General Chat

Amen. Cynthia it is a beautiful morning. :-D

Emma :-)

Edit.....I was thinking the same thing this morning with OH, dog
and myself walking along our beach promenade..(well I was in
my mobility scooter) what a joy :-)

On such a beautiful morning...... :-)


Thank You for This Earth

O God,

We thank you for this earth, our home;
for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams,
for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and green grass.


We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds,
and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn's fruit,
rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers.


Grant us a heart opened wide to all this beauty;
and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with your glory.

For each new dawn is filled with infinite possibilities for new beginnings
and new discoveries.
Life is constantly changing and renewing itself.
In this new day of new beginnings with God, all things are possible.
We are restored and renewed in a joyous awakening to the wonder that our lives are and, yet, can be.


Amen.


Cx :-)

Cynthia :-D :-D Not sure if Coronation programme was same one I watched but loved the bit where Mr Fisher placed the crown on the head of ...........
Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk. I was watching the dress rehearsal :-D :-D

Your service sounds fantastic. Very patriotic. And all these baptisms again. Must be a secret ingredient in the local water :-)

I have been out twice today. First service was over in the Rhymney Valley - about 34 miles from home. English service, well attended, finished with that great Wesley hymn "And can it be?".

Tonight it was a Welsh service in an Independent chapel and there were only 7 there and I thought it would be a real struggle. Took Isaiah 53 verse 5 as my text, concentrating on "by his stripes we are healed".

Sometimes you absolutely know the Holy Spirit is present, and this was one of those nights. I had my notes prepared, but you suddenly find words coming out of your mouth that are well off script. I could see from the reaction and the faces as I shook hands afterwards that the message had struck home.

What a great priviledge it is to attend any church these days and worship with Christians. Gone are the days in most chapels when there are elderly people judging your behaviour. We just all want to benefit from our worship and encourage more to join us.:-) :-)

:-)

A good morning. We had special prayers for the Queen, sang 'I vow to thee my country', and the National Anthem was played at the end of the service. We have a superb organist who really gave it 'his all' and it sounded so triumphant and uplifting. :-)


Lots of little ones and parents in today.....some in full voice - children I mean :-D

There were also a family who were remembering the anniversary of the death of a loved one who had been a loyal and much loved member of the church. It is 12 months since her death and, although she was a tiny lady with a quiet manner, I remember that the church was packed to standing room only at her funeral.

She had got on very well with our vicar and, on occasions, he used to pull her leg no end, which always delighted her. A lovely lady.

Anyway, when that service was over, we welcomed 6 babies for baptism......where is that lollipop lady when you need her? :-D


Came home and found that the Coronation Service was on in its entirety, so my daughter put it on her Ipad for me and I watched it whilst cooking lunch. Really enjoyed it - but what a long day it must have been for everyone.


Cx :-)

As Cynthia posted, thank you.


http://www.westminster-abbey.org/press/news/news/2013/april/new-prayer-from-westminster-abbey-to-mark-coronation-anniversary

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said: ‘This prayer expresses our thanks to God for The Queen’s long and duteous reign and for Her Majesty’s example of faithful and committed service to the nation and Commonwealth.”

This prayer has been specially written by Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It has been commended to be used by the Church of England and other denominations at this special time.


Almighty God,
at the hands of priests and prophets
you anoint your chosen servants with the oil of gladness
and strengthen them with the gifts of your Holy Spirit:
accept our joyful praise as with united voice
we give thanks for the long and glorious reign
of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth.

Renewing your blessings, pour on her your choicest gifts,
and on all your people the spirit of humility and mutual service
shown in the life and death of him who is the anointed King of all,
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.


We thank God for Her Majesty; for her loyalty, integrity and commitment to duty over 60 long years. May He bless her, now and always.


Back later with this week's 'happenings' at church..... :-)

:-) :-)

Beautiful day. The grandmother of a lady who used to sibehind me in chapel in Northants went to a lady's Sunday School in Northern Ireland.

It was Mrs Alexander, and she wrote a song to help the children. It was called "All Things Bright and Beautiful". :-) :-) And, as I look across at purple headed mountains, my morning looks bright and beautiful. Hope your does too. :-) :-)

Prayers for Archbishop Sentamu this morning. Entrust him to God's healing care after his serious operation. It reminds me what a wealth of great talent flooded into Britain after the disastrous reign of Idi Amin. These dictators may destroy their own countries, but how they enrich the host country :-) :-)

Laptop behaving itself today......well, so far anyway..... :-D


It's a beautiful morning and I send my love to you all.....


Lead Me to Peace

Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.

Lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.

Lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.

Let peace fill my heart,
my world, my universe.

Amen.


Cx :-)

Joy and Cynthia thank you.

Cynthia my laptop will be following yours. :-D

Emma :-)

Apologies for my later arrival due to circumstances beyond my control, and the possibility of a computer being thrown through a window!! :-D


I was so sorry to read your post Joy, I haven't even seen the news yet today. I've always liked Archbishop John Sentamu as he always seems so joyful.


I've chosen this prayer for today.....



Bless the hands
that bring wholeness
to lives blighted by sickness.

Bless the saints who
in sad and desperate places
bring a sense of hopefulness.

Bless the Christians
facing daily opposition
showing a faithful witness.

Bless the generosity
of the rich and powerful
for the gift of thoughtfulness.

Bless the peacemakers
working in conditions
that are often hazardous.

Bless the politicians
whether good or bad
for decisions affecting all of us.

Bless our words and actions
as we carry your light
into places shrouded in darkness.

Bless your children
whoever they might be
with the warmth of your love and grace.



I hope it touches someone today.......Cx :-)

“'God, gather and turn my thoughts to you. With you there is light, you do not forget me. With you there is hope and patience. I don't understand your ways, but you know the way for me'.

”I wish you all joy in the Lord.“


Quoted by the Archbishop of York John Sentamu, who is being treated for prostate cancer. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/archbishop-of-york-john-sentamu-treated-for-prostate-cancer-8638559.html

:-D :-D Thanks, Cynthia. Amen

"Remember religious and faithful rulers,
whom Thou hast given to rule
upon the earth;
and especially remember, Lord,
our divinely-guarded Queen;
strengthen her kingdom,
subdue to her all adversaries,
speak good things to her heart,
for Thy Church, and all Thy
people.
Vouchsafe to her deep and undisturbed
peace,
that in her serenity
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
with all godliness and honesty."

That was Bishop Andrewes 400 years ago. I think it is apt as Cynthia's prayer was about serenity and our Queen has supplied a serenity through a rapidly changing 60 years in our history. If I am leading prayers in church, I always pray for the Royal Family, the Government, the Opposition, the legislature and the clergy. They are men and women who have set a part of their life aside to serve us as best they can - and we should uphold them in our prayers. :-)

Thank you Susan........ :-)



A bit late today.....apologies...... :-)


Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.




Cx :-)

Good morning and Happy birthday

Indeed :-)


PS I edited incorrectly so it looks as if Cynthia said thank you before I had "spoken" ;-)

'And if you buy a cow, may she be expecting'.

Happy birthday, Cynthia and Prickles.
xx



May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Thank you Joy...... :-)