See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ Mark 1 : 2 - 3Bible reading : Mark 1 : 1 - 8Thought for the weekIt seems the Christmas preparations have started really early this year. Not surprising with the year that is coming to an end with so much struggle and so much that has just seemed so wrong.The Lord spoke into another time when so much was disjointed and painful. The Roman occupation. The failure of the Jewish spiritual leadership. Hope disintegrating. Families struggling. Even philosophers questioning their own moral authority.The Lord’s prophets have always spoken into human time and events from His heart of endless and unfathomable love and wisdom. Speaking grace, speaking of new beginnings, speaking peace into turmoil and confusion.So preparation has become so important. Not just for Christmas, but the preparation of our lives, our priorities, our choices. We are called to prepare because we cannot know what is ahead of us. We cannot know the opportunities we will have to speak of the Lord’s love and witness to His grace.We are all called to prepare because the Kingdom is now. Jesus is alive, and calls us to follow Him with all that we are, all we are called to be. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekO Lord, raise up, we pray, your powerand come among us,and with great might succour us;that whereas, through our sins and wickednesswe are grievously hinderedin running the race that is set before us,your bountiful grace and mercymay speedily help and deliver us;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen
Welcome to the St Ed’s and St Peter’s Prayer Hub for this week.As we light the second candle on the Advent wreath we rejoice in God’s gift of peace. One of the blessings we often hear at the end of our services asks God particularly to bless us with peace.May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ( Philippians 4:7)When we pray for peace, either for others or for ourselves, we are asking for the awareness of the presence of Jesus, because it is Jesus himself who is our peace. When we share The Peace during communion we hear the words, ‘Christ is our peace. He has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross. We meet in his Name and share his peace.’ (These words are based on St Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:18). Christ, in grace, blesses us with the gift of his peaceful presence which we in turn are to share with a complex and needy world. As we pray this week, ask God to show you where you can pray for the awareness of Christ’s presence that everyone everywhere might know his peace. Sunday: As we worship today we rejoice that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.Monday: Spend some time today reflecting on Jesus’ words. ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.’ (John 14:27). Allow these words to direct your prayers.Tuesday: ‘Be still and know that I am God!’ ( Psalm 46:10). God longs to give us peace. Spend some time in quiet today, resting in God’s love.Wednesday: When Jesus stilled the storm on the lake he spoke into the chaos of the storm saying, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Which concerns of the world need Jesus’ words of peace spoken into them today? Thursday: God spoke to his people Israel to reassure them of his presence. ‘Do not be afraid, for I am with you, I am your God.’ Isaiah 41:10 Pray today for someone who needs this reassurance. Friday: After Jesus was raised from the dead the disciples were afraid. Jesus appeared to them and said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ ( John 20:21). Pray that we may have boldness to proclaim the peace of Jesus in our community.Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow that we may know the presence and peace of Christ in all things. 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 6th December 9:30 am CommunionSunday 6th December 11:15am with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 6th December evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 8th December 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 9th December 10.30am Rev PaulWednesday 9th December 9pm Rachel’s Rectory RamblingsSaturday 12th 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.AdditionallyNativity 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.An Appeal We have launched an appeal for the money needed for St Peter’s. Further details in St Ed’s. St Martin’s Housing Trust there will sadly not be a street collection for St Martin’s this year. However it is still possible to give through the following link to www.justgiving.com/campaign/StMartinsChristmas . Or go to www.stmartinshousing.org.uk/christmas/
Once each week during Advent, Rachel and Nick plan to post a song on the St Ed's Facebook page.This will be a short 2-4 minutes video as a way to encourage us all to take a bit of time to pause and reflect during this season of Advent.The songs will be posted either Thursday or Friday – why not follow the St Ed’s Facebook page to receive notifications so you don't miss them?The first song is due to be posted on Thursday 3rd December at 9am.Also the Church of England has weekly Advent reflections which you can sign up to receive by visiting their website here ( in case the link fails here is the full details for the link https://www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/what-we-believe/advent-and-christmas/comfort-and-joy-our-advent-and-christmas-reflections )
