“Jerusalem, Jerusalem. You who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you. How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing”. Luke 13 : 34Readings this week Genesis 15 : 1 – 12, 17 - 18; Philippians 3 : 17 – 4 : 1; Luke 13 : 31 - endThought for this weekJerusalem was such a special place for Jesus. Being brought up in the Jewish traditions Jerusalem had and still has huge significance for the Jewish people as the centre of worship and of their expectations in their relationship with the Lord.Just a few weeks ago we remembered how Jesus as an infant was brought into the temple, and was met by Simeon and Anna, full of the Holy Spirit. This was Jesus entering the world, not just the physical world, as in His birth, but the world in all its self interest, in its power games and scheming. Simeon prophesies Jesus will bring the falling and rising of many. In our Gospel reading even the Pharisees warn Jesus about Herod, who Jesus calls ‘that fox”.There are plenty of foxes in our world today. Yet Jesus comes in peace, offering protection, shelter, He longs to gather people to Him. While Jesus laments for the city, He does not seek protection for Himself. So Jesus journeys to Jerusalem knowing He will be arrested, and crucified. Jesus’ concern is only to fulfil the purposes of the Lord, and to bring salvation and hope to all who look to Him and believe. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekAlmighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way of righteousness: grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenAlmighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way, come to share in his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forFor all those seeking protectionFor peace in Jerusalem and across the Middle East
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 16th March 9:30am Mustard Tree Nativity– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 16th March 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 16th March 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Monday 17th March 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 18th March 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 18th March 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 19th March 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 19th February 12:30 pm School visits meeting (at St Ed’s)Thursday 20th March 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 29th November 1.00pm Funeral (at St Ed’s)Thursday 20th March 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s) Friday 21st March 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)Saturday 22nd March Wedding (at St Eds)Also Sunday 23rd March 2025, At St Ed’s, 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word Plus online 11:15am Informal 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 5.00pmMarch 23rd 3pm the Gathering at St Peter’sApril 13th 10:30 am Communion Service at St Peter’sOpportunities to pray together in Lent at St Eds Mondays at 5.00pm, Wednesdays at the Holy Communion service at 10.30am, Thursday evenings at 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome. The 2025 Diocesan Lent Appeal will raise money for the YANA (You Are Not Alone) telephone helpline. providing mental health support for people living and working in agricultural and rural communities.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.Electoral roll is being revised this year and everyone needs to complete a new application form. These are available at the back of church.Thank you! Rev Paul and Rachel would like to thank everyone for all their prayers, help and support over the past four weeks. Rev Paul returns today. A huge thanks to everyone from the ministry team, standing committee and others for all you have done in this time.
2025 Annual Parishioner's meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) to be held on 11th May at 12:15 pm (approx)The Annual Meeting for St Peter’s will include:- election of the churchwarden(s)- election of PCC members (as appropriate)- presentation of Annual Report and the Accounts for 2024Nomination forms will be available in St Peter's mid March - Forms to be returned to Rev Paul before the meeting startsThe Annual report and accounts will be available to view in St Peter's before the meeting.All welcomeNotesNote 1: this meeting follows the morning service so timings may be impactedNote 2: The Electoral roll for St Peter's needs to be renewed this year (2025). Forms are available in church or from the churchwarden.Forms to be returned to church by 25th April 2025. All those on the Electoral Roll are eligible to vote at the APCM.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4 : 1 - 2Readings this week Deuteronomy 26 : 1 - 11; Romans 10 : 8b - 13; Luke 4 : 1 - 13Thought for this weekWe might think of the desert as being a silent, empty place. Our Gospel reading relates Jesus’ time in the desert. Yet apparently deserts are full of sounds, some produced by the movement of the sand, others carried many miles on the wind. We might think of the desert as an empty place. yet even deserts are full of life, of plants, animals and birds.As we begin the journey of Lent we often think of a time of sparseness, of self – denial, even of solitude. Yet Lent offers us a time of fullness. Of rediscovering the Lord’s love. Of meeting with Jesus in a new way. Of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He ministers to us. As we journey in Lent can we use this opportunity to pause, reflect, spend focussed time in the Lord’s presence, and read His word?Jesus resists the devil by drawing on the Word. “One does not live by bread alone”. “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him. “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”. Lent is a time to read and listen. Let the Lord speak to us. Jesus says, ‘It is Written’. It has been written for us, so we can know the Truth of the Lord’s love for this world amidst the lies and confusion, So we can listen to Jesus the Living Word, and source of love and life. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekAlmighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through 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. AmenHeavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness, and grew closer to you in the desert: help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we may witness to your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forFor more people to join in our worshipFor ourselves as we begin Lent
