After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2 : 1 - 2Readings this week Isaiah 60 : 1 – 6; Ephesians 3 : 1 - 12; Matthew 2 : 1 - 12Thoughts for this weekMatthew the Gospel writer’s account of the visit of the Wise Men is full of amazing and wonderful things. Of cosmic signs of Jesus’ birth, truly lavish and rare gifts, holy dreams of warning, of a despot being incited to wrath by this new – born King, and perhaps most wonderful of all, the whole world waking to the significance of Jesus’ Coming, and the beginning of hope and salvation for the whole world.In just twelve verses Old Testament prophecies (Psalm 72, Isaiah 60) of visitors bearing gifts are fulfilled. Yet the visit of the Magi also opens the way to the future. Of Jesus’ birth heralding the Kingdom, where true treasure is found, and where the new things (Isaiah 43: 19) are beginning.The Wise Men leave, but they are not gone from the story, because we are now part of their story, the rich unfolding of the Lord’s mercy and grace through faith in Jesus across the world today. Through the visit of the Wise Men the Lord opens the way to the future of the Kingdom of Jesus. Of worship to Him, and of us men, women and children of all backgrounds and races offering the Lord all that we have, so that His Kingdom can grow in us and through us. This is Jesus’ Kingdom growing today. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekO God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Amen.Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child: guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey’s end in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenWe praise the Lord and give thanks …For the many opportunities we have had to proclaim the message of Jesus as Saviour and Lord over the Advent and Christmas period.For our freedom in worshipFor the faith of Christians who suffered persecution over Christmas
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 4th January 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 4th January 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 5th January 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 6th January 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 6th January 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 7th January 10:30 am Funeral (at St Ed’s )Thursday 8th January 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Friday 9th 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 11th January 2026, At St Ed’s, 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree Holy Communion, 11:15 am Service of the word. At Ringland Village Hall 10:30 am Holy Communion followed by coffee. 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 11th 10:30 am Holy Communion Service at Ringland Village HallJanuary 25th 3:00 pm the Gathering at St Peter’s Thank You! To everyone who contributed to our Christmas services, our schools work and care Home visits. It has been wonderful to have a wide range of people taking part and leading our worship during Advent and the Christmas period. Thank you especially to all the children who have taken part in various ways. Thank you St Ed’s and St Peter’s ministry team would like to thank everyone for your very kind thoughts, wishes and gifts over the Christmas period. Thank you so much. They are greatly appreciated!Christmas collections we raised a wonderful £172.19 for Christian Aid at the St Ed's Carol Service on 21st December. 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 up until 25th January. Tuesday mornings at St Ed’s will begin again on 6th January. A warm welcome with hot drinks and pastries. Please invite your friends. Every Tuesday 10.00am till 12.00pmWeek 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.
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1 : 18 – 19Readings this week Isaiah 7 : 10 - 16; Romans 1 : 1 - 7; Matthew 1 : 18 - endThought for the weekThe waiting is nearly over. Christmas Day is looming large on the horizon. The next few days will be filled with last minute preparations before we finally breathe deeply. Whether we are ready or not Christmas will come! However we are feeling about Christmas, whether we love it or dread it, whether we are ready or not, there is Good News, the best news. Joy has come into the world. Jesus is born into a world where things are sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes easy, sometimes hard, sometimes straightforward, sometimes complex. That Jesus is born into the reality of life with all its many facets is Good News. Into the Mess of the world comes the Message of hope that has been there since the dawn of time. This is the Message of God's infinite love, grace peace and joy given to us in Jesus the Messiah - Emmanuel, God with us. This is deep joy for the whole world that goes beyond all that fades away. Happy Christmas! RachelPrayer for this weekGod our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenEternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenWe praise the Lord and give thanks …For the work of our Local Foodbank which has now closed, for all the time, energy and care poured in by Sarah – Jane Douglas and Gerry Munday, for all they have achieved over the past six years
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 21st December 9:30am Mustard Tree Nativity – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 21st December 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 21st December 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 21st December 6:30 pm Candlelit Carol Service (at St Ed’s)Monday 22nd December 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 23rd December 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Christmas Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 23rd December 12:30 pm Christingle making (at St Ed’s)Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 3:30 pm Christingle Service (at St Ed’s and livestream)Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 5:00 pm Christingle Service (at St Ed’s)Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 6:30 pm Carol Service (at St Peter’s)Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 11:00 pm Midnight Communion (at St Ed’s)Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th December 11:50 pm Midnight Meditation (at livestream)Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December 10:00 am Christmas Communion (at St Ed’s )Sunday 28th December 2025, At St Ed’s, 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word Monday 29th December 2025 5.00pm Prayers (at St Ed’s) Wednesday 31st December 2025 10.30am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s) Thursday 1st January 2026 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Sunday 4th January 2026 9.30am Mustard Tree Church (at St Ed’s) Sunday 4th January 2026 11.15am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s) 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: December 22nd 2025 to 2 January 2026 CHRISTmas Space – with refreshments, mindful activities for all ages, peace and quiet 10.00am to 3.00pmDecember 24th Christmas Eve, Carol Service 6.30pm at St Peter’sJanuary 11th 10:30 am Holy Communion Service at Ringland Village HallChristingle making please come and join us at St Ed’s on Tuesday 23rd December from 12.30pm to 3:30pm to make Christingles. Everyone welcome! even for a short time!Christmas services : At St Peter’s : each day CHRISTmas Space – with refreshments, all age quiet activities, rest and reflect 10.00am to 3.00pmChristmas Eve Carol Service 6.30pmAt St Edmund’s :Sunday 21st Candlelit Carol Service 6.30pm, traditional Bible readings and carols Tuesday 23rd Tiny Tunes Christmas 10.00am, for babies, toddlers and all ages – tea and coffee, a chance to chatChristmas Eve Christingle service: 3.30pm (in person and livestream) and 5.00pm (in person); Please book to attend in person for the 3.30pm - midday1940@gmail.comSt Edmund’s Midnight Communion: 11.00pm, a traditional communion serviceChristmas Day Family Christmas Communion - 10:00am, informal, fun, lively
