Sunday 27th June 2021 is a special day as Val will be ordained as a deacon at Norwich Cathedral at 9.30am. Thankfully we can watch this at home using this link - Norwich Cathedral - Ordination of Deacons ( https://youtu.be/9NgB-<wbr>J8jNGE )There will not be any attended services at St. Edmund's on the 27th.We will have a livestreamed service at midday.Please pray for all who are being ordained this weekend; especially Val and her family - Richard, Jenny and Helen - as she begins her ministry as Curate here at St. Edmund's and St. Peter's.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4 : 40 - 41Bible reading : Mark 4 : 35 - 41Thought of the weekIn our Gospel reading Jesus is at the heart of a crisis. Amidst the storm, He is surrounded by human fears and cries. There is panic, confusion, even terror at what is to happen. Situations that may seem familiar to us at times. We all know the feelings of being overwhelmed, out of control. Yet a situation where Jesus remains sovereign, the source of calm, of peace. Who calls us to have faith.Today is World refugee Day (20th June). It is a salient reminder that during the months of Pandemic there have still been those in the world who have lost their homes, their security, have had to flee warfare and poverty, even the effects of climate change. We also remember those who have taken to boats to seek a better life, and have entrusted their families, their children to others.Jesus’ call to faith is a call to pray, to believe and to act in our world. Where there is poverty, disaster, bitterness we are called to show the love of Jesus and bring change in His name. The disciples own words could be leveled at us, “Do you not care…” Yet Jesus’ response is one of reassurance. To believe, and see even the fiercest storms of hatred, prejudice and crisis dissolve through prayer, through faith and a new beginning. Rev PaulThis Thursday is the International Day of Prayer for the Emergency Services – 24th June. Please pray for our police, ambulance, paramedics and fire services :Heavenly Father, thank You for the emergency services that You have placed here on earth. We are thankful for their abilities, knowledge and expertise. We ask that You continue to cover and bless them because at times, their jobs can be very challenging, risky and demanding. So Father, we pray Psalm 121: 8 over them; “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore”, Amen
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 20th June 9.30am Holy Communion (at St Eds and livestream)Sunday 20th June 11.00am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s)Sunday 20th June 11.15am Sunday Morning Worship (on location livestream)Sunday 20th June 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 22nd June 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Tuesday 22nd June 4:30pm Rspace (for details contact Rev Paul)Tuesday 22nd June 7:30pm Reflection with Compline (at St Peter’s)Wednesday 23rd June 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 23rd June 10.30am Holy Communion Rev Phil/Rev Paul (at St Ed’s)Friday 25th June 9:30 to 12 noon St Ed's Art Group (at Trinity Church)Saturday 26th June 10:30am Baptism at St Ed'sSaturday 26th June 1pm Wedding at St Peter’sAdditionally at 8am daily (daily except Wednesday and Sunday) 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.AdditionallyPlant Sale – our plant sale at St. Edmund’s is still on. A huge thank you to Sue Elmes for organising the stall each day and to everyone who has brought plants to sell.Strawberry Tea in Aid of Syrian Refugees on Thursday 1st July from 2.00pm to 5.00pm in the garden of Deidre Porter, 23 The Street, Taverham. In support of Syrian refugees being helped to settle in the area by the Mothers Union. If Covid restrictions are still in place there will be two sittings. Please E mail Stella on midday1940@gmail.com to book.Val’s Ordination is on Sunday 27th June at 9.30am at the Cathedral. Please pray for Val, Richard, Jenny and Helen as Val makes this exciting step.We are hoping to livestream the service into St Ed’s at 9:30am on that morning. More details when we have them!St Ed's Craft Group meets on Fridays at 9.30am - 12.00 noon at Trinity Church. Everyone is welcome - bring anything – art or craft - you fancy doing and coffee and tea are provided. Cost £3. Julian’s Bike Ride Challenge Julian Bryant will be speaking about his challenge in aid of Christian Aid in our 11.15am livestream today (20th). You can still donate at : https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julianbryantNew pattern of worship from 4th JulyAs we begin to approach a time of more freedom in our worship and life as Christ’s people we are trying a new pattern of worship for St Ed’s and St Peter’s. This has come following a long period of prayer and discernment as to our needs and to enable our churches to grow, particularly as the community around us grows and changes.The pattern will be reviewed by the PCC after six months.All the following involve Sunday mornings at the churches. It is important to note a large proportion of our life and ministry now also takes place during the week. This Sunday pattern has been carefully developed to fit in with our weekday ministry.Therefore from Sunday 4th July we will have :8.00am Holy Communion once a month, probably at the end of each month9.30am Mustard Tree - a new form of weekly informal worship particularly for families and children and those looking for more informality. (10.30am Coffee time – an opportunity for relationship and fellowship for people from both services – once coffee is allowed) 11.15am Traditional weekly service with Holy Communion twice a month, others Service of the Word.11.15am – Livestream on location – outside of the church building – in people’s homes, in the open, possibly at Ringland. 5th Sunday Gathering together - we will bring the livestream team into the 11.15am service, and 9.30am will mainly be a breakfast – to give everyone the opportunity to come together6.30pm Sunday Club will remain as a livestream each weekSt Peter’s will have one or two services on Sundays a monthWe hope and pray this pattern will enable our fellowship and ministry on Sundays to grow and develop over the foreseeable future as we become accustomed to the changes brought about by the Pandemic and the developing forms of worship and discipleship that are encouraging us all to grow in faith in Christ.
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Mark 4 : 30 - 31Bible reading : Mark 4 : 26 - 34Thought for the weekI imagine with lockdown we have all become more closely acquainted with the soil and garden spaces around our homes, in our communities, in our back yards, even the sides of the roads. Maybe we’ve become more aware of what has grown this year, often as if from nowhere. (have you noticed the poppies suddenly sprung up in front of the Junior School?)It is a reminder of the unstoppable power of seeds to persevere, put down roots, grow and flourish even in the most unlikely places. To be there when no one knew or saw them growing.This is the truth of the Kingdom of Jesus. His love and His Word of life perseveres, keeps growing, often unseen, takes root deeply, surprises. Often we’re not aware the seed has been sown or that anyone was listening! Often we did not expect someone to speak about their faith in Jesus, or to be so overwhelmed that others are praying. Often faith is suddenly real or present in ourselves or in others when we least expected.In such simple, brief parables Jesus declares the truth of His love, deeply embedded and present in our lives, persevering, alive and real, even when we are weary or afraid. Jesus who is Lord, our Saviour and our Friend.Rev PaulPrayer for todayI empty my pockets. I empty myself. I empty my all. And make it available for your disposal. May my insignificance be significant for your kingdom.Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International.
