When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and asked each other, “Who will roll the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” Mark 16 : 1 – 3Bible reading : Mark 16 : 1 - 8Thought for the weekI’m sure we have all felt a sense of disconnection since last Easter. The Pandemic has separated us from what we knew, from those we love, even from what we always held true. The account of the Resurrection in Mark’s Gospel highlights this. The events are recorded. The stone rolled away, an angelic messenger with the news ‘He is Risen’. But other details underline how everything has changed. The use of Jesus’ old identity, ‘Jesus the Nazarene’ that is now put away. The way the angel points the women out and beyond the tomb, out from death and into new life. And also how they leave. Not yet grasping the enormity, ‘Trembling and bewildered’. The disciples are disconnected powerfully from what they had always known, what they always assumed, even what they understood about the Lord and who they were as believers.Jesus is Risen from the dead! It is THE event of history, that changes everything. It is so massive, because everything is made new. Sin and death defeated, new life in Christ. Eternal life for those who believe. We are pointed out of the tomb, into new life. To follow Jesus and into the new reality of who Jesus is. Jesus is Alive! Hallelujah! Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod of glory,by the raising of your Sonyou have broken the chains of death and hell:fill your Church with faith and hope;for a new day has dawnedand the way to life stands openin our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen
The livestreams are continuing with the following services being made available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Easter Day, 4th April 6.00am Sunrise service with Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Easter Day, 4th April 9.30am Holy Communion for Easter (at St Ed’s and livestream)Easter Day, 4th April 11.00am Holy Communion for Easter (at St Peter’s)Easter Day, 4th April 11.15am Outdoor Communion for Easter (at St Ed’s and livestream)Easter Day, 4th April 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 6th April 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Wednesday 7th April 10.30am Spiritual Communion Rev PhilAdditionally 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.AdditionallyAPCM 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.Services after Easter we are still awaiting guidance on services, but it seems likely we will have a 9.30am service at St Ed’s weekly, and fortnightly at St Peter’s, with sign – up sheets in St Ed’s. Please look on the noticeboard for details.
Our Good Friday service will be livestreamed via the St Ed's Facebook page, and then uploaded as a video.the service sheet is attachedWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.
Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the centre of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,“Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Mark 11 : 8 - 9Bible reading : Mark : 11 : 1 - 11Thought of the weekThe journey into Jerusalem was not long. From where the disciples gathered the donkey, it was about a mile. Yet the Pandemic has shown us sometimes the shortest journeys can be the most important. Even the hardest. It might be a journey we’ve made in the past year to the hospital, or to a Care Home, but haven’t been able to go in. It might have been the journey for the vaccine, or even to post a card to someone we cannot see.Jesus made the hardest journey, for us. On the back of a donkey, signifying peace, but also submission. Laying aside His majesty. Surrendering His power. Giving His life for us. For the invitation into salvation and New Life.Jesus alone could make this journey. Yet He calls on His disciples. He calls on us to follow, to join the crowd, to cheer and wave, and then to go beyond. To witness the unbearable things. To look on the Cross and see the unimaginable love of Jesus, amidst our weakness, our distractedness, our sin.He calls us to follow, to fall silent, to pray. While He saves the world that carries on its normal day. Such incredible love for us. Such astonishing grace. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekTrue and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah:grant us the faith to know you and love you,that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross,which is the path of glory. Amen.
