‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard’.Matthew 20 : 1Readings this week : Jonah 3 : 10 – 4 : 11, Philippians 1 : 21 - 30, Matthew 20 : 1 - 16Thought for the week : We often hear the expression, ‘Life’s not fair’. Yet what do we make of this? It assumes that we each have certain expectations and privileges. Even aspects of life we deserve. Should be ours by right, even.Certainly all human beings are equal, yet with this starting point clearly life is not fair for the vast majority of the world’s population. And automatically we become the privileged ones.As always Jesus points us away from ourselves and directs us to Himself. None of us deserves the love, grace and boundless generosity of the Lord. All life is a gift. Every day is a miracle. We each have so much to share and celebrate. In our Gospel reading Jesus speaks of the owner of a vineyard who rewards his workers the same no matter how many hours they have worked that day. So the Lord loves to give to each of us, though we are so undeserving. The Lord pours out His generosity, His love and mercy upon each of us each day. Jesus even gave His life for our forgiveness and new life in Him.How can we share this love. How can we let others know of the Lord’s limitless grace and mercy that changes our lives and is so freely given.Rev PaulPrayers for this weekO Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers of your people who call upon you;and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do,and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen.Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us:open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverenceand know your peace at our lives’ end,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.People to pray for :Christians persecuted for their faithPeople experiencing injustice or oppressionA new director of Norwich Youth for Christ
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 24th September 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th September 9:30am Mustard Tree Church– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th September 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th September 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Monday 25th September 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 26th September 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 26th September 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 27th September 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 27th September 7.30 pm Alpha Bible Study (at St Ed’s)Thursday 28th September 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 28th September 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Thursday 28th September 7.45pm Building projects meeting (at St Ed’s)Friday 29th September 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 £1. (at St Ed’s)Saturday 30th September 2.00 pm Baptism (at the river in Ringland )Also Sunday 1st October, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree Church,11:15 am Holy Communion. Plus online 11:15am Informal Service. Additionally at 8am daily (except Sunday) we will be posting a ‘Daily bitesize prayer’ on the St Ed's Facebook page.For on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events at St Peter’s: 7th October 10:00 am til 12noon Quiet Morning8th October 10:30 am Holy Communion12th November 10:30 am Remembrance ServiceQuiet morning at St Peter’s Ringland on Saturday 7th October from 10.00am til 12.00noon. It will be led by Sarah Miller, with refreshments and some Christian crafts to buy. There is a sign – up sheet at the back of church. All welcome.Dementia UK are holding a 30 mile walk. There is a sponsorship form at the back of St Eds.Autumn Bring and Share Lunch will happen at St Ed’s on 8th October from 12.30pm. Everyone welcome. There is a sign – up sheet to bring food at the back of church. Thank you!James’ Baptism James has been coming to the 11.15am service for some months, and is now being baptised in the river at Ringland on Saturday 30th September at 2.00pm. If you would like to come along to support James please let him or Rev Paul know.Rev Paul’s Dad thank you to everyone who has been praying. He passed away peacefully on Friday. Arts Group will be moving back to Trinity Church from Friday 6th OctoberShoeboxes are becoming more scarce! In advance of our Shoebox Appeal this year please can you save any shoeboxes you have. They can be left at the back of church if you have any.
Merciful God,your Son came to save usand bore our sins on the cross:may we trust in your mercyand know your love,rejoicing in the righteousnessthat is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Readings this week : Genesis 50 : 15 - 21; Romans 14 : 1 - 12; Matthew 18 : 21 - 35Thought for the week : As Autumn comes change is definitely in the air. We breathe it in early in the mornings, and begin to feel a chill in the evenings. For many of us change can be disconcerting, worrying, even frightening. There seems so much change in our lives these days, and not always for good.Yet the change in us Jesus brings is always for the good, because He is the source of goodness. Our Gospel reading this week reflects on forgiveness, and Jesus tells a parable that emphasises forgiveness that offers a change of heart, and the consequences for ourselves and everyone of not accepting that change.In Psalm 23 we hear how forgiveness flows from the heart of Jesus. “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life”. Mercy, and the forgiveness won by Jesus pour upon us in our lives, and how we need them! Yet so much of the pain in the world is being caused by people not accepting the change forgiveness brings.We are called to bring change. It begins with us. How can we personally ensure the forgiveness won by Jesus changes our hearts? Rev PaulPrayers for this weekForgiveness is mercy. Such pardon and kindness I cannot fathom.Forgiveness is unfailing love. Such patience and understanding I cannot comprehend.Forgiveness is overwhelming compassion. Such sympathy and warmth I cannot reciprocate.Forgiveness is the blotting out of transgressions. Such freedom and goodwill I do not deserve.Forgiveness is the washing away of my iniquities. Such purity and newness I cannot maintain.O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.Based on (Psalm 51:13,15) ~ posted by Steve Brown on Worship Ideas You Can Use. http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/People to pray for :The church in PakistanThe people of Morocco and Libya after the recent devastationFor those preparing for Baptism
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 17th September 9:30am Mustard Tree Church– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 17th September 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Unfortunately there will be no livestream on 17th September.Monday 18th September 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 19th September 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 19th September 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 20th September 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 21st September 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 21st September 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Friday 22nd September 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 £1. (at St Ed’s)Also Sunday 24th September, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree Church,11:15 am Service of the word. Plus online 11:15am Informal Service.Additionally at 8am daily (except Sunday) we will be posting a ‘Daily bitesize prayer’ on the St Ed's Facebook page.For on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events at St Peter’s: 7th October 10:00 am til 12noon Quiet Morning8th October 10:30 am Holy Communion12th November 10:30 am Remembrance ServiceQuiet morning at St Peter’s Ringland on Saturday 7th October from 10.00am til 12.00noon. It will be led by Sarah Miller, with refreshments and some Christian crafts to buy. There is a sign – up sheet at the back of church. Harvest services – thank you to everyone who decorated the church, and helped with the services last week. Thank you to everyone for the food donations, which have been collected by the Foodbank. Further donations can be left at the back of church at any time throughout the year.Authorisation of Church Wardens we now have permission to authorise and pray for our Churchwardens. For St Ed’s this will happen today,17th September, at 11.15am. We are so grateful to our Churchwardens and their ministry.A Bring and Share Lunch will be taking place at St Ed’s soon. We will announce the date when it has been chosen.Shoeboxes are becoming more scarce! In advance of our Shoebox Appeal this year please can you save any shoeboxes you have. They can be left at the back of church if you have any.
