He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’ Matthew 13 : 31 - 32Readings this week 1 Kings 3 : 5 - 12; Romans 8 : 26 - end; Matthew 13 : 13 – 33, 44 - 52Thought for this weekOften we think in terms of how the Kingdom of God can be served so well through small things. Acts of kindness. Words of encouragement. Our prayers however simple and brief, or even hurried. A heartfelt act or word of witness to Jesus, however tentative or afraid. In each of these ways our service to Jesus matters!So Jesus in His parables, especially the ones we hear this week, are of relatively small things. A tiny seed. A small amount of yeast. A box in a field. A jewel. A catch of fish.Yet each one shows that however small seeming the scale, in the Kingdom the Lord always works on the most massive of transformations. The impact of each of these items is huge, massive, life – changing. In a word, ‘Biblical’. Jesus replied when He was before Pilate, ‘My Kingdom is not of this world’. (John 18 : 36). The Kingdom of God breaks out wherever Jesus’ name is revered. Wherever prayers are offered in His name. Situations are transformed. Peace breaks through. Priorities are turned upside down. The poor, the vulnerable, are showered with grace. This is the kingdom Jesus brings, beyond all human imagining. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekO God, Jesus taught that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be also. In this hour, we come bringing our treasures— all that we have and all that we are. We come seeking your treasure— treasure that does not fade, decay, or disappoint. Share with us the treasure of heaven, that we may boldly share it with others. Amen.Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl, https://bjhlog.wordpress.com/2020/02/19/nl-mark-1017-31-the-rich-young-man-march-1-2020/Lord 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; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenWe give thanks for…..Baby Lily’s safe arrivalFor NewdayThe work of Open DoorsOur ministry to the Care Homes
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 26th July 8:00 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s) Sunday 26th July 9:30 am Mustard Tree Church– informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s) Sunday 26th July 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s) Sunday 26th July 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 26th July 1:00 pm Baptism (at St Peter’s) Sunday 26th July 1:30 pm Baptism (at St Ed’s) Sunday 26th July 3:00 pm The Gathering@Ringland (Informal Garden Church) (at St Peter’s) Monday 27th July 3.00 pm Funeral (at St Ed’s) Monday 27th July 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s) Tuesday 28th July 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café (at St Ed’s) includes activities for children Tuesday 28th July 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s) Wednesday 29th July 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s ) Thursday 30th July 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s ) Thursday 30th July 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Sunday 2nd August 9:30 am Mustard Tree Church– informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s) Sunday 2nd August 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s) Monday 3rd August 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s) Tuesday 4th August 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café (at St Ed’s) includes activities for children Wednesday 5th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s ) Thursday 6th August 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s ) Thursday 6th August 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Also Sunday 9th August 2026. At St Ed’s 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word, On-line 11:15 livestream service, At St Peter’s 10:30 Cafe Communion followed by picnic on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'. Everyone welcome. Additionally Ringland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: July 26th 1pm Baptism(at St Peter’s)July 26th 3pm The Gathering @ Ringland (at St Peter’s) August 9th 10:30 am Café Communion, followed by picnic (at St Peter’s) August 23rd 3pm The Gathering @ Ringland (at St Peter’s) Wonderful news! Sean and Charlotte’s baby has arrived! Lily Frances Katherine Austin 8lb4 Born 2:57 am 24/7/26 We praise the Lord for this wonderful news. Tuesday mornings at St Ed’s is for all ages and meets over the summer with toys and games for children and their carers, and tea, coffee and pastries. All welcome! Open Doors monitors the plight of persecuted Christians across the world. Their latest initiative is for us to pray for named Christians. There are cards available with details of individuals. Please ask Rev Paul for more details New Day is an amazing Christian conference for young people on our doorstep – at the Showground. Please pray for inspiring teaching and a wonderful experience for them. Harvest at St Ed’s will be on Sunday 4th October Harvest at St Peter’s will be on Sunday 13th September At all harvest services we will be collecting items for the Norwich Foodbank. Prayers at St Ed’s will continue through the summer months : Mondays 5.00pm, Wednesday mornings at Holy Communion, Compline Thursdays 7.00pm. Please join us! Streams If you would like to join a group, please sign the sign up sheet at the back of St Ed’s. Further details about joining a group, from Rev Paul Cursillo Are you interested in Cursillo? A Christian discipleship weekend held in September? Details : Rev Stella 07815 089704
