He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Luke 21 : 29 - 31Readings this week Jeremiah 33 : 14 - 16; 1 Thessalonians 3 : 9 to end; Luke 21 : 25 - 36Thought for this week - AdventAdvent means we are waiting for something, we are to expect something good and up-lifting to make us feel better. And why not? We struggle so, and we only want peace, security and even a little happiness. We dream of it— like a lost treasure in an empty desert.Then, in the very dying of the Autumn Season, along comes Advent with candles, prayers, songs and promises of new possibilities. And, all tingling with excitement and expectancy, we are seduced into hoping once again.Oh—thank God for Advent— and its perennial promise— pointing to a light which never dies.Edwina Gateley, Soul Whispers (2015)Prayer for this weekAlmighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenAlmighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. AmenPeople to pray forFor the ceasefire between Lebanon and IsraelFor our school visits this week
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 1st December 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 1st December 11:15 am Holy Communion for Advent (at St Ed’s)Sunday 1st December 4:00 pm Garden Church (at St Peter’s)Monday 2nd December 9.00 am Year 5’s in church (at St Ed’s)Monday 2nd December 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 3rd December 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 3rd December 2:00 pm Nightingale Nursery (at St Ed’sTuesday 3rd December 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 4th December 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 4th December 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Thursday 5th December 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 5th December 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 6th December 9:00 am Year 6’s in church (at St Ed’s)Friday 6th December 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 7th December Ringland village Christmas FairAlso Sunday 8th December, At St Ed’s 8 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word. , Plus online 11:15am Informal Service. Also in Ringland Village Hall 10:30 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: December 1st 4:00 pm Garden Church (at St Peter’s)December 8th 10:30am Holy Communion (at Ringland Village Hall)St Ed's Christmas Fair thank you to everyone who contributed and worked hard to make the Fair a success. Garden Church at St Peter’s Ringland Sun 1st December 4.00pm An Informal All Age Gathering with firepits, lights, nibbles, drinks, worship with the Garden Folk Band and a warm welcome.Tony Dryden’s service will be a thanksgiving celebration of Tony’s life on Saturday 14th December at St Ed’s at 1pm. Our prayers are with Jane and the family.Bibles for Junior School we are buying Bibles for the Year 3’s who are coming to St Ed’s on 11th December. If you would like to donate for this there is an envelope in the vestry in St Eds.Bereavement service at 3.00pm on Sunday 15th December. Please include the name of your loved one on the sheet at the back of church if you would like their name to be read out.Christingle making will be from 12.30pm on Sunday 22nd December in St Ed's. We will also have soup. Please come along if you would like to. It is always a jolly time!
My kingdom is not from this world. ….Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ John 18 : 36 - 37Readings this week Daniel 7 : 9 – 10, 13 - 14; Revelation 1 : 4b - 8; John 18 : 33 - 37Thought for this weekAs Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate was familiar with political survival. With manipulation, balancing interests, and keeping quiet so as to not attract the attention of Rome.Yet in his encounter with Jesus Pilate meets with an authority and a certainty he has not known before. It is Pilate who is challenged, searching for answers, being subtly and deeply questioned by Jesus.The episode ends with Pilate asking Jesus, ‘What is truth?’. Yet he has Truth standing before him. Jesus’ Kingship is not of this world, and different to all those who hold power in this world, all those who claim authority, all those who assert certainty other than that of the Lord’s power and love.Jesus goes on challenging our human constructions and intentions just as He has challenged every kingdom over the past 2,000 years.This is the King who serves, who sacrificed His life for us, who goes beyond and ahead of us in every situation, who is alive and active in our world. Jesus is the true King, The King – Shepherd, the King of grace and love. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekEternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenGod the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, whose kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, one glory. AmenPeople to pray forFor the elderly who cannot heat their homesFor those without shelterFor those working for peace
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 24th November 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th November 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th November 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th November 11:15 am online Sunday service (livestream)Monday 25th November 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 26th November 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 26th November 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 27th November 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 27th November 1:30 pm Funeral (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 27th November 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Thursday 28th November 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 29th November 1.00pm Funeral (at St Ed’s)Thursday 28th November 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 29th November 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)Friday 29th November 9.00 pm Setting up for Christmas Fair (at St Ed’s )Saturday 30th November 12 noon to 4.00pm Christmas Fair (at St Ed’s) Also Sunday 1st December, At St Ed’s , 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion for Advent. Also at Ringland St Peter’s 4:00pm to 6pm Garden Church 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: December 1st 4:00 pm Garden Church (at St Peter’s)December 8th 10:30am Holy Communion (at Ringland Village Hall)St Ed’s Christmas Fair is this Saturday (30th). Any help would be gratefully received. There is a sign up sheet at the back of St Ed’s. Please pass fliers to your neighbours and friends. All contributions towards prizes or stalls would be very much appreciated!Help with crafts for school visits if you would like to help prepare some crafts at home for the school visits, please let Rev Paul know. Thank youTony Dryden’s service will be a thanksgiving celebration of Tony’s life on Saturday 14th December at St Ed’s. Our prayers are with Jane and the family.Bibles for Junior School we are buying Bibles for the Year 3’s who are coming to St Ed’s on 11th December. If you would like to donate for this there is an envelope in the vestry in St Eds.Bereavement service at 3.00pm on Sunday 15th December. Please include the name of your loved one on the sheet at the back of St Ed's if you would like their name to be read out.Christingle making will be from 12.30pm on Sunday 22nd December at St Ed's. We will also have soup. Please come along if you would like to. It is always a jolly time!
