“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. Luke 12 : 35 – 36Readings this week Genesis 15 : 1 - 6; Hebrews 11 : 1 – 3, 8 - 16; Luke 12 : 32 - 40Thought for this weekOur Gospel reading this week features a master returning from a wedding celebration, expecting his servants to be ready to let him in and to serve him, no matter how late the hour.We are in the wedding season, and it is a real privilege to be involved in the wedding day of couples and their families. Days that have involved weeks of preparation and anticipation.Jesus speaks of us being ready to receive Him when he returns. He will one day come again to the earth in glory. He will come as Saviour and Judge, and all truth will be revealed.In the meantime we are called to be ready. In Revelation Jesus says of Himself, ‘See I stand at the door and knock’. We make ourselves ready now by opening the door to Jesus now. To receive His love and listen to His voice. Receive His promise of forgiveness and new life. We are called to lay aside our fears and anxieties, and receive Him into our lives. The true joy of belonging to Him. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekAlmighty Lord and everlasting God, we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments; that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, AmenLord God, your Son left the riches of heaven and became poor for our sake: when we prosper save us from pride, when we are needy save us from despair, that we may trust in you alone; AmenPeople to pray forFor those encountering changes in their livesFor those on holiday or travellingFor those working in the NHS
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 10th August 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 10th August 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 10th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s)Sunday 10th August 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 10th August 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 10th August 11:30 am Refreshments (at St Peter’s)Monday 11th August 11.00 am Burial of Ashes (at St Ed’s)Monday 11th August 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 12th August 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 12th August 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 13th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 14th August 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 14th August 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 15th 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 17th August 2025, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion Plus livestream 11:15 service 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: August 10th 10:30 am Holy communion Service at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsAugust 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 refreshmentsCongratulations to Beth, Leo and Daisy from Mustard Tree who were baptised yesterday. It was a very special time.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=EMTescos Drayton we have stones to decorate at St Ed’s in aid of Hall School. If you would like to take a stone to decorate, there is a suggested donation of at least £1. Both Tescos and ourselves have been involved with a family whose children attend the school. 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 interestedPaul and Rachel will be on leave for two weeks from Tuesday 19th August. Any matters needing attention can be referred to the Churchwardens or members of the clergy
“And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ Then he told them a parable…..” Luke 12 : 15 - 16Readings this week Ecclesiastes 1 : 2, 12 – 14, 2 : 18 - 23; Colossians 3 : 1 - 11; Luke 12 : 13 - 21Thought for this weekThe field next to our house has just been harvested. It lasted most of the day. Huge trucks and machines to deal with the whole field all in one day. Clearly it was plentiful, and safely gathered. Jesus speaks about a farmer gathering his crops. There is more than enough. We think of a plentiful harvest, of abundance, coming from the Lord is His provision and grace. Yet not when the object is to hoard. To gloat. To keep the blessing to ourselves. Not when the plenty becomes an object in itself. Pushing the Lord, the provider, out.Jesus calls us back constantly to the Kingdom. To the outpouring of the Lord’s love and mercy, the sheer generosity of His presence with us, His loving kindness for everyone. This is an abundance we can only receive through an awareness of our poverty, our hunger, our undeservedness. We have to be emptied, to be filled.Jesus emptied Himself, and took the road to humiliation and suffering on the Cross, so we can know His saving power and love in our lives. This is the true harvest, of all who turn to Jesus and are saved. This is the true blessing, that fills our lives to overflowing. In humility and thankfulness, the Gospel we are called to share. Jesus emptied Himself, and took the road to humiliation and suffering on the Cross, so we can know His saving power and love in our lives. This is the true harvest, of all who turn to Jesus and are saved. This is the true blessing, that fills our lives to overflowing. In humility and thankfulness, the Gospel we are called to share. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekLord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true faith, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord AmenGenerous God, you give us gifts and make them grow: though our faith is small as mustard seed, make it grow to your glory and the flourishing of your kingdom; AmenPeople to pray forFor farmers in our own nation, and those who are struggling in different parts of the worldFor young people seeking work for the first time
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 3rd August 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 3rd August 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 4th August 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 5th August 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 5th August 2:00 pm Thanksgiving Service for Margaret Smith (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 5th August 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 6th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 6th August 2:00 pm Burial of Ashes(at St Ed’s)Thursday 7th August 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 7th August 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 8th 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)Saturday 9th August 10.00 am Baptism (at St Ed’s)Also Sunday 10th August 2025, 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 10:30 am Holy Communion followed by coffeePlus livestream 11:15 service 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: August 10th 10:30 am Holy communion Service at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsAugust 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 refreshmentsStella 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=EMSad news Sondra Cummins died peacefully on 29th July. She was a wonderfully faithful and prayerful Christian who encouraged many by her faith and witness. Our prayers are with her family and her many friends.Funeral for Margaret Smith will be on Tuesday 5th August at 2.00pm at St Ed’s, followed by refreshments in churchTescos Drayton are inviting us to buy a stone and decorate it – in aid of Hall School. The stones are available for a donation of £1 from the Customer Services desk at Drayton TescosConfirmation 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
