The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 23rd June 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd June 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd June 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 23rd June 11:15 am Online Sunday service (pre-recorded livestream) Monday 24th June 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 25th June 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 25th June 2:00 pm APA course (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 25th June 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 25th June 7:00 pm Cubs in church (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 26th June 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 26th June 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 26th June 7:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 27th June 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 23rd May 2.30pm Burial of ashes (at St Ed’s)Thursday 27th June 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 28th June 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 29th June 11.00am Taverham fair (Churches Together stall)Also Sunday 30th June, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Morning Worship, 12;45 Bring and share lunch. 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: July 8th 2:00 pm PCC meeting (in St Peter’s)July 14th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)Alpha Please continue to pray for this exciting time, and those who are making this journey.Taverham fair we are organising the Churches Together stall. We will have crafts for children and some simple games, and TEC, Trinity and St Ed’s will be involved. Please let Rev Paul know if you are able to volunteer for a slot on the day (29th June).Fifth Sunday (30th) at St Ed's we will be focussing on the prophetic book of Jeremiah. This will also continue on 7th July.Bring and Share lunch on Sunday 30th June at St Ed's from 12.45pm. This is to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Rev Stella’s and Rev Paul’s Ordinations and Rachel’s 35th anniversary of Commissioning. If you would like to contribute some food there is a sign – up sheet at the back of churchStrawberry tea Thursday 18th July 2.30 – 4.30 pm in Deidre Porter’s Garden (23 The Street). All welcome. It will be in aid of the St Ed's church projects, and donations will be gratefully received.
Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” Mark 4 : 30 – 32Readings this week : Ezekiel 17 22 - end; 2 Corinthians 5 : 6 – 10, 14 - 17; Mark 4 : 26 - 34Thought for this weekHave you ever been surprised by what springs up in your garden? Even in our cities seeds carried by birds will bring life and colour. How miraculous nature is.I wonder if we give enough attention to how the Lord speaks to us in all we see, hear and smell around us each day. The wonder of creation. The joy of new life, the mystery of seeds growing, the majesty of the seasons, and even death and Resurrection. It is all contained within a seed that seeks to survive, to grow, and to spread into branches and leaves.In our Gospel reading we hear about the seed growing slowly, and the Mustard Seed growing in such grandeur that even its branches grow long and provide refuge for birds.Jesus is speaking about His Kingdom. Often unseen, growing slowly. Often unknown, and yet with the gift to surprise, make us re – think, wonder again at all that is beyond us and yet is before us. Is within us in our lives.This is Jesus’ love. So much further than we can begin to imagine. Boundless, free, bringing life. How amazing if we could begin to understand this life. How amazing the Life Jesus offers. His free gift offered to us all. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekLord Jesus Christ, we remember with gratitude those who generously sowed the seeds of faith in our lives. We recognize how you have blessed our lives with the gift of the Holy Spirit so that our faith has miraculously and mysteriously grown. We confess the times we fail to involve ourselves in planting seeds of faith in the lives of others; the times when our personal agendas become more important than yours; the times when we have denied others the opportunity to expand their faith through our lack of interest or involvement; the times when our lives become so entangled with the values of the world that we forget what you have said and done and promised. Lord Jesus Christ, we know that when we become disconnected from you, our lives becomes parched and unfruitful and our faith becomes stunted and dry. Bless and renew our lives, we pray, so that we remain connected to you at all times and in all places, strengthening our faith to expand and, growing strongly and vigorously, to bear the fruit of your mercy, your love, your undying life. Amen.Moira Laidlaw, and posted on Liturgies Online.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 16th June 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 16th June 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 16th June 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Monday 17th June 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 18th June 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 18th June 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 19th June 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 19th June 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 19th June 7:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 20th June 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 20th June 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 21st June 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 23rd June, 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: July 8th 2:00 pm PCC meeting (in St Peter’s)July 14th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)Alpha has started. Please pray for this exciting time, and please invite anyone you know for whom this would be helpful. Invitations are in church.Alpha meals Thank you to those who have volunteered to prepare a meal. if anyone else would like to make a meal for Alpha (12 people) please let Rev Paul knowFifth Sunday (30th) we will be focussing on the prophetic book of Jeremiah. This will also continue on 7th July.Bring and Share lunch at St Ed's on Sunday 30th June from 12.45pm. If you would like to contribute some food there is a sign – up sheet at the back of churchPastoral Visitors we are reviving our Pastoral Visitors’ team. If you feel the Lord is calling you into this ministry, please let Rev Paul or Rev Phil know. There will be a six week course beginning on 18th June.Prayers please join us for our evening prayers if you are able to. We meet in St Ed's Mondays and Wednesdays at 5.00pm, and Thursdays at 7.00pm
A crowd was sitting around Jesus, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Mark 3 : 32; 34Readings this week : Genesis 3 : 8 - 15; 2 Corinthians 4 : 13 – 5 : 1; Mark 3 : 20 - 34Thought for this weekJesus laid aside many things in His ministry. His rightful place in heaven to come to earth and be amongst us who are so frail and needing in faith. He put aside the peace of heaven to be baptised and tested, questioned and even humiliated. He took off His outer robe to wash His disciples’ feet in humility, and even gave up His life on the Cross for our forgiveness and the invitation to salvation and New Life.In our reading early in Mark’s Gospel Jesus lays aside His earthly family, His mother and brothers, to take up the family of faith, or all those who willingly turn to Jesus and believe in Him. This also means His mother and very likely His brothers and His sisters!Each time Jesus lays something aside, we as human beings, gain so much. To be able to know the Lord for ourselves. To know we have a Friend, and Saviour, our true King, in Jesus. To know the truth of Jesus’ love for us. To know we belong to a new family of believers across the world when we believe.One of the amazing features of Alpha is the way it builds us as a community and as the family of faith in Jesus. Let us celebrate that we belong to one another, and that through faith Jesus has gathered us to Himself. Rev PaulPrayer for this week(based on 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. People to pray forOur Alpha courseGary and Luke rethatching St Ed'sOur church finances at this time
