Intercessions 31/1/09

Heavenly Father, creator of a universe full of wonder and many still-hidden mysteries. Help us in our modern, sometimes confusing and fast changing world to pause and reflect on your glory and unending grace and in the stillness to listen for your voice speaking to us alone. We bring to you now our prayers and concerns for others confident in the knowledge that our prayers will be both heard and answered. As we pray for your Church both far and near we remember the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations. Help us through our services, community outreaches, study groups and other organisations to be bold in professing our faith and that we may all be one, united in love of you and in service to your world. We pray for our fellow Christians throughout your world, thinking particularly of all those for whom worshipping will lead them into dangers and difficulty. Be near them and give them courage and strength in their witness. Make them aware at all times that you are with them.
We pray for all who share in the church’s mission in this community. Help us to move forward in faith trusting in the guidance of your Holy Spirit and in your divine purpose for us all. Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’We continue to pray for peace in your world, and especially for those involved in the process of reconciliation and bridge building between peoples, cultures or nations.
We pray for the leaders of the countries of the world. Help them so that together they may pursue the search for peace. Above all we pray for those parts of this world where life is a continual struggle and where peace is too often a dream.
Bring peace to Israel and Palestine, to Sri Lanka, and to the many strife torn countries of Africa. Help us to be peacemakers in our neighbourhoods, with those we meet.

We give thanks for the continued cessation of hostilities in and around Gaza but pray for those for whom it has come too late. We pray for all innocent victims of violence and disease in Zimbabwe, we ask that at this critical time you provide hope for the future to those who are needlessly suffering.Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’We pray for our own nation, for Elizabeth our Queen, her ministers and for all who serve the people at all levels of government and responsibility. The current and deepening financial crisis creates uncertainties and hardship at all levels of our society and we pray for careful and considered leadership that transcends party politics and works for the betterment of all sections of our diverse society. As we see the jobless total rise and the increase in the reality of house repossessions on our TV screens, we pray for all charities who work to improve the lives of those blighted by misfortune and earnestly pray that our nation will still maintain its levels of giving.We pray for our armed forces overseas and their families back home and that their time ‘in theatres of conflict’ is brought to a timely conclusion. Help us all to play our part in creating and maintaining a just, equitable and loving society with Christ at the centre of our lives.Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’Lord, we turn our thoughts and prayers to those who are in physical, mental or spiritual need. And let our prayers extend to those who faithfully and lovingly care for them in whatever location or capacity. We pray for those who reach out to those in need to help them to know that they are not forgotten.We bring before you now those who have been made known to us

SICK - PEW SHEET

Let those for whom we pray feel your healing touch in their lives and that through your unfathomable grace they come to know your peace in their lives.Lord in Your mercy. - 'Hear our prayer’The loss of a loved one brings many questions, doubts and mixed emotions which are difficult to express and so we give you thanks Lord for the opportunities in the life of our church to offer support and comfort to those bereaved. And so as we remember and pray for now those who are having to face the future without the physical presence of a loved one we are reminded that as Christians we find comfort in the full and certain knowledge of eternal lifeToday we remember: - PEW SHEET
And those who’s anniversaries fall at this time. PEW SHEET

We pray that we too may come, by your grace to share the life which has no ending.Merciful Father, “Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen”.

Prayer Bulletin

Please include in your prayers this month:
Pray for;

1. Those caught up in the needless suffering in Zimbabwe.
2. Continued cessation of hostilities in Gaza
3. The current and deepening financial crisis creates uncertainties and hardship at all levels of our society and we pray for careful and considered leadership
4. Pray for those who are in physical, mental or spiritual need and known to you personally
5. Area's of strife in Africa - War in Congo, Khat (Drug) problems in Ethiopia,
6. CTiS Lent course - support and fulfilment from the course
7. Those suffering from substance abuse
8. The homeless in Trafford
9. Give thanks for family and friends
10. Those who are lonely
    
    More to follow.....

John - Homeless 3

A quick update on John.

John is currently in hospital due to an infection. This is much better than being out in this severe weather conditions we have had recently. He is getting treatment and social services are now involved so fingers crossed he keeps to his regime and gets better.

I took him one of our homeless shoeboxes and he was over the moon with the contents and was very excited about having as have and putting on some smelly before his mum came to visit.

Till next time....

Christmas to remember..

