This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2 : 11Readings this week Isaiah 62 : 1 - 5, 1 Corinthians 12 : 1 - 11, John 2 : 1 - 11Thought for this weekWe are easily unsettled by change. If a bus stop is moved, or a favourite programme changes time, or the supermarkets move their groceries about, we can be thrown. Some may even have a sense of outrage.At the wedding of Cana everything changed. Maybe Jesus had an idea about His first miracle, but here He was confronted by a situation of human need, and He responded. This was to be the pattern of His whole ministry, having to change course, yet always showing His love and compassion.Jesus’ relationship with His disciples, and with Mary, changed. He had revealed His power within a deeply human situation, and ‘they believed in Him’.Jesus also used the jars of water for purification rites. This was a deep change in terms of ritual and the new life Jesus is bringing.Yet the deepest change is within us. In our attitudes and priorities. The work of the Holy Spirit that brings the fruit of the Spirit, so we become more loving, more joyful, more peaceful, (the list goes on!) Believing in Jesus brings change in our lives. When we are open to that change, the Kingdom is unstoppable. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; 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. AmenEternal Lord, our beginning and our end: bring us with the whole creation to your glory, hidden through past ages and made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forFor peace today in Gaza and IsraelFor Christian Unity across the worldFor those preparing to be marriedFor young people facing uncertainty
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 19th January 9:30am Mustard Tree Nativity– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 19th January 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 20th January 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 21st January 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 21st January 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 22nd January 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 22nd January 1:00 pm Funeral (at St Ed’s)Thursday 23rd January 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 23rd January 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 24th January 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 26th January 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: February 2nd 4pm informal service at St Peter’sFebruary 9th 10:30 am Communion Service (at Ringland village Hall)Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18th to 25th January), this year is based on the Nicene Creed, and Martha’s confession of faith in Jesus in John 11:17-27, and Jesus’ provocative question to Martha: “Do you believe this?” Christian Aid have supplied some Go and Do points. Further details : https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2025 Janet Ransom’s service to give thanks for her life and faith is at St Ed’s on Wednesday 5th February at 1.00pm.Rosemary Cuff has sadly died. Rosemary was a faithful member of St Ed’s for many years, but has struggled with poor health since the pandemic. Her service will be at St Ed’s on Monday 3rd February at 1.00pmChristingle Collection candles and envelopes to support the work of the Children’s Society can be returned to St Eds up to Sunday 26th January.
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3 : 21 – 22)Readings this week Isaiah 43 : 1 - 7; Acts 8 : 14 – 17; Luke 3 : 15 – 17; 21 - 22Thought for this weekThe fires we have witnessed this week in Los Angeles have been unprecedented. In some of the wealthiest suburbs of the world, devastation and heart – break. Unthinkable scenes, that have been called ‘apocalyptic’.One of the residents returning to her shattered home is a Christian. She spoke of her shock, but also trusting in God, in Jesus, she compared the ordeal to the London Blitz, and said, ‘at least we had warning. We were blessed’.The events in Los Angeles have been tragic. Yet God’s Word reminds us the Lord is always faithful. He calls us to build our lives on Him. To put our faith first and foremost in Him. To know His love.The crowds flocked to John the Baptist, hearing his message of repentance. Seeing the crowds, John turns the people away from himself, to Jesus. Even the Father and the presence of the Holy Spirit point to the truth of who Jesus is: the one who calls us to build our lives on Him. To trust in Him. To look to Him in everything. Jesus the source of all forgiveness and love. Jesus who brings hope, salvation and new life. Who calls us daily back to Him. Rev PaulPrayer for New Life in Christ – from crosswalk.com - you may find this prayer helpfulDear Lord, I am a new person today and that is because of You.Father, you have shown me that my old life is gone and my new life is found with You. I am thankful not to dwell on my past mistakes and relive those awful times. I am thankful to follow You and the path You have created for me. My soul thirsts for You and now, with my new life, I am filled with Your Holy Presence. (Ezekiel 36:26) Thank You, God. I pray I will share the good news of a new life in Christ with everyone. Thank You, Father, for the people you have placed in my life that never gave up on me. Thank You, Father, for family, friends, and strangers who showed me Your love through their words and actions. I pray I will be more like those mentors You have provided. Allow me to shine the light of Christ so others will draw closer to You. In Your Name Lord Jesus, Amen. Melissa Henderson Crosswalk.com
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 12th January 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 12th January 9:30am Mustard Tree Nativity– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 12th January 10:30 am Holy Communion (at Ringland Village Hall)Sunday 12th January 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s and livestream)Monday 13th January 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Monday 13th January 7.30 pm PCC (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 14th January 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 14th January 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 15th January 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 16th January 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 16th January 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 17th January 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 19th January 2025, At St Ed’s, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy CommunionFor 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: January 12th 10:30 am Communion Service (at Ringland village Hall)February 2nd 4pm informal service at St Peter’sFebruary 9th 10:30 am Communion Service (at Ringland village Hall)The organ has been successfully dismantled in St Ed's. It is hoped to return sometime after Easter. I am hoping that our APCM in May can be a time of thanksgiving and celebration for the answers to our prayers, and a renewing of our vision for the building.Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18th to 25th January), this year is based on the Nicene Creed, and Martha’s confession of faith in Jesus in John 11:17-27, and Jesus’ provocative question to Martha: “Do you believe this?” Christian Aid have supplied some Go and Do points. Further details : https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2025 Janet Ransom’s service to give thanks for her life and faith is at St Ed’s on Wednesday 5th February at 1.00pm.Worship review the PCC are reflecting on our worship and our call to deepen and grow our worship. If you have any comments, please pass them to Rev Paul or any of the ministry team.St Ed’s Arts group begins again on 17th January at Trinity ChurchChristingle Collection candles and envelopes to support the work of the Children’s Society can be returned to church up to Sunday 26th January.
