From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Mark 13 : 28 - 29Bible reading : Mark 13 : 24 - 37Thought for the weekWhat are you like at waiting for things? As a society I think we had grown out of the habit of waiting. I think it’s a habit we’ve all had to relearn recently!Waiting can have its uses. Helps us to appreciate things more. Helps us to slow down. Helps us to learn humility and grace. Helps us to prepare ourselves while waiting for things to happen or for people to arrive.Advent begins today. We remember the centuries of waiting for Jesus’ arrival into our world. His Light shining in our darkness.Yet in our Gospel reading Jesus reminds us of His Second Coming, and commands us to be ready, to ‘Keep awake’. It is about learning to wait, and learning to wait well, to use our waiting on the Lord to prepare, to grow in Him, to learn from Him, even to become more like Him. Humility leads to repentance, and grace enables us to grow and to trust.It is through waiting well, trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit, and preparing for the Lord’s return that we discover hope. That true hope is not just wishful thinking but through growing in faith and love. Waiting can be hard, but through waiting well true hope comes. Rev PaulAlmighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darknessand to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life,in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility;that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead,we may rise to the life immortal;through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Amen
<div>Welcome to this week’s Prayer Hub. This week we begin our Advent journey as we look to the coming of Emmanuel ~ God with us. The theme of light is one which runs throughout scripture. The first words God speaks are ‘Let there be light.’ Isaiah records God’s promise that in the darkness there is a great light. The Psalmist reminds that there is no such thing as darkness (there is nowhere we can be where God’s love isn’t). Jesus’ wonderful hope filled words are recorded in John’s account of the gospel when Jesus says, ‘I am the Light of the world.’ Throughout scripture we are reminded that Light and Hope are present, and are present in Christ. This week we will focus on holding people and situations, ‘In the Light,’ as the Quakers so beautifully say. In those times when we don’t how to pray or what to say it is enough to bring those people and situations into the Light of Christ, in the assurance that God knows and is full of compassion. So, we come in faith and trust.Advent Sunday: We give thanks for the Light of Christ, for the presence of Christ in all creation.Monday: We hold in the Light the world Jesus came to show God’s love to, in all its stumbling and confusion in the darkness.Tuesday: Whilst we look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ we mustn’t forget that he is already here, risen and present with us. Spend some time resting in God’s love for you.Wednesday: John’s account of the gospel reminds us that in Christ is the light of life. Hold in that light those things in your life that need the healing warmth of Christ’s love.Thursday: Hold in the Light those who feel lost in darkness and feel desperate for light.Friday: The Light of Christ - spend some time today reflecting on those words and what they mean for you. Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow, that together, wherever we are, the Light of Christ may shine in our hearts and glorify God.Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns,turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness,that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.Please join us each day at 12pm in saying the prayer Jesus taught us. Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name.Thy Kingdom come.Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us.Lead us not into temptation.Deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,for ever and ever. Amen.Attached is a sheet of the above in case you prefer to print a copy for reference
Advent starts here!The livestreams are continuing with the following services being made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 29th November 9:30 am Spiritual CommunionSunday 29 November 11:15am with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 29 November evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 1st December 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 2nd December 10.30am Rev PaulWednesday 2nd December 9pm Rachel’s Rectory RamblingsSaturday 5th December 9pm Prayers together Watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyServices in church We are currently still awaiting confirmation of the new guidelines for services in church and over Christmas. The church will however still be open each day for private prayer. We also have other opportunities to pray together - see service list above.Nativity scenes display We are holding a Nativity scenes display at St Peter’s Ringland from Monday 21rd December to Wednesday 23rdThe church will be open 10.00am to 3.00pm each day.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25 : 35 - 36Bible reading : Matthew 25 : 31 - 46Thought for the weekThis year has seen records broken for online shopping and deliveries. At one stage almost every vehicle on our road was a courier’s van, in a rush, with a schedule. And parcels were never handed over, but left at a distance. All done remotely. As Christmas comes this is likely to be the pattern.Yet Jesus highlights a very different way of being. The very hands – on involvement that is true compassion. Jesus speaks of so much that we are no longer allowed to do. Involving closeness, contact, physical presence, personal selflessness. Feeding the hungry. Giving the thirsty a drink. Receiving strangers in our homes. Clothing people. Caring sacrificially for the sick, and visiting those in difficult places. Maybe the most important word Jesus uses is ‘stranger’. Showing care for those we don’t know. Jesus highlights all the things we’re not supposed to do now.Yet we can still have hearts of compassion. All the charities have struggled to keep going. Poverty is still very much with us. Our prayers are much needed. Jesus calls us still to show compassion. To find imaginative ways to look beyond ourselves, to the needs of the ‘stranger’. To share Jesus’ love. The One who is the King of love. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod the Father,help us to hear the call of Christ the Kingand to follow in his service,whose kingdom has no end;for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, one glory. Amen.AdditionallyNativity scenes display We are holding a Nativity scenes display at St Peter’s Ringland from Monday 21st December to Wednesday 23rd. The church will be open 10.00am to 3.00pm each day.
