“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” John 15 : 9 - 11Bible reading : John 15 : 9 - 17Thought for the weekIn our Gospel reading today Jesus uses the word love nine times. Yet each time He uses it with slightly different implications. Because it is about love that makes a difference.Jesus is actually using the word Agape, a particular kind of love that is selfless, abiding, persevering, life – changing, empowering, even sacrificial.This is the love the Father has for Jesus, and the love He has shown us. So Jesus speaks of us remaining in His love. Also for us as Jesus’ disciples to love one another, not just imitating Jesus’ love, but having the same selfless and forgiving heart as Jesus. He speaks of laying down His life for us in His love. Also of us being fruitful by living in and sharing Jesus’ love. Finally He tells us this is His command. It is not an optional extra of discipleship and of being the church. ‘Love one another’. So Jesus tells us His love is life – changing, empowering, affirming, persevering. His love is something that changes our relationships, our self – esteem, our communities, our world. It begins with us receiving His love. What an important message for today, and what amazing hope for our world! Rev PaulPrayer for this weekRisen Christ,by the lakeside yourenewed your call to your disciples:help your Church to obey your commandand draw the nations to the fire of your love,to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 9th May 9.30am Holy Communion (at St Eds and livestream)Sunday 9th May 11.00am Holy Communion (at St Peter's)Sunday 9th May 11.15am Sunday Morning Worship (livestream)Sunday 9th May 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 11th May 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Wednesday 12th May 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 12th May 10.30am Holy Communion Rev Phil/Rev Paul (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.AdditionallyAttended services we now have a 9.30am service at St Ed’s weekly, a Wednesday 10.30am service at St Ed’s and services fortnightly at St Peter’s. We are trialing a period where it is not necessary to sign up in advance. Just come along!Upcoming services at St Peter’s: Sunday 23rd May 11.00am Service of the Word – Stella Noons followed by Vestry Meeting and APCM for 2020 and 2021Sunday 6th June 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane DrydenSunday 20th June 11.00am Holy CommunionChristian Aid Week (10th to 16th May 2021)Next week is Christian Aid Week. At St Edmund's we will have a display in church, with envelopes available if anyone is able to support this. I have also created an "e-envelope" for anyone who would prefer to donate on-line. You can find it at the address below:-https://envelope.christianaid.org.uk/envelope/st-edmunds-taverhamWe are also trialing "delivery only" envelopes - unlike other years, these only have to be delivered, with a note on the envelope asking any donations to be returned to a specific address, which is more "covid-safe" than knocking on people's doors.I would like us to deliver as many as possible, so if anyone could spare an hour or so to help, I would really appreciate it!If you think you can help, please contact me (Paul Scarff) on 868939.Deanery Ascension Day ServiceThere will be a Deanery service for Ascension Day from St Cuthbert’s Church Sprowston on Thursday 13th May in the evening. It will be possible to join this service online. Further details to be announced.APCM Ringland The Annual Meeting for St Peter’s – including an update on the Architect’s works, will be on 23rd May (Pentecost Sunday) at 12.15pm, following the morning service at 11.00am. Everyone is welcome.
Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8 : 38 - 39Bible reading : Acts 8 : 26 - 40Thought for the weekHow often have you ventured out and had a seemingly chance encounter with someone you know, or a complete stranger? A conversation that led to more, was clearly meant to be?In our reading today the apostle Philip meets an Ethiopian who just happens to be reading from the Book of Isaiah in God’s word. The conversation leads him to hearing from Philip about Jesus, and being baptised there and then!We are all called to be on the alert for these moments. If someone reveals how they are feeling, or a particular concern, or a conversation that is about faith, often starting with a question, that is often a God – led moment.We may not feel we have all the theological answers (I certainly don’t!), but we can point to Jesus. We can all listen carefully, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us.We can all speak of our faith and trust in Him. We can share what faith and prayer means for us personally. We can share what we are giving thanks for in our lives. We can offer to remember that person in our prayers. The Ethiopian went off rejoicing. How much joy in Jesus a ‘chance’ encounter can bring. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekRisen Christ,your wounds declare your love for the worldand the wonder of your risen life:give us compassion and courageto risk ourselves for those we serve,to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 2nd May 9.30am Holy Communion (at St Eds and livestream)Sunday 2nd May 11.15am Sunday Morning Worship (livestream)Sunday 2nd May 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 4th May 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Wednesday 5th May 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 5th May 10.30am Holy Communion Rev Phil/Rev Paul (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.AdditionallyAttended services we now have a 9.30am service at St Ed’s weekly, a Wednesday 10.30am service at St Ed’s and services fortnightly at St Peter’s. We are trialling a period where it is not necessary to sign up in advance. Just come along!Services at St Peter’s: Sunday 9th May 11.00am Holy CommunionSunday 23rd May 11.00am Service of the Word – Stella Noons followed by Vestry Meeting and APCM for 2020 and 2021Sunday6th June 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane DrydenSunday 2oth June 11.00am Holy CommunionDeanery Ascension Day ServiceThere will be a Deanery service for Ascension Day from St Cuthbert’s Church Sprowston on Thursday 13th May in the evening. It will be possible to join this service online. Further details to be announced.APCM Ringland The Annual Meeting for St Peter’s – including an update on the Architect’s works, will be on 23rd May (Pentecost Sunday) at 12.15pm, following the morning service at 11.00am. Everyone is welcome.Books by local pastors :Vic Ready, Senior Pastor of Taverham Evangelical Church, has written a book entitled, ‘Glorious Things’, about the revival through the Holy Spirit at Mount Zion Church in the 1970’s and 1980’s when the church was led by Sedley Pimlott. The book is £6.95 email vicready28@gmail.com or text 07799 000 066 to order one.Jon Norman Senior Pastor of Soul Church, has written a book entitled ‘Unmasked’. “a journey to peel back the layers, to unmask areas in our lives that can keep us from living the abundant life that Christ has destined us to live”. Available on Amazon at £9.99.Network Norwich For all news of events and activities amongst the Christian community in Norwich, you can access the website for Network Norwich athttps://www.networknorwich.co.uk/
