"Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” Luke 15 : 23 - 24Readings this week Joshua 5 : 9 - 12; 2 Corinthians 5 : 16 - end; Luke 15 : 1 – 3, 11b - endThought for this weekIn the picture at the start of this newsitem this week, it is both the father and the mother who welcome the wayward son home in Luke’s Gospel reading. The son who claimed his ‘inheritance’ by right, without any sense of grace or gratitude, and in the process scorned the relationship he had with his father.Yet the father forgives. On this Mothering Sunday it is so powerful to remember not only the forgiving heart of the father, and of our heavenly loving Father, but also the nurturing, caring love of God as a mother loves her children. With a heart full of love, and nothing more than kindness, compassion, and sacrifice.So many mothers are affected by the situations in the world today. Mothers trying to care for their children. Trying to support their families. Mothers making difficult journeys. Mothers shouldering so many burdens. As humans we do not always make good choices or fulfil all we could be. Yet today is ‘Mothering Sunday’, because we are human. Jesus Himself revealed the nurturing, caring heart of God for each of us. Our heavenly parent who welcomes, accepts, wipes away our tears. He welcomes each of us back to His love. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekGod of love, passionate and strong, tender and careful: watch over us and hold us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenChristian Aid Prayer for MyanmarGod, our strength and our refuge, We pray to you for the people of Myanmar. We hold in mind those who are injured or have been bereaved. We ask your protection for everyone awaiting rescue. May those who have lost homes and belongings be comforted. May emergency workers and medical staff be safe as they pour their energy Into saving the lives of others. May the international community respond quickly to support those affected. God, our strength and our refuge, Be with our global neighbours today. AmenPeople to pray for Please pray for our outreach to the schools as we approach Holy Week and Easter
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 30th March 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 30th March 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 30th March 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s)Monday 31st March 9:00 am Year 3s in church (at St Ed’s)Monday 31st March 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 1st April 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 1st April 1:30 pm Nightingale Nursery in church (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 1st April 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 2nd April 10:00 am Nightingale years 1 & 2 in church (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 2nd April 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s )Thursday 3rd April 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 3rd April 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s) Friday 4th April 9:00 am Year 5’s in church (at St Ed’s)Friday 4th April 9:30 am to12.00 noon Arts and Craft Group , - bring anything – art or craft - you fancy doing and coffee and tea are provided. (at Trinity church)Also Sunday 6th April 2025 –, At St Ed’s, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy CommunionFor on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: The Gathering will now happen on the fourth Sundays of each month, from 3.00m to 5.00pmApril 19th 10:00 am Coffee morning with children’s crafts at St Peter’s April 20th 10:30 am Communion Service at St Peter’s April 27th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sMyanmar Appeal Christian Aid have launched an appeal https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/myanmar-earthquakeSt Ed's East Window will be returning on 11th and 12th April. Praise the Lord.Easter services details of our Easter Services at both St Ed’s and St Peter’s, and the Churches Together service for Good Friday are on the noticeboards around church.Teen Challenge are returning to St Ed’s at Pentecost, on 8th June, at 11.15am to give further testimony of all the Lord is doing in their lives.Electoral roll is being revised this year and everyone needs to complete a new application form. The forms are available at the back of church.St Ed’s May Fair 5th May 11am – 4pm Please book the date and, if possible, offer to help for an hour – or more! Help will also be needed for the set-up on 4th May from 12.30pm (bacon butties will be provided!) and clearing up after the Fair. There is a sign-up sheet on the Welcoming table at the back of church. Any queries, please ask Sue Elmes or Sue Beevor.Christian Aid Week will be 11th to 17th May. Envelopes will be available in church nearer the date.
“Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any” Luke 13 : 6Readings this week Genesis 15 : 1 – 12, 17 - 18; Philippians 3 : 17 – 4 : 1; Luke 13 : 1 - 9Thought for this weekIn our Gospel reading Jesus speaks of events in His own time. Events that bring tragedy, devastation to people’s lives, and even desecration. Unthinkable events for ordinary people caused in one case by human action and cruelty, in another by natural disaster. In the light of all that is happening in the world today, these events and Jesus’ words have an uncannily familiar ring.Jesus shows Himself aware of the terrible situations that befall people. Yet He also speaks of hope. How our own lives can bear fruit. He uses the image of the fig tree, and of the Lord’s patience with us. How we are all given time to repent, to turn back to Him, to receive forgiveness and new life through the Cross. Jesus’ hearers were asking the wrong questions. They had the wrong perspective, that scrutinised the lives of those who suffered. Instead Jesus guides us to the fruit of His Kingdom. To new life that looks beyond the challenges of the present. Repentance that brings the Lord’s love and a better world.The event Jesus speaks of was caused by Pilate. Jesus will meet with him face to face. Even Pilate will see that Jesus is innocent. Jesus will take on sacrifice and suffering so we can receive forgiveness and be free to bear fruit. Praise Him. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekAlmighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenEternal God, give us insight to discern your will for us, to give up what harms us, and to seek the perfection we are promised in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forOur outreach to the schools as we approach Holy Week and EasterOur preparations for Easter
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 23rd March 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd March 9:30am Mustard Tree (Wild Church)– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd March 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd March 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 23rd March 3:00 pm The Gathering@Ringland (Informal Garden Church) (at St Peter’s)Monday 24th March 9:00 am Year 4s in church (at St Ed’s)Monday 24th March 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 25th March 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 25th March 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 26th March 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 27th March 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 27th March 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s) Friday 28th March 9:30 am to12.00 noon Arts and Craft Group , - bring anything – art or craft - you fancy doing and coffee and tea are provided. (at Trinity church)Friday 28th March 1:00 pm Burial of Ashes (at St Ed’s)Also Sunday 30th March 2025 – Mothering Sunday, At St Ed’s, 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion Plus online 11:15am Informal Service. For on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: The Gathering will now happen on the fourth Sundays of each month, from 3.00m to 5.00pmMarch 23rd 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sApril 20th 10:30 am Communion Service at St Peter’sPrayers for healing will be offered after the 11.15am service today in the Chancel of St Eds. Please feel free to come into the chancel where someone will meet with you.Easter services details of our Easter Services at both St Ed’s and St Peter’s, and the Churches Together service for Good Friday are on the noticeboards around church.Opportunities to pray together in Lent Mondays at 5.00pm, Wednesdays at the Holy Communion service at 10.30am, Thursday evenings at 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome. The 2025 Diocesan Lent Appeal will raise money for the YANA (You Are Not Alone) telephone helpline. providing mental health support for people living and working in agricultural and rural communities.Teen Challenge are returning to St Ed’s at Pentecost, on 8th June, at 11.15am to give further testimony of all the Lord is doing in their lives.Electoral roll is being revised this year and everyone needs to complete a new application form. The forms are available at the back of church.St Ed’s May Fair 5th May 11am – 4pm Please book the date and, if possible, offer to help for an hour – or more! Help will also be needed for the set-up on 4th May.Christian Aid Week will be 11th to 17th May. Envelopes will be available in church nearer the date.