Christmas 2008, has been one to remember. None of the usual stress, no building work going on. Christmas Eve was spent with family watching TV and getting ready for Midnight Mass, we had an excellent service and once done went home to bed to wait in anticipation of how the kids will react in the morning. First up was Rebecca, then Beth and then Luke (we didn't expect Luke to be up too early :o)). Has Santa been???? "Santa's been" we heard shouts of delight from Beth. Downstairs in five seperate piles were presents left by Santa and guess who's was the biggest pile.............. yes Mum's. I think she was very surprised with the gifts she had to unwrap. By 7.16am all the presents were opened and it was time to return to my nice warm duvet, I think it could still be warm from when I got up :o). Everyone was very happy with their presents, no complaints from anyone. Luke always complained about not having a musical instrument so this year he got one - a Triangle waiting to ting that triangle at the right time was a musical masterpiece.
After the presents we had breakfast and got ready to attend the Parish Christmas Day Service at 10am and from there go and see some of the family gathered at Grandads. presents exchanged, Santa visits every house and leaves presents their for other people, it's amazing how he does it.
Today we have only 11 for Christmas lunch, Grandad, Linda, Rose, Harry, Esther and Bea joined us to celebrate this Christmas. Everyone helped by doing something, peeling spuds and sprouts, getting starters and puddings ready, washing up which was very good. Then sometime around 3.30pm Lunch was served, we always have lunch between 2pm and 6pm so every year were on target - portion control is not one of Jackie's forte's so I dished the grub up. The plates were only half as high but everyone enjoyed it just the same and there was seconds if needed. Fit for busting pudding time, Christmas pud, brandy sauce, mince pies, apple pie, ice cream, fruit what delights mmmm............ I can't eat another thing, I'll have some apple pie no please haha. That's why we sleep during the James Bond film. Mum came in the evening and more gifts. More sleep, more TV and oh I have to do this all again tomorrow.
Boxing Day, we have to organise a buffet today for those who want to attend the Trivial Pursuits Evening to day. What a laugh we had, not sure who won but aren't those kids questions hard. teams as follows; T1 Julie, Steve and Linda T2 Caz, Brian, Rose T3 Jackie, Beth, Rebecca and Heather. Not that I'm competitive or anything but I think T1 won I'm sure.

Anyway a brilliant couple of days, always goes too fast and if you're Christmas was pretty much the same I think we need to count ourselves very lucky. Not everyone has had as good a time as we have this year.

Happy New Year

Perry and Victrix models arrived safely.
A busy Christmas time................

LOTR Troll & Fell Beast complete.
LOTR Morannon Orcs complete.
LOTR Arogorn King MTD and Standing complete.
Napoleon French Light Infantry in progress.

Pictures will follow when I can charge the camera up, the charger is still in the Lake District.

Intercessions 25/12/08

On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy God
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the word of God, let us pray with thankful hearts.
Good and gracious Lord, as we meet together to worship you, we pray that you will grant us a glimpse of your glory so that we may rejoice in your presence and abide in your peace.Lord Jesus, we remember at this time that you came to disturb the world, and to turn the lives of humankind to God. You brought love to those who were unloved, hope to those who had nothing to look forward to, peace to those who were full of anxious daily cares. The bells and lights and presents and decorations in church and in our homes, express our thanks to you, lord, for coming into the world in person.We pray that you will come into our lives at this time to turn us all again to you: to help to see ourselves as we really are and to remove from each one of us all that is unworthy so that we may truly share in your kingdom as we invite you to join us in all the festivities and know the joy of your loving presence.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodLord Jesus, we pray that you will prepare us for your coming into the world:that in these difficult economic times you will drive away despair from our politics that you will revive our dreams of justice and restore our passion for what is right, good and true.May your love motivate our care for this neighbourhood and for the wider community and help us all to play a part in helping to overcome the social ills that drag so many into despair.
We pray that your love will inspire our citizenship so that it rises above the mediocre.Too often we have been silent and missed opportunities to share with others the message of love which you brought into the world and we ask that you will give us all an unquestioning faith, the deep faith of Mary and show us a new way to live, so that, with your forgiveness and with an awareness of your presence, we can truly claim to follow you in thought and word and deed.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodLoving Father we pray for those whom we love, our families and friends, special people you have given to us wherever they may be – for those with whom we hope to share this special time , and particularly those from whom we will be apart. We thank you that neither time nor space can cut us off from the love we have in each other and in you.As the excitement of Christmas builds we give you thanks for children. In their enjoyment of this time may they experience the deep joys that you want for all your children and may your love shine in their hearts. We ask that you will bless children everywhere, especially those in need. Guide and bless all who care for them: parents, child minders, staff in care homes, doctors and nurses. May they all count it a privilege to care for the young people you have committed to them. Where there is deep trauma and suffering we pray that there will be special bonds of love which will help in the process of healing. Lord Jesus, we pray that you will keep close to you those children for whom Christmas is a time of despair and not joy:for those in povertyfor the abused and neglectedfor those whose Christmas will be devastated by violence and bitterness.We pray that you will flood their lives with your love so that they know they are not alone: that in all their sorrows you will be by their side.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodLord Jesus, we pray that you will give us eyes to search the face of the stranger and there see your face. Give us the sensitivity to hear the doubt and hesitation and with that person share their confusions and concerns. There are those whom we know who are ill at this time; in despair or struggling to handle their pain. We pray for them now for you come to us in them and you ask for our love. We give that now as we name them and love them in our hearts………….
NAMES FROM PEW SHEET
What we have promised in love and prayer let us never forget to do.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodFather, into your hands we commend all those who have died and those mourning the loss of loved ones.
ESPECIALLY we remember (IF NEEDED)On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodJesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God all those who have died may they celMay they rest in your peace and glory and share your risen life.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodIn our service this morning we have seen how the candles remind us of the joy that came into the world through Jesus Christ. We know that when this season is over the candles will burn low and die out but we rejoice that your true light can never be extinguished from our lives. As our thoughts turn towards Bethlehem grant to each one of us your spirit of love that we may worship as the shepherds did. Let us be open to your coming so that you will truly be born into our hearts. Be with us now and with all who worship you at this time wherever they may be. Help us all to show our gratitude by loving you and those around us – not only at Christmas but every day of our lives.Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, Our Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

