He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6 : 31Bible reading : Mark 6 : 30 – 34, 53 - 56Thought for the weekIn each of the readings from Mark’s Gospel set for this Sunday Jesus is recognised. In each there has been a flurry of activity, and amazement at Jesus’ miracles. Feeding the great crowd from a few loaves and fish, and then going out to meet the disciples by walking on the water.Yet the emphasis in these readings is on the in – between times. Between the great miracles, Jesus is setting Himself aside to be with the disciples. To rest and retreat. Getting into the boat to be away from crowds. Yet He also always responds to the needs of those around Him, those who are brought to Him. He is always ready to listen and respond.The in – between times fill much of our lives. When our agenda is light, or we are waiting for things to happen. When we are at rest maybe, or feel we are drifting. In these times do we recognise Jesus? These are times that are as precious as any other. Times when we can see Jesus in the ordinary. When we are just being ourselves, maybe alone, maybe feeling lonely.Yet Jesus is always with us, especially when we are just being ourselves. These are growing times just as much as busy times, because Jesus’ heart is for us. His love is always present. Rev PaulPrayer for todayLord 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,Amen.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 18th July 9.30am Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th July 11:15 am Traditional Sunday Service (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th July 11:15 am on-location Sunday Worship (livestream)Sunday 18th July 1.00pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th July 3.30pm Baptism (at St Ed’s)Sunday 18th July 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 20th July 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments 10am til12 noonTuesday 20th July 5:00pm Rspace (for details contact Rev Paul)Wednesday 21st July 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 21st July 10.30am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Friday 23rd July 9:30 to 12 noon St Eds Art Group (at Trinity Church)Friday 23rd July 1:00pm Wedding (at St Eds)Saturday 24th July 1:30pm Wedding (at St Peter’s)Saturday 24th July 1:30pm 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 19th July we have received updated guidelines from the Church of England, but the overall message is to be careful and cautious. There will be some freedom from restrictions over the coming weeks, but we are being told to go slowly. Our Standing Committee are considering what the guidelines mean for us. We will inform everyone once we have worked through the implications.Tuesdays at St Ed's are back! From this Tuesday (20th) we will have Tiny Tunes in church from 10.00am and will be serving teas and coffees 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/Church Times – we got a mention! Our livestreams were mentioned in the Church Times this week, following an interview I did with Ecclesiastical Insurance as part of a survey for the Bible Society. The full article is at the back of church regarding the use of technology in worship and its future.
Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him. Mark 6 : 20Bible reading : Mark 6 : 14 - 29Thought for the weekOur Gospel reading this week does not make for easy reading. We hear about the ministry of John the Baptist from the perspective of Herod and his puppet court. It is a clash between secular survival and misused power, and faith and the Kingdom of God. A conflict of allegiances, authority and of choices. John the Baptist loses his life, but gains eternity with the Lord. Herod has a tenuous grasp of temporary power, and loses all integrity, freedom and most costly of all peace of conscience. Herod’s position was complex. He owed his position to the Romans, yet he respected John’s faith and ministry, and ‘liked to listen to him’.All our choices have consequences. Even at the moment choosing to leave our homes, or choosing to pick up the phone. Faith in Jesus enables those choices to become positive, helpful, even life – bringing. We all regret some choices we have made in our lives. Jesus brings healing and hope. There is always forgiveness in Him (1 John 1 : 9). Jesus promises the past is put behind and we have freedom in Him. Jesus calls us to a new beginning, and to know He is the Lord of our future, the King of love and hope.Rev PaulPrayer for todayMerciful God,you have prepared for those who love yousuch good things as pass our understanding:pour into our hearts such love toward youthat 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,Amen
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 11th July 9.30am Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th July 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden (at St Peter’s)Sunday 11th July 11:15 am Traditional Sunday Service (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th July 11:15 am on-location Sunday Worship (livestream)Sunday 11th July 1.00pm Wedding (at St Ed’s)Sunday 11th July 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Monday 12th July 2.00pm Funeral (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 13th July 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Tuesday 13th July 4:30pm Rspace (for details contact Rev Paul)Wednesday 14th July 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 14th July 10.30am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Friday 16th July 9:30 to 12 noon St Eds Art Group (at Trinity Church)Also at St Eds, Sunday 18th July 1.00pm and 3;30pm BaptismsAdditionally 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 19th July we are currently awaiting updated guidelines from the Church of England. We hope we will have greater freedom from restrictions, but with the rising infections it is likely some optional restrictions will still be recommended. We await news!Dippy at the Cathedral The dinosaur has arrived – on show from 13th July. Details on the Cathedral website : www.cathedral.org.uk or micro site https://dippy.cathedral.org.uk/New pattern of worship from 4th JulyThe pattern will be reviewed by the PCC after six months.All the following involve Sunday mornings at the churches. It is important to note a large proportion of our life and ministry now also takes place during the week. This Sunday pattern has been carefully developed to fit in with our weekday ministry.Therefore from Sunday 4th July we will have :8.00am Holy Communion on fourth Sunday each month (starting 25th July)9.30am Mustard Tree - a new form of weekly informal worship particularly for families and children and those looking for more informality. (10.30am Coffee time – an opportunity for relationship and fellowship for people from both services – once coffee is allowed) 11.15am Traditional weekly service with Holy Communion twice a month, others Service of the Word.11.15am – Livestream on location – outside of the church building – in people’s homes, in the open, possibly at Ringland. 5th Sunday Gathering together - we will bring the livestream team into the 11.15am service, and 9.30am will mainly be a breakfast – to give everyone the opportunity to come together6.30pm Sunday Club will remain as a livestream each weekSt Peter’s will have one or two services on Sundays a monthWe hope and pray this pattern will enable our fellowship and ministry on Sundays to grow and develop over the foreseeable future as we become accustomed to the changes brought about by the Pandemic and the developing forms of worship and discipleship that are encouraging us all to grow in faith in Christ.
