It is a difficult time particularly for the people of Ukraine.The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell have condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine as “an act of great evil”.They are urging Christians to make this Sunday (27th February 2022) a special day of prayer for Ukraine, Russia and for peace and supporting a global day of prayer and fasting for peace on Ash Wednesday.Please see the prayer below from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.A Prayer for UkraineGod of peace and justice,we pray for the people of Ukraine today.We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.We pray for those with power over war or peace.for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,that you would hold and protect them.We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of peace.AmenArchbishop Justin WelbyArchbishop Stephen Cottrell
They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8 : 24Reading for this week : Luke 8 : 22 - 25Thought for the weekThe Gospel reading this week is the Storm on the Lake. Few of us can have missed the debris from trees, pictures of cars being crushed, roofs damaged, and the constant weather warnings of the past 48 hours.The storm the disciples experienced must have been a storm like no other. These fishermen were highly experienced. Yet this was something different. I find it intriguing that Jesus sleeps through it, just like Jonah.Like Jonah’s storm, caused by his running from the Lord, the storm in the Gospel is like no other. It points to something wrong deeply in creation. The storm within humanity. The chaos within ourselves that can only be remedied, set right, healed by the Lord Himself, by our Saviour and Redeemer. Storm Eunice struck at a time of tension in Ukraine. Of ongoing suffering in Afghanistan. Of food and energy crises, Climate Change, Covid. Poverty and injustice rage across the world. These are times of uncertainty, change, even fear. Post – Pandemic, there are storms raging within ourselves. Yet we are called to look to Jesus. To Trust in Him, obey. The One who alone is able to rule the wind and the waves, outside and in. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod our creator,by your gift the tree of life was set at the heart of the earthly paradise,and the bread of life at the heart of your Church:may we who have been nourished at your table on earthbe transformed by the glory of the Saviour’s crossand enjoy the delights of eternity;through 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 20th February 9:30am Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 20th February 11:15 am Traditional Sunday Service, Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 20th February 11:15 am on-line Sunday Service (livestream)Sunday 20th February 6:30 pm Sunday Club (livestream)Monday 21st February 5.00pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s) Tuesday 22nd February 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 22nd February 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 23rd February 9:00 am Melting Moments (livestream)Wednesday 23rd February 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Thursday 24th February 7.00pm Reflection in church with Compline (at St Ed’s to be livestreamed each week.)Friday 25th February 9:30 am to12.00 noon Arts Group , - bring anything – art or craft - you fancy doing and coffee and tea are provided. Cost £3. (at Trinity Church building) Also Sunday 27th February: at St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9.30am Mustard Tree and 11.15am Holy Communion with online 11:15am Informal Service and 6pm Sunday Club. Additionally at 8am daily (daily except Wednesday and Sunday) we will be posting a ‘Daily bitesize prayer’ on the St Ed's Facebook pageFor on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services at St Peter’s: Due to very low numbers the Ringland monthly services have been suspended. However we are planning a weekly Lent Bible study at Ringland. Details to be announced.Sunday 17th April, Easter Sunday 11:00am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s and livestream)World Day of Prayer 4th March 2022 This year’s service will be at 1.30pm at St. Margaret’s, Drayton. The service has been written by the women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the theme of ‘I Know the Plans I Have for You’. All are welcome to the service.Duke of Edinburgh cakes! we have two youngsters, Ben and Tom, working with us at the moment towards their DofE awards. They are organising an afternoon tea. They are making some cakes themselves, but would be very grateful if anyone could help with a few more. There is a list at the back of St Ed’s if you are able to help. Thank you! Intercessions training Rev Stella and Rev Phil will be leading a training morning on Saturday 19th March for all those who lead intercessions in church or who would like to know more. Please sign up at the back of St Ed’s if you would like to come along.Hexachordia returns! They will be playing at St Peter’s Ringland on Saturday 30th July. Tickets will be on sale soon. We are delighted they will be returning.Embrace the Middle East (formerly Bible Lands) have produced a document ‘We Choose Abundant Life’ setting out the key perspectives of the remaining Christian church in the Holy Land. One of the main themes is co-operation between the main denominations and a Spirit – led witness across the region. This document can be downloaded from the Embrace website. Also a summary is at the back of St Ed’s church. This is such an important issue for our time, particularly as we consider church unity.The Norwich passion Play is happening on Saturday 16th April in Norwich – a collaboration across the city from many churches. More details are at the back of church, including how to volunteer!Christian Aid Week is 15th to 21st May. We have adopted new envelopes that no longer involve collecting them, but delivering them across Taverham and inviting people to return them (much less hard work and awkwardness!!). If you are interested in delivering these, please let Paul Scarff or Rev Paul know.Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 2nd March. The Diocese are offering ‘40 Prayers for 40 days’. Following the success of 40 Words for 40 days last Lent, Rev Canon Susanna Gunner offers a daily e mail with daily prayers and reflections. You can sign up through the Diocesan website : https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/Lent Prayer morning at St Ed’s on Saturday 5th March 10:00am to 12:30pm, led by Rachel.The Bishop’s Lent AppealThis year as a Diocese we will be raising money to support the purchase of beds for Sag Sag Health Centre in Papua New Guinea. For now details visit https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/news/lent-appeal/Norwich homeless during the cold weather as in previous years we will receive donations of hats, gloves for those on the streets of Norwich. If you would like to donate these items please leave them at the back of St Ed’s marked ‘Homeless’.
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Luke 6 : 20 - 21Reading for this week : Luke 6:17-26Thought for the weekThe news, that the remaining Covid restrictions will be lifted a month earlier than anticipated, came as a surprise. The Travel Industry reacted with great enthusiasm but the rest of us were more cautious in our response. In addition, lockdown had also given us the bonus of extra quiet time in the presence of God to reassess our priorities. In our Gospel reading Jesus had a vast and varied crowd around Him from all over Judea, a great many disciples, eager for His teaching, others desperate for His healing and a small group of sceptical religious leaders. Jesus addressed the many disciples, those who had acknowledged their failings and were choosing the hope, of which He taught, of God’s Kingdom. But there were those in the crowd, who were puffed up with their own importance and Jesus did not mince His words: God blessed only those, who, having acknowledged their failings, were hungry for a life centred on God, surely a pointer for our own priorities. CatherinePrayer for this weekEternal God,whose Son went among the crowds and brought healing with his touch:help us to show his love,in your Church as we gather together,and by our lives as they are transformed into the image of Christ our Lord. Amen
