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.
<div>Welcome to the St Ed’s and St Peter’s Prayer Hub ~ the first for 2021.Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge God and God will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5)This verse is a call to trust, to recognise who God is ~ the One who is faithful, kind, and the One who is with us offering hope, peace, joy, and love. It is a call for us to individually live in the light of God’s loving presence, trusting that we are held securely in that love. It is a reminder of the depth of our need for God. It’s also a call to us, the church, to trust that God is leading us as a community of faith even though we are unable to meet together in person at the moment. In Christ all things are being held together and we are bound by the Holy Spirit in whom we are united.As we enter prayer this week let’s keep this verse in the forefront of our minds, looking to Jesus who has shown us the fullness of God’s love.Sunday: Give thanks that God is with us, Emmanuel. Monday: Spend some time today reflecting on the verse at the top of the page.Tuesday: Pray for all churches throughout the world that we may be people who trust in God’s loving, healing, reconciling presence.Wednesday: As we ask God to help us trust him more, pray that we at St Ed’s and St Peter’s may be able to discern God’s paths for us.Thursday: Hold in the Light of Christ’s love those you are most concerned for.Friday: Spend some time today giving thanks for the ways you have seen God’s presence in your life this week.Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow.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 3rd January 9:30 am Rev Paul/Rev Phil Sunday 3rd January 11:15am Rev Paul/Rev Phil (service sheet attached)Sunday 3rd January evening 6.30pm Sunday Club with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 5th January 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 6th January 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWednesday 6th January 5.00pm prayers with Rev Paul and RachelWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyServices in church While we are in Tier 4 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.Thank you! Paul, Rachel, Rev Phil and the ministry team would like to thank everyone for their very kind cards, good wishes and gifts over the Christmas period. Your support is greatly appreciated as we seek to grow the Kingdom in our communities. 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. Children’s Society Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards the Christingle appeal for the Children’s Society. So far £135.08 has been sent and further donations are being received. We will close the appeal on Sunday 17th January.
This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21 : 24 - 25Bible reading : John 21 : 19b - endThought for this weekReflecting on the apostle and evangelist John’s ministry today is a reminder of who Jesus is. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth and the truth of God come amongst us, John reveals the whole of Jesus’ ministry in his Gospel and his relationship with Jesus.Our Gospel reading for today comes from the very end of John’s Gospel, reminding us of how the baby born in Bethlehem grew to be a man, who lived a fully human life as well as being divine, who showed His love in countless ways, and finally went to the Cross in the greatest act of self – giving ever for our salvation.Every part of Jesus’ life reveals the whole story, because He is the child born to us who is our Saviour, our Lord and our King. Every part of His life, from His birth to His death and to His Resurrection, reveals His love for us, and how His love is a sacrificial, life – giving love for the whole world. This is who Jesus is. The baby in the manger. The teacher and healer. The prophet and King. The one who died on the Cross and was raised from the dead. His love is for each of us. The love that has come down from heaven. The love that calls us to know Him and to believe. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGrant, O Lord we prayThat the Word made fleshproclaimed by your apostle Johnmay, by the celebration of these holy mysteries,ever abide and live within us;through Jesus Christ our LordAmen.
