“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12 : 7 – 8Readings this week Isaiah 43 : 16 - 21; Philippians 3 : 4b - 14; John 12 : 1 - 8Thought for this weekAs we come together this week we begin the journey to the Cross, and to Jesus’ incredible sacrifice for us through love. The hardest road for our forgiveness, freedom and hope.We begin the journey with an extravagant act of worship by Mary pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiping His feet with her hair.Next week will be the very public entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, with the crowds, the shouting, the sounds and sights amidst the busyness of the street.Yet this week we focus on this intimate scene of Jesus with His closest disciples, receiving honour and praise, receiving their preparation for His death and burial, receiving their adoration, through the ministry of a woman, of Mary.Even in the closeness of the gathering she is undistracted, focussed only on her task. She is carrying out an act of worship for us all, for all who have believed, or who will believe now and beyond. It is the worship of the whole of the church for Jesus, our loving Saviour.It reminds us of the Wise Men at Jesus’ birth. Now He comes to the Cross so we can all have new birth. Praise the Lord for His love for us. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekMost merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, AmenGracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world: lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal peace through the shedding of our Saviour’s blood, 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 6th April 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 6th April 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 6th April 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream) Monday 7th April 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 8th April 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 8th April 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 9th April 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 9th April 5:00 pm Ringland PCC (at St Peter’s)Thursday 10th April 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 10th April 9:00 am onwards East Window being replaced (at St Ed’s)Friday 11th April 9:00 am onwards East Window being replaced (at St Ed’s)Friday 11th April 9:30 am to12.00 noon Arts and Craft Group , - bring anything – art or craft - you fancy doing and coffee and tea are provided. (at Trinity church)Also Sunday 13th April 2025, Palm Sunday –, At St Ed’s, 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am livestream service, 2pm BaptismFor on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: The Gathering will now happen on the fourth Sundays of each month, from 3.00m to 5.00pmApril 19th 10:00 am Coffee morning with children’s crafts at St Peter’s April 20th 10:30 am Communion Service at St Peter’s April 27th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sMyanmar Appeal Christian Aid have launched an appeal https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/myanmar-earthquakeSt Eds East Window will be returning on 10th and 11th April. Praise the Lord.Easter services details of our Easter Services at both St Ed’s and St Peter’s, and the Churches Together service for Good Friday are on the noticeboards around church.Last Hour at the Cross in addition to the advertised services for Holy Week, there will be readings and reflections on Good Friday, 18th April, at St Ed’s from 2.00pm to 3.00pmThe Chosen is has become a very well – thought of portrayal of Jesus’ life over several years. The episode involving The Last Supper is now showing in local cinemas. Highly recommended.Teen Challenge are returning to St Ed’s at Pentecost, on 8th June, at 11.15am to give further testimony of all the Lord is doing in their lives.Electoral roll is being revised this year and everyone needs to complete a new application form. The forms are available at the back of church.St Ed’s May Fair 5th May 11am – 4pm Please book the date and, if possible, offer to help for an hour – or more! Help will also be needed for the set-up on 4th May from 12.30pm (bacon butties will be provided!) and clearing up after the Fair. There is a sign-up sheet on the Welcoming table at the back of church. Any queries, please ask Sue Elmes or Sue Beevor.Christian Aid Week will be 11th to 17th May. Envelopes will be available in church nearer the date.
"Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” Luke 15 : 23 - 24Readings this week Joshua 5 : 9 - 12; 2 Corinthians 5 : 16 - end; Luke 15 : 1 – 3, 11b - endThought for this weekIn the picture at the start of this newsitem this week, it is both the father and the mother who welcome the wayward son home in Luke’s Gospel reading. The son who claimed his ‘inheritance’ by right, without any sense of grace or gratitude, and in the process scorned the relationship he had with his father.Yet the father forgives. On this Mothering Sunday it is so powerful to remember not only the forgiving heart of the father, and of our heavenly loving Father, but also the nurturing, caring love of God as a mother loves her children. With a heart full of love, and nothing more than kindness, compassion, and sacrifice.So many mothers are affected by the situations in the world today. Mothers trying to care for their children. Trying to support their families. Mothers making difficult journeys. Mothers shouldering so many burdens. As humans we do not always make good choices or fulfil all we could be. Yet today is ‘Mothering Sunday’, because we are human. Jesus Himself revealed the nurturing, caring heart of God for each of us. Our heavenly parent who welcomes, accepts, wipes away our tears. He welcomes each of us back to His love. Rev PaulPrayers for this weekGod of love, passionate and strong, tender and careful: watch over us and hold us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenChristian Aid Prayer for MyanmarGod, our strength and our refuge, We pray to you for the people of Myanmar. We hold in mind those who are injured or have been bereaved. We ask your protection for everyone awaiting rescue. May those who have lost homes and belongings be comforted. May emergency workers and medical staff be safe as they pour their energy Into saving the lives of others. May the international community respond quickly to support those affected. God, our strength and our refuge, Be with our global neighbours today. AmenPeople to pray for Please pray for our outreach to the schools as we approach Holy Week and Easter
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 30th March 8:00am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 30th March 9:30am Mustard Tree – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 30th March 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s)Monday 31st March 9:00 am Year 3s in church (at St Ed’s)Monday 31st March 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 1st April 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café with activities for tots (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 1st April 1:30 pm Nightingale Nursery in church (at St Ed’s),Tuesday 1st April 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 2nd April 10:00 am Nightingale years 1 & 2 in church (at St Ed’s )Wednesday 2nd April 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s )Thursday 3rd April 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 3rd April 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s) Friday 4th April 9:00 am Year 5’s in church (at St Ed’s)Friday 4th April 9:30 am to12.00 noon Arts and Craft Group , - bring anything – art or craft - you fancy doing and coffee and tea are provided. (at Trinity church)Also Sunday 6th April 2025 –, At St Ed’s, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy CommunionFor on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: The Gathering will now happen on the fourth Sundays of each month, from 3.00m to 5.00pmApril 19th 10:00 am Coffee morning with children’s crafts at St Peter’s April 20th 10:30 am Communion Service at St Peter’s April 27th 3pm informal service (the gathering) at St Peter’sMyanmar Appeal Christian Aid have launched an appeal https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies/myanmar-earthquakeSt Ed's East Window will be returning on 11th and 12th April. Praise the Lord.Easter services details of our Easter Services at both St Ed’s and St Peter’s, and the Churches Together service for Good Friday are on the noticeboards around church.Teen Challenge are returning to St Ed’s at Pentecost, on 8th June, at 11.15am to give further testimony of all the Lord is doing in their lives.Electoral roll is being revised this year and everyone needs to complete a new application form. The forms are available at the back of church.St Ed’s May Fair 5th May 11am – 4pm Please book the date and, if possible, offer to help for an hour – or more! Help will also be needed for the set-up on 4th May from 12.30pm (bacon butties will be provided!) and clearing up after the Fair. There is a sign-up sheet on the Welcoming table at the back of church. Any queries, please ask Sue Elmes or Sue Beevor.Christian Aid Week will be 11th to 17th May. Envelopes will be available in church nearer the date.
