Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 1 : 11Bible reading : John 2 : 1 – 11Thought of the weekOne of the features of Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana is who is there to witness it.It was a remarkable event in itself. Jesus reveals His power over all things, and His compassion in responding to the wedding couple’s immediate need. Yet John the Gospel writer is clear to highlight the impact Jesus’ miracle has. For the wedding couple, whose wedding is transformed from what could have been a disaster to an even bigger celebration. John also points out that Mary, Jesus’ mother, and His disciples, also witness the miracle, because this is ‘the first of His signs’, pointing to His identity as God Himself come amongst us, transforming and redeeming our humanity, making all things new.Yet usually forgotten in the miracle are the servants. Mary says to them, ‘Do whatever He tells you’. They are also witnesses, the lowly, ordinary people, just as the shepherds first hear the Good News of Jesus birth.So we are called to do ‘whatever he asks’, to go about our ordinary days knowing who Jesus is, the One who is our Saviour, our Lord and our friend. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod of all mercy,your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,release to the captives,and freedom to the oppressed:anoint us with your Holy Spiritand set all your people freeto praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen
<div> St Ed’s and St Peter’s Prayer Hub for the week beginning 24 January 2021As we join together in prayer this week we begin by focussing our thoughts on the One in whom all life and hope is found. These words from Psalm 73 encourage us to look to God as the source of all goodness, the One in whom we live and move and have being.Psalm 73: 24-26You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will receive me with honour.Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever. You may like to use these suggestions for prayer this week.Sunday: As we worship today pray that we may discover more of God’s love for us.Monday: Pray for our NHS and all who are caring for those in need.Tuesday: Pray for the life of St Ed’s and St Peter’s that we may know God’s love holding us together in these difficult times.Wednesday: Pray for the care homes in our parish.Thursday: Pray for the children of our country and the effects that the pandemic may be having on them.Friday: Spend some time today reflecting on the words of the psalm at the top of the page.Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow.Almighty God,whose Son revealed in signs and miraclesthe wonder of your saving presence:renew your people with your heavenly grace,and in all our weaknesssustain us by your mighty power;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.Please join us on Facebook each morning at 8am for our Bitesize Prayer for the Day, and pause at 12pm each day to pray the Lord’s Prayer. 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 24th January 9:30 am Communion Rev Phil with CatherineSunday 24th January 11:15am Rev Paul, (service sheet attached)Sunday 24th January evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 26th January 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 27th January 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWednesday 27th January 5.00pm Evening Prayer Rachel, Rev Paul, ValAdditionally 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, our neighbours and our friends. Our pastoral work is continuing as we are more and more available to the needs of our community. The church is open each day for private prayer and our livestreams continue.31st January we celebrate Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple (Candlemas). We hope to celebrate with candles and light. You may want to have a candle at home to light as part of our livestreams next week.St Peter’s Appeal Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to the Appeal for St Peter’s for the investigation works into the structure of the building. We have raised an amazing £6,000 of the £8,500 needed. The appeal will continue until March. 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.Bishop Jonathan’s retirement On Sunday 24th January at 3.30pm, as a diocese we will bid farewell to Bishop Jonathan. Bishop Jonathan will preach at a service which will be live streamed from Norwich Cathedral. This will be available through the Diocesan website.Val’s Curacy we are delighted to announce Val’s Ordination as deacon will take place on Sunday 27th June at 11.00am at Norwich Cathedral. Val has been offered and has accepted a Curacy at St Ed’s and St Peter’s from the date her Ordination onwards. We continue to pray for Val and her colleagues in training as they complete the course in very disrupted circumstances. Our prayers are with Val, Richard, Jenny and Helen as Val takes this exciting new step. Our prayers are also with David Howard and Julian Bryant as they progress in their training.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.
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me’. John 1 : 43Bible reading : John 1 : 43 - 51Thought for the weekDuring the pandemic previously unknown (to me at least!) entities have become life-savers. Facetime, Zoom, Instagram, Whattsapp. They have all helped keep contact and check in with people. Yet for all their merits there is still no substitute for that face to face contact, however fleeting.Our Gospel reading reminds us that Jesus’ incarnation, His coming to earth and sharing in the joys and limitations of human life enable us to have a personal experience of the Lord. Through the work of the Holy Spirit the Lord longs for us to know Him, to meet with Him, to know His presence and His power. He is the Lord who walks with us, and meets us in surprising ways and places.So Philip says to Nathaniel, ‘Come and see’. It is an invitation to every human being. To lay aside what we might have heard or misunderstood about Jesus. To come and meet with Him, come and see for ourselves, come and experience His love personally, to realise He does know our lives and who we truly are.It is an invitation to pray, to open our hearts and our hands to Him, to allow Him to touch our lives with His healing and His peace. Precious moments that can make a lifetime of difference. Rev PaulPrayer for this week - A Prayer for Carers, Nurses and Doctors Lord Jesus, who healed the sick and gave them new life, be with doctors, nurses and carers, as they act as agents of your healing touch. In these desperate times, keep them strong yet loving; and when their work is done, be with them in their weariness and in their tears. Amen. (from N & N Hospital Chaplaincy)
