Sermon Prep

Next week, I am out preaching. They have given me a passage to work from, so I have been reading it through as I prepare. Here is the second verse of the third letter of John. It seemed a very good greeting to share with you all this morning.  
God bless you, wherever you are, in whatever you are doing, today!

 

Three Churches In Three Days

On Friday, Bob and I went to Dereham Parish Church for an organ recital. This is part of their fundraising campaign to be able to install much needed toilets and decent kitchen facilities on site.At 12.15 we enjoyed an excellent sandwich lunch [good choice of fillings, also quiches, sausage rolls, pork pies and cherry tomatoes, followed by selection of cakes, choice of hot or cold drinks] 

Then a gentleman started trying to erect a portable screen near to where we were sitting. Bob used to have one like that, and as it's easier to put up with a helper, he went off to assist. Here he is in his best navy blazer, kneeling on the carpet! Then he helped sort out the video camera too...his assistance was much appreciated.

I do not have any photographs of the recital itself, they were not allowed! The visiting organist was D'Arcy Trinkwon. That is not an anagram, D'Arcy's forebears were from the continent and his surname is French. He is remarkably gifted and played various pieces, including some by a Canadian Composer for the foot pedals only [we were able to watch his hands on the keyboard and feet on the pedals via the video camera and big screen] Here's a clip of him playing in Selby Abbey. He's quite the showman!

Saturday from 9.30-4.30 I was in Dereham Baptist Church, for a Safeguarding Training Day. It is very important to us in our chapel that we have the correct procedures and protocols in place, for the protection of any vulnerable person [child or adult] who may come to our premises - five from our chapel attended. People from all over Norfolk were there. I met up with old friends- and it was especially lovely when a woman called Christine came up and introduced herself. She met me at a Women's Day at DBC in 2015, and has been following Tracing Rainbows ever since. I hope we can meet up again sometime, for a proper chat over coffee.

Sunday I was back in my own little Chapel at Foulsham. I was Duty Deacon, so we got there really early. Duties include checking who is on the rotas for tea and coffee, welcoming, prayers etc.

 As it was communion, I had to fill the little glasses [they go in a tray like the one in the picture] I knew we had a number of absentees. So I filled 24 glasses. At the start of the service we had 22 adults [plus adults and children out in the hall at Sunday Club]. But one couple arrived late. Our practice is that a deacon takes the tray, serves the pastor, takes it round the congregation, and then returns it to the communion table. As I took it back to Nick, we realised there was just the one glass left, for me! We sung some good songs, and Nick preached a great sermon about Jairus' Daughter, and the sick woman, from Mark 5.

Three church buildings, one very big, one fairly big, and one small - but good friends and a lovely atmosphere in each one. Bob tells me that nowadays a person is considered to be a 'regular churchgoer' if they attend a service once in 3 weeks. I'm definitely a regular.

Have you come across D'Arcy Trinkwon?
He's a very flamboyant character, and a master of his music.

Forty Eight Years And Counting...

Thomas Hardy's perpetual calendar on his desk was always set at March 7th, because that was the day he met Emma, his first wife. 

I was very taken with this idea, so when I saw Hardy's Calendar in Dorset, eight years ago, I came home and altered my calendar to the date when I first met Bob [this late Victorian calendar was inherited from Great Aunt Amy, Grandad's sister]

For the record, like Thomas and Emma, we met in church. Bob's first words [on seeing my student sweatshirt] "Oh no! not another teacher!". We went on to an after church youth group, and spent the evening sitting on the sofa discussing the sermon, and sharing a 'Youth Praise' songbook. And today marks 48 years together - friend, fiancé, husband, soulmate - my 'better half'

The last week has been pretty significant for us too. After a lot of waiting [three years since the doctor declared him an 'urgent' case] Bob has finally had the denervation procedure on his back, to relieve him of the constant and acute pain he has been suffering for so long.

That was last Friday [hence my absence from the church holiday club] Things are looking good. It's wonderful to see him standing straight and tall and free of pain. 

Last weekend we went to the coast, Bob walked down to the water and swam in the sea with Rosie.

