The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. ” Luke 2 : 8 - 11Readings this week : 2 Samuel 7 : 1 – 11, 16; Romans 16 : 25 - end; Luke 1 : 26 - 38Thought for this weekThe shepherds carried the excitement of the Good News that Jesus had been born. They had experienced the announcement of the angels (I imagine shepherds were people not easily phased by hardship, danger or even unexplained phenomena – but this was clearly something else!). They ‘hurried’ to Bethlehem, and then spread the word about what they had seen, who they had met.Yet in the very next verse Luke records, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (v19). Luke repeats these words when the new family come into the temple and meet Simeon and Anna (v51).Christmas is a time for excitement, wonder, joy. Yet we are also called over the next days and weeks to take Jesus’ birth deep into our lives. To retreat for a while. Ponder, reflect on our lives and all that has been happening to us. What Christ’s birth says to us about being restored in Him, renewed. How what we see and know has been changed.We all need a time of retreat, of quietness, of peace and renewal. Jesus’ birth comes in the depths of Winter. As we draw into our homes, into ourselves, we can allow the Lord to speak into our lives and renew us. Rev Paul Prayers this weekAlmighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Sonto take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin:grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace,may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit;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. AmenLord Jesus Christ,your birth at Bethlehem draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:accept our heartfelt praise as we worship you, our Saviour and our eternal God. AmenPeople to pray for :Those away from their families this ChristmasThose showing Jesus love to those in need or suffering
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 24th December 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th December 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th December 11:15 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th December 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 24th December 3:30 pm Christingle service (at St Ed’s and livestream) Sunday 24th December 5:00 pm Christingle service (at St Ed’s) Sunday 24th December 6:30 pm Carol Service (at St Peter’s)Sunday 24th December 11:00 pm Midnight Communion (at St Eds) Christmas Day 25th Monday December 0:00 am Midnight meditation (livestream) Christmas Day Monday 25th December 10:00 am Christmas Family Communion (at St Ed’s) Christmas Day Monday 25th December 10:30 am Christmas Communion (at St Peter’s) Wednesday 27th December 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 27th December 1:00 pm Burial of Ashes (at St Ed’s)Thursday 28th December 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Also Sunday 31sh December, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am 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: Christmas Eve 6:30 pm Carol Service in St Peter’sChristmas day 10:30 am Christmas Day Communion Service in St Peter’sJanuary14th 10:30 am Holy Communion in Ringland Village HallA St Ed’s Christmas tea – towel is available! A huge thank you to Justin who has produced it, to support our Building Project. On sale for £14. Please sign form at the back of St Ed’s if you would like to order one.Christian Aid donations over Christmas have amounted to £180.97 (including £15 through the QR code), plus £15 so far for the St Eds big Christmas card. Thank you to everyone who has contributed! The QR code is still working and can be found in the attached file for the carol service.Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our worship and celebrations of Christmas over the past weeks at our churches and in all the places of outreach in our community. It has been a wonderful time of praying, proclaiming, sharing and accompanying for many people. We pray that we may all grow in faith and in Jesus’ love.Tiny tunes and Tuesday café will restart on 9th January 2024 at 10.00am
“There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light”. John 1 : 6 - 8Readings this week : Isaiah 61; 1 Thessalonians 5 : 16 - 24 ; John 1 : 6 – 8, 19 – 28Thought for this weekJohn the Baptist breaks into these days before Christmas with his powerful message of repentance and faith. He has spent years in the wilderness preparing for his ministry. He lives a life of austerity and self denial, and lives out his message of turning back to the Lord. His faith in the Lord, and particularly in who Jesus is, is plain to see. His message is openly and dramatically clear. As we come close to the celebration of Christmas, John’s message comes as a reminder to the true meaning of the coming of Jesus. We are called to live in Jesus’ grace, love and hope. As we look to Jesus’ Second Coming we are called to remember these are awesome events that define our lives.As we prepare for Christmas, John’s message reminds us how we are called to witness to Jesus. We are called to live lives of faith. To believe and know that He is The Way, the Truth and the Life, come into our lives and into our world. Singing the carols. Showing kindness. Praying for our neighbours. Celebrating our faith. Joining with the excitement of the angels and shepherds. Giving to others, all speak of the wonder of this time. That Jesus, our Saviour and King, has come to us. Good News indeed Rev PaulPrayers this weekO Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you:grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight;for you are alive and reign with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenGod for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray for :For all those witnessing to Jesus today.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 17th December 9:30am Mustard Tree Nativity– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 17th December 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 17th December 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 17th December 6:30 pm Carol Service (at St Ed’s)Monday 18th December 10.00 am Ghost Hill Christmas Service (at St Ed’s)Monday 18th December 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Monday 18th December 6.00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 19th December 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 19th December 7:30 pm Taverham Band Carol Concert (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 20th December 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 21st December 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 21st December 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Friday 22nd December 2.00 pm til 4 pm Christingle making (at St Ed’s)Sunday 24th December, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word, 3:30 pm Christingle Service, 5 pm Christingle Service, 11pm Midnight Service. Plus online 11:15am Informal Service, 3:30 pm Christingle Service, 00:00 am Midnight meditation . Also at St Peter’s 6:30 pm Carol Service.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: Christmas Eve 6:30 pm Carol Service in St Peter’sChristmas day 10:30 am Christmas Day Communion Service in St Peter’sJanuary14th 10:30 am Holy Communion in Ringland Village HallCarol Service is on 17th December at 6.30pm, with a collection for Christian Aid. Please invite your friends and neighbours to come and sing carols. Donations to Christian Aid can be made using the QR code in the attached fileChristingle making we will be making Christingles on Friday 22nd December at St Ed’s between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. Everyone is welcome to come and help! All help greatly appreciated.
