Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. Mark 9 : 2 - 3Readings this week : 2 Kings 2 : 1 - 12; 2 Corinthians 4 : 3 - 6; Mark 9 : 2 - 9Thought for this weekTh stained glass window, in the image for this article, is situated in St Luke’s Chapel in Norwich Cathedral. It was actually removed from St Peter’s Ringland at some stage, and transferred to the cathedral in December 1917. The window had come into the ownership of Leonard Bolingbroke, whose son, Russell, had been killed in WW1 at sea two weeks before his 21st birthday, in April 1917. Leonard, his father, was Chapter Steward, and he offered the window to the Cathedral.The window depicts the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. While the figures are indistinct, what is clear are the rays of glory that emanate from the Mother and child. While we don’t know the whole story, it is so poignant that this window was given amidst a family’s grief. A reminder how the Lord’s glory occupies and transcends all our suffering and grief. It speaks beyond our earthly lives, of the Lord’s love, of His grace, and of eternity.Whilst there is so much grief in the world today, our Gospel reading is of Jesus being Transfigured before three of His disciples, revealing His glory amidst the pain of the world. This is the truth today of who Jesus is. When so much seems overwhelming, we are called to look to the one who is ‘The radiance of the glory of God’ (Hebrews 1 : 3) Rev Paul Prayer for this weekAlmighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross:give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory;who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 11th February 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th February 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th February 10:30 am Holy Communion (at Ringland village Hall)Sunday 11th February 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s and livestream)Monday 12th February 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 13th February 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonShrove Tuesday 13th February 3:00 pm to 5pm Pancake Party (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 13th February 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Ash Wednesday 14th February 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Ash Wednesday 14th February 7:00 pm Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 15th February 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 15th February 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Friday 16th February 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 17th February 10.30 am to 5:30pm Gift Day (St Ed’s) Drop in to hear about the building projects. Special service at 3pm followed by refreshments.Also Sunday 18th February, 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: February 11th 10:30 am Morning Prayer (Service of the word) in Ringland Village HallMarch 10th 10:30 am Holy Communion venue TBCPancake party Lent begins on 14th February! We will be holding a Pancake Party on Tuesday 13th February at St Ed’s from 3.00pm until 5.00pm, in support of Christian Aid. Any offers of help to make pancakes and help on the day gratefully received! Please invite anyone who may like to come along. Alpha our next Alpha course will be starting soon. If you know of anyone who would be interested in joining, please let Rev Paul know.Wednesdays in Lent Rev Phil will be leading a Bible study linked to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal for Papua New Guinea, after the service of Holy Communion each Wednesday from 21st Feb (at 11:30am). On Wednesday evening from 21st at 5.00pm we will have a short service of Evening Prayer in church.Ash Wednesday services will be at 10.30am and 7.00pm in St Ed’sMental Health First Aid Rev Phil has recently completed training as a Mental Health First Aider. Rev Phil is available if anyone would like to speak to him about their concerns for their own mental well-being.Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2024 will help to raise money to provide water tanks for Ordinand’s Homes at Newton Theological College in P New GuineaContacting Rev Paul please note Rev Paul has a new e mail address : vicar@stedmundstaverham.co.uk – part of a new e mail system for St Ed’s and St Peter’s. Please can you change the address you hold for Rev Paul
The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one. Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out. John 1 : 1 – 5, from The MessageReadings this week : Proverbs 8 : 1, 22 - 31; Colossians 1 : 15 - 20; John 1 : 1 - 14Thought for this weekThere seems to be so much darkness at the moment. The days are still relatively short. There is so much that is hard on the news, both in this country and abroad. Yet with so much that is hard and difficult to witness, the snowdrops are out in the churchyard – more vivid and numerous than ever.They are a reminder that this week we celebrated Candlemas. The infant Jesus being brought into the temple, meeting with Simeon and Anna. An outpouring of faith, of joy, of dedication of who Jesus is, God’s Light come into the world. The promises fulfilled. An overpouring of the Lord’s grace and truth into our lives and hearts.The snowdrops seems to pour out of the ground with their pure, intense whiteness. They are a reminder of Jesus coming onto our world with His hope and love, however cold and dark the earth, however dark the days.In John 1 : 5 we read : “The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;the darkness couldn’t put it out”There is a powerless and futility in the darkness. The darkness is already defeated. The Light of Jesus always supreme and all powerful. Jesus is the Light blazing in the darkness. Our Lord, Saviour and Friend. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekAlmighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image:teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever. AmenAlmighty God, give us reverence for all creation and respect for every person,that we may mirror your likeness in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray for :For those waiting for medical treatment, including from Mental Health ServicesFor our Government at this time, especially in the international situationFor those searching or new to faith in Jesus
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 4th February 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 4th February 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 5th February 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 6th February 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 6th February 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 7th February 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 8th February 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 8th February 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Friday 9th February 9:30 am to12.00 noon Arts and Craft Group , - bring anything – art or craft - you fancy doing and coffee and tea are provided cost £3. (at Trinity church)Also Sunday 11th February, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Livestream Service, Plus online 11:15am Informal Service. Also in Ringland Village Hall 10:30 am Morning PrayerFor 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 11th 10:30 am Morning Prayer (Service of the word) in Ringland Village HallMarch 10th 10:30 am Holy Communion venue TBCAlpha our next Alpha course will be starting soon. If you know of anyone who would be interested in joining, please let Rev Paul know.Wednesdays in Lent Rev Phil will be leading a Bible study linked to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal for Papua New Guinea, after the service of Holy Communion each Wednesday from 21st Feb (at 11:30am). On Wednesday evening from 21st at 5.00pm we will have a short service of Evening Prayer in church.Ash Wednesday (14th Feb) services will be at 10.30am and 7.00pm in St Ed’sRev Val starts a placement at St Luke’s, Aylsham Road, on Monday, and will be there for a month. We pray it will be a helpful and encouraging time for her.Pancake party Lent begins on 14th February! We will be holding a Pancake Party on Tuesday 13th February at St Ed’s from 3.00pm until 5.00pm, in support of Christian Aid. Any offers of help to make pancakes and help on the day gratefully received! Please invite anyone who may like to come along. Gratitude Scheme Ben Knights has suggested a great idea for the weeks between Lent and Pentecost. Each week we will choose a local organisation that serves our community (Doctors Surgery, Pharmacies, Schools, Care Homes, Supermarkets etc) and write personal notes or cards to be delivered to them during the week. We would also include them in the prayers for the next Sunday (we can ask them for items to pray for). It will be a great way to show we appreciate all they do for us and others.Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2024 will help to raise money to provide water tanks for Ordinand’s Homes at Newton Theological College in P New GuineaContacting Rev Paul please note Rev Paul has a new e mail address : vicar@stedmundstaverham.co.uk – part of a new e mail system for St Ed’s and St Peter’s. Please can you change the address you hold for Rev Paul
