You have given your commandments as a sure path for us, and your decrees for our richest delight. You have given your Covenant so that we may have life in its fullness, and the urgings of your Spirit for our attentive listening to your word. Psalm 119 : 9 – 16Readings this week Psalm 65; Joel 2 : 23 – end; Luke 18 : 9 - 14Some thoughts for this weekThe ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is a breathtaking reminder of the majesty and power of the Lord over and above our frail human selves. Yet at the centre of Michaelangelo’s vision rests the father reaching out to bring life to Adam, just as in His compassion He brings His healing, hope, forgiveness and strength to everyone who will receive from Him. It was moving to see King Charles and Pope Leo coming together to pray. Both with considerable influence, yet both coming humbly in the Chapel’s surroundings. A reminder they are just human. Completely dependent as we all are of the Lord’s grace in our lives, His mercy and His love.In our Gospel reading Jesus presents us with two characters. One is confident of his standing with God. That he has fulfilled all the statutory requirements. The other penitent. Knowing that he brings nothing of his own in asking for the Lord’s forgiveness and help.Scripture is a gift and a blessing where the Lord speaks into each of our lives day by day. In every situation we hear and read of the Lord’s kindness and love, and are challenged when that is most needed. As we reflect on God’s word today, let us give thanks for His word, and for Jesus His Living Word. Rev Paul Prayer for this weekBlessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word, we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenMerciful God, teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty, that trusting in your word and obeying your will we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenWe praise the Lord and give thanks for…For the Bibles we have, and those we are able to give to othersFor all those who study, preach, translate, distribute, and communicate the truth of the Bible
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 26th October 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 26th October 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s)Sunday 26th October 11:15 am Service of the Word followed by prayers for healing (at St Ed’s)Sunday 26th October 3:00 pm The Gathering@Ringland (Informal Garden Church) (at St Peter’s)Monday 27th October 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 28th October 9:00 am Kairos Prayer for prisons begins (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 28th October 10:30 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 29th October 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 29th October 2:00 til 5:00 pm Shoebox creation (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 29th October 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Thursday 30th October 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 30th October 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 31st October 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 2nd November 2025, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Shoebox Mustard Tree, 11:15 Shoebox Holy Communion,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: October 26th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sNovember 9th 10:30 am Remembrance Service at St Peter’sNovember 23rd 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sShoebox appeal is upon us! (service on 2nd November) Leaflets are in St Ed’s. If you have spare shoeboxes please kindly leave them at the back of St Ed’s. We will be in St Ed’s on Wednesday 29th October from 2.00pm to 5.00pm to make up shoeboxes using any donated loose items. Please join us! Today is Bible Sunday if you would like to join one of our Bible studies please speak to Rev PaulThe Glebe – the grassy area at the front of St Eds, is closed from today (26th Oct), to protect the surface. Please use the Junior School car park each Sunday from now – many thanks.Bibles for children the Year 3 children love to receive their Bibles each year. They are coming into church on 5th December. They will then have the Bibles to read of Jesus’ Nativity themselves. Any donations would be very gratefully received! Rev PaulSt Ed's Christmas Fair - Saturday 29th November 12 midday to 3pm. Please keep this day free so you can be part of the fun and consider helping too! for at least part of the time. There will be a sign-up sheet for this. Tombola, bottle, raffle prizes are needed and also toys, books and jigsaws. More information from Sue Elmes and Sue Beevor Confirmation Please let Rev Paul know if you or someone you know is interested in being confirmed in the New yearSt Ed’s needs…a new Treasurer, a Safeguarding officer, people to join the Thursday cleaning team, and someone to coordinate the shoebox appeal in September and October each year. Please pray that the Lord will call people for these roles. (could it be you?) Further details from the Churchwardens.
Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’ Luke 18 : 7 - 8Readings this week Luke 18 : 1 - 8Some thoughts for this weekIt is good to be reminded that Jesus knows our world, and has lived within it. With all its troubles, conflicts, challenges and negative voices. Also that Jesus Himself knows us, because He lived as one of us. He knows our pitfalls and temptations. Our struggles to stay true and not always to put ourselves first. So Jesus tells a Parable in our Gospel reading that is full of human stuff and the difficulties and frustrations of our broken world. Where a poor unfortunate woman seeks the help of a harsh and indifferent judge, and persists in the way we are to persevere in our prayers, even when an answer seems long in coming.Of course the breakthrough in Gaza and Israel, even though on a knife edge, is a wonderful answer to prayers for release, for healing and for peace. Even the situation in Ukraine has elements of hope.Yet Jesus is also speaking about justice for those who are weak, who call to Him. And faith that enables prayers to be answered and Jesus’ Kingdom to break through. Jesus’ perspective is so much bigger than ours, and goes far beyond the limit of our vision or hopes for answered prayer. It is His Kingdom that brings healing and freedom. So He calls us to pray’ Your kingdom Come’ in our broken world, beginning with us. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, AmenGod, our judge and saviour, teach us to be open to your truth and to trust in your love, that we may live each day with confidence in the salvation which is given through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenWe praise the Lord and give thanks for…Our harvest celebrations, in church and with the schools. They have all been wonderful times!For Emmy, Danielle and Samantha being welcomed to Holy Communion, and for all the children we have contact withOur visiting ministry and ministry to the Care Homes
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 19th October 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children - Admission of children to Holy Communion. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 19th October 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 20th October 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 21st October 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 21st October 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 22nd October 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 23rd October 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 23rd October 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 24th October 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 25th October 3:00 pm Wedding (at St Eds’) Also Sunday 26th October 2025, At St Ed’s 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 Service of the word. Plus livestream 11:15 service at St Peter’s 3:00 pm the Gathering 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: October 26th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sNovember 9th 10:30 am Remembrance Service at St Peter’sMustard Tree – the Admission of Danielle, Samantha and Emmy to Holy Communion is today (Sunday 19th October) at 9.30am. Everyone is welcome to join for this special time!Shoebox appeal is upon us! (service on 2nd November) Leaflets are in St Ed’s. If you have spare shoeboxes please kindly leave them at the back of St Ed’s. We will be in St Ed’s on Wednesday 29th October from 2.00pm to 5.00pm to make up shoeboxes using any donated loose items. Please join us! Bibles for children the Year 3 children love to receive their Bibles each year. They are coming into church on 5th December. They will then have the Bibles to read of Jesus’ Nativity themselves. Any donations would be very gratefully received! Rev PaulSt Ed's Christmas Fair - Saturday 29th November 12 midday to 3pm. Please keep this day free so you can be part of the fun and consider helping too! for at least part of the time. There will be a sign-up sheet for this. Tombola, bottle, raffle prizes are needed and also toys, books and jigsaws. More information from Sue Elmes and Sue Beevor Confirmation Please let Rev Paul know if you or someone you know is interested in being confirmed in the New year
