Thought for the WeekMany people have a favourite Christmas carol. For me there is a line in O Little town of Bethlehem that resounds each year, ‘the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight’.Each year this is true. What are our hopes, our expectations, our plans for Christmas this year? Even John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, wasn’t sure (he was, like us, only human). He sent a message to Jesus asking if He was the one, or should they expect another? John had expected dramatic features of the Messiah’s coming along with everyone else at the time. Yet Jesus came in such a surprising way, and in His ministry revealed the Kingdom not through revenge on enemies, judgement and force, but through compassion and healing, mercy and forgiveness.Jesus turns all our expectations upside down. As we prepare for Christmas we focus on Jesus who became the least of all. The abundance of God’s love revealed by becoming the smallest of all, a tiny human child.Jesus reveals the sheer greatness and infinite vastness of God’s love and mercy that for each of us always exceeds all we can ever expect or hope for. PaulPrayer for this weekO Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenGod for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenReadings this weekIsaiah 35 : 1 - 10James 5 : 7 - 10Matthew 11 : 2 – 11
Ringland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s:December 14th 10:30 am Holy Communion Service at Ringland Village HallSunday 20th Coffee morning 11.00am to 1.0pm, followed by CHRISTmasDecember 24th Christmas Eve, Carol Service 6.30pm at St Peter’sJanuary 11th 10:30 am Holy Communion Service at Ringland Village HallChristmas Fair thank you to everyone who helped with the Fair, especially Sue Elmes, Dan, Sue B, Ann Coker, David and Linda and the planning team. We met with many people from our community, and raised an amazing £1,740.94. Thank you!Used stamps Robert and Anita would be grateful for your used stamps from Christmas mail for the MS Society
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3 : 4 - 6Readings this week Isaiah 11 : 1 - 10; Romans 15 : 4 - 13; Matthew 3 : 1 - 12Some thoughts for this weekThe message of John the Baptist is challenging in every generation. The call to return to the Lord’s ways of truth, justice and peace.A call to repentance. Yet repentance is such a positive, healing thing. A move of the Holy Spirit to return to who we are made to be. Who we truly are.The leaves have almost gone from the trees now as Winter sets in. Soon the branches will be bare. Yet we know the seeds, bulbs, roots safely in the ground will shoot again. Because of the Winter, Spring will be able to flourish and make new.Jesus has won for us forgiveness and new life in Him. What do we need to rediscover in this season of Advent about who we truly are? How can we renew our awareness of being made in God’s image. What do we need to lay aside in others’ views of us, and the lies of the world? How can we reclaim the truth of being made in Jesus’ own image?Repentance leads to faith and discovering the true treasure of Jesus’ Kingdom. Let us welcome the Holy Spirit in all He longs to do in our lives, and rediscover Jesus’ love and true freedom. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty God, you sent your servant John the Baptist to prepare the way for the coming of your Son; grant that those who proclaim your word may so guide our feet into the way of peace, that we may stand with confidence before him when he comes in his glorious kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer. Amen.Almighty God, as your kingdom dawns, turn us from the darkness of sin to the light of holiness, that we may be ready to meet you in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. AmenWe praise the Lord and give thanks …For the children who come to Prayer Spaces, for their openness in faith and the enthusiasm they bringFor those who find peace and Jesus’ comfort in our churches at this time
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 7th December 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 7th December 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 8th December 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 9th December 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 9th December 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th December 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 10th December 1:00 pm Funeral (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th December 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th December 6:30 pm Chat Cafe (at St Ed’s)Thursday 11th December 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 11th December 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 12th December 9:00 am Taverham Junior School Year 5’s visit (at St Ed’s)Friday 12th December 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 14th December 2025, At St Ed’s, 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion, 3pm Bereavement Service Plus livestream 11:15 service At Ringland Village Hall 10:30 am Holy Communion followed by coffeeon-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: December 14th 10:30 am Holy Communion Service at Ringland Village HallDecember 24th Christmas Eve, Carol Service 6.30pm at St Peter’sJanuary 11th 10:30 am Holy Communion Service at Ringland Village HallSt Ed's Christmas Fair thank you to everyone who helped with the Fair, especially Sue Elmes, Dan, Sue B, Ann Coker, David and Linda and the planning team. We met with many people from our community, and raised an amazing £1,740.94. Thank you!Christingle making please come and join us at St Ed’s on Tuesday 23rd December from 12.30pm to make Christingles. Everyone welcome!Used stamps Robert and Anita would be grateful for your used stamps from Christmas mail for the MS Society being collected in St Ed's.Bereavement service will be at St Ed’s at 3.00pm on Sunday 14th December, where we will light candles and read out the names of our loved ones. If you would like to join there is a sheet at the back of church for the names of loved ones to be read out in church.Brian Smith’s service will be at St Ed’s on Wednesday 10th December at 1.00pmNativity stamps Please ask for Nativity stamps at the Post Office in order to keep this witness for future years.
