Prayer for the week beginning Sunday 7th March 2021.“O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:1-3This week we will focus our prayer suggestions around the theme of gratitude. Take some time each day this week to pause and breath slowly. What are the blessings you have received from God today? Take some time each day to be intentional in giving thanks to God for all that is good. As you take time to notice what is good, let your thanksgiving lead you into prayer, in the assurance that God is good and hears our prayers.Some suggestions for prayer this week.For all those unwell with COVID and unwell because of COVID.For the schools as they go back.For the poorer nations of the world and co-vax scheme.For those struggling with poor mental health.For the lonely and afraid.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 7th March 9:30 am Communion, Rev Phil/Rev Paul Sunday 7th March 11:15am Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 7th March evening 6.30pm with Rachel (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 9th March 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 10th March 10.30am Rev Phil/Rev PaulWednesday 10th March 5.00pm Evening Prayer 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.AdditionallyEaster services The bishop has indicated that he hopes churches will be able to hold services on Easter Day (April 4th) this year, depending on Government advice. We will plan for services as soon as we can, but this is not likely to be confirmed until the week before Easter (e two weeks after the schools reopen). Watch this space!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.Prayers together in LentPlease join us at 8.00 each day on Facebook for our sixty second Bitesized Prayer. A different location at St Ed’s each day! If you would like to, please take a moment each day at 12.00 noon to join with Christians around the world to say The Lord’s Prayer. We also have thoughts and ideas for prayers and intercessions each day on our Prayer hub (see separate webpage).
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this. Mark 8 : 31 - 32Bible reading : Mark 8 : 31 - 38Thought of the weekIn our Gospel reading Mark the writer tells us ‘Jesus spoke plainly’. He told the disciples that He was to die on the Cross. Further than this Jesus sets out what it means to be a disciple. It is the way of sacrifice, dying to self. It is the hard way. Yet it is the way that leads to life, and even the gift of eternal life.I wonder if our view of sacrifice has changed in the Pandemic? There are sacrifices we have made where we may have questioned whether they were necessary. There have been others that clearly were vital for our safety and that of others. There have also been sacrifices that have brought hope and even life.It may well be sacrifices we have made – and this is awesome to think of – where we will not know the consequences this side of heaven.Jesus took the path to Jerusalem fully knowing the sacrifice He was called to make, and what the consequences would be. This is the Lord’s incredible love that for Jesus the way of sacrifice was something He embraced, and took willingly, for us, for His wonderful, life – giving love for us.As we journey in Lent, let us give thanks to Jesus for all His sacrifice means. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lentmay we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings,and by following in his Waycome to share in his glory;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St Edmund’s and St Peter's Church Prayer HubAs we pray this week and bring the concerns of our hearts to God let’s remind ourselves of the call to rejoice in the Lord. We can rejoice because we belong to God and to each other. We can rejoice because whatever we are going through God is present. As we enter prayer this week, whatever is on our hearts God is present and God loves us.You may like to use these suggestions for prayer this week:Sunday: We rejoice today in God’s unfailing love.Monday: For schools as they prepare to get ready to come back together nest week.Tuesday: For our government and the scientists as they guide us through the lifting of lockdown.Wednesday: For the nations needing support with supplies of vaccines.Thursday: For Paul and the ministry team as they seek God’s leading over these coming months.Friday: For ourselves, that we, both individually and as God’s people in Taverham and Ringland, may, Take up our cross and follow Jesus.’Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow.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