Thanking God for all His goodness to us and to our family 

Jesus Brings Us Joy

On Friday there was a FunDay at Church. I was not there [explanations later] but I did help with planning and preparing all the crafts. The theme was Jesus at the Wedding Feast In Cana - so the children made party crowns, placemats, and these little joyful cup-people. And there was a photo booth for wedding selfies [with suitable attire for a wedding feast]  Friends Sue and Alastair from Essex came to run the day, with music, puppets and games - assisted by Nick with his magic tricks. Alastair [&AI] produced a song [which blogger will not let me post!] 

Nick is away today, and I am preaching on the same story. I have chosen three songs especially for the young at heart; My Lighthouse, Our God is a great big God, and this golden oldie - one of James Partridge's 'Assembly Bangers'

Half a century ago, we used to add an extra verse "Give me Unction in my Gumption, let me Function". They were Happy Days....may your day today  be filled with JOY

You Are The Peace In My Troubled Sea

On Sundays at church, we are studying the Gospel of Mark. This week, Mark chapter 4, when Jesus calms the storm. 
Here is a favourite song from Rend Collective 

In my wrestling and in my doubts
In my failures You won't walk out
Your great love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea,

In the silence, You won't let go
In the questions, Your truth will hold
Your great love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea,

My Lighthouse, my lighthouse
Shining in the darkness, I will follow You
My Lighthouse, my lighthouse  
I will trust the promise,
You will carry me safe to shore

I won't fear what tomorrow brings
With each morning I'll rise and sing
My God's love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea,   
Fire before us, You're the brightest
You will lead us through the storms
My Lighthouse, my lighthouse
Shining in the darkness, I will follow You

I will trust the promise,
You will carry me safe to shore
You are the Peace in my troubled Sea

Wake, And Pillage

My own fault, I shouldn't have mentioned my fondness for Peanuts Cartoons, and  Snoopy sleeping on his doghouse. I've been a bit Peppermint Patty myself this week.
I'm not saying I did fall asleep, but afterwards, the friend sitting behind said "Bob said before the service that you had a disturbed night, and I noticed him squeezing your hand during the sermon" [oops! I didn't actually snore though]
The problem was that at 4.30am I was woken up up this random bleeping noise.
I tried to identify it
Not the smoke alarm - Not a phone
Not the new microwave [which is given to random bleeps, as part of its "childsafe" setting, which I cannot unset]
Not the washing machine - that plays little tunes
Not the insistent alarm clock - Not that wretched Alexa woman
What was it? - I decided I ought to wake Bob 

It was the carbon monoxide detector

When we check that, we get a single continuous alarm - not this cheep every 30 seconds.
Bob decided it was a battery alert.

He removed the battery, and opened windows and internal doors so there was a good air flow
And I made the obligatory middle-of-the-night-event recovery pot of tea [glad it was a warm night] On Sunday morning, Bob read the small print inside the battery compartment, which warns that after 7 years of use, this chirping will alert you to replace the unit. So that was OK, and we didn't die...
Bob has had his own sleeping issues of late, but a new memory foam pillow has made a significant improvement. He no longer has a pain in the neck in the mornings [other than his wakeful spouse]
... and Pillage? Not the Violent Vikings, but rather the whole medication routine which is now part of our daily sleeping and rising rituals. I am very grateful for the things which help

• free meds from the NHS via our efficient local GP Practice
• Tony at church, who recycles our pill packaging for charity
• the health benefits which the pills provide
  

I am not so thrilled with the way the various tablets sometimes come from a different manufacturer- and so my Vitamin D pills [evening] are the same shape as the ones for my digestion.[morning] I have taken to drawing lines with a sharpie over the packing of the latter when that happens, so I do not take the wrong ones by mistake.
And the side effects of tablets are sometimes hard to manage

There is much historical evidence showing that Martin Luther [German Theologian] had digestive troubles. It is my belief that his doctor prescribed him omeprazole too...

Great Oaks From Little Acorns Grow

Sometime I must ask Ann just why they call the Toddler Group "Little Acorns" I mentioned yesterday that the lady at the Fete from the local council had been very interested in our group. She gave me a nylon zip bag and two plastic folders and hoped they would prove useful.When I got home, I unpacked them in the kitchen

Would you believe this amazing hoard?

