The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 18th July 9.30am Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th July 11:15 am Traditional Sunday Service (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th July 11:15 am on-location Sunday Worship (livestream)Sunday 18th July 1.00pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th July 3.30pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th July 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 20th July 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments 10am til12 noonTuesday 20th July 5:00pm Rspace (for details contact Rev Paul)Wednesday 21st July 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 21st July 10.30am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Friday 23rd July 9:30 to 12 noon St Eds Art Group (at Trinity Church)Friday 23rd July 1:00pm Wedding (at St Eds)Saturday 24th July 1:30pm Wedding (at St Peter’s)Saturday 24th July 1:30pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Additionally at 8am daily (daily except Wednesday and Sunday) we will be posting a ‘Daily bitesize prayer’ on the St Ed's Facebook pageWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services at St Peter’s: Sunday 8th August 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden 19th July we have received updated guidelines from the Church of England, but the overall message is to be careful and cautious. There will be some freedom from restrictions over the coming weeks, but we are being told to go slowly. Our Standing Committee are considering what the guidelines mean for us. We will inform everyone once we have worked through the implications.Tuesdays at St Ed's are back! From this Tuesday (20th) we will have Tiny Tunes in church from 10.00am and will be serving teas and coffees 10.00am to 12.00pm. Everyone welcome!Norfolk Churches Trust Walk/Cycle/Drive Saturday 11th September 2021, 9.00am to 5.00pm. A chance to call in at as many churches as you can and raise money for Norfolk Churches. Details and sponsorship forms from Rev Paul. Or visit Norfolk Churches Trust website at https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk/Church Times – we got a mention! Our livestreams were mentioned in the Church Times this week, following an interview I did with Ecclesiastical Insurance as part of a survey for the Bible Society. The full article is at the back of church regarding the use of technology in worship and its future.
Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Mark 6 : 20Bible reading : Mark 6 : 14 - 29Thought for the weekOur Gospel reading this week does not make for easy reading. We hear about the ministry of John the Baptist from the perspective of Herod and his puppet court. It is a clash between secular survival and misused power, and faith and the Kingdom of God. A conflict of allegiances, authority and of choices. John the Baptist loses his life, but gains eternity with the Lord. Herod has a tenuous grasp of temporary power, and loses all integrity, freedom and most costly of all peace of conscience. Herod’s position was complex. He owed his position to the Romans, yet he respected John’s faith and ministry, and ‘liked to listen to him’.All our choices have consequences. Even at the moment choosing to leave our homes, or choosing to pick up the phone. Faith in Jesus enables those choices to become positive, helpful, even life – bringing. We all regret some choices we have made in our lives. Jesus brings healing and hope. There is always forgiveness in Him (1 John 1 : 9). Jesus promises the past is put behind and we have freedom in Him. Jesus calls us to a new beginning, and to know He is the Lord of our future, the King of love and hope.Rev PaulPrayer for todayMerciful God,you have prepared for those who love yousuch good things as pass our understanding:pour into our hearts such love toward youthat we, loving you in all things and above all things,may obtain your promises,which exceed all that we can desire;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,Amen
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 11th July 9.30am Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th July 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden (at St Peter’s)Sunday 11th July 11:15 am Traditional Sunday Service (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th July 11:15 am on-location Sunday Worship (livestream)Sunday 11th July 1.00pm Wedding (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th July 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Monday 12th July 2.00pm Funeral (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 13th July 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Tuesday 13th July 4:30pm Rspace (for details contact Rev Paul)Wednesday 14th July 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 14th July 10.30am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Friday 16th July 9:30 to 12 noon St Eds Art Group (at Trinity Church)Also at St Eds, Sunday 18th July 1.00pm and 3;30pm BaptismsAdditionally at 8am daily (daily except Wednesday and Sunday) we will be posting a ‘Daily bitesize prayer’ on the St Ed's Facebook pageWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services at St Peter’s: Sunday 8th August 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden 19th July we are currently awaiting updated guidelines from the Church of England. We hope we will have greater freedom from restrictions, but with the rising infections it is likely some optional restrictions will still be recommended. We await news!Dippy at the Cathedral The dinosaur has arrived – on show from 13th July. Details on the Cathedral website : www.cathedral.org.uk or micro site https://dippy.cathedral.org.uk/New pattern of worship from 4th JulyThe pattern will be reviewed by the PCC after six months.All the following involve Sunday mornings at the churches. It is important to note a large proportion of our life and ministry now also takes place during the week. This Sunday pattern has been carefully developed to fit in with our weekday ministry.Therefore from Sunday 4th July we will have :8.00am Holy Communion on fourth Sunday each month (starting 25th July)9.30am Mustard Tree - a new form of weekly informal worship particularly for families and children and those looking for more informality. (10.30am Coffee time – an opportunity for relationship and fellowship for people from both services – once coffee is allowed) 11.15am Traditional weekly service with Holy Communion twice a month, others Service of the Word.11.15am – Livestream on location – outside of the church building – in people’s homes, in the open, possibly at Ringland. 5th Sunday Gathering together - we will bring the livestream team into the 11.15am service, and 9.30am will mainly be a breakfast – to give everyone the opportunity to come together6.30pm Sunday Club will remain as a livestream each weekSt Peter’s will have one or two services on Sundays a monthWe hope and pray this pattern will enable our fellowship and ministry on Sundays to grow and develop over the foreseeable future as we become accustomed to the changes brought about by the Pandemic and the developing forms of worship and discipleship that are encouraging us all to grow in faith in Christ.
When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Mark 6 : 2Bible reading : Mark 6 : 1 - 13Thought for the weekOne of the enduring memories I have of the lockdown is the queue for the tip once it was opened. We spent a very happy afternoon loading the car and eventually being allowed in.In our Gospel reading Jesus first experiences a lukewarm reception in His hometown, and then sends the disciples out warning them of the same, and telling them to move on to those who will hear and receive the Good News.I wonder if we have learnt to live more simply after the pandemic? I wonder if we have shed anything personally that was holding us back from knowing true freedom in Jesus? Or maybe we need to give to Him anything that holds us back now in our relationship with HIm.The disciples, “went out and preached that people should repent”. This is the Good News. To live simply in the message of Jesus, that He offers us forgiveness and new life. To turn to Him each day, and decide to live in His strength and His love.We are called to live simply in the pure truth of Jesus’ love for us. Everything else hinders and weighs us down. This is the message we have to proclaim. Jesus’ hope and new life for the whole world. Rev PaulPrayer for todayAlmighty God,send down upon your Churchthe riches of your Spirit,and kindle in all who minister the gospelyour countless gifts of grace;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
