General Chat

Good morning :-)

The Trinity and the number 3 in the Bible

Proud, stubborn, disobedient, unfaithful, a grumbler, and altogether a bad-tempered, cantankerous old curmudgeon—this was Jonah. God wanted Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to warn them of their wickedness, but Jonah did not want to go and tried to run away, taking a boat to Tarshish.

However, during a huge storm, he was dumped overboard and swallowed by a large sea creature. Poor old Jonah spent 3 full days in the belly of the fish before being vomited up onto dry land. After that experience, Jonah decided to obey God and go to Nineveh after all!

In our everyday lives, it's surprising how many famous books have the numeral 3 in the title.:

The Three Musketeers
The Three Little Pigs
The Three Sisters
Three Men in a Boat
…… and so on
Obviously a popular number with writers!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thinking about the Holy Trinity and the number 3
We can’t talk about the number 3 in the bible without thinking about how Jesus rose after 3 days. In Jewish culture, three days past the time of death indicated that they were truly dead. Therefore, Jesus truly conquered death by not rising until the third day.

Random fact: Can you guess how many bones we have in each ear?
Yes, that’s right, we have 3: the malleus, stapes and incus. They are also called the hammer, stirrup and anvil. These bones are the three smallest bones in our bodies with the stapes being the smallest one.
One lives and learns! ??

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yesterday was Trinity Sunday the day when we think especially of The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. Actually, it’s amazing how many times the number 3 has an impact in the bible and it appears 467 times apparently.

There is the time when Jesus went back to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane 3 times.

The young, sleeping Samuel, was called by God 3 times before he responded and grew up to be a trustworthy prophet.

3 times Jesus repeats the phrase “feed my sheep” to Peter when he was cooking breakfast on the beach after his resurrection.

In our everyday lives, we often find things which we associate with the number 3 - for starters…..how about a hat trick? One explanation of this saying comes from a specific cricket match from 1858 when a bowler playing for an all-England squad took three consecutive wickets at Hyde Park Cricket Grounds in Sheffield—meaning he hit the three wooden stakes behind the batter three consecutive times. A collection was held because of his outstanding feat and he was presented with a hat that was bought using the proceeds. The things one finds out!

Cx :-)

Hello all

A beautiful traditional hymn, I love it. Thank you.

A prayer Holy Trinity Sunday.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning,
It is now and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

Good morning :-)


Good morning everyone.........and today we celebrate TRINITY SUNDAY......remembering the Christian's core belief in The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. ??

The Collect (special prayer) for today:
O Lord, from whom all good things come:
grant to us your humble servants,
that by your holy inspiration
we may think those things that are good,
and by your merciful guiding may perform the same;
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Today, we will be singing that glorious hymn 'Holy, Holy, Holy'.

1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2 Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

3 Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thy Kingdom Come. Finding time to pray for five non-church friends using whichever method we chose from the other day – knotted string, stones, prayer cards, phone reminders or post-it notes, here is another way to help us to pray for them today.

Using the BLESS acrostic can help us to focus on all of the felt needs of those we are praying for:

Body – health, protection, energy
Labour – employment/unemployment, retirement, adequate income
Emotional – inner peace, joy, wisdom, insight, patience
Social – healthy relationships between spouses, parents, children,
friends, reconciliation; love
Spiritual – repentance, salvation, obedience, faith

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thy Kingdom Come. Finding time to pray for five non-church friends using whichever method we chose from the other day – knotted string, stones, prayer cards, phone reminders or post-it notes, here is another prayer to help us to pray for them today.

Lord,
I pray that you will lead… ....... (their names) to you.
Thank you that you love them. I pray that you would break into their life and show them your love, grace and peace,
for Your glory.
Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thy Kingdom Come. Finding time to pray for five non-church friends using whichever method we chose from the other day – knotted string, stones, prayer cards, phone reminders or post-it notes, here is another prayer to help us to pray for them today.

Lord, you build your church through the power of your Spirit.
By the same Spirit enable me to witness to............…(their names) your love, beauty and grace, that they may come to the fellowship of the faithful for Your glory. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thy Kingdom Come. Finding time to pray for five non-church friends using whichever method we chose from the other day – knotted string, stones, prayer cards, phone reminders or post-it notes, here is another prayer to help us to pray for them today.

Loving Father,
Send your Holy Spirit so I can share your love, life and message with…..(their names). Reveal Jesus to them, that they might know, follow and love him, for Your glory. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Amen to your prayer Cynthia.

Vera, I can remember singing that hymn in the school assembly very many years ago too.

Pentecost Sunday is a very special date in the Church calendar.

Holy Spirit, we welcome you
Holy Spirit, we welcome you.
Move amongst us with holy fire
As we lay aside all earthly desire
Hands reach out and hearts aspire
Holy spirit, holy spirit, holy spirit, we welcome you.

Good morning :-)


Thy Kingdom Come – praying for 5 friends
Sometimes, life gets so busy that we are often careless about finding time to pray……… maybe one of these ideas will help us to remember to pray for our five friends

1. PIECE OF STRING

Take a piece of string or cord, and tie five knots in it to represent each of the five people you have committed to pray for. You could carry the knotted string in your pocket or bag. OR
2. SMALL STONES
Find five small stones and place them on your desk, bedside table or fireplace as a reminder to pray. OR
3. BUSINESS PRAYER CARD OR BOOKMARK
Write your list of five names onto the card before putting it in your wallet or book. Use this card as a daily reminder to pray for them. OR
4. PRAYER ALERTS
Add your list of five people to the alerts section of your phone and set reminders to pray for them. OR
5. POST-IT NOTES
Use five post-it notes and write one name onto each. Put them somewhere where you will see them regularly.

