General Chat

Easter blessings - hope everyone is ok. Just a quick visit.
<3 :-) :-) <3

Good morning :-)


THE ROAD TO THE CROSS – HOLY WEEK
Holy Week takes a sombre turn.
So much going on!

In Bethany, Jesus sent Peter and John to the Upper Room in Jerusalem to prepare for the Passover Feast.

After sunset, He washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating the importance of humble service. Many churches continue this practice during Maundy Thursday services. During the Passover meal, Jesus expressed His eagerness to share it before His suffering, stating He would not eat again until its meaning was fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. By giving His body and blood in sacrifice, He fulfilled the significance of Passover, He established the Lord's Supper (Communion), instructing His followers to remember Him through the bread and wine.

After the meal, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He sweated blood. That evening, He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the Sanhedrin.

While Jesus was on trial, Peter denied knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed.

Many churches will commemorate Maundy Thursday tonight with the symbolism of foot washing and Holy Communion.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

THE ROAD TO THE CROSS – SPY WEDNESDAY

The Bible does not mention what the Lord did on the Wednesday of Holy Week. Scholars suggest that, after two exhausting days in Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples took this day to rest in Bethany as they prepared for Passover. Just before this, Jesus demonstrated His profound power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. Many in Bethany were inspired by this incredible miracle and came to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, embracing faith in Him. In a beautiful act of love, Lazarus' sister Mary anointed Jesus' feet with costly perfume.

This day, known as Spy Wednesday, also signifies when Judas Iscariot made the fateful decision to betray Jesus to the religious leaders for 30 silver coins.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

HOLY WEEK


THE ROAD TO THE CROSS - HOLY TUESDAY


On Tuesday morning, Jesus and His disciples returned to Jerusalem, passing the withered fig tree as He spoke about faith.

At the Temple, religious leaders were upset with Jesus for asserting His spiritual authority and set a trap to arrest Him. However, Jesus escaped and condemned them, saying they were like whitewashed tombs—appealing on the outside but filled with impurities.

Later, Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem. There, He delivered the Olivet Discourse, a prophecy about Jerusalem's destruction and the end times, using parables to illustrate events such as His Second Coming.

This Tuesday was also when Judas Iscariot negotiated with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus. After a long day, Jesus and His disciples returned to Bethany for the night.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

HOLY WEEK

THE ROAD TO THE CROSS
Yesterday, we reflected on Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, marked by the waving of palm branches. The next morning, as He and His disciples left Bethany, they came across a fig tree full of leaves but without any fruit. Despite the expectation that it should have had at least some unripe figs, it was completely bare. Jesus cursed the tree for its fruitlessness, causing it to wither by the next day. He used this moment to teach His disciples about genuine faith, explaining that even faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains when aligned with God's will. This lesson was timely, as their faith would soon be tested.

Next, Jesus entered the temple courtyards and found widespread irreverence. In anger, He overturned the tables of the money changers, accusing them of turning His Father’s house into a “den of thieves.” These money changers provided services for pilgrims who needed to exchange currency or obtain animals for sacrifice.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Palm Sunday today and I loved singing the traditional hymns.... we began the service with
Ride on, Ride on in Majesty and the final hymn was Lift High the Cross...... a few more people in church which was good.

Holy week blessings to all who look in.

Good morning :-)

Today is Palm Sunday, when we remember Jesus and the ride into Jerusalem.

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. Amen

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Moving towards Holy Week

Lent is a time to take time to let the power
of our faith story take hold of us,
a time to let the events get up
and walk around in us,
a time to intensify our living unto Christ,
a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,
a time to place our feet in the streets of
Jerusalem or to walk along the sea and
listen to his Word.

A time to touch his robe
and feel the healing surge through us,
a time to ponder and a time to wonder….
Lent is a time to allow
a fresh new taste of God!
Perhaps we’re afraid to have time to think,
for thoughts come unbidden.
Perhaps we’re afraid to face our future
knowing our past.