The contents were: five quality books*, thirteen activity cards, two booklets (songs and games)  one finger puppet, one headband, one  set of "feelings" cards,  one Orchard Toys boxed game, a safety mirror, a wooden pig and a cow, a stress ball, a pot of bubbles, one-minute timer, chiffon cloth, foil blanket, biro, box of crayons, and two Norfolk Council information sheets. 

I reckon at least £40 worth of materials. The activities cards related to the books too, so you could plan a morning's activities round the stories. Ann was really astounded at church on Sunday to receive this bag of goodies. She asked if the lady was giving them away to lots of people - I said that nobody else came up in the whole time I was near the council display. Which is a real shame. [* including a proper Julia Donaldson lift-the-flap one]

Thank you Louise, from Broadland Council for your generosity!

Are you involved in any sort of Toddler Group or activities with Preschoolers? 
Have you come across any positive support for young families in your area?

How You Have Grown!

 

This is the Costessey Fete in 2018, Rosie was two and we were looking after her for 24 hours. Now she has grown up so much, and, like her Grandad, she still likes ice creams. And the Fete has grown too - back then it was held on a large field, and the tea and coffee served in the adjacent community centre. Now it is a massive affair, held at the Royal Norfolk Showground. Then entrance was free, parking £2 - on Saturday entrance was £3 for age 5+, but parking was free[with blue badge spaces near the entrance] So in 8 years it went up from £2 to £6. Not bad!

Some things still there- the Norfolk Star Wars Group, the Owls, and lots of Norfolk community groups and charities. We had a lovely time in the sunshine.

Jess wore her twirly sparkly dress and rode on the carousel shouting "I'm a princess" as her pink coach whirled round. What you cannot see, as she poses so demurely, is the blue lollipop in her hand given to her by one cheerful stall holder.

Jess went back and thanked the lady and poked her tongue out - and was promptly rewarded with another lolly

There were moving dinosaurs and a Medieval Group

We met so many interesting people. There was a South Norfolk Council table again - without the big deckchair - but joined this time by a table from from Broadland Council. They are due to merge in the next round of council re-organisations.

I drifted across [there was nobody at either table apart from the two staff members in their lanyards] 

"Do you live in our area?"

"No, I come under Breckland Council - but the nearby village, where my church is, is in Broadland" 

"Does your church do anything for preschoolers?"

I told the lady about the excellent Toddler Group which meets every Tuesday. She asked about their programme, and I filled her in on all the stuff planned by my friends who run the group. "Could you take some of our material for them?" I said I was happy to do that and would deliver it at Church on Sunday. She gave me a bundle of stuff.
Then I met up with the rest of the family and we had lunch [ pizza and burgers, and chicken and chips...] Leaving Liz and family to continue their fun in the sun, Bob and I drifted home. 

It was a truly superb day - and well organised. A proper event for all the family, with affordable pitches for the charities and community groups, and a good variety of refreshments. 
The weather was obviously an important factor - but my thanks go to all those who made the day special. There was such a positive atmosphere, and something for everyone. This event gets bigger, and better each year!

A Week Of April Anniversaries

If you read Sue's post yesterday, or Mary's, you will know there are some great poems out there celebrating April. I cannot agree with TS Eliot's assertion that April is 'the cruellest month'. For me, this past week - April 10th- 17th is one of joyful celebration and gratitude for so many good things in my life.

1955  April 10th
Easter Sunday
The year I was born. Back then, the fathers had to wait outside the delivery room. They told Dad I'd got the cord wrapped round my neck and was unlikely to survive the birth. But I was ok [and he was late for church!] 

2009 April 15th, Wednesday
54 years later, we took possession of Cornerstones - our wonderful bungalow in the heart of rural Norfolk

We still wake up every morning marvelling at God's grace in providing us with this lovely home.  When we first bought it, we were living in Leicestershire - our daughters were both in London.

2018 April 14th, Saturday
Off to Manchester for the wedding of daughter Steph to her beloved Gaz. In the past eight years they have achieved so much, moving house, both succeeding in their careers, and best of all, becoming parents to two gorgeous little boys.

