Our Good Friday service will be livestreamed via the St Ed's Facebook page, and then uploaded as a video.the service sheet is attachedWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.
Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the centre of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,“Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Mark 11 : 8 - 9Bible reading : Mark : 11 : 1 - 11Thought of the weekThe journey into Jerusalem was not long. From where the disciples gathered the donkey, it was about a mile. Yet the Pandemic has shown us sometimes the shortest journeys can be the most important. Even the hardest. It might be a journey we’ve made in the past year to the hospital, or to a Care Home, but haven’t been able to go in. It might have been the journey for the vaccine, or even to post a card to someone we cannot see.Jesus made the hardest journey, for us. On the back of a donkey, signifying peace, but also submission. Laying aside His majesty. Surrendering His power. Giving His life for us. For the invitation into salvation and New Life.Jesus alone could make this journey. Yet He calls on His disciples. He calls on us to follow, to join the crowd, to cheer and wave, and then to go beyond. To witness the unbearable things. To look on the Cross and see the unimaginable love of Jesus, amidst our weakness, our distractedness, our sin.He calls us to follow, to fall silent, to pray. While He saves the world that carries on its normal day. Such incredible love for us. Such astonishing grace. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekTrue and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah:grant us the faith to know you and love you,that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross,which is the path of glory. Amen.
St Edmund’s Taverham and St Peter’s Ringland – Prayer Hub for Holy WeekWe come to Jerusalem and the final week of the earthly life of Jesus. We ponder again the scandal and shame of the cross, the place where we see the outpouring of God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness and love. As we take time this week to, ‘Survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died,’ we are invited again to revisit the events of this most sacred week and to wonder at God’s ultimate expression of love and allow them to breathe life into us.We shall base our prayer suggestions this week on the booklet The Easter Journey which gives a passage of scripture for each day to read and reflect on. You may then like to use the short prayer which Rachel has written to accompany it and use it as a pathway into prayer and meditation.Palm Sunday: Read and reflect on Luke 18:31, 19:29-40Let us pray.Lord Jesus as we remember your entry into Jerusalem and your passion to do your Father’s will, help us to be faithful followers of you. May our shouts of praise be filled with life and not hollow and empty. Hosanna! You are the God who saves, we cry. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Holy Monday: Read and reflect on John 2:13-21Let us pray.Lord of life, you show us the intensity of your love in ways that sometime shock us. Help us to hear your call to put you above all else in our lives and help us never to put obstacles in the way of others that prevent them from becoming aware of your presence in their lives.Holy Tuesday: Read and reflect on Mark 14:3-11Let us pray.Lord, we thank you for this woman who showed such immense devotion to you as she poured perfume on your feet. Help us to bring our devotion to you whatever the cost for you alone are worthy of our praise. Holy Wednesday: Read and reflect on John 13:1,34, and 14:1-6Let us pray.Lord, you show us what perfect love is and you command us to love like you. We don’t find this easy yet we want to do as you say. Please give us all we need to love like you and help us to be quick to say sorry when we mess it up.Maundy Thursday: Read and reflect on Luke 22:1-23Let us prayLord, during this last year we haven’t been able to receive communion. Thank you that you speak powerfully through everyday things like bread and wine. Help us to remember you in all the ordinary things of life, remembering that each moment is sacred gift from you. Good Friday: Read and reflect on John 19:16-30Let us prayLoving God, you did this for us. Thank you.Holy Saturday: Read and reflect on Luke 22:50-56Let us prayLord, as darkness descended and the world was hushed and waiting in agony not knowing what would happen, so we bring to you our often silent agonies and fears. As we wait in the darkness help to listen for hope. Please join us at 8am each day on Facebook for our Bitesized Prayer. Also, you may like to pause each day at 12pm with Christians all around the world who pray the Lord’s Prayer at their 12pm!! This is an ancient practice that unites us wherever we are in our unity in Christ.Attached is a sheet of the above in case you prefer to print a copy for reference
The livestreams are continuing with the following services being made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 28th March 9:30 am Spiritual Communion, Rev Phil/Rev Paul (livestream)Sunday 28th March 11:15am Rev Paul (service sheet attached) (livestream)Sunday 28th March evening 6.30pm with Rachel (for Sunday Club and the young at heart) (livestream)Tuesday 30th March 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Wednesday 31st March 10.30am Rev Phil/Rev Paul(livestream)Wednesday 31st March 5.00pm Evening Prayer (livestream)Wednesday 31st March 9.00pm Rachel’s Rectory Ramblings (livestream)Maundy Thursday, 1st April 7.30pm Worship to commemorate Maundy Thursday (livestream) Maundy Thursday, 1st April 9.00pm All – night Vigil (in individual homes)Good Friday, 2nd April 10.30am Service of prayer and reflection (livestream)Good Friday, 2nd April 2.00pm Church open for private prayer for the Last Hour of the CrossEaster Day, 4th April 6.00am Sunrise service with Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Easter Day, 4th April 9.30am Holy Communion for Easter (at St Ed’s and livestream)Easter Day, 4th April 11.00am Holy Communion for Easter (at St Peter’s)Easter Day, 4th April 11.15am Outdoor Communion for Easter (at St Ed’s and livestream)Easter Day, 4th April 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream) The sign up sheets are now in St Ed’s church for the Maundy Thursday vigil and the Easter Sunday services at 6.00am, 9.30am, 11.00am and 11.15am.Additionally at 8am daily (Monday to Saturday) we will be posting a ‘Daily bitesize prayer’ on the St Ed's Facebook pageWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyHoly Week resources. There are baskets in the St Ed's church porch with Palm Crosses, a Lifewords booklet with readings called ‘The Easter Journey’, and our prayer themes sheet. Please come along and help yourself to these resources for the approach to Holy Week.St Peter’s Appeal A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the appeal. Please pray for the ministry of St Peter’s at this exciting time. The appeal will continue until the end of March, as we explore the installation of a composting lavatory and running water. Any donations may be made by cash or by cheque payable to St Peter’s PCC Ringland and passed to Rev Paul. Thank you so much for your support.
