General Chat

Hello all

Thank you Cynthia for all the Holy week postings.

I joined my church family last night for a service followed with a Passover meal to think about all that Holy Thursday means.

This afternoon at 2pm I'll go along to a local church for the Watch by the Cross hour of music/scripture readings and quiet reflection time on this Good Friday day.

Journey with Jesus

THIS IS IT. THIS IS THE DAY WE WERE DREADING. GOOD FRIDAY

Today, at 2pm. in church, we will quietly gather to remember the events of that first Good Friday. This is the most difficult day of Passion Week. Christ's journey turned treacherous and acutely painful in the final hours leading to his death.

Judas Iscariot, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse and hanged himself early Friday morning.

Jesus was arrested and endured the shame of ……..
false accusations,
condemnation,
mockery,
beatings,
and abandonment.

After multiple unlawful trials, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion, one of the most horrible and disgraceful methods of capital punishment known at the time.

Before Christ was led away, soldiers spat on him, tormented and mocked him, and pierced him with a crown of thorns. Then Jesus carried his cross to Calvary where, again, he was mocked and insulted as Roman soldiers nailed him to the wooden cross.

Cx

Good morning :-)


Journey with Jesus
Christians need to journey with Jesus through Holy Week, and now things take a sombre turn.

HOLY THURSDAY
From Bethany, Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem to make preparations for the Passover Feast. That evening, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. By performing this humble act of service, Jesus showed by example how we should love one another. Today, many churches will have a small foot-washing ceremony as a reminder of what Jesus taught.

After he had washed their feet, Jesus shared the feast of Passover with his disciples. We know this as the Last Supper – the Holy Communion – The Mass – The Sharing of Bread. Jesus instructed His followers to continually remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Journey with Jesus
Christians need to journey with Jesus through Holy Week.

Yesterday we heard how Jesus chastised the Temple leaders for being hypocritical before moving on to speak about the end of the age. We continue the story from there……………
.
HOLY WEDNESDAY also known as Spy Wednesday. The Bible doesn't say what the Lord did on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Scholars speculate that after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples spent this day resting in Bethany in anticipation of Passover.

Just a short time previously, Jesus had revealed to the disciples, and the world, that he had power over death by raising Lazarus from the grave. After seeing this incredible miracle, many people in Bethany believed that Jesus was the Son of God and put their faith in him. Also in Bethany just a few nights earlier, Lazarus' sister Mary had lovingly anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume.

The Spy connection comes from the fact that this is the day when Judas Iscariot plotted with the Chief Priests to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Journey with Jesus
Christians need to journey with Jesus through Holy Week.
Yesterday was HOLY MONDAY when Jesus cleared the corrupt people out of the Temple. We continue the story from there…………….

On HOLY TUESDAY morning, Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem. The Temple leaders were upset with Jesus after yesterday. They tried to organise an ambush to place him under arrest, but it failed, and Jesus had harsh words for them….”You are hypocrites! You are like white tombs which look fine on the outside but are full of all kinds of filth. People think you are Godly, but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and evil”.

Jesus moved on to the Mount of Olives which overlooks Jerusalem. He gave a very detailed prophecy about the end of the age and his Second Coming and the final judgement. After a long and exhausting day of confrontations and warnings about the future, Jesus and his disciples returned to Bethany to spend the night.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Journey with Jesus
It is said that to fully appreciate Easter in its truest meaning, Christians need to journey with Jesus through Holy Week – otherwise what is the point? If we don’t experience the agony of Good Friday, how can we appreciate the true glory of Easter Day? There are services on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon to help us to understand that Easter is not about chocolate eggs (nice as they are!)
Yesterday was Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey – we take up the story from there…………….

Holy Monday
The following morning, Jesus returned with his disciples to Jerusalem. When Jesus arrived at the Temple, he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. He began overturning their tables and clearing the Temple, saying, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves" On Monday evening Jesus stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

TODAY IS PALM SUNDAY AND THE BEGINNING OF HOLY WEEK.

