Celebrating Easter

St. Mary's After the Service Coffee time

          Easter—“He Is Risen” rings through my ears and in my heart.  Our Easter Sunday provided us opportunities to make wonderful memories.  Firstly, the weather suited the day—with patches of broken clouds and sun shining through.  At least the morning was dry.  

          The eleven o’clock morning service at St. Mary’s had some unexpected visitors.  A black Labrador named Farley came for the first time as a part of his training to be a guide dog to one of our regular church members.  He’s just over two years old, sleek coated and eager to please.  I’m sure we will see more of him in the future.

          At the end of the service the vicar introduced a couple celebrating a significant anniversary.  They had been married sixty years ago on 27^th April in St. Mary’s.  How wonderful to have a couple who have years of wisdom and experience to set an example for married couples today.   

          Most church services at Christmas time are graced with folk who do not attend a weekly service.  Easter is a similar occasion in terms of additional worshipers coming with family as part of celebrating Easter.    For us, our “extended” family included our friends from Scotland.  We walked home from church, discussing our options for dinner. 

          Since we needed seating for nine people, I checked on-line to see about getting reservations on the day.  One restaurant was full.  I found the phone number for The Harvester, which is about the same distance to walk.  The table available soon had our name written down.

          Spring is known for sudden rain showers; and we were “blessed” with a wet walk to the restaurant.  Thankfully, the shower wasn’t heavy and short-lived.  How lovely to discover the reserved table was a round table, with a booth.  It was easy to see each other and chat happily away, eating food someone else had cooked for us.  And we could leave the dirty dishes! 

          After enjoying a leisurely meal, we trooped back to our home.  The “Daniel” family needed to collect bags they had left at the flat before going back to the White House in Langley.   http://whitehouselangley.co.uk/

          Hugs all round were the order of the evening as the “Daniel” family prepared to leave.  “Maverick” and Maisy walked with them, leaving me time to sit quietly and ponder the many blessings God has poured over me.  Yes, I’d cooked for lunch for fifteen people for Saturday—but it had been a pleasure.  We had worshiped together, deepening the bond of love and sense of family.  Connections between two ministries had been made, and I felt privileged to have a part to play in that. 

          This Easter past filled my heart to overflowing with thanksgiving, love and joy. 

          Serving Jesus, Author of our faith

“Lady Helene”

         

         

Thirteen--unlucky? Absolutley Not! Very blessed instead!

Blisteringly cold wind greeted us on the morning of Saturday, 18^th January 2003. The sun dazzled off the snow, but had no warmth.   The re-frozen slush on the church parking lot scrunched and cracked as I pulled the car to a halt.  I was the first to arrive.  I knew I would need the time to get ready.

Besides my friends and family in Indiana, friends were coming from Illinois to attend a long awaited wedding.  My mother and I had been waiting for this day all my adult life.  In the quiet of the church I suddenly became overwhelmed with exhaustion, excitement and insecurity.  This was my wedding day, to" My Midnight Man". 

I had no doubts that I loved" Midnight Man," no doubts that I wanted to be married to him.  But on that day, thirteen years ago, I was starting a new chapter:  the stress of getting a visa after the wedding;  flying to a place I’d never been before; meeting John’s daughter, his friends with him being my only support system was a huge step.  But, like most brides, emotion overcame me and I cried. With the help on my bridesmaids I got through the moment. 

The mind is an amazing organism in what it can recall so clearly—even though it is years later.  I remember the weather changing quickly.  It was bitter, biting wind with sun at 9.30 am when I arrived at the church.  By 1.30 pm, the clouds had rolled in and we had snow.  It danced and blew like the snow in a glitter ball.  By 9.00 pm, when we left the reception, the clouds had nearly cleared, with small ones skittering along the blue-black night.  And the moon was silver white, full and beaming.  

The groom being prepared

The Bride being laced up.

Our vows completed.

A hug with that kiss.

Mr. & Mrs. walking into our new life.

Today it is just above freezing, and sunny.  But we have no snow.  Thirteen years have rushed by.  When “Maverick” and I got married, there were eight grandchildren; now there are twenty.  Thirteen years ago we worshiped at Hillsong Church, London.  Now we worship at a Church of England church.  Those are the kind of things that change.  But our love had also changed—deepened, strengthened, matured.  

No thirteen means another year of God’s grace we have been given.  We are blessed.  We rejoice!

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

"Lady Helene"

Intercessions for church service 31 May 2015

     Yesterday, 31st May, would have been Mom's birthday--and she would have celebrated 89 years with us if she would have been this side of heaven.  I had no cake on hand, so I ate too many cookies instead.  :-)  
     I enjoy being on the rota for the Intercessions at St. Mary's.  I felt honoured to give the intercessions on Mom's birthday.  I guess because she is the one who taught me and my syblings to pray.  
     I know some of you, who were at St. Mary's (Langley) yesterday, you will have heard this already.  For those who regularly attend St. Mary's, but were away yesterday, it is an opportunity to participate by reading it.  For the rest of you, I hope it inspires you to pray as well.
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Following the example of our Lord Jesus, let us pray for the church and the world.

