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.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 13th June 9.30am Holy Communion (at St Eds and livestream)Sunday 13th June 11.15am Sunday Morning Worship (outside at St Eds and livestream)Sunday 13th June 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 15th June 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Tuesday 15th June 4:30pm Rspace (for details contact Rev Paul)Wednesday 16th June 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 16th June 10.30am Holy Communion Rev Phil/Rev Paul (at St Ed’s)Additionally 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.AdditionallyAttended services we now have a 9.30am service at St Ed’s weekly, a Wednesday 10.30am service at St Ed’s and services fortnightly at St Peter’s. We are trialling a period where it is not necessary to sign up in advance. Just come along!Ringland: future services at St Peter’s: Sunday 20th June 11.00am Holy CommunionTuesday 22nd June 7:30pm Reflection with ComplineSt Ed’s Plant Sale – our plant sale will continue this weekend. A huge thank you to Sue Elmes for organising the stall each day and to everyone who has donated plants and those who have bought some. Proceeds for church funds.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!Julian Bryant’s Bike Ride ChallengeToday (13th June) I am taking up the challenge to cycle 200 miles in a day around the borders of Norfolk. Please sponsor the ride for Christian Aid if you can so that malnourished children will receive food parcels, communities can build soap and hand washing stations, wear PPE when helping others and much more in communities including those in India, Syria and Ethiopia impacted by COVID. Follow the link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julianbryantJulian will be speaking about his challenge in our 11.15am livestream next week (20th)
Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3 : 34 - 35Bible reading : Mark 3 : 20 – 35Thought for the weekJesus laid aside many things in His ministry. His rightful place in heaven to come to earth and be amongst us who are so frail and needing in faith. He put aside the peace of heaven to be baptised and tested, questioned and even humiliated. He took off His outer robe to wash His disciples’ feet in humility, and even gave up His life on the Cross for our forgiveness and the invitation to salvation and New Life.In our reading early in Mark’s Gospel Jesus lays aside His earthly family, His mother and brothers, to take up the family of faith, or all those who willingly turn to Jesus and believe in Him. This also means His mother and very likely His brothers (James, Joses, Jude and Simon) who do believe in Him. Also His sisters!Each time Jesus lays something aside, we as human beings, gain so much. To be able to know the Lord for ourselves. To know we have a Friend, and Saviour, our true King, in Jesus. To know the truth of Jesus’ love for us. To know we belong to a new family of believers across the world when we believe.The past months have not weakened, but strengthened the family of faith in Jesus. Let us celebrate that we belong to one another, and that through faith Jesus has gathered us to Himself. Rev PaulPrayer for todayGod of truth,help us to keep your law of loveand to walk in ways of wisdom,that we may find true lifein Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below):Sunday 6th June 9.30am Holy Communion (at St Eds and livestream)Sunday 6th June 11.00am Morning Prayer – Jane Dryden (at St Peter’s)Sunday 6th June 11.15am Sunday Morning Worship (outside at St Eds and livestream)Sunday 6th June 6.30pm Sunday Club (livestream)Tuesday 8th June 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (livestream)Tuesday 8th June 7:30pm Reflection with Compline (at St Peter’s)Wednesday 9th June 9am Midweek Moments! (livestream)Wednesday 9th June 10.30am Holy Communion Rev Phil/Rev Paul (at St Ed’s)Additionally 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.AdditionallyAttended services we now have a 9.30am service at St Ed’s weekly, a Wednesday 10.30am service at St Ed’s and services fortnightly at St Peter’s. We are trialling a period where it is not necessary to sign up in advance. Just come along!Details For Informal Worship Sunday 6th JuneWe will be outside St Eds this week so that a maximum of 30 people can come along. You will need to bring a Chair, a Picnic, a Drink and suitable dress for the weather, even if it rains!If you would like to come and join us please can you book in by sending us a direct message via facebook so we can make sure we do not exceed 30 people.You can of course stay in the comfort of your own home and watch online as well!Reflection with Compline We are hoping to reinstate our times of reflection followed by Compline on Tuesday evenings. These will now be held at St Peter’s Ringland, and will begin fortnightly on Tuesday 8th June at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome!Ringland: future services at St Peter’s: Sunday 20th June 11.00am Holy CommunionTuesday 22nd June 7:30pm Reflection with ComplineChurches Count on Nature is running a ‘Love Your Burial Ground week’ from Saturday 5th June – Sunday 13th June 2021. We are invited to use the week to organise events involving making a record of wildlife in our churchyards. If you are interested in helping to organise events (maybe a wildlife trail for children/sponsored count for adults?) and to register for St Ed’s and/or St Peter’s Churchyards please let Rev Paul know. It would be great to have a ‘Wildlife Ambassador’ for each Churchyard!St Ed’s Plant Sale – Our plant sale at St. Edmund’s started on Saturday 29th May and will continue whilst we have plants to sell. If you have plants to spare, please bring them along for sale and then buy some from our selection too! Proceeds for church funds.Congratulations! To Jane Dryden who has just been accepted as a Butterfly Volunteer at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, working with end of life patients and the bereaved. Jane was selected after training, and is one of four Butterfly Volunteers. Our Local Foodbank are needing to re-site their storage shed immediately, and our PCC has approved the area of the churchyard next to the existing shed. The Foodbank has also been offered an upright freezer, but it will not fit in the shed. Does anyone have any space or ideas where the freezer could be kept (access will be needed), please? Any ideas please let Rev Paul know.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 on that morning – so our services in church will consist of the Ordination service, which apparently will take place at 9.30am for Val’s group, and then again at 11.00am. More details when we have them!Julian Bryant’s Bike Ride ChallengeIn ten days time I am taking up the challenge to cycle 200 miles in a day around the borders of Norfolk. Please sponsor the ride for Christian Aid if you can so that malnourished children will receive food parcels, communities can build soap and hand washing stations, wear PPE when helping others and much more in communities including those in India, Syria and Ethiopia impacted by COVID. Follow the link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julianbryant?fbclid=IwAR2EZ-UkA7KCuaRTKxmqAvVC6LRXcIS4wBQkhsFerwhXDafg8BhDCsGTPwU
