General Chat

Good morning :-)

I agree kandj - those poor folk without shelter and it's freezing cold.

It's that time of year when I invite you to join in my church's Advent Calendar and yes, it does come round so quickly!

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


Cx :-)

Hello all

I've been in church today to help at the coffee morning and to set up the Advent candle wreath.

A traditional Advent wreath contains various evergreens with different symbolism;

LAUREL, victory over death and persecution.

PINE, immortality and everlasting love.

CEDAR, strength of faith.

HOLLY, symbolises the crown of thorns worn by
Jesus.

Four candles circle the Advent wreath. Each new candle is lit on the four Sundays before Christmas.
A fifth candle is placed in the centre and lit on Christmas Day.

I find it hard to think that this time next month Christmas will have been and gone!

I'm thinking of the homeless people now that the cold weather is here.

Good morning :-)


Some Go To Church To ...

Some go to church to take a walk,
Some go there to laugh and talk.
Some go to church for observation,
But some go there for speculation.

Some go there to meet a lover.
And some go there a fault to cover.
Some go there to meet a friend,
And some go there their time to spend.

Some go there to sing a sonnet.
But some go there to show their bonnet.
Some go to church oppressed with grief.
Some go there to find relief.

Some go to hear a grand oration,
Some go to glorify the nation.
Some go to hear about the war.
Some go to show how good they are.

Some go repentant and repenting,
But some go hardened, unrelenting.
Some go to praise, to pray and weep.
But some go there to lounge and sleep.

Some go to better their condition,
Some go to gain a good commission.
While some go there to doze and nod.
There's many go to worship God.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


We may love our churches but we also have our part to play
Some thought-provoking reading:

If the church service depended solely on MY worship….. how full of worship would the service be?

If the church had to depend solely on MY faithfulness…… how faithful would my church be?

If the church had to survive solely on MY prayer life….. how much prayer would be going on?

If the church could only go as deep as MY relationship with God goes….. how deep would my church be?

If we had to make it on MY Bible reading and knowledge……. How knowledgeable would my church be?

If we have to go by my offerings, how BIG would the church outreach be?

If the preaching depended solely on my response to the preaching …….. how responsive would my church be?

If it all depended on me……. What would happen?
Before you start complaining…….. make sure that you’re:

The first one praying
The first one worshiping
The first one reading and studying
The first one responding
The first one fasting
The first one faithful
The first one giving

“I just don’t get anything out of his preaching” isn’t a valid argument. You’re there to worship Jesus and serve the lost.
Remember: we can’t complain if we’re not being what we say we want.
Author Unknown

Cx :-)

Hello all

Love these words Cynthia, thank you.

The temperature has dropped and it's really cold.

Stay warm and safe everyone.

Good morning :-)

2. A Grounding Place
In the stillness of the pews, hearts find solace,
A refuge from life's tumultuous flow.
Church stands as an anchor, a blessed grace,
Where souls seek respite and God's presence know.

For within these walls, whispers of peace thrive,
Melodies of faith whispering through souls.
A sanctuary where weary spirits revive,
Church binds us close to our purposeful goals.

From Sunday's embrace to each week anew,
Church, a grounding place guiding us through.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The topic of churches and church buildings has been very much in the thoughts and prayers of many people over the last few months. Whilst we are aware that the ‘church’ is a body of people serving God, what about our buildings?
This is an interesting article:

The church building is (hopefully):
• the place of worship for all Christians
• where the community gathers
• where works of charity are carried out
• a place of healing
• a place to be still with God
• a place of safety
• a place where the sacrament is offered
• a place which contains reminders of the greatness of God

Many churches have an atmosphere of ‘prayerfulness’ or ‘holiness’, where generations of people have engaged with God and the atmosphere seems to have permeated into the very walls. Historic churches often give a sense of awe and reverence for the magnificence of God. This sense of awe may make someone curious and interested in the faith on which they were founded.

Lord Jesus, may our church be a place where those who are lonely, find friendship. Where those who are grieving find comfort. Where those who are looking for you, find you. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Vera, I hope that your worries have calmed a little.

Gwyn, thank you for sharing your student memories

Cynthia, it's hard to think how soon Christmas will be with us??