LOTR

Still awaiting the Perry and Victrix models - they have been dispatched.

The latest models to the collection;

Warhammer LOTR - Mordor / Isengard Troll & Witch King on Fell Beast

Magnificent, can't wait to get these built and painted, hopefully some progress pictures later on.

New 28mm Models

(Victrix) Waterloo Bristish Infantry & (Perry) Napoleonic French Line

Usually I concentrate on 1/72 soft plastic models but these new ones are 28mm hard plastic models, I'm curious to see how they compare with each other, can I be turned to the new 28mm figures?

Above are the two sets currently on there way to me, as usual they are from the Napoleonic era. I'm hoping for them to be here before Christmas so I can get started on them, I imagine they will take some time to paint, I'll be putting images of the progress of them on this site.

I'll also be updating the 1/72 model images over the next few weeks - time permitting (and wife of course).

Euthanasia - Craig Ewert taking his own life

Another hard hitting documentary shown on BSKYB Real Lives Tuesday 10th Dec 9pm

Craig Ewert suffers from incurable motor neurone disease and his body is completely paralysed. This documentary shows Craig taking a cocktail of drugs and switching off his own ventilation machine. 45 minutes later he was dead.

This will no doubt raise the issue of Euthanasia here in Britain.

If I was to become so seriously ill and be in so much pain what would I do as a Christian? Is it comprehensible to think that I could take my own life or ask someone to do it for me? My view is that life is given to us by God, we are created in God's image. Life, birth and death are processes that God has created so we should respect them. So no one has the authority to take a life even if that person wants to die. Life is a gift from God that we cannot treat as a possession of our own to keep or throw away as we please.

On investigation I found there have been several suicides in the Bible, Judas Iscariot who took his own life after betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3-5). In the Old Testament King Saul (I Samuel 31:4) and David's counselor, Ahitophel (II Samuel 17:23), both of these required assistance and this could be described as euthanasia.

However there was nothing in the Bible that agrees or disagrees with these deaths.

There is further evidence in the commandments that God gave us as a law to follow, the fifth commandment states "thou shalt not kill" This also relates to abortion, suicide as well as murder as we understand it.

For Christians I think it is quite straight forward, we must take God's views into account, they are paramount. As Christians we accept medicine as part of God's will for us as humans and God works along with nature and human activity and if we use medicine in the image of God it must have no role in terminating life.

What about the pain and suffering why should we have to endure that? As a Christian Sin is far worse than pain. In fact pain can have a spiritually beneficial effect if you treat it as a challenge and spiritually overcome it with the grace of God. Not letting the pain make you bitter and selfish and loving others through your pain despite it. This doesn't mean pain should be sought or that it should not be treated, that would not be commonsense, but it does mean as a Christian we should not run from pain by dying.

Also as a Christian being handicapped is not the terrible problem, the handicapped can also love, love God, love their neighbour just as well as able bodied and are not inferior to others. I also believe that if you become ill or handicapped it is part of your life course and we should accept it, if it cannot be healed.

