As we approach Lent this year here are a few resources you might find helpful for your Lent prayer times and reflections. All the resources listed here will begin on Ash Wednesday 17 February 2021.The Church of England has produced a lent resource to encourage us to think about our calling, how to share our faith and to reflect on the difference Christ makes in our lives - live lent - if the link fails go to https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/livelent-2021-church-resources-gods-story-our-story )Live Lent is also available as an app for your telephone or tablet from your App Store.A great resource to help and encourage you in sharing your faith is available from Church Army - being salt and light . Sign up for the daily emails.if link fails go here https://churcharmy.org/Groups/299918/Church_Army/web/Get_Involved/Being_Salt_and/Being_Salt_and.aspx Lectio365 app which can be downloaded from your App Store. The theme for their Lent devotions is God on Mute and will look at the Bible’s teaching on suffering and unanswered prayer.
As they looked on, a change came over Jesus, and his clothes became shining white Mark 9 : 2-3Bible reading : Mark 9 : 2 - 9Thought for the weekToday’s Gospel reading takes us up the mountain with Peter, James and John, to witness the Transfiguration of Jesus. It was a moment they would never forget, shared with just three of Jesus’ disciples, yet through the telling of the Good News was shared with all of Jesus’ followers and is now revealed to the whole world.This is Jesus in His divine radiance and majesty. Indescribable in the vision of His holiness and righteousness. Brilliant in the full reality of His divinity and Presence. Filling the world with the Truth of who He is, the One who comes in love and grace to us. The One who comes to set us free from the fear engendered by the world, the chaos of sin and our own loneliness and feelings of worthlessness. It is a moment of revelation, yet through it the Lord speaks from eternity of hope for our lives, of the Lord’s grace, of Jesus’ love.For us, we may have our moments where the Lord reveals His love and touches our hearts, when we pray, when we read the Bible and the Lord speaks, when we feel His Presence and His peace. Moments of Transfiguration to treasure and to enable us to grow. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekHoly God,You know the disorder of our sinful lives:Set straight our crooked hearts,And bend our wills to love your goodness and your gloryIn Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
St Edmund’s and St Peter’s Prayer Hub - 14th February 2021This week’s Prayer Hub will focus on the theme of LOVE. We will use various scriptures to help focus and centre us in God’s love. Perhaps these scriptures will help to remind each of us of God’s love for us, shown ultimately in Jesus. Perhaps they will also help us to pray for others. Today - Sunday - is St Valentine’s Day. St Valentine is alleged to have been a priest or bishop in the Roman Empire who ministered to persecuted Christians. He was martyred for his faith in Christ in 496 AD. His story is a little different to the love hearts, chocolates and roses we associate Valentine’s Day with today! Valentine was rooted and grounded in the love of God which enabled him to serve Christ and those he ministered to.You may like to take one of the suggested verses below each day, or even just one for the whole week, to read slowly and prayerfully as you reflect on God’s love. As you sit with these verses allow the Holy Spirit to direct your prayers, both spoken and unspoken, as you feel the Spirit lead you.Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.Psalm 86:15 You Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, low to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.1 John 4:6 We know and rely on the love God has for us. GOD IS LOVE. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in them.Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains may be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace removed” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.Please join us each day 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 14th February 9:30 am Communion, Rev Phil Sunday 14th February 11:15am Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 14th February evening 6.30pm with Rachel (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 16th February 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Ash Wednesday 17th February 10.30am Rev Phil/Rev PaulAsh Wednesday 17th February 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.AdditionallyServices in church Although our services in church are suspended the church is alive! Please continue to pray for the needs of our community. The church is open each day for private prayer and our livestreams continue.Lent begins on 17th February (Ash Wednesday). We will be livestreaming a service of spiritual Communion at 10.30am and we livestream Evening Prayers at 5.00pm, as we begin to make the journey of Lent together.St Peter’s Appeal A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the appeal. For those who have kindly made a donation, if you can let me (Rev Paul) know if you would like or are eligible for a Gift Aid form. We are currently applying for a Bat surveys. Once we have achieved these works, including minor repairs, we will be able to apply for other grants for the major repairs to the roof, to the structure and to the stained glass.Please pray for the ministry of St Peter’s at this exciting time. The appeal will continue until March, as we explore the possibility of fundraising for 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.Sad news Rev Harold Smith’s funeral will be on Friday 19th February at 3.00pm at St Edmund’s. Unfortunately numbers will be limited to only those invited to attend, but the service will be livestreamed via the St Eds Facebook page.Jams and Chutneys From Elaine : I still have some jams and chutneys for sale in aid of the food bank and Saint Martin’s hostels for the homeless. Competitive prices! My Email is elainelockett@aol.com and my phone number is 01603 860026.
