My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’ John 10 : 27 - 30Readings this week Acts 9 : 36 - end; Revelation 7 : 9 - end; John 10 : 22 - 30Thought for this weekToday marks the beginning of Christian Aid Week. It is poignant to remember in the light of the VE Day celebrations that Christian Aid began at the end of World War 2 to help the millions of refugees across Europe. Today Christian Aid supports the very poorest people in the world in all places where there is povertyThis week especially, with the election of Pope Leo, with the war in Ukraine still very much in the news, with yet another war breaking out between India and Pakistan, we have these constant reminders that across the world we are responsible for one another. We are connected with people across the world. We have a common humanity that runs so much deeper than any political or racial divides.Jesus spoke of those who believe in Him as belonging to Him. This is not a matter of labels or social groupings or geography. This is the bond of discipleship and fellowship Jesus calls us into through faith in Him. Jesus calls all people to Him, to believe in Him and receive from Him. To know we are safe with Him and even receive the gift of eternal life.Jesus says, ‘I and the Father are one’. This is the bond, the assurance, the certainty Jesus offers to everyone. Rev Paul Prayers for this weekAlmighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenRisen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep: teach us to hear your voice and to follow your command, that all your people may be gathered into one flock, to the glory of God the Father. AmenOur PrayersFor peace between India and Pakistan, for the Governments involved, for those caught up in the fighting, and for those striving for peaceFor Pope Leo now a world leader
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 11th May 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th May 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th May 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s)Sunday 11th May 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th May 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 11th May 11:30 am Refreshments (at St Peter’s)Sunday 11th May 12:30 pm APCM (at St Peter’s)Monday 12th May 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 13th May 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 13th May 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 14th May 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 14th May 13:00 pm Nightingale Nursery in church (at St Ed’s)Thursday 15th May 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 15th May 13:00 pm Nightingale Nursery in church (at St Ed’s)Thursday 15th May 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 16th May 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 18th May 2025, At St Ed’s, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion. Plus livestream 11:15 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 5.00pmMay 11th 10:30 am Holy communion Service at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsMay 11th 12:15 pm (approx.) annual meeting (APCM) at St Peter’sMay 25th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sThank you -May Fair A huge thank you to everyone who helped and supported the May Fair! We raised an amazing £2,043.44 for St Eds and £130.00 for St Peters. Huge thanks to Sue Elmes and the team that organised such a wonderful event.Christian Aid Week will be 11th to 17th May. Envelopes will be available in church. Envelopes can be passed to neighbours, family and friends and returned to church and other addresses.St Peter's APCM is at St Ptr’s on Sunday 11th May (today) at 12.30pm. The vital roles of Treasurer and of Safeguarding Officer are becoming vacant. Please pray for these areas of our ministry and for this work to continue.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.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.
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord John 21 : 12Readings this week Acts 9 : 1 - 6; Revelation 5 : 11 - end; John 21 : 1 - 19Thought for this weekAfter His Resurrection Jesus appears to the disciples out fishing. It is a picture of human need. The disciples have gone back to what they know. Yet they have caught nothing. Maybe in the great story of Easter they are not sure how they fit in now. They are not sure how things have changed.Yet this is ultimately about God’s love. Jesus speaks one to one with Peter, asking repeatedly, ‘Do you love me?’ Even when the catch of fish is so huge Jesus does not need to comment. The disciples remember this is about the Kingdom bursting the nets. So many filled with the abundant love of God. So many lives changed. The Lord meeting us in our everyday lives. To make the point, Jesus serves breakfast. This is what His love is. Meeting with us. Sitting with us, amidst wood smoke and sizzling fish. Bread and listening from the one who is the Bread of Life, the source of love and mercy and new beginnings.Is our view of Easter big enough to embrace our every day? Do we know the love of God that is so immense the nets are almost breaking and the possibilities are overflowing. Jesus is Risen! This is new life for every day and always. Rev Paul Prayers for this weekAlmighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in righteousness and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, AmenRisen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. AmenOur PrayersFor those with memories of war or whose lives have been affected by warFor peace in each of the conflicts today, and for the peacemakersFor Governments and leaders
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 4th May 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 4th May 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 5th May 11 am to 4.00 pm St Ed’s May fair on the glebe (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 6th May 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Wednesday 7th May 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 8th May 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 8th May 7.00pm Compline with prayers on VE day (at St Ed’s) Friday 9th May 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 11th May 2025, At St Ed’s, 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word. At St Peter’s 10:30 am Holy Communion followed by coffee, 12:15 St Peter’s annual meeting (APCM)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 5.00pmMay 11th 10:30 am Holy communion Service at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsMay 11th 12:15 pm (approx.) annual meeting (APCM) at St Peter’sMay 25th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sSt 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.St Peter's are having a stall at the May Fair. Any donations (labelled St Peter's) very welcome. Leave at either church or contact Val 01603 746936 for pick up. VE Day Thursday 8th May our service of Compline at 7.00pm will feature prayers for those in war today, for veterans and for peace Organ visit there will be a visit to Richard Bower’s workshop in Weston Longville to see progress of the St Ed's organ refurbishment. Please let David Osborne know if you would like to go. Places are limited.Christian Aid Week will be 11th to 17th May. Envelopes will be available in church nearer the date. Envelopes can be passed to neighbours, family and friends and returned to church and other addresses.APCM will be at St Peter’s on Sunday 11th May at 12:15 pm approx. .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.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.
