General Chat

Food for thought indeed Cynthia, thank you very much.

John, It's hard to believe that the Harvest Service is around once more. All events in the church calendar keep me grounded and help me to get through each year.

Harvest is such a good time to reflect on everything that God is providing and no better opportunity than a traditional Harvest Festival Service to thank Him for His provision that feeds the body, soul and mind!

No Harvest Festival Service would be complete without the old traditional hymns such as, We Plough the Fields and Scatter, and Come ye, Faithful People Come, Raise the Song of Harvest Home and for the littlies All things Bright and Beautiful.

Our small congregation no longer bring allotment fresh produce to be displayed on the altar and used to decorate the church windowsills as in years past. Like Cynthia has mentioned we are now encouraged to bring tinned or packaged food items to be passed on to the homeless hostels or cereal, milk or tinned meats/vegetables which are used to provide breakfasts or used at the luncheon clubs run by several local churches and always well attended by needy folk.

Harvest Services are very different now to years gone by when our village baker would provide a huge sheaf of wheat baked and which took pride of place on the altar....... much the same as the Rhondda steam coal displayed at John's church...... it is good sometimes to go back and be reminded of our roots...... my village was predominately farming and then the coal mines took over.

I am sure that John will do an excellent job and make next Sunday a very special and memorable service for the young and the young at heart too.
His spoken word will be like sowing the seeds of God's word and sharing His promise that the harvest gifts in our lives are in an abundance each and every day, We Praise God for his blessings to each and everyone of us all day long.

Elizabeth (EOS) has drawn attention on another thread to the appointment of our new UK and Commonwealth Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mervis yesterday. We wish that community safety and harmony and send our love for his successful leadership.

I thought a psalm sung by Christians and Jews alike might be appropriate this morning:

"Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.

While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is; which keepeth truth for ever:

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:

The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: The Lord loveth the righteous:

The Lord preserveth the strangers: he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations.

Praise ye the Lord." (Psalm 146)

After that sermon in my church yesterday from Luke Chapter 13 about the woman bowed down for 18 years who was straightened and given confidence, a few chords resonated. How the Jewish community and Christian community in the UK and beyond need confidence to carry out our work in an increasingly difficult and unbelieving world.

Edit. Many thanks for thoughts this morning, Cynthia. I think of church (Sunday and midweek) as important, do not agree with so many who say it is not important to attend. But so true that doing and living it out means a lot more than anything else. I often think the person in the congregation who smiles and nods appropriately can witness to God far more effectively than the preacher. A living building needs a variety of living stones worshipping in harmony.:-D

Good morning everyone....I hope you are all well :-)



A striking thought for today...



Sermons We See


I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day,
I'd rather one would walk with me
than merely tell the way;

The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear;

The best of all the preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it,
if you'll let me see it done,
I can watch your hands in action,
your tongue too fast may run;

The lectures you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;

I may not understand
the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.


- Edgar A. Guest.


Food for thought! Cx :-)

Harvest Festival has changed over the years up here in the North West of England. You rarely see traditional harvest offerings - they have been replaced by tinned and packaged goods.


This is often because the fruit and veg either goes 'off' and has to be thrown away /the old and sick can't cope with enormous amounts of fresh stuff being thrust upon them / there is no other outlet for such goods. Also, there can sometimes be friction when one person gets a parcel and someone else doesn't. Sheeesh.


The tinned goods are often distributed to the homeless and those in need and, we do, in fact, run a Food Bank at our church.


At our last church, the congregation were invited to a) bring donations of tinned goods to be distributed to the local domestic violence shelter. b) to donate money to buy flowers for those churchfolk who were too sick or old to get to church. c) to donate to Christian Aid or somesuch. It worked well.


John, Google should provide some good answers re Harvest ;-)

Many thanks kandj and Cynthia.

Cynthia. Now you mention it, I feel sure I heard about Woodbine Willy from my father. What a brave and kind man that hymnwriter was.

