“And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ Then he told them a parable…..” Luke 12 : 15 - 16Readings this week Ecclesiastes 1 : 2, 12 – 14, 2 : 18 - 23; Colossians 3 : 1 - 11; Luke 12 : 13 - 21Thought for this weekThe field next to our house has just been harvested. It lasted most of the day. Huge trucks and machines to deal with the whole field all in one day. Clearly it was plentiful, and safely gathered. Jesus speaks about a farmer gathering his crops. There is more than enough. We think of a plentiful harvest, of abundance, coming from the Lord is His provision and grace. Yet not when the object is to hoard. To gloat. To keep the blessing to ourselves. Not when the plenty becomes an object in itself. Pushing the Lord, the provider, out.Jesus calls us back constantly to the Kingdom. To the outpouring of the Lord’s love and mercy, the sheer generosity of His presence with us, His loving kindness for everyone. This is an abundance we can only receive through an awareness of our poverty, our hunger, our undeservedness. We have to be emptied, to be filled.Jesus emptied Himself, and took the road to humiliation and suffering on the Cross, so we can know His saving power and love in our lives. This is the true harvest, of all who turn to Jesus and are saved. This is the true blessing, that fills our lives to overflowing. In humility and thankfulness, the Gospel we are called to share. Jesus emptied Himself, and took the road to humiliation and suffering on the Cross, so we can know His saving power and love in our lives. This is the true harvest, of all who turn to Jesus and are saved. This is the true blessing, that fills our lives to overflowing. In humility and thankfulness, the Gospel we are called to share. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekLord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true faith, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord AmenGenerous God, you give us gifts and make them grow: though our faith is small as mustard seed, make it grow to your glory and the flourishing of your kingdom; AmenPeople to pray forFor farmers in our own nation, and those who are struggling in different parts of the worldFor young people seeking work for the first time
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 3rd August 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 3rd August 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Monday 4th August 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 5th August 10:00 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 5th August 2:00 pm Thanksgiving Service for Margaret Smith (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 5th August 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 6th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 6th August 2:00 pm Burial of Ashes(at St Ed’s)Thursday 7th August 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 7th August 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 8th August 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 9th August 10.00 am Baptism (at St Ed’s)Also Sunday 10th August 2025, At St Ed’s 8:00 am Holy Communion , 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word at St Peter’s 10:30 am Holy Communion followed by coffeePlus 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: August 10th 10:30 am Holy communion Service at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsAugust 24th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sSeptember 14th 10:30 am Harvest and dedication of Eleni at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsStella 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=EMSad news Sondra Cummins died peacefully on 29th July. She was a wonderfully faithful and prayerful Christian who encouraged many by her faith and witness. Our prayers are with her family and her many friends.Funeral for Margaret Smith will be on Tuesday 5th August at 2.00pm at St Ed’s, followed by refreshments in churchTescos Drayton are inviting us to buy a stone and decorate it – in aid of Hall School. The stones are available for a donation of £1 from the Customer Services desk at Drayton TescosConfirmation 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
‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11 : 9 – 10Readings this week Genesis 18 : 20 - 32; Colossians 2 : 6 - 15; Luke 11 : 1 - 13Thought for this weekIn our Gospel reading the disciples come to Jesus asking, ‘Teach us to pray’. These are men (and women and children) who have been praying since childhood in their family gatherings, in the synagogues and temple, even each day. Now they ask Jesus to teach them to pray. In other words in the life – changing, sincere, open and honest way He prays to the Father.It has been the end of term this week. Many young people are now planning their summer, thinking about the next stage of life, moving classes or even schools, or moving to higher education or into employment. So many changes, and so many journeys.Jesus tells a parable of a friend on a journey who comes at midnight, asking for food. Jesus is speaking about prayer. Turning to the Father in prayer for the grace and mercy, love and strength we each need day. Persisting in prayer and being bold in prayer to ask, “knock and the door will be opened to you”. We are each on our journey in life. Are we persistent in our prayers? Are we bold in asking? Do we expect the Lord to answer? Do we look for the answers? Jesus reassures us and challenges us. Prayer is such a privilege. With faith in Jesus it is such a gift in all life brings us. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekMerciful God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward you that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Creator God, you made us all in your image: may we discern you in all that we see, and serve you in all that we do; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenPeople to pray forFor the 12,000 youngsters at Newday at the Showground this week. A Christian gathering of teaching and worship. We pray for the work of the Holy Spirit and give thanks for this ministryFor those we know whose lives are hard or are grieving at this time
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 27th July 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 27th July 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 27th July 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s)Sunday 27th July 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Sunday 27th July 3:00 pm The Gathering@Ringland (Informal Garden Church) (at St Peter’s)Monday 28th July 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 29th July 10:30 am til 12 noon Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 29th July 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 30th July 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Thursday 31st July 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 31st July 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 1st August 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 2nd August 11.00 am Wedding (at St Ed’s)Also Sunday 3rd August 2025, At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy CommunionFor 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: The Gathering will now happen on the fourth Sundays of each month, from 3.00m to 5.00pmJuly 27th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sAugust 10th 10:30 am Holy communion Service at St Peter’s followed by refreshmentsAugust 24th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sSt Benet’s Abbey Annual Service is toay ( Sunday 27th July) 3.30 at St Benets Abbey NR12 8NJ A moving ecumenical open air service in the presence of the Abbot of St Benet’s, the Bishop of Norwich at the historic site of St Benet’s Abbey, alongside the river Bure. The Bishop will arrive by wherry and process to the cross at the site of the Abbey.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=EMThe Gathering will be today (27th) at St Peter’s Ringland. 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Faith, Food, Family Fun and figuring our life together Rev Phil’s trip to PNG donations can still be made for Phil’s trip to GranvilleFuneral for Margaret Smith will be on Tuesday 5th August at 2.00pm Tescos Drayton are inviting us to buy a stone and decorate it – in aid of Hall School
