Will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’ Luke 18 : 7 - 8Readings this week Luke 18 : 1 - 8Some thoughts for this weekIt is good to be reminded that Jesus knows our world, and has lived within it. With all its troubles, conflicts, challenges and negative voices. Also that Jesus Himself knows us, because He lived as one of us. He knows our pitfalls and temptations. Our struggles to stay true and not always to put ourselves first. So Jesus tells a Parable in our Gospel reading that is full of human stuff and the difficulties and frustrations of our broken world. Where a poor unfortunate woman seeks the help of a harsh and indifferent judge, and persists in the way we are to persevere in our prayers, even when an answer seems long in coming.Of course the breakthrough in Gaza and Israel, even though on a knife edge, is a wonderful answer to prayers for release, for healing and for peace. Even the situation in Ukraine has elements of hope.Yet Jesus is also speaking about justice for those who are weak, who call to Him. And faith that enables prayers to be answered and Jesus’ Kingdom to break through. Jesus’ perspective is so much bigger than ours, and goes far beyond the limit of our vision or hopes for answered prayer. It is His Kingdom that brings healing and freedom. So He calls us to pray’ Your kingdom Come’ in our broken world, beginning with us. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty and everlasting God, increase in us your gift of faith that, forsaking what lies behind and reaching out to that which is before, we may run the way of your commandments and win the crown of everlasting joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, AmenGod, our judge and saviour, teach us to be open to your truth and to trust in your love, that we may live each day with confidence in the salvation which is given through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenWe praise the Lord and give thanks for…Our harvest celebrations, in church and with the schools. They have all been wonderful times!For Emmy, Danielle and Samantha being welcomed to Holy Communion, and for all the children we have contact withOur visiting ministry and 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 19th October 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children - Admission of children to Holy Communion. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 19th October 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 20th October 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 21st October 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 21st October 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 22nd October 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 23rd October 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 23rd October 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 24th October 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 25th October 3:00 pm Wedding (at St Eds’) Also Sunday 26th October 2025, At St Ed’s 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 Service of the word. Plus livestream 11:15 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.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: October 26th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sNovember 9th 10:30 am Remembrance Service at St Peter’sMustard Tree – the Admission of Danielle, Samantha and Emmy to Holy Communion is today (Sunday 19th October) at 9.30am. Everyone is welcome to join for this special time!Shoebox appeal is upon us! (service on 2nd November) Leaflets are in St Ed’s. If you have spare shoeboxes please kindly leave them at the back of St Ed’s. We will be in St Ed’s on Wednesday 29th October from 2.00pm to 5.00pm to make up shoeboxes using any donated loose items. Please join us! Bibles for children the Year 3 children love to receive their Bibles each year. They are coming into church on 5th December. They will then have the Bibles to read of Jesus’ Nativity themselves. Any donations would be very gratefully received! Rev PaulSt Ed's Christmas Fair - Saturday 29th November 12 midday to 3pm. Please keep this day free so you can be part of the fun and consider helping too! for at least part of the time. There will be a sign-up sheet for this. Tombola, bottle, raffle prizes are needed and also toys, books and jigsaws. More information from Sue Elmes and Sue Beevor Confirmation Please let Rev Paul know if you or someone you know is interested in being confirmed in the New year
When He saw them, He said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.Luke 17 : 14 - 15Thought for this weekIt is only right at this time of harvest and thanksgiving that we praise the Lord for answering our prayers. It seems the situation in Gaza and Israel has reached a breakthrough. The Lord does answer prayer, and He brings hope amidst the rubble, with aid starting to arrive and families being reunited. There are signs of new beginnings.In our gospel reading Jesus turns a terrible situation around. Ten lepers, suffering greatly, outcast from their families, without hope of a cure, and Jesus sends them to the Temple, and they are healed on the way. So often the answer to our prayers comes in unexpected ways. So often it is the answer to our prayers that challenges our faith, makes us look deeper. Causes us to question our priorities and the way ahead.Just one man came back to Jesus to give thanks. For the other nine did their lives change much? They were healed, but maybe they carried on the life they had before. Their healing may have been physical only. But the one who went back went back to Jesus. Knelt, thanked, worshiped Him. It is the heartfelt encounter with Jesus that changes us. Can we meet with Him today? Rev Paul Prayer for this weekAlmighty God, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you: pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself, and so bring us at last to your heavenly city where we shall see you face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, AmenGod, the Holy Spirit, You are the restless wind of love that sweeps through the world. You blow where you will, breaking down barriers, Stirring hearts to change, making all things possible. Make us restless for change – even impossible change. May the harvest of your goodness bring justice and hope. And, for us, transformation in our praying and living, So all may share in the harvest of your blessings. Amen.http://third-space.org.uk/blogWe praise the Lord and give thanks for…All the children in our churchesFor the freedom to worshipFor the opportunities we have to study God’s word together
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 12th October 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 12th October 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 12th October 10:30 am Communion service (at St Peter’s)Sunday 12th October 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s)Monday 13th October 10.00 am Funeral (at St Ed’s)Monday 13th October 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 14th October 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 15th October 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 16th October 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 16th October 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 17th October 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)Friday 17th October 2:30 am Langley Pre-prep Harvest (at St Ed’s)Also Sunday 19th October 2025, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree (Admission of children to Holy Communion), 11:15 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: October 12th 10:30 am Holy Communion at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsOctober 26th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sNovember 9th 10:30 am Remembrance Service at St Peter’sMustard Tree – the Admission of Danielle, Samantha and Emmy to Holy Communion - will be on Sunday 19th October at 9.30am. Everyone is welcome to join for this special time!Shoebox appeal is upon us! (service on 2nd November) Leaflets are in church. If you have spare shoeboxes please kindly leave them at the back of church.Bibles for children the Year 3 children love to receive their Bibles each year. They are coming into church on 5th December. They will then have the Bibles to read of Jesus’ Nativity themselves. Any donations would be very gratefully received! Rev PaulAnnual Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride Molly and Polly raised £500, and Rev Paul and Thomas £1,000. 50% will be donated to St Ed’s and St Peter’s (for the electrics to be overhauled) respectively by the Trust. Thank you so much to everyone who supported us!St Ed's Christmas Fair - Saturday 29th November 12 midday to 3pm. Please keep this day free so you can be part of the fun and consider helping too! for at least part of the time. There will be a sign-up sheet for this. Tombola, bottle, raffle prizes are needed and also toys, books and jigsaws. More information from Sue Elmes and Sue Beevor Confirmation we have the possibility of a Confirmation service in the new year. If you would like to be confirmed, or if you would like to invite someone, please let Rev Paul knowSt Ed’s needs…a new Treasurer, a Safeguarding officer, people to join the Thursday cleaning team, and someone to coordinate the shoebox appeal in September and October each year.. Please pray that the Lord will call people for these roles. (could it be you?) Further details from the Churchwardens.
