the spirit of him who cared;
Warm as a flowing river,
Shining as clear as the sun,
Deep as the soil
Of human toil,
The winds and air caressed it,
Christ often blessed it,
Be loving when you drink wine.

Cx :-)

Good evening! Better late than never!! :-)


Wine in the bible…..

In bible times, the people were able to preserve and enjoy wine which was both fermented and unfermented. The water of Palestine could be dangerous to drink; an effective method of killing the bacteria in water during ancient times was to mix it with alcoholic wine. This could be why St. Paul advised Timothy to take a “little” wine for his stomach’s rather than drinking just water.

Alcoholic wine was used as an antiseptic to clean wounds as in the story of the Good Samaritan applying this kind of wine to the wound of the injured man. It is likely that this type of wine would be kept rather like a first aid kit when travelling.

Also, alcoholic wine was used to ease the suffering of a dying man. “Give strong drink to him who is perishing.” Strong drink would serve the same purpose as morphine and other opiates. The Roman soldiers attempted to give Jesus wine mixed with myrrh in order to dull Jesus’ pain, though He would not take it.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yipee! I am back online. The router arrived yesterday and I set it up immediately. Feel so much better now! :-D :-D

Loved the baptism gown stories - thank you both Gwyn and Vera. <3

I know what you mean by being glad to be back in church Kandj - I'm like that too. We had an interesting Sunday sermon, all about Jesus turning the water into wine. The vicar used to little boys from the congregation to help him. They looked at growing grapes etc., At one point, he asked them "Now, if we were to squeeze these grapes, what would we get out of them?" They paused, and then one said............."Blackcurrant juice" :-D :-D :-D

Anyway, there is more about wine in the bible..

Whilst wine was very popular in biblical times, there are also times when we are warned about the hazards of drinking too much ....like this :

From Ephesians.
"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."

From Romans
"It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to
stumble."

From Titus
"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good".

We know that Jesus Himself miraculously turned water into wine. He would never have done so if alcohol were a sinful substance never to be consumed.
Everything we do should be in moderation. God’s Word clearly tells us that both drunkenness and gluttony are sinful.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Router still not arrived - one very frustrated person here :-(

I am still typing with one finger on my phone and everything takes ages.

Wine in the Bible :

In biblical times, water was often scarce, so wine became a necessity, rather than a luxury. It was equated with life.

Wine, along with grain and oil represented Gods covenant blessings promised to Israel for obedience. We also see God withholding those necessities for disobedience.

Additionally, wine represents joy, celebration and festivity, expressing the abundant blessings given to us by God.

Cx :-)