Went to church this morning. Church Minister preached and he was very good, I thought. Took a little known miracle mentioned by Luke in Chapter 13 verses 10-17. A lady stooped over for 18 years became straight and confident. The synagogue leaders chastised Jesus for "working" on the Sabbath.

I thought Minister was going to develop his sermon into keeping the Sabbath holy, which was worrying me as I had to buy some flyspray from supermarket next door after service.

But he linked it to the two little Barnardo boys adoped by Lesley Sharp's grandfather in WDYTYA. He compared the photo of one little boy when he entered Barnardos - thin, wretched, cowed - with the photo taken when he went to Canada - well built, straight, confident.

And he suggested that perhaps this lady had been cowed for 18 years for similar psychological and physical reasons. Mentioned cyber bullying and the good things and bad things about Facebook. Very good and relevant points.

Next week it is me - and Harvest Festival. Be very pleased of any help (from anybody who watches this thread) ie harvest hymns, texts, themes. Not quite the same here in Valleys. Will not be surrounded with a fruit and veg shop like in previous chapels (love all that). Down here it is some nice veg off the allotments and always a large piece of impressive Rhondda best steam coal placed out front. But very simple and very minimalist. :-)

Cynthia, a much needed prayer for all war-torn countries..... thankyou
.
We have had Godparents who also have been baptised but before baby many times. That is always extra special when an adult makes a real conscious decision to become committed to Christ in front of their family before taking on the important role of a Godparent to the baby

John, our daughter chose to marry on a Sunday afternoon but we both managed to "escape" to have special time together with our extended church family members for Communion service, before dashing back home to prepare for her wedding in the afternoon back in the village church where all our family baptism/marriage/funeral services have taken place.

I've also known weddings take place on a Sunday John, but not with the congregation present. They are usually in the afternoon when there isn't a church service taking place.

Legally, one can be married between the hours of 8am and 6pm on any day. :-)


I remember my parents talking about Woodbine Willie!!

Well, Cynthia. The Buy one Get One Free (marriage and baptism) amused me a lot. We certainly need to think outside the box these days. I have often thought that it would be nice to have weddings on a Sunday with all the congregation there to support bride and groom, but probably most churches would be too small and/or too hidebound to break with tradition.

I loved Emma's thoughts yesterday, and with my newly acquired skill of cut and paste, here they are:

A morning is a wonderful blessing, either cloudy
or sunny. It stands for Hope, giving us another start
of what we call Life. Have a good morning and day.

And Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy's hymn:

Awake, awake to love and work,
The lark is in the sky,
The fields are wet with diamond dew,
The worlds awake to cry
Their blessings on the Lord of life,
As he goes meekly by.

Come, let thy voice be one with theirs,
Shout with their shout of praise;
See how the giant sun soars up,
Great lord of years and days!
So let thy love of Jesus come,
And set thy soul ablaze.

May you all have a wonderful day today. :-) :-)

Edit. Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy, MC (27 June 1883 – 8 March 1929), was an Anglican priest and poet. He was nicknamed 'Woodbine Willie' during World War I for giving Woodbine cigarettes along with spiritual aid to injured and dying soldiers. Vicar of St Pauls in Worcester, he gained Military Cross (MC) in WW1.

Good morning all poppers-inners :-)


Lovely words there Emma.....thank you.


Hi kandj, I don't think it's that unusual for baptisms to take place at other times other than on a Sunday morning or afternoon. I have know our vicar baptise a baby during a marriage service on more that one occasion. The parents seem to want to make it one big celebration....

Also, because Godparents have to be baptised before making the vows, we have had instances where those who were not baptised as infants, come to the Baptism Preparation class and are baptised later that evening if they are happy to do so.

As for overhead projectors and PowerPoints....there are some in our church who would love to use them constantly. We do use them for special occasions involving children but not very often.


Anyway, must get a move on.....


Because of the serious situation in the world at the moment, I thought I would use this prayer from the Christian Aid website.....


A prayer for the people of Syria

Almighty and all powerful God, creator of the world and the nations
We bring before you all those caught up in the conflict in Syria.

