Frances On Friday Every Friday, Frances shares a song that means something to her.

What do you say?’ are words often addressed by a parent to a child who is about to receive a treat, and children are usually quick to learn that the treat is delivered more quickly when they say ‘Thank you!’

In Luke 17:11-19 we read the account of Jesus on His way to Jerusalem when He encountered ten men who had leprosy. It is interesting that in Verse 12 of the NIV account of this story we are told ‘They stood at a distance,’ which is so relevant at present as we observe ‘social distancing.’
The remainder of the story relates to the fact that the men were healed, but only one of them returned to say thanks. Jesus asked, ‘Where are the other nine?’ and then added, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’

We learn from this that Jesus expected the other nine to bring their thanks, and surely this is important for us to remember today. Psalm 106:1 NIV exhorts us to ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.’

Katherine Kennicott Davis (1892 –1980) was an American former teacher, classical music composer and pianist who wrote ‘The Little Drummer Boy.’  Another Song by Katherine is ‘Let All Things Now Living,’ which uses the melody of the traditional Welsh folk song ‘The Ash Grove.’
The lyrics invite us to bring a Song of Thanksgiving to God the Creator who guides us on to the end of our days.

Frances.

Let’s Pray For Preparations For Winter Give thanks for ongoing preparations in government and health provision to deal with the risk of increased infection from coronavirus during winter, asking that God would give greater readiness as the result of lessons already learned. Pray that winter would not result in a second spike of coronavirus and that God would particularly protect the vulnerable and those with underlying health conditions.

Jigsaw The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw Janice 1:51 ​Derek 5:19 Now would anyone like to try the Friday Jigsaw? I always say the Friday one is more difficult and will take longer, but this one might be nearly impossible. The puzzle features Alfie (our friends’ dog) who is hidden in a field. Enjoy the puzzle but don’t waste your whole weekend. Play the "Alfie" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3712d03181f0

Let’s Pray For Well being  Give thanks that society as a whole has dealt with the challenges, stresses and strains of lockdown so well, asking God to continue to give resilience and endurance as some restrictions continue. Pray particularly for those who are physically or mentally stressed by the experience of living through the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, asking God to bring his peace, calm and restoration to their souls.

The name ‘Cecil Frances Alexander,’ will be familiar to many. Mrs Alexander was a poet and Hymn writer of world renown, penning classics such as ‘All things Bright and Beautiful’ and the Christmas Carol, ‘Once in Royal David’s City.’ Born in Dublin in 1818, she lived in Killeter, Co.Tyrone, from 1850 until 1855. Her husband was the Anglican Clergyman, William Alexander, who was Curate in St Bestius Church there. He became Bishop of Derry and Raphoe and in later years, Archbishop of Armagh and Anglican Primate of Ireland.   In 2018, ‘Sperrins and Killeter Walking Festival’ celebrated the 200th Anniversary of Mrs Alexander’s birth with ‘The Bright and Beautiful Walk,’ a four kilometre stroll around the four Churches in the town, taking in four gardens themed by Mrs Alexander’s four most famous Hymns, ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful,’ ‘There is a Green Hill,’ Once in Royal David’s City,’ and ‘Jesus Calls us O’er the Tumult, of our Life’s Wild, Restless Sea.’

The opening lines of this latter Hymn, written over 200 years ago, are surely as apt now as they were then. Many today would liken the current Pandemic with its associated difficulties as making life like a ‘wild, restless sea.’

During the First World War a Doctor was busy in his Consulting Room with patients who were affected by the many tensions of War. As he was listening to their anxieties, he heard singing from the room above. It was his wife and children singing, ‘There is a Green Hill far Away.’  
The Doctor commented to his patients, ‘If we all believed in the truth of the Hymn we now hear, we would have less worry, anxiety and fear.’  

The concluding lines of the Hymn are a clear call to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’ (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Let’s listen to the Hymn and reflect on its guidance.

​Frances.

Jigsaw The times for yesterday’s Jigsaw Janice 1:48 Derek 6:59 The Friday Jigsaw is always a little bit more difficult with a few extra pieces thrown in so enjoy another puzzle from our holiday. ​ Play the "Derwentwater Sunset" puzzle! https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=3225e531ddcd