Whether euthanasia should be illegal is another matter. It is a political matter and there is a case for allowing euthanasia for those who believe in it. There are dangers though, human error, Public officials cannot be trusted not to get confused elderly folk to sign a form permitting euthanasia, unscrupulous families who would concur with them. A real danger that what was voluntary becomes compulsory, as people decide that it is socially responsible for people with certain conditions to die. Banning euthanasia is a defence against vulnerable people, but it also infringes freedom of conscience.

CTiS - Coffee for the Congo

Coffee Morning to help raise funds for the Congo
St Ann's Social Club, Barton Rd, Stretford.
10am to 12 noon Saturday 13th December

Why do we need to raise funds for the Congo?

Many families have been displaced due to the conflict,

Homes have be burnt down.

Youngsters taking up arms.

Not enough medical facilities to care for everyone.

Please support this coffee morning for the people of Congo.

Bus Shelter Nativity

Church ad agency, Churches Advertising Network, is to reveal a commissioned oil painting of the nativity by an internationally acclaimed artist as part of a campaign to promote awareness of the nativity story at Christmas.
The painting, by Royal Academy Gold medal winner, Andrew Gadd, depicts the holy family, with halos, in a fictional bus shelter. The shepherds and wise men are replaced with fellow passengers waiting for a bus. Some are watching the nativity intently; others appear oblivious and are checking the bus timetable or flagging down a bus.

Posters are available for free download from this site http://www.manchester.anglican.org/upload/userfiles/file/pdf/Comms/Key%20events/finalNativity1.pdf

Advent Commitment - Updates

You will remember from a previous post I was talking about commitment through Advent - doing something that you would not normally do.

Homeless Shoebox Appeal - Update

I have 8 shoeboxes on the go all getting pretty full now. Members at church have been good and supplied all sorts of things, hats, scarves, small gifts, chocolates, toiletries and cup a soups. Another week or so to go and I can get them distributed. let's see if we can get some more.

Stockdales Volunteering - Update

Several people went down last week and helped brew up for the residents, the leaders were very grateful for the help and this allowed them to concentrate on the baking - those were fantastic mince pies :o)

Sponsor a child - I have been toying with this idea for a while and I have been looking for a suitable project that ticks my boxes, providing for the direct community as well as the child and allowing some interaction with the child and their family so a relationship can be established and who knows maybe more good can happen. I think I may have found the right one Action Aid http://www.actionaid.org.uk/100044/sponsor_a_child_today.html
I saw the video with Sally Whitaker (Sally from Coronation St) in on the link above and this swayed my decision, so I have sent off for some additional information. This is not commitment just for Advent but for the foreseeable future.

Ben - The Diary of a Drug Addict 2

Did you watch it? Harrowing wasn't it? If you missed it check out Sky listings they usually repeat loads of programmes.

It made me feel both sick and upsetting to watch Ben inject himself in the groin, to see his family suffering and to see Ben suffering the effects of heroin, 2 min's into the fix and then 20 minutes into the fix. This program should be watched by all young people to show them the effects of drugs on their lives and those around them.
Ben seemed such a nice person, well thought of and loved very much, but still he turned to drugs. In my experience of drug addicts, I have known a couple, even if they want to give up they can't. Once heroin has a hold on you the only way to stop is to die. It doesn't matter how many time you detox, visit hospital with infections you will carry on. This is exactly what happened to Ben.

Heroin is evil, Ben died of a brain hemorrhage when attending hospital to try and detox at the age of 34. Ben tried to detox several times and always returned to heroin. Half his life was spent taking drugs.

The programme was very moving, to watch unconditional love for a child even though he was an addict and caused problems at every family event - Christmas and birthdays all ended up with Ben issues. His father was devastated and could not bare to see Ben as this ill, dying, drug addict. His father even took Ben to by drugs.

I'm not sure how I would react to my child being involved in drugs and ending up like Ben - would I purchase drugs for my child? I'd say no now but when they are in so much pain , loosing it, manipulating every situation, pulling on our heart strings I know I would have to help ease the suffering.

Love the addict not the addiction.

All over the world, so many tragedies

Homelessness in the UK, War in Iraq, Congo and Afganistan, Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh Cyclone, Cholera in Zimbabwe, drug addicts the world over, street kids in Brazil, Dafur & Chad crisis, South Asia Tsunami

The images speak for themselves..................

Our Christmas Tree

Christmas is fast approaching and for the first time in years we are organised, we are not building, we are not decorating and we are not fitting a kitchen. This year we will be taking it easy, that is if preparing for 13 people for Christmas dinner is classed as easy. Boxing day I have a special treat instore for everyone..... Trivial Pursuits evening with food and drink, should be a laugh. Rebecca wants a BBQ as well :o) We are putting up the Christmas decorations, hopefully some pictures will be published.