Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbours. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” Luke 14 : 12 - 14Readings this week Proverbs 25 : 6 - 7; Hebrews 13 : 1 – 8, 15 - 16; Luke 14 : 1. 7 - 14Some thoughts for this weekIn our Gospel reading Jesus accepts a dinner invitation from a Pharisee, but He is being ‘carefully watched’. Jesus goes on to speak about true hospitality being from God’s heart of love. These are some prayers written on this theme: Hospitable God, you invite us to a banquet where the last may be first, and the humble and the mighty trade places. Let us share your abundance with no fear of scarcity; let us greet strangers as angels you have sent! Send your Spirit now so that we may find a place at your table and welcome others with radical hospitality. In the name of Jesus, Guest at all our tables, we pray. Amen.Rev. Christopher Ney, and posted on website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/year-c/p/pentecost-ordinary-time-15.htmlHospitality PrayerHoly God, hospitality does not always come easily. There are so many other things to do, important things. I have responsibilities that get in the way of my best intentions. Give me eyes to see that possibilities and a heart big enough to make room for someone else. Amen.aneno Huandikwa Kwa Choo. Posted https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=175390252539942&story_fbid=490855277660103Prayers for this weekO God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; 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. AmenGod of glory, the end of our searching, help us to lay aside all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom, and to give all that we have to gain the pearl beyond all price, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. AmenPeople to pray forFor children, staff and parents as the new school year and new term beginsFor all those meeting with Jesus for the first time
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Please note there will be no online service on Sunday 31st August:Sunday 31st August 8:00am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 31st August 10:30am Joint Service (at St Ed’s)Monday 1st September 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 2nd September 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 2nd September 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 3rd September 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 4th September 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 4th September 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 5th 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. (at Trinity church)Also Sunday 7th September 2025, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy CommunionEveryone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: September 14th 10:30 am Harvest and dedication of Eleni at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsSeptember 28th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sOctober 12th 10:30 am Holy Communion at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsTescos Drayton stones appeal for Hall School Thank you to everyone who contributed by painting stones or donating. An amazing total of £1,450 was raised by Tescos towards a minibus and we were able to contribute a significant sum, and contributed stones. Thank you to everyone who took part.Frances' Licensing All are welcome to the Cathedral at 10.30am on 20th September for Frances' Licensing to serve as an LLM at St. Edmund's and St. Peter's. We will also celebrate at the 11.15am Service on 21st Stella N is Skydiving! On the 4th September I will be Skydiving from Beccles airfield. It is in celebration of my 85th year - a little early but November is not a good time to do it! I am fundraising for Tapping House Hospice who looked after my sister and the family at the end of her life. They were great in giving her total respect and were so kind to the family. You can donate to their JustGiving page by clicking here https://www.justgiving.com/page/stella-noons-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=EMBibles for children we aim to donate Bibles to the Year 3’s before Christmas. Any donations would be very gratefully received!Annual Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride is on Saturday 13th September. Molly and Polly are again cycling for St Ed’s, and Rev Paul is planning a coastal walk for St Peter’s. If anyone would like to join Rev Paul please let him know.Confirmation we are likely to have a Confirmation service in the new year. Please speak to Rev Paul if you or someone you know is interested
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below).Sunday 24th August 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th August 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th August 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th August 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 24th August 3:00 pm The Gathering@Ringland (Informal Garden Church) (at St Peter’s)Monday 25th August 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 26th August 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 26th August 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 27th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 28th August 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 28th August 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 29th August 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 31st August 2025, At St Ed’s 8 am Holy Communion, 10:30 am Gathering Together plus on-line 11:15 service of the wordon-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: August 24th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sSeptember 14th 10:30 am Harvest and dedication of Eleni at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsSeptember 28th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’s
Jesus said, ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! Luke 12 : 49Readings this week Jeremiah 23 : 23 - 29; Hebrews 11 : 29 – 12 : 2; Luke 12 : 49 - 56Thought for this weekThe wildfires across Southern Europe this year have been more prolific than ever. They are unpredictable, difficult to control, they spread rapidly, and cause fear and panic especially for those who are not used to them. For many this will be an enduring image of summer. Yet Jesus speaks of bringing fire to the earth. It is the image of something that spreads without limits. Of a force that is powerful, unstoppable. Jesus’ meaning is completely different to the destructive pictures we are seeing. Jesus’ Kingdom is unstoppable. It brings truth, breaks down walls, drives through greed or deceit, cannot be resisted by merely human powers or constructions. Jesus speaks about bringing fire and division. In other words turning the human world upside down. Bringing purity and hope in place of darkness and despair. Bringing freedom.These are hard words from Jesus. Yet this is the Lord’s love confronting the sin of our world. This is Jesus confronting the turmoil and pain of our world today, which we are so acutely aware of in our news. This is Jesus’ love that does not hold back, but who even took the fire upon Himself on the cross, so we might each have the offer of forgiveness. Jesus who embraced death, so that we might have new life in Him. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekAlmighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church: open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; 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. AmenGracious Father, revive your Church in our day, and make her holy, strong and faithful, for your glory’s sake in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forFor the children and school staff on holiday, for rest and safety for themFor those who are housebound, or in Care HomesFor our hospital undergoing staff reviews, and all those affected
