General Chat

Good morning :-)

So, how many people have made some New Year's Resolutions? Does anyone keep these? We can but try!

How about some Christian resolutions to help us on our way this week? Some are very simple but not necessarily easy. They are all possible – if one is prepared to put a bit of effort in. Have fun.

1. BE A PEACEMAKER.
Matthew 5:9 It is so easy to get worked up about things; world politics, community politics, people who wrong us, family drama, church drama, etc. But resolve to bring peace. Don’t spread the rumours, don’t listen to the stories, don’t join the clique. Be one of those who initiates peace and unity.

Jesus, today I pray You would show me how to be a peacemaker. As the Prince of Peace, steady my heart to surrender control of situations over to You. Help me untangle any feelings of unresolved hurt in my heart so I can truly walk in the beauty of forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. – Lysa Terkeurst

Cx :-)

Hello all

Back home after being thoroughly spoiled by family.

Cynthia.... Amen to your prayer and many thanks for your daily postings..... much appreciated.

Vera, I hope 2024 brings less stress to you and your husband, family and friends. Enjoy your new granddaughter. A precious gift in 2023.

Gwen, I hope you and your family are well and have enjoyed Christmas/New Year celebrations.

Rambling, so nice to have you pop in the thread.

Tabitha, I hope that al the aches and pains you coped with during 2023 are left behind you now.

I SAID TO THE MAN
who stood at the gate of the year,
"Give me a light that I may tread safely
into the unknown."
He replied, "Go out into the darkness
and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and
safer than a known way!".

Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

Good morning (just) :-D

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Heavenly Father, as we face both known and unknown challenges of the coming year, grant us strength and courage. Help us to rely on your mighty power and to find our refuge in you. May we be steadfast in our faith, knowing that you are our rock and our fortress. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good evening

Just popping in to wish you all a happy, healthy and blessed New Year <3

Good morning :-)


Today is the First Sunday after Christmas

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 divinity;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Christmas has gone and though some days seem to have lost their shine, He's still the same.

Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

On all the big, celebration days and on all the days in between.

The manger is empty and so is the tomb. Jesus didn't stay there, He's alive today, our Emmanuel, "God with us."

Whatever we might be facing, don't ever doubt His great love for us. He sees us and He cares. He made a way for us to be free. And that truth puts all the joy and "Merry" in Christmas and the New Year too.

We still have such reason to celebrate, we still have great reason for joy, today, and every day.

For He is with us.

Always.

May His peace and joy fill our hearts and homes today, more than ever before. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



The Maid-Servant At The Inn
"It's queer," she said; "I see the light
As plain as I beheld it then,
All silver-like and calm and bright-
We've not had stars like that again!

"And she was such a gentle thing
To birth a baby in the cold.
The barn was dark and frightening-
This new one's better than the old.

"I mind my eyes were full of tears,
For I was young, and quick distressed,
But she was less than me in years
That held a son against her breast.

"I never saw a sweeter child-
The little one, the darling one!-
I mind I told her, when he smiled
You'd know he was his mother's son.

"It's queer that I should see them so-
The time they came to Bethlehem
Was more than thirty years ago;
I've prayed that all is well with them."


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

We're in those strange days between Christmas and New Year. Holiday? No holiday? Work? No work? We press on.

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry, to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart.
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and
in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.
- Howard Thurman

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Dear God,

Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Thank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us. You never leave us. Thank you for your daily Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favour as with a shield, and we are safe in your care. We choose to press in close to you, in all these days after Christmas. Thank you for giving us this hope we can carry all year through.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Goodness me, fancy being so preoccupied that I didn't get round to posting on here, but I do hope that everyone managed to have a good Christmas.

Maybe a day to relax is what many people need right now.

As with all new parents, Mary and Joseph, with their new baby born in such a hurried and rather uncomfortable way, would surely have been glad to have a few days to recover from all the turmoil such an event brings.

We are grateful to all those who have had to work over the festive season, especially those who care for others, and we pray that they, too, may get the opportunity to rest, relax and recover their strength.

Meanwhile, if you are able, put your feet up and smile. God loves you ??

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today is the 4th Sunday in Advent.

Our final Advent calendar link

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c

Cx :-)

Cynthia, as always you have produced another wonderful Advent Calendar. Thank you for sharing it with us.

I wish you all a joyful and blessed Christmas <3

Good morning :-)

Shopping all done? :-D

Our Advent calendar for today :

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The longest day has gone - now we can look forward to some lighter nights.....eventually! :-D

Our Advent calendar for today:

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Our school was in church yesterday kandji. I nipped down for half an hour and ended up being out for nearly 3 hours!! Such is life <3

Our Advent calendar today...............someone we may not often think about.

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c

Cx :-)

Hello all

The days are passing very quickly. Today I've been helping with two schools coming into church for Christingle services. A privilege to see the excitement in the little ones faces today.

Thinking of those who are struggling at this time.

Good morning :-)

Our Advent calendar for today :

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

A lovely Carol service last night with lots of children taking part - angels in boots - take a look at this!
https://www.facebook.com/100076272545225/videos/pcb.372075332011549/351846644102780

:-D

Our Advent calendar today..........lovely words

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

11 years since this thread began......where has that time gone? John was banned for 6 years if I remember rightly, and it was a very unnecessary ban too - he never returned. The boards were more interesting in those days I feel.

Today is the 3rd Sunday in Advent - Christmas is almost here. Today is also known as Gaudete (rejoice) Sunday when we light the pink candle. Churches that use vestments sometimes have a pink set alongside the usual, white, purple, red and green sets. The colours can be so striking in what they represent.

The Collect (special prayer) for today.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
who at your first coming sent your messenger
to prepare your way before you:
grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries
may likewise so prepare and make ready your way
by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world
we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;
for you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

https://calendar.myadvent.net/?id=yl8e1um3vtnkec075gcpyni01evojx7c

Cx :-)

No sunshine here either today. On the other hand there was no rain either :-)

Feeling a little down today as I had a phone call telling me of the death of a very old friend and we have also learnt that another friend may not be with us much longer. I realise such sadness is to be expected at our age but everything seems to be coming at once. I am remembering them and their families in prayer.

Maybe I’m just turning into a grumpy old lady but I do feel the commercial Advent Calendars have got out of hand and have no meaning. A chocolate behind.a window is one thing but miniature bottles of spirits, expensive cosmetics and other things of that ilk are way over the top. When my children were little we usually had an Advent Candle and it was quite a ritual lighting it and burning down a little each day. It created a sense of anticipation.