General Chat

Good morning :-)


Another visitor last night and today, we have an OT visiting us to see what can be adapted to help my OH. Had better get the duster round quickly..... :-)


For today:

Dear God,
grant me this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life,

Letting go every thought of anxiety, discouragement, self-seeing
Cultivating joy, generosity, love, and the habit of holy silence.

Grant me to be faithful in the habits of prayer, work, study, exercise,
eating and sleeping.

As I cannot by my own strength do this,
nor even with the hope of success attempt it,

I look to you, O Lord my Father,
in Jesus Christ my Saviour
and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.


Love to all. Cx :-)

Cynthia hope your OH gets helpful advise from
OT.

Remembering our friends in need. x

Good morning :-)


That visit was a complete and utter waste of time. :-(

Nice enough chap, but he didn't seem to know much about what he did or why he was here. When I asked him what he actually was, he said 'Disability Manager'. It appears that he is an assistant to the OT. Personally, I wonder if he is sent out ahead to see if the client is genuinely in need..........??? Hopefully, the OT will be coming out in a couple of weeks or so.......*sigh*



All Hallows Eve and Autumn Celebrations

Despite the Church's success in establishing a Christian foundation for the autumn celebrations, many of the ancient customs and traditions associated with them were still practiced by the population.

The carving of gourds and the wearing of costumes and masks to scare away malevolent spirits are typical of the superstitions carried over from these celebrations into the All Hallows Eve observance.

The custom of "trick-or-treating" has its origins in a ritual wherein the elders of a village or town would go from house to house and receive offerings of food and gifts for the souls of dead friends and relatives thought to visit on this night.

This practice evolved during the Middle Ages, when beggars would travel from village to village and beg for "soul cakes". Villagers would offer prayers along with the cakes to those who had died in the past year for their transition to heaven.

Many countries around the world have some type of celebration during the Autumn Equinox that gives thanks for the harvest and pays tribute to those who have died.

The concept of death among various cultures and societies, many of them Christian, is treated as a natural part of the process of life. Honouring relatives and friends who have "gone home to be with the Lord" is often viewed as a privilege that is pleasing to God.

Numerous Christians find comfort in the belief that those who have gone before them are among the "cloud of witnesses" praying and interceding for them.

The prevailing view amongst churches, for many Christians, Catholic and Protestant, All Hallows Eve continues to be observed as a time of faith and hope. Remembering those who lived their Christian faith and served God with all their hearts, even to the point of giving their lives, provides inspiration and perseverance for those who still remain.



A Prayer For Halloween

Father
We thank you
for your many blessings,
in particular for
all the holy men and women
we celebrate on All Saints Day.
Help us to contemplate
their holiness
on this eve of that holiday.
And may your protection
be upon all those
involved in Halloween festivities
during this night.
We pray in Jesus name.

Amen.


- David Bennett

Love to all. Cx :-)

That is so frustrating Cynthia, hope you get
that visit from the OT.

I have to go for an assessment on my illness
on Thursday next week to see if I need my Blue
Badge renewed, I am all for this as believe in some
cases this is being abused. Watch this space.

xx

Good morning :-)

I agree about assessments Emma, I just wish they had told me first so that I didn't get my hopes up so soon. :-)


Today is All Saints Day, also known as All Hallows Day - it is a day for Christians to remember and celebrate those who lived before us and contributed to the life of the church and society.


Some words from the hymn which most churches will probably sing tomorrow:

For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!


Remembering those who have asked for prayer. Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



We seem to have come round to November very quickly this year........my word!


The Collect for today :

The Collect

Almighty and eternal God,
you have kindled the flame of love in the hearts of the saints:
grant to us the same faith and power of love,
that, as we rejoice in their triumphs,
we may be sustained by their example and fellowship;
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.


Love to all Cx :-)

hello to all

I was just surfing and came across this.......


Start Over

by Dr. Woodrow Kroll

When you've trusted Jesus and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way,
START OVER

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why,
START OVER

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And now you're all alone and it's up to you,
START OVER

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren have come along,
START OVER

When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill,
START OVER

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it,
START OVER

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you,
START OVER

Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "The Lords' Will Done"
Don't just sit there.......
START OVER

Good morning :-)


Thank you for those words Susan - I will leave them as the thought for today :-)




I managed to get my husband to church yesterday but, unfortunately, we had to come home part way through the service so he didn't manage to receive his Holy Communion :-( We will try again another week though.


Many churches held a Memorial Service yesterday afternoon/evening, especially remembering those who have died during the last year. We had a large number in the congregation who joined in the hymns and prayers and then listened attentively as their loved one's name was read out.


Remembering those who have asked for prayer Cx :-)

A good start Cynthia for your husband, such a shame
he was unable to stay for Holy Communion.


