Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Mark 6 : 20Readings this week : Amos 7 : 7 - 15; Ephesians 1 : 3 - 14; Mark 6 : 14 - 29Thought for this weekOur Gospel reading this week does not make for easy reading. We hear about the ministry of John the Baptist from the perspective of Herod and his puppet court. It is a clash between misused power, and the Kingdom of God. A conflict of allegiances, authority and of choices. And of pure human vanity.John the Baptist loses his life, but gains eternity with the Lord. Herod has a tenuous grasp of temporary power, and is acutely aware of what his ‘friends’ and followers think of him. He respected John’s faith and ministry, and ‘liked to listen to him’. Yet in his vanity he chooses to have John killed, to save face, and appear ‘the big guy’.All our choices have consequences, however fleeting. Faith in Jesus enables those choices to become positive, helpful, even life – bringing. We all regret some choices we have made in our lives. Jesus brings healing and hope. There is always forgiveness in Him (1 John 1 : 9). Jesus promises the past is put behind and we have freedom in Him, forgiveness through the Cross and new life. Jesus calls us to a new beginning, and to know He is the Lord of our future, the King of love and hope. Let us bring to Him all we have been, to be made new. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAssurance of Forgiveness (based on Isaiah 29: 22-24)This is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says,“No longer will their faces grow pale. They will keep my name holy; and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. When they do, those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding and those who complain will accept instruction.”And those who are faithful will know that forgiveness is ours through the promised Son of God!Believe and have faith in God’s mercy and grace, given to all who proclaim and believe that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven!by Rev. Jan Brooks, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 14th July 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 14th July 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 14th July 10:30 am Holy Communion (at Sr Peter’s)Sunday 14th July 11:15 am Morning Praise (at St Ed’s and livestream)Monday 15th July 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 16th July 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 16th July 2:00 pm APA course (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 16th July 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 17th July 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 17th July 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 17th July 6:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 18th July 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 18th July 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 19th July 9:00 am Year 6 leavers service in church (at St Ed’s)Friday 19th July 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)Sunday 21st July 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 21st July 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 22nd July 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 23rd July 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 23rd July 2:00 pm APA course (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 24th July 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 24h July 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 24th July 6:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 25th July 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 25th July 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 26th July 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 28th July, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Morning worship. 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 14th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)August 11th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)Annual Leave Paul and Rachel will be on leave from Saturday 20th July and back on Sunday 28th July.Strawberry 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.Tuesday mornings at St Ed’s will continue through the summer. We have craft materials and games for any older children that might want to come during the summer holidays. Each Tuesday at St Ed’s 10.00am to 12.00pm.
If I say, “I will not mention the Lord, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. For I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! Jeremiah : 20 : 9 - 10Readings this week : Ezekiel 2 : 1 - 5; 2 Corinthians 12 : 2 - 10; Mark 6 : 1 - 13Thought for this weekJeremiah’s was a hard calling. Not because it required great skill or special abilities, He didn’t need to build an organisation or even a team. His calling was hard because people’s hearts were hard. They had lost their faith and trust in the Lord. They had stopped listening to the Lord who loved them.Jeremiah suffered physical suffering, marginalisation, even abuse. Just as so many Christians today across the world suffer these things in their daily lives, in witnessing to their faith in Jesus.Yet also there was the fact that people turned away from the message. Felt they had no need to turn to the Lord. Became used to living their lives in their own way, looking to their own achievements. I wonder if this seems similar to our own situation? Yet for Jeremiah the message ‘burned’ within him The Lord’s love for His people, urging them to turn back to Him. What is the Lord saying to us? I believe we are called to grasp the sheer love of the Lord for all people. To pray urgently and passionately that others will hear the Good News of Jesus and be saved. To receive the Lord’s love and mercy. To turn to Jesus while there is still time.Rev PaulPrayer of Commitment(based on Jeremiah 20, Mark 6: 7-13)Lord God, just as You called your prophets long ago, so You call each one of us to speak and act on Your behalf in our world today.Forgive us when we are hesitant to follow: when we question Your call or make excuses for our abilities; when we complain about our lack of time, or hoard our resources.Give us courage to step out in faith, to go where you send us without hesitation or fear, trusting that Your presence goes with us, and that You will provide all that we need. Amen.People to pray forOur new GovernmentThose waiting for hospital treatmentFor the persecuted church
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 7th July 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 7th July 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 8th July 2.00 pm PCC (at St Peter’s)Monday 8th July 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 9th July 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 9th July 2:00 pm APA course (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 9th July 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th July 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th July 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th July 6:30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 11th July 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 11th July 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s and livestream) Friday 12th July 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 13th July 10.00 am Alpha Holy Spirit Day (at St Ed’s and livestream)Also Sunday 14th July, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Morning worship. 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)Strawberry 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 church projects, and donations will be gratefully received.Tuesday mornings at St Ed’s will continue through the summer. We have craft materials and games for any older children that might want to come during the summer holidays. Each Tuesday at St Ed’s 10.00am to 12.00pm.St Ed's Chancel thatch has been completed. We praise the Lord for this huge step forward.
