Welcome to the St Ed’s and St Peter’s Prayer Hub for this week.As we light the second candle on the Advent wreath we rejoice in God’s gift of peace. One of the blessings we often hear at the end of our services asks God particularly to bless us with peace.May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ( Philippians 4:7)When we pray for peace, either for others or for ourselves, we are asking for the awareness of the presence of Jesus, because it is Jesus himself who is our peace. When we share The Peace during communion we hear the words, ‘Christ is our peace. He has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross. We meet in his Name and share his peace.’ (These words are based on St Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:18). Christ, in grace, blesses us with the gift of his peaceful presence which we in turn are to share with a complex and needy world. As we pray this week, ask God to show you where you can pray for the awareness of Christ’s presence that everyone everywhere might know his peace. Sunday: As we worship today we rejoice that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.Monday: Spend some time today reflecting on Jesus’ words. ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.’ (John 14:27). Allow these words to direct your prayers.Tuesday: ‘Be still and know that I am God!’ ( Psalm 46:10). God longs to give us peace. Spend some time in quiet today, resting in God’s love.Wednesday: When Jesus stilled the storm on the lake he spoke into the chaos of the storm saying, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Which concerns of the world need Jesus’ words of peace spoken into them today? Thursday: God spoke to his people Israel to reassure them of his presence. ‘Do not be afraid, for I am with you, I am your God.’ Isaiah 41:10 Pray today for someone who needs this reassurance. Friday: After Jesus was raised from the dead the disciples were afraid. Jesus appeared to them and said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ ( John 20:21). Pray that we may have boldness to proclaim the peace of Jesus in our community.Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow that we may know the presence and peace of Christ in all things. Attached is a sheet of the above in case you prefer to print a copy for reference
The livestreams are continuing with the following services being made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 6th December 9:30 am CommunionSunday 6th December 11:15am with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 6th December evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 8th December 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 9th December 10.30am Rev PaulWednesday 9th December 9pm Rachel’s Rectory RamblingsSaturday 12th December 9pm Prayers together Also Rachel and Nick will be posting an Advent song on Thursday or FridayWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.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.An Appeal We have launched an appeal for the money needed for St Peter’s. Further details in St Ed’s. St Martin’s Housing Trust there will sadly not be a street collection for St Martin’s this year. However it is still possible to give through the following link to www.justgiving.com/campaign/StMartinsChristmas . Or go to www.stmartinshousing.org.uk/christmas/
Once each week during Advent, Rachel and Nick plan to post a song on the St Ed's Facebook page.This will be a short 2-4 minutes video as a way to encourage us all to take a bit of time to pause and reflect during this season of Advent.The songs will be posted either Thursday or Friday – why not follow the St Ed’s Facebook page to receive notifications so you don't miss them?The first song is due to be posted on Thursday 3rd December at 9am.Also the Church of England has weekly Advent reflections which you can sign up to receive by visiting their website here ( in case the link fails here is the full details for the link https://www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/what-we-believe/advent-and-christmas/comfort-and-joy-our-advent-and-christmas-reflections )
After all the difficulties of this year the Christmas message of the coming of the Light, Joy and Hope of Jesus into our world is more powerful than ever.As the Churches Together in our community we would like to share with you the celebration of God’s love and peace this ChristmasDue to the requirements of social distancing some of our services are planned for the church buildings, some are online only. St. Edmund’s Church, Taverham 01603 868217achurchnearyou taverham:stedmunds Please join us through our Facebook page : St Edmund’s Church Taverham as we celebrate Jesus’ birth Online via our Facebook page: Sunday 20th December 6:30 pm Sunday Club Carols; 7.30pm Christmas Songs of Praise;Christmas Eve 3:30 pm Livestream Christingle service; Christmas Day 10:30am Family Christmas CommunionSt Peter’s Church, Ringland 01603 868217 achurchnearyou ringland : stpeter’s Building : A display of Nativity scenes and a quiet space to reflect on the Christmas Good News at St Peter’s Church : Monday 21st December, Tuesday 22nd December, Wednesday 23rd December, 10.00am to 3.00pmBuilding : Christmas Day 9.30am Christmas Morning Communion Taverham Evangelical Church (TEC) Taverham Village Hallwww.tec-church.com 01603 860192Building : Sunday 6th December, Advent Service in the Village Hall 11am.Online : Sunday 13th December there will be a Messy Church via Zoom.Online : Sunday 13th December, our service will be via the Sunday email.Online : Sunday 20th December, is our online Carol ServiceOnline : Sunday 27th December a live Zoom coffee morning at 10.30 followed by Communion.Trinity Church, Thorpe Marriott 01603 411295www.thorpemarriottchurch.org Building : Christmas Eve service 6.30pm at Trinity; Christmas Day service 10.00am , both led by Rev Mary Sachikonye St Margaret’s Drayton 01603 869629Please consult our website and Facebook page for information about services. https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/5517/https://www.draytonparish.org/https://en-gb.facebook.com/StMegs/Drayton Methodist Church 01603 260034www.eamethodist.org.uk Building : Carol service at 3pm on the 20th December; Christmas Day 10.00 am service. Please phone before coming to ensure social distancing is possible
