Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” John 6 : 31 – 34Bible reading : John 6 : 24 - 35Thought for the weekIn our Gospel reading people are following Jesus, even chasing after Him, following the miracle of His feeding the crowd. They come searching, wanting more, questioning, wondering what happens now.In many ways these days of the Pandemic are the same. Every day there are a new set of questions, challenges, speculating about what happens next, people looking for hope, looking for action and answers.Jesus meets the crowd’s searching with a simple few words. To look to the One sent by the Father, and believe. Jesus tells the people to lay aside their assumptions, their expectations from the past, their limited vision that leads them into blind corners and hopelessness. They are looking for bread, however spiritual (like the manna given to the Israelites in the desert). Jesus tells them, He is the bread of Life.In these days we are called to believe. To listen to Jesus, to follow, to pray and to allow Him to sustain us, lead us, grow us as people of faith.Praise be that we have Jesus. He calls us to trust in Him for each day, and allow His love to sustain us and lead us. Rev PaulPrayer for today Almighty God,who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church:open our hearts to the riches of your grace,that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,Amen.Gracious Father, revive your Church in our day,and make her holy, strong and faithful,for your glory’s sake in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 1st August 9:30am Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s)Sunday 1st August 11:15 am Traditional Sunday Service (at St Ed’s)Sunday 1st August 11:15 am on-location Sunday Worship (livestream)Sunday 1st August 2:00 pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Sunday 1st August 6:30 pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 3rd August 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s and livestream), refreshments (outside)10am til12 noonTuesday 3rd August 5:00 pm Rspace (for details contact Rev Paul)Wednesday 4th August 9:00 am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 4th August 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 5th August 6:00 pm Wedding rehearsalFriday 6th August 3:00 pm Wedding (at St Ed’s)Saturday 7th August 11:00 am Baptism (at St Ed’s)Saturday 7th August 12:30 am Baptism (at St Ed’s)Additionally at 8am daily (daily except Wednesday and Sunday) 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.AdditionallyRingland: future services at St Peter’s: Sunday 8th August 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden Sunday 12th September 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden Tuesdays are back! We now have Tiny Tunes in church from 10.00am and will be serving teas and coffees (outside) 10.00am to 12.00pm. Everyone welcome!St Ed’s Arts group will not be meeting in August. The Group will be resuming in September at Trinity Church. Further details from Jane Dryden.Norfolk Churches Trust Walk/Cycle/Drive Saturday 11th September 2021, 9.00am to 5.00pm. A chance to call in at as many churches as you can and raise money for Norfolk Churches. Details and sponsorship forms from rev Paul.Or visit Norfolk Churches Trust website at https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk/
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people? John 6 : 8 - 9Bible reading : John 6 : 1 - 21Thought for the weekAs Jesus comes to feed the five thousand he is already surrounded by the huge range of human challenges and needs. People are coming to Him for healing and for hope. They are gathering in great numbers for comfort, to hear His voice, to listen to His teaching, to receive from Jesus hope of rescue, and a glimpse of a better future.How extraordinary that Jesus somehow manages to meet all these needs. He deals with people individually through countless healing miracles. He meets the needs of the crowd by the miracle of the loaves and fish, not only physically feeding so many, but assuring them of the Lord’s Presence with them, gathering them as His people, sharing with them His hope for each of their lives. Later He even walks on water to meet the disciples in their boat.Our lives are full of hurdles, difficulties, needs and seeming impossibilities. Jesus somehow turns all of these into opportunities, into new horizons, into hope. With Jesus all things are possible, and more than this, from needs and challenges Jesus brings hope and new life. What do we need to bring to Him today? How do we need to trust in Him more, in His power and love? Rev PaulPrayer for today (A confession)Merciful God,You see deep into our hearts and know us better than we know ourselves.Forgive us we pray.For the times we turn away from Your word,remind us that You are the Lord our God,our eternal protector and guide.For our impulses of anger and jealousy, scorn or spite,grant us Your healing peace.For our resistance to forgiveness, generosity and mercy,inspire us with Your compassionate loveFor Jesus’ sake. AmenAssurance of ForgivenessWelcome now the abundant grace of God:in Jesus, our sins are forgiven.And let God's love comfort and heal our souls.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 25th July 9.30am Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s)Sunday 25th July 11:15 am Traditional Sunday Service (at St Ed’s)Sunday 25th July 11:15 am on-location Sunday Worship (livestream)Sunday 25th July 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 27th July 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s and livestream), refreshments (outside)10am til12 noonTuesday 27th July 5:00pm Rspace (for details contact Rev Paul)Wednesday 28th July 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 28th July 10.30am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 29th July 6:00pm Wedding rehearsal (at St Ed’s)Friday 30th July 9:30 to 12 noon St Eds Art Group (at Trinity Church)Friday 30th July 1.30pm Wedding (at St Ed’s)Saturday 31st July 12.00noon Baptism (at St Ed’s)Sunday 1st August 2.00pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Additionally at 8am daily (daily except Wednesday and Sunday) 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.AdditionallyGUIDELINES FOR COVID SAFETY POST 19th JULY· We will continue to have hand sanitiser at the door· We ask everyone coming into church to continue wearing masks and maintain a sensible distance where possible· We will not have singing indoors – just outside· We will now offer the option of receiving the Host dipped in the wine by the priest. People can continue to receive the Host only or a blessing if preferred· We will continue to meet outside where possible · We will continue to record the names of those who attend services and other meetings/events in church, and everyone attending is asked to fill their names and contact number in the book at the door please.Ringland: future services at St Peter’s: Sunday 8th August 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden Sunday 12th September 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden Tuesdays are back! We now have Tiny Tunes in St Ed's church from 10.00am and will be serving teas and coffees (outside) 10.00am to 12.00pm. Everyone welcome!Norfolk Churches Trust Walk/Cycle/Drive Saturday 11th September 2021, 9.00am to 5.00pm. A chance to call in at as many churches as you can and raise money for Norfolk Churches. Details and sponsorship forms from rev Paul.Or visit Norfolk Churches Trust website at https://norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk/bike-ride-walk/Dippy at the Cathedral The dinosaur has arrived – on show from 13th July. Details on the Cathedral website : https://www.cathedral.org.uk/dippy-on-tour
