A Time of Remembering

God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and the mountains fall into the ocean; even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence.

                                                                                                 Psalm 46: 1-3

Dear Friends,

 We are fast approaching Remembrance Day in November, a moment when the entire nation recalls the service, kindness and spirit of devotion of brave men and women who fought so hard and made selfless sacrifices in order that peace would reign. It is not a secret to any of us that the situation around the world today equally calls for more sacrificial services from brave men and women. We hear about this day in and day out as we engage with the news papers and television news.  It also requires a lot from us as  Christians today - constant prayers for peace in the world and the safety of our service men and women.

I wonder what our prayer will sound like on Sunday 9^th of November when we all come together to hold before God the service men and women who have died while in active service to their country, hoping for world peace.  Here is a short prayer that I would recommend you to say on behalf of all those who sacrificed their lives for the good of others and the world.  It seems to me that remaining in constant prayer for them is one way through which we can show our appreciation for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf and that of their beloved country.

 Compassionate God

As we look forward in hope, remembering the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the world – for our loved ones, family members, friends and unknown folks -

men and women who across the ages have been examples of courage to us, and  all whose words, service and actions have given inspiration to subsequent generations including ours

We thank you for the courage which they displayed in all the horror of war, by fighting so bravely and serving so faithfully by standing up for their convictions, to fight against evil and injustice in our world even at the cost of their own lives.

We thank you for those who were able to live out their faith and share it with others in the face of bitter opposition and war.

We thank you for the freedom which we enjoy today as a result of their great sacrifice

We salute their courage once more and we will acknowledge again during the coming Remembrance Day the debt we owe them.

We thank you above all for the lessons of the past, may they not be easily forgotten and the sacrifices not wasted. 

It is a good time as well for us as a family within God’s church in Beckenham to remember and hold before God once more our own members and friends who have recently died namely: Joyce Jackson, Dorothy Anstey, Rona Smith, Betty Morgan, Joan Picot and Joan Booth. We assure their families of our prayers particularly at this time. I hope and pray that they will all be comforted and sustained by our prayers during this time of remembrance.

Friends, in whatever way you hope to celebrate Remembrance Day this year, please let us endeavour to hold before God the men and women of the armed forces, aid workers, and all those involved in peace missions around the world.

Patrick

One day a Minister, a Curate and a Atheist went out on a fishing trip together. They are in the boat and the Curate says “Oh, no! I’ve left the paddles on the shore”. He then gets out of the boat and walks on the water back to the shore to get them.

When he gets back in the boat the Minister says “Oh, no! I’ve left the bait on the shore as well”. Then just like the Curate the Minister gets out of the boat, walks on the water to the shore and returns to the boat with the bait.

Then Atheist then shouts “Well if guys can do it, so can!!”  He then gets out of the boat and falls straight into the water.

The Curate then says to the Minister “Do you think we should have told him where the stones are?”

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Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother ,”Why is the bride dressed in white?”

Because it is the happiest day of her life

The child thought for a moment then said, “So why is the groom wearing black?”

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