Lord, in Your Mercy

Hear our Prayer

The Church:  Most Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we acknowledge our great need of your grace and Presence.  Thank you for sending us the Holy Spirit to guide us in our prayers.  We pray for all church leaders worldwide.  Enable them to speak Your words of vision, Your heart, to us.  Let their words be a call to action, inspiring us to act on behalf of widows, orphans, the disenfranchised, the poor, the illiterate.  May we, your church, fulfil Your promises:

·         To be a voice of justice and protection for the elderly and widows

·         To be the family in which you place the solitary and desolate

·         To be the hands that feed the hungry—spirit, soul and body

·         To be the ones to quench the thirst of those who are weary and parched physically and emotionally

·         The open door into which the wanderer and stranger are invited in

·         The resource to clothe the naked

·         The visitors to those who are sick, afflicted with care and those in prison.

Lord, in Your Mercy

Hear our Prayer

Creation, Human Society, The Sovereign, Those in Authority:  God of Creation, we pray for governmental leaders, nationally and locally.  Thank You for raising up Christians to run for and get elected into government offices.  Let them be Your voice in parliament as well as local councils.  Let them be an influence of righteousness in making policies and laws.  Help them to be an example of service to others, contrasting the others who are seekers of power and/or personal gain.

Lord, in Your Mercy

Hear our Prayer

The Local Community:  Father of Mercy, we pray for the elderly in our community and the many organisations that work on their behalf.  We pray for cross-generational relationships to be formed, so that the practical and emotional needs of the older generation are met.  We pray for children many continue with tests which affect their future education.  Provide them with peace during test-taking, and bring to mind all they have learned during the year.  

Lord, in Your Mercy

Hear our Prayer

Those who suffer:  God our Healer, we lift up those who are suffering in mind and/or body.  Bless the work of counsellors and those who provide comfort, guidance and support through active listening.  We ask that Your healing will manifest in those who have recently undergone major treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and invasive surgery.  We pray for the people who through surgery have received implants and transplants, that their bodies will accept these life-changing organs/prosthetics.  Provide rest, nutrition and strength to aid in the healing process.  We pray for their care-givers to have wisdom and support. 

Lord, in Your Mercy

Hear our Prayer

The communion of saints: As we remember those who have recently experienced bereavement, we ask that we may be agents of solace, comfort and encouragement.  We give you thanks for the lives of those who have gone on before us, yet live on in our hearts and minds.  

Lord, in Your Mercy

Hear our Prayer

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 
     

I did Dance...

                Yes, I danced!  Last night (Saturday, 21^st September) I joined a group of about 100 people at this year’s Harvest Barn Dance, hosted by the parish churches.  The Maverick was at work, but I still had a partner for the folk dancing; a lovely Korean lady named Jeesun. 

               The Maverick and I got acquainted with Jeesun over Christmas 2011.  The organisation, HOST UK , connected us with Jeesun, and she came for Christmas.  Looking back, I’m surprised I didn’t write about more of our UK Host guests.  I did write about HOST UK in a previous post:  http://areednotbroken.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/host-uk-and-november-visitor.html

                Because HOST UK places serves students, most of the adult visitors return to their home countries after they finish their masters’ degrees.   In general most HOST UK visitors only visit their guests homes once or twice.  So it seemed unlikely we would get to see any of our new friends more than once.  But I am on the social network http://www.linkedin.com, and sent out an e-mail to people in my e-mail address book; one of whom was Jeesun.  She accepted my invitation to link-up and sent me a message.  I discovered that she was still in London.  So I invited her to come for a visit. 

                She came yesterday, bringing with her a tin of lovely Korean biscuits.   We sat on the couch, chatting, drinking tea and crunching the crumbly treats until it was time to walk to the school where the dance was being held.

                Unfortunately, Jeesun had purchased a return ticket for Saturday evening—and she had to leave the dance an hour into the event.  Her fish dinner was packed into a courier bag and I walked her to the entrance to the park she would have to walk through to get to the bus stop. 

                Besides the dancing, and a take-away dinner that was catered in, there was a raffle.  I passed on the opportunity of purchasing tickets, because I have so much stuff around here that I don’t really need I didn’t want to bring anything else home! 

                I really enjoy the social events hosted by the church, as it gives a person a chance to talk to other people you see on a Sunday morning, but don’t really have a chance to talk to, get to know. 

                The dance finished at 9.00 pm.  Several people from the three congregations busied themselves with stacking up the chairs, folding up the tables and setting the hall in order.  The trash had been collected through-out the evening, so it was also carried out.  All was done in 10 minutes—almost before one could turn around twice.

