St Edmund's and St Peter's Prayer hub for the week beginning Sunday 21st March 2021Our life in Christ is shown by the way we live and the ways in which we treat each other. Our actions and our love for one another often speaks clearly and is a reflection of Christ’s love. As we enter Passiontide this Sunday and Jesus’ journey to the cross intensifies our payer suggestions focus on Jesus’ command to love one another as he has loved us. You may like to use the following scriptures to lead you into prayer this weekJohn 13:34-35I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.Deuteronomy 6:5You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.1 Thessalonians 3:12May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people.1 John 4:19We love, because God first loved us.Psalm 145:-8-9The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.Romans 12:9-12Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honour others more than you do yourself. Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.1 Corinthians 13:13So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.Please join us at 8am each day on Facebook for our Bitesized Prayer. Also, you may like to pause each day at 12pm with Christians all around the world who pray the Lord’s Prayer at their 12pm!! This is an ancient practice that unites us wherever we are in our unity in Christ.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 21st March 9:30 am Spiritual Communion, Rev Phil/Rev Paul Sunday 21st March 11:15am Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 21st March evening 6.30pm with Rachel (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 23rd March 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 24th March 10.30am Rev Phil/Rev PaulWednesday 24th March 5.00pm Evening Prayer Additionally 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.AdditionallyHoly Week resources. We have baskets in the St Ed's porch with Palm Crosses, a Lifewords booklet with readings called ‘The Easter Journey’, and our prayer themes sheet. Please come along and help yourself to these resources for the approach to Holy Week.Maundy Thursday vigil Last year we prayed in our homes, and an amazing 21 people signed up for an hour slot to do this. The sign – up sheet is in St Ed's church – we invite you to pray for an hour during the vigil at home. Please indicate which hour you are committing to.Easter services We now have plans for our Easter Services. There will be livestreams and some ‘in person’ services. the sign up sheets are now in St Ed’s church for Easter Sunday services at 6.00am, 9.30am, 11.00am and 11.15am. Services as follows: 6.00am Sunrise service with Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)9.30am Holy Communion for Easter (at St Ed’s and livestream)11.00am Holy Communion for Easter (at St Peter’s Ringland)11.15am Outdoor Communion for Easter (at St Ed’s and livestream)The Big Church ReadA book to read together for St Ed’s and St Peter’s We are at a pivotal time. The pandemic has called the church today across the nation to reflect, challenge and pray. As we look to the future we’d like to encourage you to read the book “Comfortable Words a call to restoration”. Through reading this book we ask God to speak to us both personally and as a church, praying that we may be filled afresh by the Holy Spirit, restored and renewed by God’s love.Overview of the book‘Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God…’ Through nine reflections, Steven Croft examines what these ‘comfortable words’ have to say to us. Each reflection begins from a passage of scripture taken from Isaiah 40–55: the song of an unnamed prophet who sings at the end of the exile to call God’s people home. The prophet sings of love and forgiveness, of new hope and strength in God, to rekindle courage in the hearts of God’s people. The prophet sings of a new kind of leadership, based on humility and gentleness. The prophet sings to tell us not to be afraid even in the face of death. These are comfortable words the whole world needs to hear afresh in this season.Comfortable Words costs £7.99Use this link for further details and to order a copy if you’d like to.- or put the following into your browser https://thebigchurchread.co.uk/product/comfortable-words/St Peter’s Appeal A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the appeal. Please pray for the ministry of St Peter’s at this exciting time. The appeal will continue until the end of March, as we explore the installation of a composting lavatory and running water. Any 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.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.Colossians 3 : 12 - 13Bible reading : Colossians 3 : 12 – 17Thought of the weekMothering Sunday dates back several centuries. As well as a day to give thanks for motherhood and our mothers, it has always been wider, perhaps to reflect how the day is often poignant, complex, hard for some.There has been the tradition of looking to the role of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Also of Christians returning to the church where they were baptised. It is also a respite in Lent, known as ‘refreshment Sunday’.At its heart it is an acknowledgement that as people we each need nurturing, encouragement, and others in our life we can be safe with, who will create a place we can be ourselves and can grow, whether that is our own mothers or family, or other significant people in our lives, or the church itself, and of course it is a celebration of God’s abiding and faithful love to us.Maybe this year Mothering Sunday is a time of looking forward. To celebrate motherhood certainly, but also to acknowledge one another’s needs, with all we’re still going through with the Pandemic. To be careful with one another, and to follow Jesus’ example of compassion, forgiveness and love. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekMerciful Lord, you know our struggle to serve you :when sin spoils our lives and overshadows our hearts,come to our aid and turn us back to you again;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St Edmund’s Taverham and St Peter’s Ringland – Prayer Hub for 14th March 2021The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. There is no law against such things. Galatians 5: 22-23.This week our prayer suggestions will be focussed on the gracious work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we surrender our lives to God the Holy Spirit graciously helps us to become the people God made us to be. As we consent to God’s presence we are equipped to better love and serve God and our neighbour. Here is a prayer that you may like to use at the beginning of each day as a sign of your willingness to God’s presence in your life.Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You, in every way.Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say. Amen. From Lectio365Sunday: Today is Mothering Sunday, a day of joy for many, a day of pain for others. Give thanks for God’s unfailing love, faithfulness and care for us. Pray for those who will struggle today.Monday: Pray for our churches, St Ed’s and St Peter’s as we look to the future. Pray for the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that everything we do may bring honour to God and reflect the love of Jesus.Tuesday: Take some time to pray for yourself today, asking God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, assuring you of God’s presence.Wednesday: Continue to pray for the front line workers.Thursday: Pray for the ongoing COVAX programme, taking the vaccine to poorer countries.Friday: Pray for the areas of the world where there is unrest, hatred and injustice that the Holy Spirit would bring unity, peace and love - that God’s Kingdom will be present.Saturday: As we prepare to worship tomorrow, ask the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts to give to God our praise and to hear what God might say to us.Please join us at 8am each day on Facebook for our Bitesized Prayer. Also, you may like to pause each day at 12pm with Christians all around the world who pray the Lord’s Prayer at their 12pm!! This is an ancient practice that unites us wherever we are in our unity in ChristAttached is a sheet of the above in case you prefer to print a copy for reference
