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Cynthia
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8 Jan 2019 07:46 |
Good morning :-)
Lovely to see you both popping in and much love to you. Thank you for that prayer Elizabeth - I had meant to look into it more - but life took over. <3
For today:
From the gospel of Mark. The Baptism of Jesus
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Eternal Father, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and revealed him to us at his baptism in the River Jordan, grant that we, who have been born again of water and the Holy Spirit, and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour, who is alive with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Cx :-)
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kandj
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7 Jan 2019 20:04 |
Hello all
I've not read back but just popped in to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year.
Giving out ((hugs)) to all who need one right now. xx
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Elizabethofseasons
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7 Jan 2019 19:35 |
Dear All
Hello
A very happy new year.
Here is a prayer for "Plough Monday":
"Prosper throughout the year
The work done on our local farms.
Bless all who work with the world’s resources
And enable them to be good stewards of your creation;
Fulfil the farmer’s hopes in a plentiful harvest;
Feed your people with wholesome food;
And may town and country, united in gratitude to you,
Be drawn nearer to the understanding
And true service of each other;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord".
Amen.
In the big cities, we sometimes lose touch with rural traditions; it would be good if we could all see and appreciate nature more.
Take gentle care Best wishes Elizabeth, EOS xx
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Cynthia
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7 Jan 2019 07:39 |
Good morning :-)
Oh Pat! I am quite disappointed now...…..but I do like thunderstorms too :-D
Hello Vera, sorry to hear you have been unwell and do hope you are much better now. I was reading about the Epiphany season and its interesting to see how different countries have their own ways of celebrating this special time. Apparently, the Monday after Epiphany is called Plough Monday - well, I never knew that!! :-D
I was recently asked about easy bible readings for those who may be interested in finding out more. I am happy to try that for a week or so and see how it goes.
The bible is made up of 66 books and isn’t really the sort of book you can pick up and begin at the first page. For new readers, it is recommended that you perhaps being with the New Testament and one of the 4 gospels. Each gospel has its own merits and its rather like reading about 4 friends who have been on a journey together and, through them, you begin to get familiar with the life of Jesus. This week, we will look at the Gospel of Mark which is the shortest gospel.
I will use the New Revised Standard Version.
St. Mark chapter 1. The Proclamation of John the Baptist
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Lord, we thank you for giving us your word as a guide to living our lives. May we read with humbleness and honesty and, if we don’t understand, give us the courage to ask questions. Amen.
Cx :-)
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SuffolkVera
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6 Jan 2019 18:38 |
I have been catching up on posts today having been out of action for a while, first staying at son and dil's for Christmas and then being unwell for several days.Thank you folks for all your posts.
Like Cynthia I had a smile when I saw Pat's name. Pat you will forever be associated with bells I am sure they must make your ears ring at times but I would sometimes like to hear a few more ringing here.
Why do you think the Feast of Epiphany is so important overseas but less so here. I had a phone call today from a cousin who lives in Spain and she was just off to a special Epiphany lunch. Is it because we make so much of Christmas Day?
Anyway, I belatedly wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2019 <3
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PatinCyprus
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6 Jan 2019 10:52 |
No bells heard above strong winds and rain lashing down in a prolonged thunder storm :-0 :-D
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Cynthia
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6 Jan 2019 07:46 |
Good morning :-)
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. The Collect (special prayer) for today:
O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory 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.
The gospel reading tells of the arrival of the Three Kings.
Epiphany is a Christian festival which is celebrated 12 days after December 25, the date which signals Christmas has officially ended.
Apparently, up until the 19th century, the Epiphany was more important than Christmas Day, and it was used to celebrate both the three kings' (or three wise men's) visit to Jesus after his birth and also Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. However, the Bible does not say there were only three wise men. There could have been many more. Tradition says that there were three and that their names were Gaspar/Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar/Balthazar, but since the Bible does not say, we have no way of knowing whether the tradition is accurate. They were certainly men of great learning. Today we'd called them astrologers When the Wise Men found Jesus and Mary, they would have been living in a normal house, probably in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, because by this time Jesus would have been aged between one and two. Then they gave their gifts to him. The gifts seem quite strange to give to a baby, but Christians believe that they had the following meanings: • Gold: is associated with Kings and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings. • Frankincense: is sometimes used in worship in Churches and showed that people would worship Jesus. • Myrrh: is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them smell nice; Christian believe that it showed that Jesus would suffer and die.
Cx :-)
(Thinking of Pat and her ear muffs) :-D
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Cynthia
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5 Jan 2019 07:35 |
Good morning :-)
Lord, May we not keep our blessings, but give them away: so that others might learn new dance steps, so children might be fed, so bridges might be built and so grace may flow to all in your world. Amen.
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Cynthia
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4 Jan 2019 07:41 |
Good morning :-)
As soon as I saw your name Pat, I thought BELLS! :-D Epiphany sounds like fun out there! :-D
Oh God, we long to know you and to love you, but the busyness of life often gets in the way. Help us to recognise the ordinary daily ways that our family can learn about you and grow closer to you. We know that you are near us, leading and guiding us. Amen.
Love to all. Cx :-)
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PatinCyprus
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3 Jan 2019 08:22 |
Happy New Year everyone.
People out here are still in holiday mood. We've had Christmas Day and New Year holidays but the big event out here is still to come on Sunday the 6th January, it's Epiphany a religious bank holiday. I'll see food being piled into cars as families get together and if warm enough it'll be BBQ time.
