In view of the Government announcements of a new four week lockdown from 5th November we are now reviewing all our services and livestreams. This will now affect Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas Fair, and all services in church – we will provide an update once we have had time to consider how best to proceed.As Christ’s people we need to pray, keep faith in Him, be people of hope and witness to the love and abiding presence of Christ in our lives and our communityThe words of our Gospel reading this week could not be more appropriate : ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. Let us keep each other in prayer and be kind to one another as we look to the Lord to lead us from this difficult time into freedom and new beginnings. The livestreams are continuing.The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 1st November 9:30 am with Rev Paul Sunday 1st November 11.15am with Julian BryantSunday 1st November evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 3rd November 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 4th November 10.30am Rev PaulWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.Services in church We are continuing to hold small services. The dates are :1st November 9.30am St Ed’sThe sign-up sheets for all these services are all at the back of St Eds church or contact Rev Paul to be added to the list. Tuesday evenings The next fortnightly Meditation and Compline is Tuesday 3rd November at St Peter’s Ringland, at 7.30pm At present unfortunately these will need to be restricted to anyone who has not been to a Sunday service in either church on the previous Sunday
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. Matthew 5 : 1 - 3Bible reading : Matthew 5 : 1 - 12Thought for the weekAs we come to more difficult days ahead, today is All Saints as we celebrate the faith we share with our brothers and sisters across the world, and those who have believed in and followed Jesus through the ages.In our Gospel reading Jesus speaks into our time, how being the saints involves doing as well as being. We are immersed in the challenges of this time as people of faith, people of compassion, people who look to the faithfulness and hope in the Lord that He alone brings. Jesus tells us we are called to be poor in Spirit, pointing to Jesus alone for hope. To mourn the state of our world that has fallen into such chaos. To live out our faith meekly, without arrogance and with time for everyone, and to hunger and thirst after Truth and the way back to the Lord. We are called to be merciful especially to those in need, and to be the people who are pure in heart, and not self – seeking. Also and perhaps most challenging to be bringers of Jesus’ peace into the lives and homes of those around us.So we are called to hold fast to our faith in Jesus, even though that may involve persecution. So we are all called to be the saints who reveal Jesus’ abiding presence and His everlasting love for this world. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekWe are not people of fearWe are people of courageWe are not people who protect our own safetyWe are people who protect our neighbours’ safetyWe are not people of greedWe are people of generosityWe are your people GodGiving and lovingWherever we are, whatever it costsFor as long as it takesWherever you call us. (from The Methodist Church)
The livestreams are all continuing - these include livestreams from the church building.The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 1st November 9:30 am with Rev Paul Sunday 1st November 11.15am with Julian Bryant (service sheet attached)Sunday 1st November evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart) - see separate news item for craft templateTuesday 3rd November 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 4th November 10.30am Rev PaulWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.Services in church We are continuing to hold small services. The dates are :1st November, All Saints day 9.30am St Ed’s8th November 9.30am St Ed’s8th November 10.50am St Peter's15th November 9.30am St Ed’s The sign-up sheets for all these services are all at the back of St Eds church or contact Rev Paul to be added to the list. Tuesday evenings The next fortnightly Meditation and Compline is Tuesday 3rd November at St Peter’s Ringland, at 7.30pm At present unfortunately these will need to be restricted to anyone who has not been to a Sunday service in either church on the previous SundayAlso online : Remembrance Sunday - 8th November- will involve a 9.30am service at St Ed’s (livestreamed) and a 10.50am service at Ringland. The 10.45am at St Ed’s will be attended and led by the uniformed organisations. The service will be livestreamed for others to join virtually.AdditionallyAdvent begins on Sunday 29th November.Also note that if Norfolk goes into a lockdown the services listed here may be changed.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24 : 35Bible reading : Matthew 24 : 30 - 35Thought for the weekDuring lockdown when virtually the whole country had collectively turned to clearing out bookshelves and cupboards, I was bracing myself for an avalanche of old Bibles. At St Ed’s we are entrusted with many old family Bibles and Christian heirlooms, and they are all treated respectfully and find their way to new homes.Yet the avalanche never came. If anything we were giving out more of the Scriptures in the form of Bible verses on prayer cards, bookmarks and through Facebook, as well as whole Bibles in different versions. The avalanche has been in the opposite direction!I shouldn’t have been so surprised. In the uncertainties we have faced we have all found the Lord’s Truth, hope and meaning in His word to us. The Bible has been the only means of making sense of these extraordinary times and growing in the relationship the Lord offers each of us when so much has been and is still being stripped away.The Bible speaks constantly of the Lord’s faithfulness. His strength. His love for this world that has so seriously strayed from Him. This Bible Sunday let us treasure His word and listen to all the Lord is saying. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekMerciful God,Teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty,that trusting in your wordand obeying your willwe may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