We pray for an immediate ceasefire, for an end to violence against all civilians.
Give humanitarian organisations the space to assess the needs of those living in poverty and insecurity.

We pray for those who are experiencing the pain of personal loss, for families who are mourning the loss of loved ones
Comfort especially those who have friends and family members missing.

We pray for those caught up in the cycle of violence and bloodshed: give them a just peace.

We pray for those forced to flee their homes: keep them safe on their travels and arrival in foreign lands.

We pray for Christian Aid partners in neighbouring countries: guide them in their response to this situation.

We pray for those in positions of power who have the means to make a difference:
Guide the United Nations, and governments whose intervention might bring about peace.

We pray for the future of all countries where people have been willing to challenge unfair and unjust governments

We ask that the outcome will be a better future for all, and that the poor and marginalised will experience new lives of dignity and hope.

And we pray for ourselves, that we will not ignore their pleas for help
That we may play our part in bringing about the change that they want to see.

Amen.




Cx

Your welcome kandj :-)

Beautiful and meaningful words John, thanks.

My niece and hubby have attended a baptism service this afternoon ...? a Saturday?
I can honestly say I have never come across this before,well certainly not in my church or other local churches.

Cynthia, hymns in my church are now put on an overhead projector and not read from hymn books. This has been sited over the pulpit which does not bode well with us golden oldies.
That is the downside of church at present but on the upside is we has a new young church member who has offered to play the organ (brilliant) and means we no longer have to sing along to the CD discs (not good)
Our prayers have been heard and answered after several years, so Thank You God!

Emma, just loving your very special words....... awesome...... thank you.

Thank you all for your contribution to this thread
which I enjoy reading.
I came across this and thought I would share it
with you.

A morning is a wonderful blessing, either cloudy
or sunny. It stands for Hope, giving us another start
of what we call Life. Have a good morning and day.

Emma :-)

Good morning everyone and thank you for the conversations - they made lovely reading..... :-)



Vera, I know the first poem you quoted and have always thought how true it is. I don't know the second one, but again, very true indeed - music can help when words fail.
I do hope your move goes smoothly - I absolutely loathe moving house.


Thank you for another new hymn John and, you may be surprised to know, I don't think we have any baptisms booked in for tomorrow..... :-D

I forgot to look at a hymn book whilst at church yesterday, but I have a feeling we may use Hymns for Today's Church. Will try and check tomorrow.



For today:


A Cheerful Heart

To make our lives more meaningful,
it takes a cheerful heart...
and loving life and living it
each day as a brand new start.

It takes a positive attitude
when trials come our way...
and having the strength to carry on
and taking the time to pray.

Life is what we make it,
for the time that we are here...
so start each day with a cheerful heart
and see miracles appear.

- Jill Lemming.



Cx :-)

kandj :-) I am not a gardener at all. But I love to visit old 18th century gardens to see what they were like. And Epworth Rectory is excellent, and a lovely walk through a gate at the back to access the village church. My outstanding memory of my last visit there was that they had a ghost on the top floor when the Wesleys were children about 1710.

And there was a serious fire there when the Wesleys were plucked from the burning just before they (edit - would have) perished. John Wesley always afterwards referred to himself as a "brand plucked from the burning"

Cynthia. I was looking at a hymnbook called "Hymns and Psalms" which was the main Methodist hymnbook from 1983 till a couple of years ago (now "Singing the Faith" is replacing it slowly). Here is a baptismal one (expect you will get sprinkled again tomorrow) written by Derek Farrow (b1925):

Lord, look upon this helpless child
Before she knows you're there;
Surround her with protective love,
Enfold her in your care.

Your church on earth, O Lord, affirms
By clear baptismal sign
What you from heaven made manifest
By merciful design.

By merciful design and love
Through Saviour Jesus' birth,
You succour every one that's born
To serve you here on earth.

These joyful parents strengthen, Lord,
And help them to provide
A Christian home, where faithfulness
And patient love abides.

Thus may all children brought to you
Be nurtured in your way,
And so in goodness and in truth
Your Spirit's fruit display.