Here’s a prayer for us to begin this exercise….
Loving Lord,
Please work in me so I can share your love, life and message with (name your friends).
Reveal your love to them, that they might know, follow and witness to you,
for Your glory.
Amen.
Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you Vera - it's a perfect hymn for Pentecost. Don't know why we didn't have it at church.

Yesterday, we had an encouraging sermon from a young cleric who spoke about the coming of the Holy Spirit. One of the things he mentioned was the fact that we are responsible for passing on the Good News of Jesus. It’s a thought that many struggle with.

How about this? As suggested by this young man and from the initiative Thy Kingdom Come – pray for 5 friends. Most of us can surely think of 5 of our friends (and family) who, at the moment, have no interest in church or the Christian faith.

For today, select 5 of your friends and we’ll take a look to see how we can get to grips with this tomorrow. ??


Thank you Lord, for friends.


Cx :-)

Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost
Taught byThee we covet most
Of thy gifts at Pentecost
Holy, heavenly love.


This was our school hymn sung on the first and last day of every term

Love and gentle hugs to anyone in need today <3

Good morning :-)

Today, we celebrate PENTECOST - the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Collect (special prayer) for today:

God, who as at this time
taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

The Gospel reading tells of Jesus commissioning the apostles.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Whilst many shrines are known to be abroad, we are not totally bereft of them in this country.

The Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is a Church of England shrine church built in 1938 in Walsingham, Norfolk, England. Walsingham is the site of the reputed Marian apparitions to Richeldis de Faverches in 1061. The Virgin Mary is, therefore, venerated at the site with the title of Our Lady of Walsingham.

The shrine church was substantially extended in the 1960s. The church has a holy well known for its healing properties; the act of receiving water from the holy well is often accompanied by the laying on of hands and anointing. Water from the well is often taken home by the faithful and distributed to their family, friends and parishioners.

The grounds include the shrine church, gardens, several chapels, a refectory, a café, a shrine shop, a visitors' centre, the Pilgrim Hall, an orangery, the College (home to priests-associate when in residence), and a large number of different residential blocks for the accommodation of resident pilgrims.

In 1947 three sisters of the Society of Saint Margaret moved to Walsingham to help at the shrine. The Priory of Our Lady, Walsingham, was founded in 1955 as a daughter priory, and gained independence as an autonomous house of the Order in 1994. The sisters welcome guests and work in the shrine; they are also involved in educational work.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Italy is a favourite place for holidaymakers who like to explore and an Italian city with strong links to Christianity is Milan.

First and foremost, Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous mural painting, The Last Supper, is found in Milan’s church, Santa Maria delle Grazie. It is an amazing attraction and arguably one of the most famous artworks in world history.

Milan also has one of the largest cathedrals in the world. You will find that in the deep centre of the city.

Aside from the Christian attractions in Milan, the city is huge and it is also a world leader in fashion, gastronomy, art, music and sports.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Thank you for your kind thoughts.......much appreciated. <3

Yes, I do remember now that you went to Russia Vera, and what a wonderful time you had. It sounds amazing.

Of course, you don’t have to travel abroad to include some interesting Christian heritage in your holiday– there is one quite close to home!

There’s a special feeling you get the first moment you enter a church. And with its 800-year-old history, stunning architecture and fascinating heritage, Cartmel Priory gives you a feeling that will last long after you’ve left.

Steeped in culture and rich with history, the Priory is found at the very heart of Cartmel village, surrounded by picturesque English countryside, and gives a warm welcome to everyone who comes to experience it.

Exploring the Priory is different for everyone. Some visitors marvel at the ancient architecture, some discover hidden mysteries within its motifs and carvings, and others just sit and absorb the Priory’s peaceful atmosphere.

Over the centuries the Priory has witnessed war, peace, raids and ruin, but still remains a building of greatness and enduring beauty. A story 800 years in the writing, still being written today.


Cx :-)

Such a sad time for you Cynthia. My condolences to you and your family on the death of your nephew at such a young age. May he rest in peace.

You may remember that OH and I visited Russia in 2017 and spent a few days in Moscow. St Basil's Cathedral is an amazing place. It is a series of chapels built round a central core. For a while, particularly during the Stalinist era, it became a museum but, if I remember rightly, a weekly Orthodox service was re-introduced in 1997. It was certainly worth a visit and I am so glad we were able to go when we did.

It is so sad to see what is happening in that part of the world and we can only pray that peace is restored soon.

Hello all

It's good to have you back posting again Cynthia after such a very sad family funeral. Gone too soon. I pray that your young nephew will Rest in Peace and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew ch 5 v 4.

Gentle hugs for those in need today x

Good morning :-)

Thank you kandj for keeping the page ticking over. I have been away for the funeral of my nephew who died at the age of just 46. I have the deepest admiration for my brother and sister-in-law who spoke so eloquently about their son's life. Very brave. <3

We are beginning to enter the holiday season...........

For those who are interested in holidays with a religious side to them (and there are many), one of the more unusual places to visit is Moscow.

In Moscow, we find one of the most picturesque cathedrals in the world - Saint Basil’s Cathedral, located in the Red Square. It was built in the 16th century on orders from Ivan the Terrible. The outcome, however, was the opposite of terrible – it is a beautiful Orthodox cathedral, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most remarkable Christian sites, at least visually, in the entire world.
Don’t forget that Russia is one of the more Christian nations in the world, and there are many other churches around this giant city. It is absolutely full of cultural attractions.

We pray for our brothers and sisters in that war-torn country.

Cx :-)