Remembering all our friends and family in need of prayer. x

Good morning :-)


A touch of humour for today. I am currently the person who is typing up the parish magazine - these are the sort of errors I dread making.... :-D




Seen on a Church noticeboard: "Come early and get a back seat".

In the Church Notices: "At the last Church Council meeting, it was decided that from this week on the freewill offering will be compulsory"

The parish magazine: "We are pleased to note that there has been a change of mind by the Housing Department regarding the name for the new housing complex for the elderly. "St Peter's Close" did seem somewhat inappropriate".

Women's Luncheon: Each member bring a sandwich. Polly Phillips will give the medication.

Congratulations to Tim and Ronda on the birth of their daughter October 12 thru 17.

If you choose to heave during the Postlude, please do so quietly.

Sign-up sheet for anyone wishing to be water-baptised on the table in the foyer.

Newsletters are not being sent to absentees because of their weight.

The District Superintendent will be meeting with the church boared.

As soon as the weather clears up, the men will have a goof outing. .

Thank you, dead friends.

Diana and Don request your presents at their wedding.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget all His benefits

Head Deacon and Dead Deaconess

We pray that our people will jumble themselves.



Hope these made folk smile today Cx :-)

Good way to start the day Cynthia :-D

Thank you for sharing x

Good morning :-)

We seem to live in a world full of stresses and strains. People are striving to meet targets at work and juggle families and finances, so a short prayer for those in that situation...:

Lord,

When I feel stressed, help me to lift my eyes heavenwards and breathe in your peace.

When I feel tried, help me to allow you to be strength to me.

When I feel irritable, help me to draw near to you and fill up my heart with love.

When I feel inadequate, help me to live in your grace and rest in the knowledge that you are with me.

When I fell down, help me to hear your voice bringing new inspiration and insight into my life.

Amen.


Thinking of kandj and her husband, Vera and Emma's friends and any known to us who would appreciate prayer.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


I hope everyone is keeping well and happy. Kandj and her husband, Vera's widowed neighbour and Emma's young friend are still remembered in prayer - as are several others. I hope things are settling down for them all.


Ideals Are Like Stars

In this world of casual carelessness

it’s discouraging to try

To keep our morals and standards

and our ideals high…

We are ridiculed and laughed at

by the smart sophisticate

Who proclaims in brittle banter

that such things are

out of date…


But no life is worth the living

unless it’s built on truth,

And we lay our life’s foundation

in the golden years of youth…

So allow no one to stop you

or hinder you from laying

A firm and strong foundation

made of faith and love

and praying…


And remember that ideals

are like stars up in the sky,

You can never really reach them,

hanging in the heavens high…

But like the mighty mariner

who sailed the storm-tossed sea,

And used the stars to chart

his course

with skill and certainty,

You too can chart your course in life

With high ideals and love,

For high ideals are like the stars

that light the sky above…


You cannot ever

reach them,

but lift your heart up high

and your life will be as shining

as the stars up in the sky.



- Helen Steiner Rice



With love, Cx :-)

Cynthia thank you <3

Good morning :-)

Most of us know folk who are either in hospital or in care of some sort.......we think of them today....


Lord God, whose Son, Jesus Christ,

understood people's fear and pain

before they spoke of them,

we pray for those in hospital;

surround the frightened with your tenderness;

give strength to those in pain;

hold the weak in your arms of love,

and give hope and patience

to those who are recovering;

we ask this through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.


With love to you all.....Cx :-)

Amen.

Thank you Cynthia

Good morning :-)


As we enter this special weekend which is dedicated to those who suffered and died during warfare, I am going to use the following prayer, one which I have found very moving.


Found on the body of a young soldier killed in WW1

Look, God, I have never spoken to you before,
But now I want to say: "How do you do?"
You see God, they told me you didn’t exist,
And, like a fool, I believed all this.

Last night from a shell hole I saw your sky,
I figured right then they had told me a lie,
Had I taken the time to see things you made,
I’d have known they weren’t calling a spade a spade.

I wonder, God, if you’d shake my hand,
Somehow I feel that you’d understand,
Funny I had to come to this hellish place,
Before I had time to see your face.

Well, I guess there isn’t much more to say,
But I am sure, God, I met you today,
I guess the "zero-hour " will soon be here,
But I'm not afraid since I know you're here.

The signal! Well, God, I have to go,
I like you lots, this I want you to know,
Look now, this will be a horrible fight,
Who knows, I may come to your house tonight.

Though I wasn’t friendly to you before,
I wonder, God, if you’d wait at your door?
Look, I’m crying! Me. Shedding tears!
I wish I had known you these many years.

Well! I have to go now God. Goodbye,
Since I met you, I’m not afraid to die.




Cx <3

Very moving prayer from a young soldier

This weekend, we will all witness a mass display of emotion. A human reaction worth nurturing.