King of Kings

King of kings, majesty
God in Heaven living in me
Gentle Saviour, closest friend
Strong Deliverer, beginning and end
All within me falls at Your throne.

Your Majesty, I can but bow
I lay my all before You now
In royal robes I don't deserve
I live to serve Your Majesty.
I live to serve Your Majesty.

Sung this morning in church.

Good morning :-)

How lovely to hear about your experiences Gwyn. The chief cook bit sounds interesting!! Thank you so much. <3

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Christ the King.

Christ the King is a title of Jesus in Christianity referring to the idea of the Kingdom of God where Christ is described as being seated at the right hand of God. Christ is a prophet, priest, and king.


The Collect (special prayer) for today
Eternal Father,
whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven
that he might rule over all things as Lord and King:
keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit
and in the bond of peace,
and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Cx :-)

Like Vera, I read the posts and Thursday's post brought back memories.

As a student and seeking a summer holiday job, I had found employment at a limbless ex-serviceman's home in Southsea, run by Blesma.
My job was to help Ada the cook with daily meals. ... They didn't tell me that Ada was going on holiday and I would be chief cook, ...but that's another story.
The men were very happy to chat with us young people, but seeing how injured they were and what they had been through at such a young age really brought home the effects of war.
The Gurkha regiment moved from Hampshire to near Folkestone some years ago and many of the families have settled in this area. I have always been impressed by their thirst for education of their young people and the Nepalese people in general are viewed with great respect.
Hari Budha Magar is a fine example of a proud people.

Good morning :-)

Hello Vera and I am so sorry to hear about the ups and downs you have been having lately. Hopefully, you are now back on an even keel and doing well. Sending love. xx <3



Eternal God, as veterans face life’s challenges, grants them the strength to persevere. May they find courage in their experiences and resilience in their hearts. Amen.

Cx :-)

I am sorry I haven't posted anything recently. If it weren't for kandj popping in now and again Cynthia would be a lone voice. Life has thrown a few curved balls at us lately and it has been one thing after another but we plod on and cope, as we all have to do. We were fortunate enough to be able to take a very short break in Scotland with a group of friends and the companionship and laughter did us a lot of good, though we could have done without all the rain!

I have read the posts each day and some of them have really chimed with me. I think many younger people think the period around Remembrance Sunday is only about the first, and possibly, the second World War. They don't seem to realise it is also about all the conflicts since that time. I know of someone whose ship was blown up in the Falklands War. He survived but found it very hard to cope when he was back home and, sadly, eventually took his own life. Another of my relatives was in Afghanistan. He did settle down to civilian life but did not find it easy.

God bless all those veterans who lost their lives or suffered physically or mentally in any conflict and thanks to those who do all they can to help.

Good morning :-)

Remembrance. Peace. Veterans

Across the country, there are many branches of the Veterans Association that help and support those whose lives have been affected by warfare.

They have a Creed.
I am a veteran, I have seen and done things that many will not understand.

I am a Warrior and a member of a brotherhood and sisterhood spanning the world.

I have served my country and now standby to serve my brothers and sisters in arms, this I do with pride, dignity and honour.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen brother or sister, if they are hurt I will carry them, if I can not carry them I will drag them until safe.

I will help them face their enemies including the demons from within, I will help them because they are my brothers and Sisters in Arms.

We are thankful to these men and women for the help and support they offer to the Veterans across the country. May God bless them.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Remembrance. Peace. Veterans.

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is an Armed Forces charity dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. They support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK. and assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Hari Budha Magar was born in a very remote part of Nepal. As a youngster, he decided that he wanted to join the British Army. The selection process was very tough - he was 19 years old and very proud to be accepted. It was a big honour and a chance for him to build a better life.

Unfortunately, he was severely wounded by a bomb blast in Afghanistan that left him fighting for his life. Sadly, he lost both of his legs above the knee.

However, he is now, literally, on top of the world as, with Blesma’s help, Hari became the first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest in May,

Lord, we ask you to bless those who have lost limbs through warfare. May we, as a church, welcome and support those whose mobility is difficult for whatever reason.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Remembrance. Peace. Veterans.

