Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6 : 56 - 58Readings this week : Joshua 24 : 1 – 2a, 14 - 18; Ephesians 6 : 10 - 20; John 6 : 56 - 69Thought for this weekCS Lewis wrote : “If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity” The Lord undoubtedly does offer us His comfort in our daily lives and in the traumas and anxieties we face. Psalm 120 : 1, “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me”. We can also know the real joy of belonging to the Lord in this world and of His presence with us through the power of the Holy Spirit.Yet in our Gospel reading Jesus meets those who are listening with a challenge. That He is the one who has come from the Father in heaven. That hope and eternal life are alone found in Him, in Jesus. That Jesus offers Himself as the bread of life, and we are called to put our trust in Him, to depend on Him and receive Him as far beyond any strength and sustaining of worldly bread. Jesus calls us to surrender all we are to Him, the one who has given His whole self to us. This is the way of the Cross. It is challenging, uncompromising, revealing and liberating. It certainly does not make for an easy life. Yet it brings fulness of life, even eternal life. However few we may seem at times, we are called to live in this radical, life – changing way in Jesus, our Saviour, Lord and Friend. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenAlmighty God, you search us and know us: may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness, now and in all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forThose who have received exam results recentlyFor youngsters seeking work or exploring opportunities
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 25th August 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 25th August 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 25th August 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 25th August 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 25th August 2:00 pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Monday 26th August 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 27th August 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonWednesday 28th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 28th August 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Thursday 29th August 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 29th August 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 30th August 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 1st September, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion. 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: September 8th 10.30am Harvest Service at St Peter’sSeptember 14th Norfolk churches Trust Bike/Walk/DriveOctober13th 10.30am service at St Peter’sOctober 16th PCC meeting at St Peter’sNorfolk Churches Trust Walk/Cycle/Drive Saturday 14th September 2024. Call at as many churches as you can and raise money for Norfolk Churches and for either St Ed’s or St Peter’s. Walking is fine, or even driving ! Rev Paul is going to attempt a circular walk from Honingham of about ten miles in support of St Peter’s. A sponsorship form is also at the back of St Ed’s.Details and sponsorship forms at the back of church or online at https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk/Ben Fiaz’ Licensing is at 10.30am on Saturday 21st September at the Cathedral. This will be a wonderful affirmation of Ben’s Ministry and calling. Everyone is welcome to attend.New school year begins on Wednesday 4th September. Please pray for our schools as they begin again.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. John 6 : 35; 51Readings this week : 1 Kings 19 : 4 - 8; Ephesians 4 : 25 – 5 : 2 ;John 6 : 35, 41 - 51Thought for this weekOver the last two weeks of the Olympics there have been many fine and amazing achievements. Risks being taken, people stretching themselves to the limits, and new levels being reached. Yet there have been many disappointments too. People being personally disappointed and berating themselves at their performance, their achievements. Hard times.I imagine we are all disappointed with ourselves from time to time. We do not always live up to who we hope we will be. Maybe we have personal disappointments in our lives, or we know we have fallen short in the way we live our lives, and in living for Jesus.Yet Jesus tells us He is the bread of Life. The one in whom we can never be disappointed, but who forgives, strengthens, helps us, sustains and fills us. The one we can completely rely on.Jesus is the one who offers us forgiveness for our sins when we fall. He is the one who cleanses and heals us (1 John 1 : 9) and sets us free from disappointment in ourselves. He is the one who strengthens us to live for Him, and empowers us to be who He calls us to be. Jesus the bread of Life, calls us to trust in Him, and receive from Him each day.Rev PaulPrayer for this week (Psalm 145:15-16, Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35)Lord, the eyes of all look to You in hope; and You give them what they need. You open Your hand and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled— to eat of the Bread of Life, to drink from Your life-giving streams, to taste Your goodness and live.May the time we spend together in Your presence, nourish our hearts and minds; may it strengthen our relationship with You, and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.For You alone are God, the Source and Sustainer of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ~ Christine Longhurst, re:WorshipPeople to pray forFor peace in our nationFor those on our Alpha course
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 11th August 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th August 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at Sr Peter’s)Sunday 11th August 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Unfortunately there will be no livestream on 11th or 18th September.Monday 12th August 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 13th August 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonWednesday 14th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 14th August 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 14th August 6:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 15th August 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 23rd May 2.30pm Burial of ashes (at St Ed’s)Thursday 15th August 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 16th August 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 August, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion. Also Sunday 25th August, At St Ed’s 8 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word 2pm Baptism . 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: August 11th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)September 8th 10.30am at St Peter’sSeptember 14th Norfolk churches Trust Bike/Walk/DriveNorfolk Churches Trust Walk/Cycle/Drive Saturday 14th September 2024. Call at as many churches as you can and raise money for Norfolk Churches and for either St Ed’s or St Peter’s. Walking is fine, or even driving ! “every year we see increasing numbers of interesting modes of transport – vintage cars, tandems, pony and trap, boats and canoes. Anything goes! We would love to see your photos from the day! You might win £50 and see them published in the EDP. There is also an award for the most money raised or your name entered on the Wall of Fame for the most churches visited. We are again awarding £1,000 for the most improved church i.e. the church that has raised the most money compared to last year.Details and sponsorship forms at the back of church or online at https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk/Clergy Leave Rev Paul and Rachel are now on leave until 25th August. Rev Val will be on leave during September.Ben Fiaz’ Licensing is at 10.30am on Saturday 21st September at the Cathedral. This will be a wonderful affirmation of Ben’s Ministry and calling. Everyone is welcome to attend.