Collect (special Prayer for today)

Almighty and everlasting God,
who in your tender love towards the human race
sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ
to take upon him our flesh
and to suffer death upon the cross:
grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility,
and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning everyone...... :-)

That was a shock announcement from the Princess of Wales yesterday. We pray for her complete recovery and privacy for the family as they come to terms with this diagnosis. May God bless them all. <3


Aspects of Lent – almsgiving

Focus on self only makes
the world a dreary place to live.
But you make it a brighter scene
when you find a way to give.
Share with random strangers,
not only those you know.
It's by practicing such kindness
God's love in you will show.

Try to give to people
who have no means to repay.
This may then return to you
in a most unlikely way.
Practice giving out to friends,
it helps to make them smile.
No matter if they have it all.
It's a gesture most worthwhile.

Leave a gift for someone
who won't know it's from you.
Give God all the glory
It makes giving pure and true.
When you find a way to give,
you sow seeds of joy around.
You leave behind a scent of hope
and make the light of God abound.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent - almsgiving

Simple acts of kindness, such as helping an elderly neighbour with household chores, offering a ride to someone without transport or being a supportive friend in times of difficulty, are all forms of almsgiving. When people witness or experience kindness, they are often motivated to do the same, creating a chain reaction of generosity and goodwill within communities.

Acts of kindness help with a sense of ‘belonging’. They remind individuals that they are part of a larger community where people care for one another.

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yesterday was hectic, but I thought I had posted - apologies!

Aspects of Lent……almsgiving

Education is not only about personal development, income, and career advancement. It also has societal benefits such as reducing poverty, crime, and health issues and promoting social and economic stability. Helping others access education is an effective way to improve communities. This may not have been considered but it is very useful. Education is important because it can help to provide stability and financial security.

We can help by maybe making a donation to a local school or funding the education for a child living abroad. Youth organisations are always looking for new volunteers to help guide young people along life’s way. Sometimes a school may request volunteers to help pupils who may be struggling with reading.

By investing in the education of individuals, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, donors contribute to creating pathways for better economic prospects and a brighter future.

Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.”

Cx :-)

Hello all

Our church has supported The Trussell Trust Fund (the Church of England charity) for very many years, there is also a Food Bank in the village always in need of any donations, small or large.

"Each one must give, as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent……almsgiving

Giving at Lent doesn’t have to be about money, it often includes providing essential items such as food and clothing to those who lack basic necessities. This can be done through donations to food banks, shelters, or community programs.

Food and clothing donations are particularly crucial during times of crisis, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or conflicts. They offer immediate relief to those affected, providing comfort and support in the face of adversity.

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent - Almsgiving
Along with prayer and fasting, almsgiving is common for many Christians during Lent. You may be wondering, Almsgiving? What’s that?
Almsgiving is defined by Dictionary.com as "the act of donating money, food, or other items to people in need of them, especially as a spiritual practice."
It is seen as a way to express compassion, generosity, and a sense of social responsibility towards individuals or communities facing financial difficulties or hardship.
It responds to the Bible's call to give to those less fortunate than us.
Jesus says, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today, we enter the season known as 'Passiontide'. It's the build-up to Holy Week and all extremes of emotions to come during that time.

Collect (special prayer) for today:
Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


God took the fragrance of a flower...
The majesty of a tree...
The gentleness of morning dew...
The calm of a quiet sea...
The beauty of the twilight hour...
The soul of a starry night...
The laughter of a rippling brook...
The grace of a bird in flight...
Then God fashioned from these things
A creation like no other,
And when his masterpiece was through
He called it simply – Mother.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent - non-biblical mothers of faith.


Gladys Aylward (1902–1970)
Although not a mother in the physical sense, Gladys could very well be described as an ‘adoptive’ mother. Small in stature but larger than life, Gladys Alyward responded to God’s call to leave the safety of her home in Edmonton, north of London, to minister in China. With little education or missionary training, she trusted God to meet her every need.

For some time, Gladys lived in Yangcheng, where she learned the language—and the favour of the Mandarin who trusted her with helping to enforce the local government’s edict against binding young girls’ feet. The Mandarin was so impacted by how Gladys cared for abandoned children and provided medical care to people who needed it that he eventually became a Christian.

Gladys received Chinese citizenship in 1936, but in 1938, war broke out with Japan, hitting Yangcheng hard. Without hesitation, Gladys transported hundreds of orphans impacted by the war by foot through the mountains of China to a river where boats waited to cross the children to safety in Fefung (a story that inspired the movie The Inn of the Sixth Happiness).

