Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4 : 1 - 2Readings this week Deuteronomy 26 : 1 - 11; Romans 10 : 8b - 13; Luke 4 : 1 - 13Thought for this weekWe might think of the desert as being a silent, empty place. Our Gospel reading relates Jesus’ time in the desert. Yet apparently deserts are full of sounds, some produced by the movement of the sand, others carried many miles on the wind. We might think of the desert as an empty place. yet even deserts are full of life, of plants, animals and birds.As we begin the journey of Lent we often think of a time of sparseness, of self – denial, even of solitude. Yet Lent offers us a time of fullness. Of rediscovering the Lord’s love. Of meeting with Jesus in a new way. Of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He ministers to us. As we journey in Lent can we use this opportunity to pause, reflect, spend focussed time in the Lord’s presence, and read His word?Jesus resists the devil by drawing on the Word. “One does not live by bread alone”. “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him. “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”. Lent is a time to read and listen. Let the Lord speak to us. Jesus says, ‘It is Written’. It has been written for us, so we can know the Truth of the Lord’s love for this world amidst the lies and confusion, So we can listen to Jesus the Living Word, and source of love and life. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekAlmighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; 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. AmenHeavenly Father, your Son battled with the powers of darkness, and grew closer to you in the desert: help us to use these days to grow in wisdom and prayer that we may witness to your saving love in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forFor more people to join in our worshipFor ourselves as we begin Lent
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 9th March 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 9th March 9:30am Mustard Tree Nativity– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 9th March 10:30 am Holy Communion (at Ringland Village Hall)Sunday 9th March 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s with livestream team)Monday 10th March 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Monday 10th March 7.30 pm PCC (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 11th March 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Wednesday 12th March 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 13th March 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 13th March 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s) Friday 14th March 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 16th March 2025, At St Ed’s, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communion Plus online 11:15am Informal Service. Also at Ringland Village Hall 10:30 Holy Communion. For 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: March 9th 10:30 am Communion Service at Ringland Village HallSunday 6th April 4.00pm The GatheringSunday 13th April 10.30am Holy Communion at St Peter’sThursday evening compline will be in church for the next few weeks, but will not be livestreamed. The service begins at 7.00pm, and is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Lord’s calm and peace. Everyone welcome. Opportunities to pray together in Lent the journey of Lent has begun, a time of pausing, of quietness, of reflection, of asking the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives. At St Eds, we have opportunities through the week to meet together to pray. Mondays at 5.00pm, Wednesdays at the Holy Communion service at 10.30am, Thursday evenings at 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome. The 2025 Diocesan Lent Appeal will raise money for the YANA (You Are Not Alone) telephone helpline. providing mental health support for people living and working in agricultural and rural communities.Pancake party thank you to everyone who took part. We raised £103 for Christian Aid.Teen Challenge are returning to St Ed’s at Pentecost, on 8th June, at 11.15am to give further testimony of all the Lord is doing in their lives.Electoral roll is being revised this year and everyone needs to complete a new application form. These are available at the back of church.Prayers for Healing from 23rd March we will be offering prayers for healing in the chancel, at St Eds, after the 11.15am service. We hope to be able to offer this after each 4th Sunday service. If you are interested in joining those who pray please let Rev Paul know.
As he was praying, …his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendour, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Luke 9 : 29 – 30Readings this week Exodus 34 : 29 – end; 2 Corinthians 3 : 12 – 4 : 2; Luke 9 : 28 - 36Thought for this weekOur Gospel reading today features Jesus’ Transfiguration. A truly spectacular, immensely powerful, life – changing and clearly divine event that leaves the disciples awestruck and overwhelmed. Yet amidst this revelation of Jesus’ power and authority there is a uniquely human touch. Referring to Peter’s on the spot suggestion of making shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, Luke the Gospel writer adds, ‘He did not know what he was saying’.It is a detail that includes us all in the awesomeness and brilliance of the event. In many ways it is this detail that points to all that will happen as Jesus journeys to Jerusalem. As we begin the season of Lent this week, we begin our own journey to remember and relive the events beginning with Jesus’ temptation and His eventual arrest, crucifixion and subsequent rising from the dead. Peter’s weakness, clumsiness, and sheer humanity reminds us amidst Jesus’ glory that this was His sacrifice for us. For our own sinful, stumbling humanity. For each of us in our confused, often fearful lives. For us who rely so completely on the compassion, grace and love of Jesus. This is our Good Shepherd, whose heart is open to us, whose arms are stretched wide for us, who offers forgiveness, welcome and joy in Him. Praise Him! Rev Paul People to pray forFor Kalum and his familyFor our praises, prayers and worship todayFor those who need Jesus’ assurance and peace.Prayers for this weekAlmighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenHoly God, you know the disorder of our sinful lives: set straight our crooked hearts, and bend our wills to love your goodness and your glory in Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenTransfiguration PrayerHoly One, We come before you, many of us feeling like we have climbed just a part of the mountain, and there is so much more of a climb left to even get to point to dream that we might be dazzled by what is Divine.Our loads are heavy, with worry, with regret, with fatigue, with illness, with despair for all in the world that is hurting, in danger, in bondage and more.We trudge ahead, following you, stumbling, hoping, praying... breathing hard, hearts pounding, and yes,even some of us are nimble and skipping.Lead us Lord, to the top of that mountain, where we might be dazzled by your Light, lifted by what is Divine, filled by the sheer delight of what is numinous and ethereal and grounded and real. We pray this, for ourselves, for one another,and for the worlds in which we live in. Amen.~ written by rev karla, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.blogspot.ca/
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 2nd March 9:30am Mustard Tree Nativity– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 2nd March 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 2nd March 1:00 pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Sunday 2nd March 4:00 pm The Gathering@Ringland (Informal Garden Church) (at St Peter’s)Monday 3rd March 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 4th March 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 4th March 2:30 pm til 4 pm Pancake party (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 4th March 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 5th March 10:30 am Holy Communion with Ashes (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 5th March 7:00 pm Holy Communion with Ashes (at St Ed’s )Thursday 6th March 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 6th March 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s) Friday 7th March 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 9th March 2025, At St Ed’s, 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word Plus online 11:15am Informal Service. Also at Ringland Village Hall 10:30 Holy Communion. For 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: March 2nd 4pm informal service at St Peter’sMarch 9th 10:30 am Communion Service at St Peter’sWelcome to Kalum, his family and his friends for his baptism today at St Ed’s at 1.00pm.Pancake party will be happening on Shrove Tuesday,4th March at St Ed’s, 2.30pm till 4.00pm. This is in support of Christian Aid. There are flyers in church. Please bring your friends.Lent begins on 5th March Ash Wednesday.The 2025 Diocesan Lent Appeal will raise money for the YANA (You Are Not Alone) telephone helpline. A Norfolk-based charity, YANA provides mental health support for people living and working in agricultural and rural communities, aiming to prevent loss of life through suicide.Thursday evening compline will be in church for the next few weeks, but will not be livestreamed. The service begins at 7.00pm, and is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Lord’s calm and peace. Everyone welcome. World Day of Prayer service at Drayton and Horsford Methodist Church on Friday 7th March at 1.30pm. Everyone is welcome.Rachel is doing well, and is enormously grateful for all the cards, prayers, gifts and good wishes for her recovery. Thank you so much. We also understand Gwendolyn is doing well in her recovery (from the same operation). Prayers for Healing from 23rd March we will be offering prayers for healing in the chancel at St Eds after the 11.15am service. We hope to be able to offer this after each 4th Sunday service. If you are interested in joining those who pray please let Rev Paul know.
