Welcome to the St Ed’s and St Peter’s Prayer Hub for the week beginning Sunday 13th December.This week sees us travelling deeper into our Advent journey and we light the third candle on our wreath. The third candle represents JOY. In a year where there has perhaps been seemingly little joy it is good to pause and remember what joy is about and why, even on the darkest of days we can still know joy. This is the joy that comes despite our circumstances but rather comes from our identity in belonging to Christ. In a year when we have longed for good news we are reminded that Jesus is The Good News. Angels and shepherds are filled with joy because there is Good News. Jesus is born. He is here. This is what our faith rests on, the Good News that God is not absent, but rather present in all that fills our lives - the good, the bad, the ups and the downs.In our prayers this week we invite you to focus on the word joy, as we reflect on what it might mean in difficult times, and how the Good News of Jesus Christ brings light, hope and peace to our world.St. Paul writes to the Philippians Christians May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again; rejoice! Show a gentle attitude towards everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7)Sunday: We give thanks today for the joy that comes from belonging to Christ and for the joy of belonging to one another.Monday: Hold in the Light of Christ any particular situations and circumstances where the joy of Christ’s love would make a difference.Tuesday: Ask God to give you a deep sense of joy that comes from belonging to him.Wednesday: Pray for those who are struggling with concerns about their businesses and livelihoods and whose futures are uncertain.Thursday: In all the uncertainty regarding Brexit pray for our leaders and ask for God’s wisdom for them in their decision making.Friday: Pray for our life and witness in our community as we seek to share God’s love over these next few weeks.Saturday: As we prepare to worship tomorrow pray that our worship may bring joy to God.Attached is a sheet of the above in case you prefer to print a copy for reference
We invite you to join us for our annual bereavement service at 3pm on Sunday 13th December 2020.Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the service will be held online this year via facebook livestream on the St Ed's facebook page Facebook.com/St.EdmundsChurchThe service will include readings and prayers, and an opportunity for the name of your loved one to be read out. We will light candles in remembrance of those we have lost and invite you to light your own candle to join with our prayers. There will also be prayers of remembrance for those who have died from Covid-19.If you would like the name of your loved one read out during the service please contact Rev Paul by email at vicarattaverham@gmail.com or phone on 01603 868217Join live if you are able or watch later 'on catch up'.All welcome.
See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ Mark 1 : 2 - 3Bible reading : Mark 1 : 1 - 8Thought for the weekIt seems the Christmas preparations have started really early this year. Not surprising with the year that is coming to an end with so much struggle and so much that has just seemed so wrong.The Lord spoke into another time when so much was disjointed and painful. The Roman occupation. The failure of the Jewish spiritual leadership. Hope disintegrating. Families struggling. Even philosophers questioning their own moral authority.The Lord’s prophets have always spoken into human time and events from His heart of endless and unfathomable love and wisdom. Speaking grace, speaking of new beginnings, speaking peace into turmoil and confusion.So preparation has become so important. Not just for Christmas, but the preparation of our lives, our priorities, our choices. We are called to prepare because we cannot know what is ahead of us. We cannot know the opportunities we will have to speak of the Lord’s love and witness to His grace.We are all called to prepare because the Kingdom is now. Jesus is alive, and calls us to follow Him with all that we are, all we are called to be. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekO Lord, raise up, we pray, your powerand come among us,and with great might succour us;that whereas, through our sins and wickednesswe are grievously hinderedin running the race that is set before us,your bountiful grace and mercymay speedily help and deliver us;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen
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