2021 April 12th, Monday
A week after Easter, Bob retired from being minister in Ferndown. With the help of masked friends [lockdown rules!] we packed our belongings in to a van and drove the long road up to Norfolk. Next day I left a message on the fridge.

Retiring in Lockdown was difficult. I really felt for Bob who didn't get the razzamataz his college buddies did when they retired in 2019 or 2022. 
But here we are - five years on from retirement. I'm grandma to four lovely children, and 'auntie-mum' to Julian in Romford.
We are happily involved in our church, and our community.  

The family are thriving, and we have lots of good neighbours - although since 2009, many of the residents have moved on and we've made more new friends . Cornerstones has become a place of love, peace and joy. The new kitchen is fabulous, the solar panels keep us warm and the garden is growing. He's Shedding and I'm still Sewing [and blogging]

So this week in April will always be a special one for me, full of happy memories. There's a lovely old song that begins "Oh how good is the Lord, I never will forget what He has done for me"
I hope I never do

The Chapel At Easter

The windowsills at Chapel were well received. In previous years we have had bunnies and eggs and chicks and jars of fresh flowers. But as I seemed to be without helpers, I took the line that less is more. I made some green fabric runners from the Great Stash, and then each sill had a couple of pot plants, a card with a Bible Verse or two, and either Willow tree figures or a cross. I prepared everything at home, and took a photo beforehand, showing which verse went where.

The plants looked so pretty in their wallpaper collars. I did discover that every window is a different size [the building is 200+ years old!] but the one sill I had measured was fortunately the largest, and folding, pinning and using blutac kept everything looking good.

Maybe less 'busy' than previous years, but I think they did the job.

Bob made the stands to support the crosses [which normally hang on our study wall] I created an Easter Garden on the platform. A cloth covered the table, and at the top was the cross draped with purple ribbon and a crown of thorns. Below, fresh plants, and an empty tomb. Not sure if the brief video will show the flickering tealights inside, which reflected beautifully against the gold foil. 

And I used lots of wallpaper to create the stone surround, and the green frieze in front of the plant pots! After the service, the small plants went into little paper carriers with cards ["These Easter flowers come with love from Foulsham Baptist Church. Christ is Risen!] for distribution to other. I have already had two messages of thanks from people who were really touched to have been remembered.

Now get on your way quickly,  and tell his disciples and the others that Christ is risen!

  

Floral Frusta Frustrations...

A frustum [plural frusta or frustums] is the solid shape formed when you cut the top off a cone, or a pyramid, with its top parallel to its base. The other way up it looks like a paper cup or a flower pot. This was my challenge...

We usually decorate the chapel windowsills for Easter Sunday. But for complicated reasons, it seems I will be doing this on my own on Saturday morning. 

I took the decision not to spend hours wrestling with cut flowers in small jars, but to buy some pretty pot plants from the local nursery. Afterwards we can add gift cards, and distribute them to the nick and seedy of the village [oops, that should probably say sick and needy!] 
But plastic plant pots are not terribly attractive and need to be covered. This was when I realised that cutting a piece of stiff paper to wrap a frustum was not an easy task! I worked it all out mathematically then realised it was not practical to attempt to draw a circle 72cm in diameter.

I found two empty flowerpots of the right size, and rolled them round on a piece of old wrapping paper, marking their edges as they rolled. This gave me 2 templates. I used these to make the final wraps. And yes, dear reader, I did use one of the wallpaper books!

It was called 'Linen' and had dozens of shades of paper, with a linen-like texture. I chose shades of cream and gold, and made 10 templates. They are simply fastened at the back with two paper clips. I have prepared the other parts of the display, and so all is ready to go in place on Saturday morning.

I also used some fabric from the Great Stash to make runners for each sill, to protect the woodwork from any dampness.

All that is left now is to print off the gift cards which will go with each plant on Sunday,

I love Easter, a glorious celebration of the resurrection, our eternal hope, and a reminder of God's eternal love. It is right that the building where we worship reflects that joy.

Do you have any special Easter Decor?
Bonnets, bunnies, lambs, flowers....