John, a new hymn to me also.
I live quite near to The Old Rectory at Epworth which was home of Susanna and Reverend Samuel Wesley the parents of Charles and John Wesley who went on to develop the Methodist movement with their 7 sisters and eldest brother Samuel.

Cynthia.... Faith, Hope and Love...... riches indeed for everyone to enjoy.

SuffolkVera..... what a treasure trove of gems you have there.

Thank you all for sharing such special and meaningful words.

We are moving home soon so are busy sorting out all the boxes of stuff we have stored in odd corners or in the loft. We came across a box of bits relating to OH's aunt who died and was buried in America in 1993. Among the items was a Memorial Book which contained a number of poems and I wondered if I could share a couple of them with you.

God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

(Annie Johnson Flint)

And one that I found particularly meaningful as music has been important to me:

How many of us stop to think
Of music as a wondrous magic link
With God; taking sometimes the place of prayer,
When words have failed us 'neath the weight of care?
Music, that knows no country, race or creed;
But gives to each according to his need.

(Unattributed in the book)

Those are lovely and very true words kandj. Thank you. :-)


Another hymn I'm not familiar with John. Are you using the Methodist Hymnal? There are so many hymn books around - can't remember which one we use but I know it isn't Ancient and Modern. Will check when I go for lunch today.



For today:


Faith, Hope , and Love


Faith, hope, and love– more priceless than gold.

For if you possess them, you’ve riches untold,

For with faith to believe what your eyes cannot see,

And hope to look forward to new joys to be

And love to transform the most commonplace

Into beauty and kindness and goodness and grace,

There’s nothing too much to accomplish or do,

For with faith, hope, and love to carry you through,

Your life will be happy, and full and complete,

For with faith, hope, and love the bitter turns sweet–

For all earthly joys, and heaven’s joys too,

Belong to God’s children who are faithful and true.



Cx :-)

kandj. Tha\nks for that. You do see wisdom in some strange places sometrimes. Bookmarks, wall plaques in halls of houses.

I just looked at this hymn this morning (Charles Wesley):

"Jesus has died that I might live,
Might live to God alone,
In him eternal life receive,
And be in spirit one.

Saviour, I thank thee for the grace,
The gift unspeakable!
And wait with arms of faith to embrace,
And all thy love to feel.

My soul breaks out in strong desire
The perfect bliss to prove;
My longing heart is all on fire
To be dissolved in love.

Give me thyself - from every boast,
From every wish set free,
Let all I am in thee be lost;
But give thyself to me.

Thy gifts, alone, cannot suffice
Unless thyself be given;
Thy presence makes my paradise,
And where thou art is heaven"

Liking that one Cynthia..... thank you. Hope your day is good too.

I found these words on a bookmark and would like to share them if I may?

I shall pass through this world but once.
Any good that I can do, or any kindness that
I can show to any human being,
Let me do it now.
Let me not defer nor neglect it,
For I shall not pass this way again.

I always find that The Old Rugged Cross is a hymn which I can get really wrapped into - if you know what I mean. I love many of the new hymns but, somehow, singing the real old 'ranters' really lifts my spirits. Maybe it's a sign of age.... :-D

Thought for today.....


WISHING

Do you wish the world were better?
Let me tell you what to do:
Set a watch upon your actions,
Keep them always straight and true;
Rid your mind of selfish motives;
Let your thoughts be clean and high.
You can make a little Eden
Of the sphere you occupy.

Do you wish the world were wiser?
Well, suppose you make a start,
By accumulating wisdom
In the scrapbook of your heart:
Do not waste one page on folly;
Live to learn, and learn to live.
If you want to give men knowledge
You must get it, ere you give.

Do you wish the world were happy?
Then remember day by day
Just to scatter seeds of kindness
As you pass along the way;
For the pleasures of the many
May be ofttimes traced to one,
As the hand that plants an acorn
Shelters armies from the sun.


- Ella Wheeler Wilcox


Have a good day everyone. Cx :-)