The Jewish authorities came back at him with a question, “What miracle can you perform to show us that you have the right to do this?” Jesus answered, “Tear down this Temple, and in three days I will build it again.” But the temple Jesus was speaking about was his body. John 2 : 18 – 19, 21Readings this week : Exodus 20 : 1 - 17; 1 Corinthians 1 : 18 - 25; John 2 : 13 – 22Thought for this weekPart of the journey and meaning of Lent is to allow ourselves to be challenged in our thoughts, words and actions. In the Lord’s loving kindness He also disciplines and corrects us when we open our lives to Him. This can often be radical, and always brings deeper blessing and ultimately peace.Our Gospel reading this week is of Jesus cleansing the Temple, driving out the money changers and sellers of animals offered for sacrifice. The issue was these people were making it hard for ordinary people to come in and worship. They were taking advantage of people coming for worship. Jesus’ anger is set against anyone who makes it difficult for others to know the Lord’s love.While there I so much arrogance, greed and deceit in our world that needs overturning, it begins with us. With our churches, and even with our own individual lives as Christians.What needs to be overturned in us? Our habits, thoughts, opinions? How can we use Lent to lay aside those behaviours and traits that we know have been hindering our discipleship and worship? I imagine after Jesus’ actions there was a stunned silence. The clamour and chatter replaced with peace. Jesus offers us peace that only He can bring.Rev PaulA Prayer for this weekJesus, cleanser of temples and souls, at this mid-point in the Lenten journey, look deep within our hearts and our lives, and clear away all that holds us back.May our minds, spirits and bodies be a Temple that is open to Your presence: and may our words and our actions be transparent to Your love and truth.We pray that our churches, will be purified in their life and mission, so that all that we do in and from here may reveal Your Gospel to others.We come before You, In Your grace and mercy As we name those things for which we seek Your cleansing and healing, May be more faithful disciples.~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre website https://stillpointsa.org.au/
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 3rd March 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 3rd March 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 4th March 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 5th March 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 5th March 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 6th March 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 6th March 11:30 am Lent Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 6th March 2:30 pm Sunnycroft Service (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 6th March 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Thursday 7th March 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 7th March 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Friday 8th 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)Also Sunday 10th March, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word . 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: March 6th 5:00 pm PCC meeting (in St Peter’s)March 10th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in Ringland Village Hall)March 31st 10:30 am Easter Day Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)Gratitude ministry in Lent Today we are writing gratitude cards and notes for the wonderful and friendly staff at our local stores, including Tescos. If you would like to write a message, please use the cards at the back of St Eds.Wednesdays in Lent everyone is welcome to join Rev Phil’s Bible study after the service of Holy Communion each Wednesday from 21st Feb. Alpha If you know of anyone who would be interested in joining Alpha, please let Rev Paul know.APCM date The Annual meeting for St Peter’s will be on Sunday 12th May at 12.15 pm (after the service and coffee) in the church. Everyone is welcome as we share the highlights of the Lord’s work among us.Soul Church Our prayers are with the leadership and ministry team as their new building opens this weekend Contacting Rev Paul please note Rev Paul has a new e mail address : vicar@stedmundstaverham.co.uk – part of a new e mail system for St Ed’s and St Peter’s. Please can you change the address you hold for Rev Paul
Jesus then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. Mark 8 : 31 – 32Readings this week : Genesis 17 : 1 – 7, 15 – 16; Romans 4 : 13 - end; Mark 8 : 31 - 38Thought for this weekIn our Gospel reading Mark the writer tells us ‘Jesus spoke plainly’. I wonder if speaking plainly is something we’re not used to. From our leaders, from our society, to each other, speaking plainly maybe only happens at particular times. When there is a crisis. Or something is urgent. In times of life and death even.Certainly Peter was taken aback. Jesus was telling the disciples He was to suffer, to be rejected, and to die on the Cross. Further than this Jesus sets out what it means to be His disciple. It is the way of sacrifice, dying to self. It is the hard way. Yet it is the way that leads to life, and even the gift of eternal life.Jesus took the path to Jerusalem fully knowing the sacrifice He was called to make, and what the consequences would be. This is the Lord’s incredible love that for Jesus the way of sacrifice was something He embraced, and took willingly, for us, for His wonderful, life – giving love for us.When we look to the Cross of Jesus it speaks plainly of His love for us. This is Jesus who gave His life that we may believe and be set free of sin and death and have forgiveness and Life in Him.As we journey in Lent, let us give thanks to Jesus for all His sacrifice means.Rev Paul A Prayer for this weekLord Jesus Christ, We call you Lord,Yet it is too easy for us to worship other things. Other activities, other relationships, other gods.You tell us we cannot serve two masters, Yet we spend more time focusing our energies elsewhere,Diverting our time, our energy, our money, our attention away from you.Forgive us, gracious Savior, When our hearts are led astray, When we serve other gods and worship them.We turn away from our distractions and sin.Strengthen us to set our faces toward Jerusalem,To take up our cross and follow you.We pray this, in your grace. Amen.written by Chip Hardwick, on Thinking, Praying, Living. http://www.pcusa.org/blogs/faith/2012/3/30/prayer-confession-march-madness/
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 25th February 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 25th February 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 25th February 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 25th February 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Monday 26th February 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 27th February 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 27th February 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 28th February 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 28th February 11:30 am Lent Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 28th February 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 28th February 7:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 29th February 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 29th February 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Friday 1st 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)Also Sunday 3rd March, 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: March 10th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in Ringland Village Hall)March 31st 10:30 am Easter Day Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)Ben Fiaz is leading our Service of the Word in St Eds at 11.15am today. We welcome members of his LLM training group to St Ed’s as they come to support him.Gratitude ministry in Lent Today we are writing gratitude cards and notes for our doctors’ surgeries in Taverham and Drayton. If you would like to write a message of thanks and support, cards and paper are on the round table. Wednesdays in Lent Rev Phil will be leading a Bible study linked to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal for Papua New Guinea, after the service of Holy Communion each Wednesday from 21st Feb (at 11:30am). On Wednesday evening from 21st at 5.00pm we will have a short service of Evening Prayer in church.Alpha our next Alpha course will be starting soon. If you know of anyone who would be interested in joining, please let Rev Paul know.Soul Church are moving into their new church centre in Heartsease, ready for the opening services next Sunday (3rd March). Our congratulations and prayers are with them as they begin a new chapter and celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness.Contacting Rev Paul please note Rev Paul has a new e mail address : vicar@stedmundstaverham.co.uk – part of a new e mail system for St Ed’s and St Peter’s. Please can you change the address you hold for Rev Paul