               Usually I just sit on the side-lines, chatting with friends, and secretly wishing I was bold enough to get up and dance.  This time, I was glad that I decided to “get over myself” and join the others on the floor.  I wasn’t the only one who was a novice.  It wasn’t a contest.  And at the end of the evening, my heart was still dancing—right until I went to bed.

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene”

Psalm 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks....

     September and October mark the annual harvest of crops in the United Kingdom and North America.  As a woman of dual citizenship, I can honestly say that I benefit from having more traditions and customs to celebrate and enjoy. 

     November brings All Saints' Day on the 1st and All Souls' Day on 2nd November.  As an official Church of England (Anglican) member, these church days give me a reminder to think about those who have gone before me in the walk of faith--Hebrews 11; my family members who have gone home and see the Lord face-to-face.  

     November 5th is a British National celebration--Guy Fawkes Night--a date remembered for its political and historical significance:  an annual public day of thanksgiving for the failure of a plot by English Catholics to blow up the House of Lords on the opening day of Parliament, 5th November 1605.  It is a good day to remember that I am blessed to be a citizen of Heaven, and also a citizen of two countries where worshipping Jesus Christ openly is freely allowed.  I may not agree with the politics of 1605, or even 2010, but I am still glad that I am blessed to live in a country where I can freely express my faith.

     My 52nd birthday was on 19th November.  Love was lavished on me by unexpected presents, phone calls, birthday cards and 42 well wishes on Facebook.  My Midnight Man (Husband) took me out to dinner and purchased an MP3 player for me.  I am still learning how to use it.  
     One of the high-lights of the day was the phone call to my sister, "Dija".  She answered the phone:  "Hello".  
     "Hellooo!"  I replied.

     "Ruff ruff ruff ruff, ruff ruff.  Ruff ruff ruff ruff, ruff ruff.  Meow, meow meow meow, meow Meowww Meowww, Ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff ruff."     "I've sung it in the other languages, do I have to sing it in human as well?"  Said "Dija".  
     I was laughing out loud by now.  "No, that was great."  
      There was nothing better than being serenaded by my sister's animal band:  Hannah and the Cats.   
     This brings us to American Thanksgiving--traditionally the 4th Thursday of November.  

     Some of you know me well enough to know that I enjoy history.  I can get lost for hours trawling through websites reading about things that intrigue, puzzle, pique my curiosity.  And why?  Because deeper appreciation comes when context frames the significance, reasoning and purpose of events that have come into our lives--from daily tasks to annual observances. 
     According to my research the first Thanksgiving was 1619 in the first colony of Virginia.  Later the Pilgrims had a three day feast of Thanksgiving in 1623.  This is the traditional event most recognised in schools and by the American public.  
     After the Revolutionary war ended in 1789, George Washington declared a national day of Thanksgiving and prayer as recognition of the Providence of God.  Washington declared a 2nd day of National Thanksgiving in 1795.  These proclamations to recognise and acknowledge the Providential care of God, were the first time a governmental proclamation of this type was issued to the United States--and significantly and not initiated by the church.
     Presidents John Adams and James Madison also made proclamations to observe national days of Thanksgiving.  But it was Abraham Lincoln who was responsible for creating an annual national day of Thanksgiving.  In 1863--while the Civil War still waged--President Lincoln signed a declaration of National Thanksgiving to God to be observed on the last Thursday in November.  And it has been observed annually since 1863--147 years.  It was President Franklin D. Roosevelt who made the 4th Thursday of November the official federal day of celebration.  And in 1941 the Senate and the House of Representatives officially signed a resolution to make the 4th Thursday in November permanently fixed as Thanksgiving.  

My Sister-In-Law & Husband

     Because of my struggle with fatigue and related symptoms, I hadn't originally planned to do a Thanksgiving dinner.  But my good friend Señora L. asked if I had any plans--that she and her husband (Mr. C.) would like to celebrate with us.  We invited Midnight Man's sister and her husband and the "Dpr" Family--with whom we attend church.  Thursday was a not viable day to have the feast because of schedules and Britain not observing a national day of giving thanks; the meal was scheduled for Saturday 27th November.  Señora L & Mr. C. contributed a turkey and some vegetables.  I contributed a broccoli and cauliflower salad, desserts and all the cooking.
     My guests were due about 7:30 p.m.  I had a moment of being completely overwhelmed-nearly burst into tears, which was complicated by exhaustion--even though I'd taken a nap.  I looked at John and said, "I feel like a pregnant woman giving birth to her first child---I'M NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN!"  Once all the guests had arrived, Midnight Man and S-In-L took over the serving, I settled down and was actually thinking of having guests for Christmas dinner.  

Mr. D, Me, Senora L. & Mr. C

It's great to know that I don't have to wait for once a year to give thanks to God.  Everyday can be Thanksgiving--as indeed it should be.  The world has a way of telling us that we should want more, more, more...


But the Apostle Paul wrote "Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always).  Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]: Thank God in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and mediator of that will}.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith