He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark 10 : 13 - 16Readings this week Psalm 139; Mark 10 : 13 - 16Some thoughts for this weekThis has been a week of changes and new beginnings, not least in all we see around us. Autumn has begun, and it seemed to start as soon as the schools returned and the new term began. I wonder how many changes the children see in themselves and each other? I wonder how many are adjusting to having grown and started in new classes or schools.All our lives are full of changes, and we move through seasons in our lives. Yet the Lord is the one who does not change. Whose love is constant. Whose nature is the same from one generation to another. (Psalm 90)Today in our services and during this week we are praying for the schools as they begin again. For the challenges and joys of the staff, parents, governors, and especially for the children. No matter what age we are and what season in life, the Lord goes ahead of us and is with us. (Psalm 139 : 5) So we are called to keep trusting in the Lord, and to keep growing in Him. We are each called to listen to Jesus each day, to read the Word, and to learn from Him. The Lord is at work in us all the time, helping us to change, We never stop growing. The Lord never stops helping us to grow in Jesus. Rev Paul Prayers for this weekAlmighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray and to give more than either we desire or deserve: pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, AmenGod of constant mercy, who sent your Son to save us: remind us of your goodness, increase your grace within us, that our thankfulness may grow, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forFor Rev Phil and the Diocesan visit to Papua New GuineaFor our PCC meeting this weekFor a new school year
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 7th September 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 7th September 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 8th September 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Monday 8th September 7.30 pm PCC (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 9th September 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 9th September 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th September 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 11th September 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 11th September 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 12th September 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 12th September 10.00 am Burial of ashes (at St Ed’s)Friday 12th September 12.00 noon Funeral (at St Peter’s)Saturday 13th September Norfolk Churches Trust sponsored walk/bike ride. St Eds and St Peter’s will both be openAlso Sunday 14th September 2025, At St Ed’s 8:00 am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word Plus livestream 11:15 service at St Peter’s 10:30 am Harvest Service 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: September 14th 10:30 am Harvest and dedication of Eleni at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsSeptember 28th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sOctober 12th 10:30 am Holy Communion at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsSchools the new school year and term started this week. We are taking the opportunity today in our services to pray for our schools, the teachers and staff, and the children. You are invited to pray for a school we are connected with each day this weekFrances' Licensing All are welcome to the Cathedral at 10.30am on 20th September for Frances' Licensing to serve as an LLM at St. Edmund's and St. Peter's. We will also celebrate at the 11.15am Service on 21st 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 knowBibles for children Any donations would be very gratefully received!Annual Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride is on Saturday 13th September. Molly and Polly are again cycling for St Ed’s, and Rev Paul is planning a coastal walk for St Peter’s. If anyone would like to join Rev Paul please let him know. You would be welcome to join the walk.
Then he turned to his host. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbours. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” Luke 14 : 12 - 14Readings this week Proverbs 25 : 6 - 7; Hebrews 13 : 1 – 8, 15 - 16; Luke 14 : 1. 7 - 14Some thoughts for this weekIn our Gospel reading Jesus accepts a dinner invitation from a Pharisee, but He is being ‘carefully watched’. Jesus goes on to speak about true hospitality being from God’s heart of love. These are some prayers written on this theme: Hospitable God, you invite us to a banquet where the last may be first, and the humble and the mighty trade places. Let us share your abundance with no fear of scarcity; let us greet strangers as angels you have sent! Send your Spirit now so that we may find a place at your table and welcome others with radical hospitality. In the name of Jesus, Guest at all our tables, we pray. Amen.Rev. Christopher Ney, and posted on website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/year-c/p/pentecost-ordinary-time-15.htmlHospitality PrayerHoly God, hospitality does not always come easily. There are so many other things to do, important things. I have responsibilities that get in the way of my best intentions. Give me eyes to see that possibilities and a heart big enough to make room for someone else. Amen.aneno Huandikwa Kwa Choo. Posted https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=175390252539942&story_fbid=490855277660103Prayers for this weekO God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenGod of glory, the end of our searching, help us to lay aside all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom, and to give all that we have to gain the pearl beyond all price, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. AmenPeople to pray forFor children, staff and parents as the new school year and new term beginsFor all those meeting with Jesus for the first time
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Please note there will be no online service on Sunday 31st August:Sunday 31st August 8:00am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 31st August 10:30am Joint Service (at St Ed’s)Monday 1st September 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 2nd September 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 2nd September 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 3rd September 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 4th September 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 4th September 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 5th September 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 7th September 2025, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy CommunionEveryone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: September 14th 10:30 am Harvest and dedication of Eleni at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsSeptember 28th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sOctober 12th 10:30 am Holy Communion at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsTescos Drayton stones appeal for Hall School Thank you to everyone who contributed by painting stones or donating. An amazing total of £1,450 was raised by Tescos towards a minibus and we were able to contribute a significant sum, and contributed stones. Thank you to everyone who took part.Frances' Licensing All are welcome to the Cathedral at 10.30am on 20th September for Frances' Licensing to serve as an LLM at St. Edmund's and St. Peter's. We will also celebrate at the 11.15am Service on 21st 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=EMBibles for children we aim to donate Bibles to the Year 3’s before Christmas. Any donations would be very gratefully received!Annual Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride is on Saturday 13th September. Molly and Polly are again cycling for St Ed’s, and Rev Paul is planning a coastal walk for St Peter’s. If anyone would like to join Rev Paul please let him know.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 interested
