And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ Mark 1 : 10 Bible reading : Mark 1 : 4 - 11Thought of the weekJesus’ Baptism is virtually at the beginning of Mark’s Gospel. We hear of the ministry of John the Baptist, and then immediately the affirmation of Jesus by the Father in the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is a rare moment where the Trinity is revealed, and marks the beginning of all that Jesus came to do as our Saviour, teacher and Lord.Whilst the lockdown is taking effect, and January is often slow anyway, we have this reminder that the Kingdom of Jesus is unstoppable. That the Lord’s work is growing. That our prayers are always vital, and that though the days are short and cold, the fire of the Holy Spirit burns brightly in the hearts of the Lord’s people.As we pray for the challenges of this time, especially for our NHS, schools and Care Homes, we have this affirmation of who Jesus is, and all He has come to do and is doing in changing people’s lives and calling us back to Him in hope and love.We are even baptised ourselves in Jesus’ name, and we live in the world as His people. Now more than ever we are called to pray in His name, and proclaim Jesus the Good News. In this difficult time Jesus is bringing His hope, joy and freedom. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekEternal Father who at the baptism of Jesus revealed Him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,Amen
Welcome to The Prayer Hub for this week beginning Sunday 10 January 2021.We are now in the season of Epiphany and our readings from scripture are about the continuing revelation of who Jesus is, through the things he said and the things he did. People were drawn to Jesus. There was something about him that was new, different, intriguing. From the time of his birth people saw that Jesus was no ordinary human being. As we pray this week let’s pray that our eyes may be ever open to the wonder of who Jesus is and that we too may experience continued epiphanies as we journey in faith this year, that our faith and trust in our loving God may deepen and that we may reflect the love of God in our lives.Sunday: As we worship today, gathered though physically apart, may the loving presence of the Holy Spirit give us an awareness of God’s grace and peace holding us together.Monday: In a world that seems so far removed from the loving purposes of God we pray for an epiphany - that we may see more fully God’s presence in the world and live in the light of that love.Tuesday: We hold before God the United States of America.Wednesday: We pray for the NHS and all key workers.Thursday: Hold before God the things that are particularly on your mind today.Friday: Spend some time today speaking to God as you would to a friend and rest in God’s love for you.Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow.Heavenly Father,At the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son:May we recognise him as our LordAnd know ourselves to be your beloved children;Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.We invite you join with us everyday at midday to pause for a few moments and to pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.Our FatherWho art in heavenHallowed be your name.Your kingdom come,Your will be doneOn earth as it is in heaven.Give us each day our daily bread.Forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us.Lead us not into temptation And deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, the power and the gloryFor ever and ever. Amen.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 10th January 9:30 am Rev Paul, Rev PhilSunday 10th January 11:15am Rev Paul, Rev Phil (service sheet attached)Sunday 10th January evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 12th January 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 13th January 10.30am Rev Paul, Rev PhilWednesday 13th January 5.00pm Evening Prayer Rachel, Rev Paul, ValWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyServices in church along with so many other churches we have reluctantly suspended our services in church. However the church is alive! 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. At this time it is a privilege to serve Jesus in the different ways He is calling each of us to be His church in which we all play a part.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 £5,500 of the £8,500 needed. The appeal will continue until March. Thank you so much for your support.The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021 is 18th to 25th January. This will be reflected in our worship and our prayers during that week. Materials have been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland. The theme that was chosen, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family. and are available to download through the website : week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2021/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.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.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. John 1 : 10Bible reading : John 1 : 10 – 18Thought for this weekIn these socially distanced times our Gospel reading seems even more powerful and counter – cultural than ever. That Jesus came from heaven. That He came to truly share our life. That His divinity met with our humanity in compassion and love. No words are adequate or come close to the words of the Gospel writer John, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”.As we say the words Happy New Year to one another we know we are still having to keep our distance. We’re still having to restrict our contact with one another. Having to sanitise and hide our faces, and reserve personal space.Yet our Gospel reading speaks of the nature of the Lord’s love for us that does not need screens or masks or distance, but a coming close, a sharing even, literally the Lord pitching His tent and making His dwelling among us.The Lord promises much more than a happy new year. Jesus offers us Himself, to know we can trust in Him, know His care and protection, know His presence with us, receive His forgiveness and new life through the Cross and His sacrifice. Jesus calls us into a lifetime of belonging to Him and believing in Him. That is to be happy indeed! Rev PaulPrayer for this weekAlmighty God,in the birth of your Sonyou have poured on us the new light of your incarnate Word,and shown us the fullness of your love:help us to walk in his light and dwell in his lovethat we may know the fullness of his joy;who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for everAmen.
