Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12 : 1 - 2Reading for this week :Hebrews 11 : 29 – 12 : 2Thought for the week I think for most of us the thought of running a race in this heat is beyond us! Even the Commonwealth Games seems a long way off now in these temperatures and challenges. Yet the writer to the Hebrews sees our journey as Christians as running the race with Jesus as our fixed point, our encourager and the one who calls us to Him. Running a race of persevering faith with a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on.This passage does not underestimate the challenges, or our constant need of encouragement. We are runners who flag, grow tired, become exhausted. Yet we have God’s word to encourage us and help us. We have the sacrificial love of Jesus who has gone before us and is the ’pioneer and perfecter’ of our faith through the Cross. We have the presence, strength and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We have the example and inspiration of all those who have lived out their faith.The victory has been won by Jesus, we are called to cross the finishing line in His hope and love, with His flag flying high in our lives. Just walking to the shops is a struggle! But we are all called to run the race of faith, living for Jesus in His love and forgiveness, and receive the gift of eternal life. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekYou have blessed us with saints all of our lives, God of the ages: those who put up with us, and those who prepared us for discipleship; those who have touched us with their compassion, and those who illumine the way for us. Through the valleys and over the hills, down the dusty streets of every village, saints travelled with you, Jesus, Child of grace and glory: those who impetuously chased after you, and those whose feet longed to turn back; those who jostled for your attention, and those who made sure little children were able to meet you. You surround us with saints, even when we don't recognize or much less appreciate them, Spirit of wonder: some live down the corner from us, while others are on the other side of the world; For all the saints of every age, especially ours, we give you our gratitude and praise, God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.~ written by Thom M. Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 14th August 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 14th August 9:30am Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 14th August 11:15 am Traditional Sunday Service, Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 14th August 11:15 am online Sunday service (livestream)Sunday 14th August 6:30 pm Sunday Club (livestream)- cancelled this week -sorryMonday 15th August 12 pm Funeral (at St Ed’s)Monday 15th August 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 16th August 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonWednesday 17th August 8:45 to 9:15 am Morning prayers (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 17th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 18th August 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 18th August 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Saturday 20th August 1:00 pm Wedding (at St Ed’s)Also Sunday 21st August: at St Ed’s 9.30am Mustard Tree including a baptism and 11.15am Holy Communion. Plus online 11:15am Informal Service and 6pm Sunday Club.Additionally at 8am daily (except Sunday) we will be posting a ‘Daily bitesize prayer’ on the St Ed's Facebook page.For on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events at St Peter’s: Saturday 8th October Domino Singers 3.00pm Autumn songs. For Christian Aid and St Peter’s Church.Thank you! to everyone for your prayers, good wishes and help during Rev Paul and Rachel’s bout of Covid. We really appreciate all the support we have received from churchwardens, members of the team and so many others. Thank you! Wanted: new or used T shirts and polo shirts and new boxer shorts for wounded Ukranian soldiers in hospital. Can be left at St Eds. Also needed a king size bed base (no mattress) for recently arrived Ukranian family. Many thanks. Rev ValRev Gill Osborne will be Licensed to Taverham with Ringland by Bishop Graham in his chapel on 8th September. We are so pleased to welcome Gill and David to our church family and to our life and ministry. Gill will be speaking at a celebration service at St Ed’s on 25th September at 11.15am.Ride and Stride The annual Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride is on Saturday 10th September. Everyone is invited to be sponsored in walking or cycling between churches to raise money for the Trust and for our churches. Further details are in St Ed’s and St Peter’s or visit the Norfolk Churches Trust website at https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk/Domino Singers will be at St Peter’s Saturday 8th October 3.00pm. Autumn songs, for Christian Aid and St Peter’s Church. Everyone welcome.Archdeacon’s visit our Archdeacon, Ven Keith James, will be visiting us on 18th September. We hope this will be a joyful celebration and affirmation of our life and ministry at St Ed’s and St Peter’s. Ven Keith will be pleased to meet members of our congregation and to join with us in our worship that day.
Unfortunately due to illness we have to cancel the meditation and Compline service that was due to be held at 7pm on Thursday 11th August 2022.We hope normal service will resume next week (19th August)
Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12 : 33 - 34Reading for this week : Luke 12 : 32 – 40 Thought for the weekOur Gospel reading this week features a master returning from a wedding celebration, expecting his servants to be ready to let him in and to serve him, no matter how late the hour. We are in the wedding season at St Ed’s and St Peter’s, and it is a real privilege to be involved in the wedding day of so many couples and their families. Days that have involved weeks of preparation and anticipation.Jesus speaks of us being ready to receive Him when he returns. He will one day come again to the earth in glory. He will come as Saviour and Judge, and all truth will be revealed.In the meantime we are called to be ready. In Revelation Jesus says of Himself, ‘See I stand at the door and knock’. We make ourselves ready now by opening the door to Jesus now. To receive His love and listen to His voice. Receive His promise of forgiveness and new life. We are called to lay aside our fears and anxieties, and receive Him into our lives. The true joy of belonging to Him. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekLord 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.Prayer (based on Psalm 145:15-16, Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35)Lord, the eyes of all look to You in hope;and You give them what they need.You open Your hand and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled— to eat of the Bread of Life,to drink from Your life-giving streams, to taste Your goodness and live.May the time we spend together in Your presence nourish our hearts and minds;may it strengthen our relationship with You, and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.For You alone are God, the Source and Sustainer of life.In Jesus’ name, Amen.