Remembrance. Peace. Veterans.

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is an Armed Forces charity dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. They support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK. and assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Hari Budha Magar was born in a very remote part of Nepal. As a youngster, he decided that he wanted to join the British Army. The selection process was very tough - he was 19 years old and very proud to be accepted. It was a big honour and a chance for him to build a better life.

Unfortunately, he was severely wounded by a bomb blast in Afghanistan that left him fighting for his life. Sadly, he lost both of his legs above the knee.

However, he is now, literally, on top of the world as, with Blesma’s help, Hari became the first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest in May,

Lord, we ask you to bless those who have lost limbs through warfare. May we, as a church, welcome and support those whose mobility is difficult for whatever reason.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Remembrance. Peace. Veterans.

Remembrance. Peace. Veterans.

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is an Armed Forces charity dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight. They support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK. and assist limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Hari Budha Magar was born in a very remote part of Nepal. As a youngster, he decided that he wanted to join the British Army. The selection process was very tough - he was 19 years old and very proud to be accepted. It was a big honour and a chance for him to build a better life.

Unfortunately, he was severely wounded by a bomb blast in Afghanistan that left him fighting for his life. Sadly, he lost both of his legs above the knee.

However, he is now, literally, on top of the world as, with Blesma’s help, Hari became the first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest in May,

Lord, we ask you to bless those who have lost limbs through warfare. May we, as a church, welcome and support those whose mobility is difficult for whatever reason.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Remembrance Day. Peace. Veterans

What help is available to Veterans nowadays, especially those who have lost their sight?
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
‘We provide rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to veterans regardless of how or when they lost their sight. We’re here to help blind veterans regain their independence and live the life they choose.’

Rob - Blind veteran, on being trained to use a smartphone says……
"I could get back on social media and start being part of society and what it is to be a normal young man. Because, at 23, I'd thought, that’s it."

Lord, we pray for those who have lost their sight due to serving in the forces. We ask that we may be aware and conscious of those in our churches whose sight is not as it once was. May we have open arms to welcome them and open hearts to help and guide them. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Remembrance Day. Peace. Veterans

What help is available to Veterans nowadays? The Royal British Legion is famous for its work.

When Army veteran Steve was at risk of becoming homeless, he reached out to RBL for support.

Steve joined the Armed Forces in 1989 and served during the Op Desert Storm, but suffered a serious leg injury in 1996 when he fell 20ft from a lorry. That one moment changed his life.

After 14 operations, Steve was medically discharged but t still suffers a lot of pain. For a while, he worked in sales, but the effects of his injury became too much to bear and he had to stop working. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Steve began to struggle and was worried about becoming homeless.
"I hit rock bottom, losing my job, my marriage and my house in a short period,” explains Steve. In desperation, I rang RBL and they were fantastic, they got me into a hostel and I stayed there for three months during lockdown.”

After securing Steve safe accommodation the RBL helped him find a new home in time for Christmas, as well as a mobility scooter, new furnishings and covering his removal costs.
He received support from 2 workers with the RBL and says….. "I know they both have so many clients to care for, especially during Covid-19, but I never felt that I was just a client, I never felt that I was just a name on a list.”

May God bless all our Veterans who are going through difficult times.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Remembrance Day. Peace. Veterans.

Veterans. Last Sunday we stood in solemn silence remembering those who have died in warfare, but what about those who survived? There are many Veterans from so many conflicts who are living among us still.

Veterans have served us to ensure our freedoms. Their needs vary once they’ve been discharged from active duty. Veterans are proud of their service to our nation.

We need to pray for our Veterans and to simply thank God for giving us people willing to sacrifice their own lives so that we can have a better life.

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the Veterans who have faithfully served this country while being separated from their families. We thank you for their bravery in the face of danger and for their courage in facing unknown hazards.

Thank you for their return home from far away duties. We are grateful for their willingness to defend our country in the cause of peace. Bless them and their families Lord. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer) for today:
Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son was revealed
to destroy the works of the devil
and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:
grant that we, having this hope,
may purify ourselves even as he is pure;
that when he shall appear in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel reading tells the story of the Parable of the Talents.

Cx :-)