The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Luke 1 : 35Bible reading : Luke 1 : 26 - 38Thought for this weekWe are so grateful to everyone who contributed to our nativity scene at the front of church, with the stable scene and the great star. It is a wonderful reminder of the miracle of God’s love that is the Nativity, and the coming of Jesus into our hurting world with healing and peace.Tomorrow (Monday 21<sup>st</sup>) there is to be a Great Conjunction in the sky of Saturn and Jupiter. It is a rare event that will create one big light in the sky. A Christmas star to end 2020. A reminder of the Lord’s Light and hope shining in the birth of Jesus.Things coming together, even in a time of chaos and difficult news. The birth of Jesus is the coming together of the faithful promises of the Lord with the brokenness of our human need. The coming together of our hopes and fears with the power and love of the Lord who speaks into our lives.As we remember the obedience and faithfulness of Mary, we remember how we are called to play our part in the unfolding story that is Jesus’ love in our world today. Mary who was so humble, yet carried the living Word into our world. As we witness to Jesus we are doing the same.Rev PaulPrayer for this weekEternal God,As Mary waited for the birth of your Son,So we wait for his coming in glory;Bring us through the birth pangs of this present age To see, with her, our great salvationIn Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Welcome to this week’s prayer hub for the fourth week of Advent. As we light the fourth candle of our Advent wreath we are reminded of LOVE. As we get ever closer to Christmas Day we are getting close to the Christ candle. When we light the central candle on Friday we will rejoice because in Christ hope, peace, joy and love come together in the person of Jesus ~ Emmanuel, God with us.John in his first letter, says, ‘God is Love.’ The former Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, once said, ‘God is. And he is as he is in Jesus.’ As we prepare to celebrate the wonder of God with us in Jesus, let’s remind ourselves of the incredible, unconditional, self-sacrificing, cross shaped love with which God has poured out in Jesus.Sunday: Today we remember Mary and her trust in her loving God. As we worship today we pray that we may grow in love and trust like her, and share Christ in the world.Monday: Tonight sees the conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn - the Christmas star which astronomers believe may be the star that led the Magi to Jesus. Take some time to pause and wonder at the enormity of God’s love for everyone that call us to worship and adore.Tuesday: Pray today for all those who feel unloved or unlovable and for all who feel alone.Wednesday: The outworking of love is seen in justice, compassion and grace. Pray for the leaders of the world that they may govern with God’s heart of love.Christmas Eve: Pray for our virtual Christingle service at 3.30pm today.Christmas Day: Joy to the world! The Lord has come. Let earth receive her King!Boxing Day: Christ is born, Christ is here, God is LOVE!!!!!!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 20th December 9:30 am Communion Rev Paul/Rev PhilSunday 20th December 11:15am (service sheet attached)Sunday 20th December evening 6.30pm Sunday Club CarolsTuesday 22nd December 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 23rd December 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWednesday 23rd December 9pm Rachel’s Rectory RamblingsChristmas Eve 9am Reflection with prayers - Rev PaulChristmas Eve 3:30pm virtual Christingle service Christmas Eve Midnight Carols and prayers Rev Paul with RachelChristmas Day: Family communion service 10:30amWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyServices in church Service of the word on Sunday 20th December 11am at St Peter'sWednesday 23rd 11am Carol singing at St Peter'sChristmas Day 9:30am Holy communion at St Peter'sChristmas Day 10:30am Holy communion at St Ed'sNativity scenes display Sadly in the light of the Government’s announcements and the rising number of virus cases we have decided to postpone the Nativity scenes display until next year. We are disappointed, but our priority is to keep everyone safe.An Appeal We have launched an appeal for the money needed for St Peter’s for investigation works into the structure of the building, and for the annual payment for the roof alarm. Any help is very much appreciated after this difficult year. Further details of the appeal is available at St Ed’s. Paul and Rachel are having to isolate this week after contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid. We are all well (no symptoms). We will continue to isolate until Boxing Day, but will appear on various livestreams. We hope and pray you will all have a peace- filled and hopeful Christmas. The Lord bless you.
The livestreams are continuing with the following services being made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 13th December 9:30 am Communion Rev Paul/Rev PhilSunday 13th December 11:15am (service sheet attached - to take part in the prayers you will need to have a bowl of water and 4 stones ready!)Sunday 13th December 3pm Annual Bereavement Service Sunday 13th December evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 15th December 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 16th December 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWednesday 16th December 9pm Rachel’s Rectory RamblingsThursday 17th December 9am Advent song by Rachel and NickFriday 18th December 6:30pm Christian Aid Carols Saturday 19th December 9pm Prayers together Also Rachel and Nick will be posting an Advent song on Thursday or FridayWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyBereavement service on Sunday 13th at 3.00pm, and livestreamed through the St Ed’s Facebook page. We will be lighting candles for those who are being remembered.Christian Aid envelopes There is a Christian Aid display at the back of St Eds, together with envelopes that can be used for donations. These have details of where to return them. If you have friends, family or neighbours who would be interested in having an envelope, and have the chance to make a Christmas donation, please take an envelope for them. Nativity scenes display We are holding a Nativity scenes display at St Peter’s Ringland from Monday 21st December to Wednesday 23rd. The church will be open 10.00am to 3.00pm each day. If you have an unusual Nativity scene St Peter’s may borrow for the display, please let Rev Paul know.An Appeal We have launched an appeal for the money needed for St Peter’s for investigation works into the structure of the building, and for the annual payment for the roof alarm. Any help is very much appreciated after this difficult year. Further details of the appeal is available at St Ed’s.