Give us courage, O God,
to hear your Word
and to read our living into it.
Give us the trust to know we’re forgiven
and give us the faith
to take up our lives and walk.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Moving towards Holy Week

Lord, It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of my life and keep saying, “Tomorrow, I will spend more time in prayer,”
but now my longing meets your love and I want to do it now.
Help me to rely on you for help. Heal me, Lord, and help me to find you in the darkness of my life.
Let me reach out in this darkness and feel your hand and love there to guide me. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Moving towards Holy Week

Lord, I long to be closer to you.
Help me to remember that nothing is important in my life
unless it glorifies you in some way. Amen.

Cx :-)

Goof morning :-)


Moving towards Holy Week

Lord, I am weak, but I know with your help,
I can use these small sacrifices in my life to draw closer to you.
Lord,
Let everything I do this day and in this season of Lent
come from you, be inspired by you. Amen


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Moving towards Holy Week

Lord,
I know how much you love me.
It’s hard for me to feel it sometimes,
but I know your love is always with me.
Help me to use your love as a way
to persevere in my Lenten intentions. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Moving towards Holy Week


Lent, a time to pause, and pray, and dwell in desert place;
Stripped of all that burdens me, to open up a space
Where my God may meet me and reveal what’s in His heart.
Show where I must be surrendered, whole and in each part.

What within the secret place, will my good Father find?
Is my will and my desire still with His heart aligned?
Do I treat His kingdom as a holy, precious pearl?
What am I prepared to do, to share it with the world?

Father, let me now receive a gift from up above.
Help me to share with those who don’t yet know,
your gifts of grace and love.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The Collect (special prayer for today)
God of compassion,
whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary,
shared the life of a home in Nazareth,
and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself:
strengthen us in our daily living
that in joy and in sorrow
we may know the power of your presence
to bind together and to heal;
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


Today, we hear the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


IDEAS FOR TRAVELLING THROUGH LENT


Lent is a season of returning. It challenges us to realize that God's love is still bigger no matter how far we’ve gone. He doesn’t hold our past against us. He isn’t waiting for us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and clean ourselves up first. He just wants us to come home. In fact, he’s already running toward us.

God, I don’t want to stay distant from you. Help me trust your love and take a step closer today. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

IDEAS FOR TRAVELLING THROUGH LENT


Making faith a checklist is easy—going to church, praying, and reading the Bible. But there’s a big difference between doing the right things and doing them for the right reasons. Jesus reminded us that it’s not about getting attention from others; it’s about the heart behind our actions. Lent isn't about proving how "Christian" we are or showing off discipline—it’s about building a real connection with God. So, as we read, pray, or fast this season, few need to focus less on being perfect and more on growing closer to Him.

God, help me focus on you, not on looking the part. I want to know you more. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

IDEAS FOR TRAVELLING THROUGH LENT

We live in a world that constantly tells us we need more—more success, more stuff, more status—that more is the key to happiness. But true contentment doesn’t come from our circumstances—it comes from trusting that Christ is enough.
In a season of giving up distractions and refocusing on God, remember today that he is enough for you.

God, help me find contentment in you, not in what I have or don’t have. Help me to trust that you will always be enough for me. Amen.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Cynthia, grateful thanks for another week of postings during Lent.

It's the 1st day of April and we already have had 3 months of the year pass us by. It's good that the evenings are becoming lighter. Take care everyone.

Good morning :-)

IDEAS FOR TRAVELLING THROUGH LENT

Imagine facing something incredibly hard. The sort of thing we want to avoid but we choose to go through it because it’s part of something bigger than ourselves. That’s exactly what Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked God if there was another way, but then he surrendered, trusting that God’s plan was the best one.

In our lives, we often face tough decisions – things we’d rather avoid or change. But Jesus shows us that obedience, even when it's hard, brings us closer to God’s heart.

God, help me follow Jesus’ example of obedience. Even when it’s tough, I want to trust you and surrender to your will. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

The earthquake news is dreadful. We hold all those affected in our prayers.

IDEAS FOR TRAVELLING THROUGH LENT

Many people will have been fasting over the last few weeks. True fasting is about more than just giving something up; it’s about making room for God’s heart in our lives. It’s about showing kindness, seeking justice, and caring for those in need. As we journey through Lent, let’s ask: How is my faith leading me to love others?

God, help me focus on living out your love. Please open my eyes to the needs around me, and let my faith be active and real. Amen.

Cx :-)