To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. John 1 : 12 - 13Bible reading : John 1 : 1 - 14Thought for the weekSo many people now have knowledge of their family history and their origins thanks to the revolution in ancestry tracing. Origins, first sources, beginnings are all important to us as people.Some people dedicate their lives to certain origins in science and nature, because the beginnings of something often reveals the truth of the present and illuminates its future.The origins of the church of course lie in Jesus’ saving power through the Cross and resurrection, and the work of the Holy Spirit from Pentecost onwards. These are our origins as Jesus’ people, the reality we seek to live out each day, of Jesus’ sacrificing love, and His power to heal and make new today.So John begins his Gospel with the beginning of all things. How Jesus is in the beginning and at the beginning. This is the truth of who he is, the living Word, God Himself, the source of all life and love along with the Father and the Holy Spirit.As we look to new beginnings and the Pandemic eventually subsides, these words of John’s Gospel speak into our world, calling all people to believe in the one who was in the beginning, and who is with us now. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty God,you have created the heavens and the earthand made us in your own image:teach us to discern your hand in all your worksand your likeness in all your children;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,Amen
St Ed’s and St. Peter’s Prayer Hub.Week beginning Sunday 7th February 2021Colossians 3:15-17The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him.You may like to use these suggestions for prayer this week.Sunday: As we focus today on the Word (Christ) dwelling among us, we give thanks for the presence of God fully with us and the timeless love that holds all creation.Monday: The verses above, from Colossians, encourage us to live peacefully and thankfully. Today we pray for an increasing awareness of the peace of Christ within us and among us.Tuesday: These verses also invite us to live lives where everything we do and say stems from our relationship with God. We ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in living lives that reflect the presence of God with us.Wednesday: ‘The word of God must live in you richly.’ Today we ask the Holy Spirit to give us a hunger and thirst to read scripture and to be led and inspired by the Holy Spirit as we read.Thursday: As we come before God in prayer today, spend some time bringing your thanks as these verses invite us to. We may even like to sing out our thanks!Friday: We hold before God the world spoken into being at the beginning of time, the world that Jesus came to show God’s great love for.Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow.Please join us on Facebook each day at 8am for our Bite Sized Prayers to begin each day.Also, you may like to pause each day at 12pm with Christians all around the world who pray the Lord’s Prayer at their 12pm!! This is an ancient practice that unites us wherever we are in our unity in Christ.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 7th February 9:30 am Communion, Rev Phil Sunday 7th February 11:15am Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 7th February evening 6.30pm with Rachel (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 9th February 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 10th February 10.30am Rev Phil/Rev PaulWednesday 10th February 5.00pm Evening Prayer Additionally at 8am daily (Monday to Saturday) 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.AdditionallyServices in church Although our services in church are suspended the church is alive! Please continue to pray for the needs of our community, particularly our schools and Care Homes. The church is open each day for private prayer and our livestreams continue.Sad news Rev Harold Smith passed away peacefully on Monday (1st). Harold was a faithful preacher and a Christian friend and mentor to many. His funeral will be on Friday 19th February at 3.00pm at St Edmund’s. Sadly in view of the restrictions numbers will be limited to only those invited to attend, but the service will be livestreamed.St Peter’s Appeal We have had such an amazing response to our appeal for Ringland Church. A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed. We are almost there! For those who have kindly made a donation, if you can let Rev Paul know if you would like or are eligible for a Gift Aid form we will be able to reach our target! Rev Paul is now negotiating the tricky territories of Bat surveys, permissions and Licences (please pray for him while he is doing this!). Once we have achieved these works, including minor repairs, we will be able to apply for other grants for the major repairs to the roof, to the structure and to the stained glass.The appeal will continue until March, because we also have the possibility of fundraising for the installation of a composting lavatory and running water. Any donations may be made by cash or by cheque payable to St Peter’s PCC Ringland and passed to Rev Paul. Thank you so much for your support.Lent begins on 17th February (Ash Wednesday). We will be livestreaming a service of spiritual Communion at 10.30am and we livestream Evening Prayers at 5.00pm, as we begin to make the journey of Lent together.
My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ Luke 2 : 30 - 32Bible reading : Luke 2 : 22 - 40Thought of the weekAlthough the event itself is remote from us, there is something immensely human about Mary and Joseph bringing their first – born child into the Temple. There is always the first thrill of new parents to present their new-born. Unforgettable moments made even more so by the people who are there to witness it.Jesus’ Presentation is truly unforgettable. Simeon stands almost as a gatekeeper to the world, full of the Holy Spirit, full of the expectation and anticipation of Israel for the coming of the Messiah, aware of the promises of the Lord being fulfilled in the person of this tiny child.It is a moment where the grace and love of the Lord meets with our frailty as humans, and our potential through faith to be all the Lord calls us to be.Both Simeon and Anna are outstanding in their faithfulness. They are filled with wonder at the divine promises being made so real in human terms. Yet this is how the Lord meets with us now. In the most human of ways and in the times where we share our common humanity.This is Jesus for us every day. Who calls us to believe in Him and look to His Light, and to know His promises are true. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod our creator,who in the beginningcommanded the light to shine out of darkness:we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christmay dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,shine into the hearts of all your people,and reveal the knowledge of your gloryin the face of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever, Amen.Prayers together….Please join us at 8.00 each day (Monday to Saturday), on the St Ed's Facebook page, for our sixty second Bitesized Prayer. If you would like to, please take a moment each day at 12.00 noon to join with Christians around the world to say The Lord’s Prayer.We also have thoughts and ideas for prayers and intercessions for each day on our Prayer hub – see the separate weekly news-item on the St Peter's website.