Jesus Says "I Will Give You Rest, Come!"

That is the theme of this year's World Day Of Prayer, planned by the women of Nigeria. WDP always happens on the first Friday in March. I checked the Find A Service Near You page, and was pleased to find there is an afternoon service just a few miles away in Dereham. I felt sad that to find that there was no service listed in Kirby Muxloe, and Ferndown was 24 miles from the nearest service. [surely somebody in one of the many Bournemouth churches is doing something?] You can find out more here

Keeping Busy

Sunday was interesting - I went out to preach at another church. They are studying the life of Joseph and I had Genesis 42-44 to work from. Over coffee later, I discovered that five of the women present [in a congregation of just over 30] had also been to the show at Newmarket [but on the Friday and Saturday] They had similar comments to mine about overpriced gadgets etc! Bob got home before me and had prepared a superb lunch, and we had the other half of the SussexPondPud for dessert.

In the evening, I dragged him to the Parish Church, not for any spiritual reasons, just that it is the highest point in the village. We watched the four planets aligned [Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury] then went and had a reviving cup of tea at my brother's house. This is a BBC photo.

On Monday the sewing machine was humming- one neighbour WhatsApped on Monday morning with a request, I suggested she pop round at 10. At 9.55 the doorbell went, and there was another neighbour with a skirt which needed shortening! Which is all good, because sewing calms me down, and I have felt a little stressed over the past couple of days. I can sit and sew and think and meditate and usually feel so much better afterwards. 

Tuesday I had set aside for preparing another sermon, as I am speaking at our chapel on Sunday, and the set passage is Colossians 3. I love having time to really study the Bible. Bob had a Hospice session in the morning, but when he came home, he suggested we went out for lunch at a newly opened Café at a Farm  Shop nearby. Tasty!

Preparing for last Sunday, I discovered something I had never noticed before. If you've read the Bible story [or watched Lloyd Webber's Technicolor dreamcoat musical] you will know the brothers sold Joseph into slavery, and some Ishmaelites took him to Egypt. These men were traders in Myrrh, spices and balm. In Chapter 43;11 seventeen years later, the brothers go to Egypt to try and buy grain. Their father Jacob] tells them to take silver, plus myrrh, spices and balm [also honey, almonds and pistachio nuts] in order to appease the official [ie their brother who they have not recognised] How fascinating that they took the same valuable items. This is the only mention of pistachio nuts in the Bible. Almonds get mentioned a lot [they are the symbol of new life, and the best nuts imho] 

All the sewing for the neighbours has delayed my final post about Newmarket. But I will post about it soon!

Tis A Far, Far Batter Thing I Do...

Said Bob as we loaded Rosie and Jess into the car yesterday afternoon and headed off for chapel

He cooked well over 100 pancakes. Loads of families from the village came. My activities table was well received

All those children who coloured pictures, did word searches, made Mardi Gras Carnival crowns, or did Chinese New Year activities went home with a small bag of Haribos and a Chinese banknote for ¢500,000! Rosie and Jess were really friendly and helpful, welcoming visitors, explaining the Crafts and helping clear up.  I was too busy to take pictures!

£50 was raised to help Ukraine. We were quite exhausted, but pleased how well it went. 

.

Four Years On

Four years ago we held our first Foulsham Pancake Party. On Tuesday, Bob will flip the pancakes again for our fifth such event. 

The war in Ukraine had begun the week before, so although our event was free, we put out a donations jar for HopeNow, a charity we know personally, who have been working in Ukraine for many years. 

That night, we raised £75. This week we will have our fifth pancake party here. It has already become a tradition - and until this war is over, we will go on supporting, and go on praying.

God who hears,

For four years we have prayed, mourned and lamented. Four years of war in Ukraine. Four years of invasion, of violence, of death.

Sometimes it slips from news broadcasts and from people’s consciousness. But we know you, O God, have not forgotten.

We hold before you refugees who still feel like strangers, unsure when or if they will ever see and hug loved ones again.

Keep safe those who remain in Ukraine. Protect them from the mental and physical wounds of war. We ask for a miraculous end to this bloodshed.

