This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6 : 16Readings this week : Lamentations 3 : 23 - 33; 2 Corinthians 8 : 7 - end; Mark 5 : 21 - endThought for this weekThe prophet Jeremiah was given a hard task to fulfil. To carry the message from the Lord’s heart to His people to turn from their ways back to Him. Yet the people’s hearts had grown hard and cold. They had put their trust in other nations and other gods. The Lord told Jeremiah as he delivered the message that the people would not hear.Yet the Lord did not give up, even though it would eventually lead to exile and punishment. Yet throughout Jeremiah’s prophecy there is the Lord’s unwavering love for His people. His complete commitment to them. His heart turned to them, even though it was hurting :“For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me”. (Jeremiah 8 : 21)In Jeremiah’s time there was deceit, oppression, immorality, greed. All the pitfalls human life can fall into in every age, even today.Yet the Lord’s response was not only to keep loving us, but even to send Jesus to give His life for us, for our forgiveness and a new beginning in Him. This is the Lord’s boundless mercy and love for you and for me. Praise the Lord for His endless, generous love. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, AmenPrayer based on Psalm 30Sing praises to God, all you faithful ones God hears us in our fear and our sorrowWhere there was no wayGod leads us in a new wayWhere there was no mercyGod surprises us with fresh mercyWhere there was weepingGod invites us to step into a new dance.— written by Rev. Susan A. Blain, and posted on the Worship Ways website. http://uccfiles.com/People to pray forOur schools as they approach the end of termThe approach to the election
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 20th June 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 30th June 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 30th June 11:15 am Morning Worship (at St Ed’s and livestream)Sunday 30th June 12:30 pm bring and share lunch (at St Ed’s)Monday 1st July 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 2nd July 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 2nd July 2:00 pm APA course (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 2nd July 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 3rd July 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 3rd July 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 3rd July 6:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 4th July 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 4th July 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 5th July 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 7th July, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion.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: July 8th 2:00 pm PCC meeting (in St Peter’s)July 14th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)Taverham Fair our Churches Together stall went well – the first we have held as a joint venture. I hope this is something we can build on for future years . PaulFifth Sunday (30th) we will be focussing on the prophetic book of Jeremiah. This will also continue on 7th July.Bring and Share lunch at St Ed's today ( Sunday 30th June) from 12.45pm. This is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Rev Stella’s and Rev Paul’s Ordinations and Rachel’s 35th anniversary of Commissioning. Everyone welcome.Strawberry tea Thursday 18th July 2.30 – 4.30 pm in Deidre Porter’s Garden (23 The Street). All welcome. It will be in aid of the church projects, and donations will be gratefully received.St Ed's Plant stall raised £270. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4 : 40 - 41Readings this week : Job 38 : 1 - 11; 2 Corinthians 6 : 1 - 13; Mark 4 : 35 - 41Thought for this weekOur Gospel reading begins with a sense of weariness. Jesus has been teaching all day, there is a ‘great crowd’, bringing many needs. It is evening, and Jesus retires to a boat for some rest. Maybe we’re reminded of the first days of creation, when the Father needed to rest on the seventh day. Even the Lord Himself takes rest seriously!So many people recently have commented how weary they are. How difficult everything in life has become. We are post – pandemic, with so many changes. In everything there seems a weariness as everything is harder work and goals are more difficult to achieve.Yet we are drawn to our Saviour who lies in a boat on a cushion. It must have been restful initially with the movement of the water, until He is woken to deal with the storm.Jesus knows how draining our human lives can become. Jesus’ words to the wind and waves apply as much to us in our striving, our ambitions and plans, our weariness : “Peace. Be still!”.Jesus who calms the storm, calls us to trust Him. To know His power. To believe in Him. As the disciples ask, “Who is this?” Rev PaulPrayer for this weekTo leave the safe sheltered quay; to rest while strong men fear; to doze through a storm at sea: who is this Jesus?To display the might of the meek; to sleep while threats are near; to dream while fierce gales peak: who is this Jesus?To know what keeps you afloat; to let another hand steer; to be safe in a foundering boat: who is this Jesus?To see when there’s no light; to trust when nothing’s clear; to confront the powers of night: who is this Jesus?To speak the word that saves; to know God is even here; to command the wind and the waves: who is this Jesus?— Copyright Ó B D Prewer 2000. Posted on http://www.bruceprewer.com/People to pray forThose at seaThe Mission to Seafarers
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 23rd June 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd June 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd June 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd June 11:15 am Online Sunday service (pre-recorded livestream) Monday 24th June 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 25th June 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 25th June 2:00 pm APA course (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 25th June 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 25th June 7:00 pm Cubs in church (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 26th June 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 26th June 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 26th June 7:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 27th June 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 23rd May 2.30pm Burial of ashes (at St Ed’s)Thursday 27th June 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 28th June 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)Saturday 29th June 11.00am Taverham fair (Churches Together stall)Also Sunday 30th June, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Morning Worship, 12;45 Bring and share lunch. 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: July 8th 2:00 pm PCC meeting (in St Peter’s)July 14th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)Alpha Please continue to pray for this exciting time, and those who are making this journey.Taverham fair we are organising the Churches Together stall. We will have crafts for children and some simple games, and TEC, Trinity and St Ed’s will be involved. Please let Rev Paul know if you are able to volunteer for a slot on the day (29th June).Fifth Sunday (30th) at St Ed's we will be focussing on the prophetic book of Jeremiah. This will also continue on 7th July.Bring and Share lunch on Sunday 30th June at St Ed's from 12.45pm. This is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Rev Stella’s and Rev Paul’s Ordinations and Rachel’s 35th anniversary of Commissioning. If you would like to contribute some food there is a sign – up sheet at the back of churchStrawberry tea Thursday 18th July 2.30 – 4.30 pm in Deidre Porter’s Garden (23 The Street). All welcome. It will be in aid of the St Ed's church projects, and donations will be gratefully received.