Gladys came home to London briefly to recover from an illness but returned to Asia in the 1940s, opened an orphanage, and worked with needy children until her death. Though she lacked the typical resources required for mission work, Gladys is an inspiring example of what it looks like to trust God’s still small voice—even when what he’s saying seems impossible. A mother in the real sense of the word.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent – non-biblical mothers of faith

Susanna Wesley (20 January 1669 – 23 July 1742)

Susanna was born on January 20, 1669. She never preached a sermon, published a book, or founded a church, yet Susanna Wesley is known as the Mother of Methodism. The example of faith and religious reverence she set for her children John and Charles inspired them to become powerful spiritual leaders and to launch the Methodist movement.

Susanna was the youngest of 25 children. At age 19, she married Church of England clergyman Samuel Wesley and bore 19 children. Managing a home took great planning but she made time to nurture each child. Susanna led by example. Her life and faith journey shaped Methodism in ways we see today.

Long before women were ordained, she would sometimes gather friends around the kitchen table and lead prayers when her preacher husband was away. She kept the parish going in his absence.

A daughter, a wife, and a mother, Susanna Wesley never had a high public profile. Controversy defined many of her days. Trials were never far from her. And yet, her name is being passed down through history, her life was a testimony to God’s power to work through surrendered, prayerful and ordinary people.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent – non-biblical mothers of faith
(Mary Sumner - conclusion)

Mary’s idea developed in an incredible way gaining the support of bishops both here and overseas, becoming known as The Mothers’ Union.

Mary reflected: “A true home should be a light-house, shedding its quiet beams far and wide” – her dream was for every home to be filled with the light and love of Jesus.

On 9 August 1921 Mary died at the age of 92. 4,000 women attended her funeral, which was a service of Thanksgiving. She is buried with her husband in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral. She is commemorated in the liturgical calendars of the Church of England, the Church in Wales, the Anglican Church of Australia and other provinces on the date of her death.

In 1925 a central headquarters for the worldwide organisation was established in London known as Mary Sumner House, adjacent to Westminster Abbey. The integrity and social responsibility of The Mothers’ Union has always been highly regarded and in 1926 at the 50th Jubilee, The Mothers’ Union was granted a Royal Charter by His Majesty King George V.

Mary could not have conceived how the seeds she planted would grow into a movement which now has 4 million members across 83 countries, all putting their faith into action to nurture healthy relationships in families and communities and to fight for social justice - all in the name of Christ.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Aspects of Lent - Non-biblical mothers of faith. Mary Sumner (Part 2)

Once she gained in confidence, Mary was asked to speak to various groups – including men, encouraging them to show more respect and love towards their wives. Others heard about her work and started groups in their own areas. In 1876, she founded “the Union of Mothers” – with a membership card and promise: “to be given up, body and soul, to Jesus Christ in Holy Baptism, and that your duty is to train your children for his service”.

In 1885, Mary Sumner was invited by the Presiding Bishop to speak to a packed church congress session for women in Portsmouth. He anointed her with the authority to speak - he felt that he had no authority to speak to a group of women whose prime concern was to get enough food on the table so that the children would not starve.

Her words, “Together, by the Grace of God… we can calm each other when we are afraid; strengthen one another when we are weak; and work together to raise our children to the glory of God. Unity is strength”, were an inspiration to all those present.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Aspects of Lent - Mission and motherhood (part 1)

In the Church of England, 9th August is commemorated as Mary Sumner Day. Who? Another Mary?

It all started when Mary, married to George, Rector of the Parish of Old Alresford in Hampshire, was passionate about transforming the home lives of Parish families by helping the women to support one another in raising their children. She was already a grandmother but her husband was very supportive: “Just share your heart – God will do the rest.”

She was so nervous at the first meeting of the parish women, that she refused to speak, and asked George to take her place. In those days, it was very unusual for a woman to be a public speaker. However, George encouraged her to speak from the heart and it went so well that she found the courage to speak at future meetings.

Her talks were inspired by her faith – it was practical and down to earth – “Remember, Ladies, to be yourselves what you would have your children be”. (to be continued)

Cx :-)