Help us, even when we feel powerless, to act where we can. To care, to listen, to sit with those who grieve. To give, to protest, to continue to pray:

Your kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as in Heaven.   Amen

[With thanks to the Churches' Joint Public Issues Team for this prayer resource] 

Jesus, The True Light

Today marks the end of the Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity. The chapel doors will be closed this morning, as our fellowship joins with our Anglican friends in the Parish Church up the road. These are our brothers and sisters in faith- and it is good to worship together sometimes. Meanwhile Bob is preaching at the United Service at the Parish Church in Dereham 

The prayer below is from the Churches Together website. The lovely photo of the Northern Lights over Dereham is from my dear friend Heather who lives just a few miles away, and took this shot from a bedroom window last week in the early hours of the morning. [Thanks H!]

Lord Jesus Christ,

You bring us together in all our diversity,
as family and church.
In the face of so many situations on earth,
where hope has given way to despair
and hearts are wounded and emptied by disappointment,
renew our strength and unify us.
Help us to share Your hope wherever we find ourselves.
You are the true Light,
who casts out the darkness of sin,
despair and brokenness,
who shines into our hearts, releasing
the joy and the true hope of Your eternal love for all.

Amen.   

Thank You Christine!

I met my best friend Chris in town last week, we had a cuppa and a chat. She gave my Christmas gift - another lovely Painted Bear calendar. I get so much pleasure from this gift, all through the year. The January picture is a good reminder to stop prevaricating!

I'm really looking forward to church this morning, Bob will be preaching on our "Verse for the Year" Romans 15:13 - all about overflowing with hope. 

Leftovers Sunday

Unless Christmas Day actually falls on a Sunday, there is always one Sunday left before the New Year begins. I believe Catholics call this Holy Family Sunday and Anglicans refer to it as first Sunday of Christmas.  As a very nonconformist Baptist, I am designating it Leftovers Sunday. 

Delicious meals made from Christmas leftovers are among my favourite treats. Bob's Turkey Soup is legendary, as is his Christmas leftovers pie [this picture is from Jamie's recipe.

Christmas cake crumbs tossed in butter, strewn over ice cream, panettone bread&butter pudding...so many ways to use up the treats and avoid food waste. 

But I am preaching at church today [Pastor Nick away with family]

So I am focusing on leftover bits of the Christmas story which often get missed out. Like the "slaughter of the innocents" and "the flight into Egypt" [please avoid the old joke about Pontius the Pilot]

We will sing Bumping Up And Down On A Camel [just because i like it!] And Bob and I will do a brief drama. [Read script HERE] And we will pray for those who may be leftover or left out at this time, especially refugees, and the bereaved, and those who grieve for their children.

Has anything been leftover or left out for you this Christmas? How will you deal with that?

Serious answers, and interesting recipes will both be welcome!

An Entertaining Evening

 Lots of practice and setting up beforehand - and the evening went very well

I got my "cocktail waitress" outfit sorted out, as we had an alco-free bar.  Clare gave me a little Christmas clip which lit up and looked very pretty [she wore hers in her hair]

The hot chocolate proved the most popular, closely followed by the green [ spice]d apple fizz] Fewer people wanted the red [berry] or blue [orange and lemon] Rosie was happy to take home the leftover bottle of berry drink. 

About three dozen people turned up, quite a few children.  

Rosie, a budding magician herself, was delighted to help Nick with one trick.

I'm not sure how much was raised for FRIN.* One of the trustees explained that Foulsham has the oldest "relief in need" charity in the country. Amazing, for a small village.

Just realised, my lighted pin makes it look as if I'm on fire! 🔥*An amazing £775 raised!

Music And Magic

Busy day today, as we have an event over at the chapel. Bob's doing the PA, and I am providing the drinks. More importantly, Nick, our minister, is the Magician and Graeme and Clare are making the music. He's an accomplished keyboard player, she plays lots of instruments, and is also a composer [winning the BBC Radio Carol writing competition a few years back]

 

It is a free, family event for the village - we hope it will be well attended! FRIN is the local charity which supports those in the village who are in some sort of need. They work all year round, not just at Christmas.