The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1 : 41 - 42Readings this week Isaiah 49 : 1 - 7; 1 Corinthians 1 : 1 - 9; John 1 : 29 - 42Thoughts for this weekSo many new beginnings start with an invitation. Did you ever end up following an interest or pastime, or even changing career because someone invited you to experience, see, or try something new?Jesus’ encounter with two of John the Baptist’s disciples begins with a simple invitation to come and see where He is staying. They end up spending time with Jesus, and following Him. Even, in the case of Andrew, bringing others to Jesus.No church ever gets everything right, but I hope our churches are welcoming and inviting. I hope and pray we enable people to meet with Jesus, to hear His word, to experience His welcome.Who could you invite to church this week, this month or this year? Not only on Sundays, but in the week as well. Maybe even stepping foot in the building when it is quiet is a beginning.Please invite those you know to whatever you think is appropriate. I believe the Lord will show us who we should invite and to which gathering. A simple invitation can lead to a life – changing encounter with Jesus. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, AmenEternal Lord, our beginning and our end: bring us with the whole creation to your glory, hidden through past ages and made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenWe praise the Lord and give thanks …For those who are wishing to be ConfirmedFor the work of our local foodbank, now closed, and of the Norwich FoodbankFor the unity of the church amongst Christians of different denominations or none.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 18th January 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th January 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 19th January 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 20th January 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 20th January 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 21st January 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 21st January 6:30 pm Chat Cafe (at St Ed’s)Thursday 22nd January 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 22nd January 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 23rd January 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 25th January 2026, At St Ed’s, 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word. At St Peter’s 3:00 pm the Gathering. On line Sunday service 11:15 am.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: January 25th 3:00 pm the Gathering at St Peter’s February 8th 10:30 am Holy Communion Service at Ringland Village HallFebruary 8th 12:30 pm PCC at Ringland Village HallChristmas collections We are still collecting towards the Children’s Society. Collecting candles were given out at the Christingle Services on Christmas Eve. These can be returned to St Ed's up until 25th January. Confirmation Bishop Graham is coming to St Ed’s on Sunday 22nd March to conduct a Confirmation service at 11.15am. There will also be a Shared Lunch after the service. If you would like to be Confirmed, or if you know someone who may be interested, please speak to one of the clergy.Foodbank The Foodbank bin is back at St Ed’s, and donations will be taken to the Norwich foodbank each week. Further information about the Foodbank is available, including agencies that can help people out of needing Foodbanks.We also have a box at the back of church for emergency supplies. If you would like to place items in this these will then be available for anyone who comes into church seeking food.The Bishop’s Lent Appeal is raising money to help clergy children in Papua New Guinea to complete their education at the Martyrs Memorial School, just outside Popondetta. To raise enough money to send 1 clergy child to Martyrs Memorial School for 1 year. Tuition in schools in PNG is free, but as this school is a boarding school, there are fees to pay each year. Around £400 per pupil per year. Clergy families in PNG receive no stipend and are reliant on their congregations to support them with gifts of food and money. This money will help to provide and complete the education for 1 child. Children who are educated at the school go on into medicine, governance and teaching for example.Lent begins on 18th February (Ash Wednesday) with services at St Ed's at 10.30am and 7.00pmWeek of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 18th to 26th January This year Ephesians 4 v 1-13 is the central text, with the words “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” Prayers and reflections have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church, the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches, drawing upon centuries-old traditions of prayer used by the Armenian people, along with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and churches of Armenia, some of which date as far back as the fourth century.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3 : 16 – 17Readings this week Isaiah 42 : 1 - 9; Acts 10 : 34 - 43; Matthew 3 : 13 - 17Thoughts for this weekJesus’ baptism in Matthew’s Gospel is relayed to us in remarkably few words. We have the introduction to who John the Baptist is, and how he has come to point the way to Jesus. And John expresses his surprise that Jesus is asking to be baptised. John knows who Jesus is. Yet there is an immediacy to the Baptism itself. Something that needs to happen, in order for Jesus to begin His public ministry.So much of our ministry happens in the moment. Without planning. As a surprise. At this time of year many of us are making plans, for visits and trips, maybe courses, maybe stopping some things and starting new ones.Yet the Lord calls us to live in the moment. To be mindful and aware of the moment. Of God’s grace and love in the interactions of every day. For us to live as God’s people in this way we need to be rooted in prayer, in opening the Scriptures, in listening to the Holy Spirit. So we can use each moment, and the surprises that come our way.Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit at every moment. Yet he needed to be ‘in tune’ constantly with the father’s will, and live each moment of each day. We are called to follow Jesus’ example, and live in His power, His love and His grace. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekEternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenHeavenly Father, at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son: may we recognize him as our Lord and know ourselves to be your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. AmenWe praise the Lord and give thanks …For our own Baptisms For those coming to faith in Jesus or are returning to church.For the Lord’s provision of the resources we need for our ministry
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 11th January 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th January 9:30am Mustard Tree Holy Communion – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th January 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s and livestream)Please note, on 11th January, the 10:30 service at Ringland village hall has been cancelled due to a power failureMonday 12th January 8.30 am Langley Prayers (at St Ed’s)Monday 12th January 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Monday 12th January 7.30 pm PCC (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 13th January 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 13th January 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 14th January 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 14th January 2:00 pm Funeral (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 14th January 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Thursday 15th January 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 15th January 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s)Friday 16th January 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 18th January 2026, At St Ed’s, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am 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: January 25th 3:00 pm the Gathering at St Peter’s February 8th 10:30 am Holy Communion Service at Ringland Village HallFebruary 8th 12:30 pm PCC at Ringland Village HallChristmas collections We are still collecting towards the Children’s Society. Collecting candles were given out at the Christingle Services on Christmas Eve. These can be returned to St Ed's up until 25th January. The Bishop’s Lent Appeal is raising money to help clergy children in Papua New Guinea to complete their education at the Martyrs Memorial School, just outside Popondetta. To raise enough money to send 1 clergy child to Martyrs Memorial School for 1 year. Tuition in schools in PNG is free, but as this school is a boarding school, there are fees to pay each year. Around £400 per pupil per year. Clergy families in PNG receive no stipend and are reliant on their congregations to support them with gifts of food and money. This money will help to provide and complete the education for 1 child. Children who are educated at the school go on into medicine, governance and teaching for example.PCC meeting at St Ed’s is on 12th January from 7.30pm in church. The meeting will be devoted to a time of prayer and worshipLent begins on 18th February (Ash Wednesday) with services at 10.30am and 7.00pm at St Ed's.Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 18th to 26th January This year Ephesians 4 v 1-13 is the central text, with the words “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” Prayers and reflections have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church, the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches, drawing upon centuries-old traditions of prayer used by the Armenian people, along with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and churches of Armenia, some of which date as far back as the fourth century.