The bells will be ringing Sunday morning :-( ;-)
:-D :-D <3 <3
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Cynthia
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3 Jan 2019 07:31 |
Good morning :-)
Thank you Emma and to you and yours too <3
So glad to be returning to some sort of 'normality'...…. :-D
It was interesting to read that, in the US, New Year resolutions fall into 4 categories :
1. Improve my health 2. Improve my life 3. Improve my behaviour 4. Get closer to God
These resolutions are kept for very long but there is one resolution that when kept, helps in all four areas… and that is…..reading your bible. Regular Bible reading improves your health, improves your life, improves your be-haviour, and gets you closer to God. How come?
Many physical and emotional health issues are the result of stress which can affect your body, thoughts and feel-ings. Throughout the bible we are reminded that God created us in His image and loves us deeply – even when we wander away.
The bible offers encouragement. Comfort. Reassurance. Strength. Peace. Hope. Interesting reading.
Cx :-)
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'Emma'
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2 Jan 2019 12:44 |
Happy New Year Cynthia to you and yours x
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Cynthia
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2 Jan 2019 07:47 |
Good morning..... :-)
And I see I missed yesterday......oh dear....apologies to those who look in. It really was one of those days I'm afraid. I am hoping that normal service has now been resumed :-D Happy new year to you all. <3
Thank you Lord for giving me The brand new year ahead Help me live the way I should As each new day I tread. Give me gentle wisdom That I might help a friend Give me strength and courage So a shoulder I might lend. The year ahead is empty Help me fill it with good things Each new day filled with joy And the happiness it brings. Please give the leaders of our world A courage born of peace That they might lead us gently And all the fighting cease. Please give to all upon this earth A heart that's filled with love A gentle happy way to live With Your blessings from above.
by Charlotte Anselmo
Love to you all. Cx :-)
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Cynthia
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31 Dec 2018 07:53 |
Good morning :-)
And so we reach New Year's Eve...…
God our Father, we give thanks for all that has been and, trustfully, we place the past into your hands.
We ask you to inspire us in the year ahead to seek and fulfil your will. May we truly look on each new day as the start of the rest of our lives.
Enable us, with the power of your Spirit, to remain positive and confident, and live fully and joyfully with those people you have placed into our lives.
Lead us to bring out the best in one another that we may all grow as the people you call us to be. Amen.
Enjoy your celebrations. Love. Cx :-)
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Cynthia
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30 Dec 2018 08:03 |
Good morning :-)
Ooops....sorry about missing yesterday - just noticed. Life is a tad hectic. Knowing what day it is would be helpful!! :-D
During our morning service at church, we will be remembering, by name, those for whom a funeral service has been held in church during 2018. We pray for the families of these people.
The Collect (special prayer) for today
Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your son Jesus Christ: grant that, as He came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of His di-vinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The gospel reading today is taken from John and is where Jesus tells us that ‘in my father’s house, there are many mansions.’
Cx :-)
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Cynthia
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28 Dec 2018 08:19 |
Good morning :-)
Dear Lord, Joy to the World. The Lord is Come! Jesus is born! Born in a manger. Born into this world. This life. This joy. This mess. This brokenness. This hope. Jesus is born. For us. For the world. Be with me in this joy. This moment. This gift. This life. This baby. This mystery. Jesus is born!
May I never grow weary of this mystery. May I never grow too old to believe. May I never forget the beauty of a baby. Jesus is born.
Cx :-)
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Cynthia
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27 Dec 2018 08:00 |
Good morning :-)
It’s another saint’s day today – St John the Apostle, also called St. John the Evangelist or St. John the Divine. Not to be confused with St. John the Baptist.
John was an apostle of Jesus who founded many churches in Asia Minor and was the author of three letters, the Fourth Gospel, and possibly the Revelation to John in the New Testament. He played a leading role in the early church at Jerusalem. John was the son of Zebedee, a Galilean fisherman, and Salome. John and his brother St. James were among the first disciples called by Jesus. John stood faithfully at the cross when Christ made him the guardian of His Mother.
Tradition relates that he was, by order of Emperor Dometian, cast into a cauldron of boiling oil but came out unhurt, and was banished to the island of Patmos for a year. He lived to an extreme old age, surviving all his fellow apostles, and died in Ephesus about the year 100.
Cx :-)
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Cynthia
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26 Dec 2018 08:30 |
Good morning :-)
Boxing Day – the day after Christmas Day, and it is also St. Stephen’s Day.
It is generally thought that Boxing Day was so-called because it was the day when the donation box in churches were opened and the money distributed to the poor.
Nowadays, of course, it is known for its sales as thousands of people rush to the shops to spend money. How things change.
Saint Stephen was one of the first deacons of the Christian Church and was also the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death because he accused the Jews of being ungrateful to God and of murdering Jesus, whose coming, he said, had been foretold by Moses.
Hope everyone had an enjoyable day.....Love, Cx :-)
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Cynthia
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25 Dec 2018 07:49 |
Good morning and a very Happy and Blessed Christmas to you all.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Cx :-)
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Cynthia
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24 Dec 2018 07:35 |
Good morning :-)
Thank you Emma, and I hope your Christmas is happy and peaceful.
The final Advent thought....
At last Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. It was crowded with other people who needed to pay their taxes. Mary was very tired and needed a place to stay. At each inn, the story was the same. There was no room for them. Eventually, one kind innkeeper said he had a stable where he kept his animals. They were welcome to stay there.
Advent Act of Kindness
Pray for all those who are fleeing their own country and for those who are about to give birth.
Cx :-)
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