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. Matthew 13 : 24 - 26Readings this week Isaiah 44 : 6 - 8; Romans 8 : 12 - 25; Matthew 13 : 24 – 30, 36 – 43Thought for this weekIn Matthew Chapter 13 Jesus gives us a whole range of parables. In each of them He is speaking about something precious amidst the very ordinary things.There is a range of everyday activity here, from sowing, to gathering, to preparing food, to buying and selling. Pictures about human skills, and hopes, and choices that we all share. And into all this activity Jesus speaks words of the Kingdom. About the Lord’s sovereign rule. About what is most precious. About the Kingdom that is so often seemingly hidden, and yet is unstoppable. The parable this week is challenging. About the separation of the wicked from the righteous. It is uncompromising. Harsh even. Until we realise this is Jesus Himself speaking. The one who has brought the Kingdom into our lives. Who offers everyone His grace, His compassion. His love. The one who has brought all our choices together into one. To choose Him. To follow Jesus. To live in His life and in His hope.Jesus is the one who offers each of us the Kingdom and eternal life in Him. Something so precious that begins now in the everyday when we choose Jesus. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekIn you alone we put our hope, God the Father, Creator and Sustainer, who gives all good things, seen and unseen. In you alone we put our hope, God the Son, Saviour and Redeemer, who died for our sins and rose again. In you alone we put our hope, God the Spirit, Teacher and Comforter, who moves us to sing“Our God reigns!”In you alone we put our hope.~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com Generous 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; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenWe give thanks for…..Summer holidaysFor God’s word, the BibleFor those being married at this time
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 19th July 9:30 am Mustard Tree Church– informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s) Sunday 19th July 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s) Sunday 19th July 2:00 pm Baptism (at St Ed’s) Monday 20th July 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s) Tuesday 21st July 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café (at St Ed’s) Tuesday 21st July 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s) Wednesday 22nd July 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s ) Thursday 23rd July 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s ) Thursday 16th July 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 24th July 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 26th July 2026. At St Ed’s 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word, 1:30 Baptism On-line 11:15 livestream service, At St Peter’s 3.00 pm The Gathering on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'. Everyone welcome. Additionally Ringland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: July 25th Wedding (at St Peter’s) July 26th 3pm The Gathering @ Ringland (at St Peter’s) August 9th 10:30 am Café Communion, followed by picnic (at St Peter’s) Pilgrim Paul has now journeyed onto Edinburgh after his three week stay with us. As before it has been a time of interesting and challenging conversations, and some fascinating links with the Orthodox Churches in our area. Please pray for his journey. Year 6’s Leavers Service happened at St Ed’s on Friday, a very special time of prayer and thanksgiving on a momentous day for them. We were also able to distribute Bibles to them, for those who chose to take them. 77 children accepted Bibles! We praise Jesus for this special time. Shoeboxes Appeal Brenda Clarke has very kindly taken on organising the shoeboxes this year, and the launch will be in September. Any spare Christmas wrapping paper or empty shoeboxes, please leave them at the back of St Ed’s. Thank you! Streams is an initiative from the Diocese encouraging us to share our stories of faith and the Lord’s love in our lives, and to help us to listen to one another in our life journey. A number of groups are forming for us to tell one another our stories. Further details Rev Paul Cursillo Are you interested in Cursillo? A Christian discipleship weekend held in September? Details : Rev Stella 07815 089704 Prayers at St Ed’s will continue through the summer months : Mondays 5.00pm, Wednesday mornings at 10:30 Holy Communion, Compline Thursdays 7.00pm. Please join us!
