Monday 19th October at 7pm we have a special celebration of christian songs and hymns for Autumn.The St Eds music group will lead us for this service via the St Eds facebook page.All welcomePlease join (digitally) with us at this time if you are able – or you can watch later when you have an opportunity to do so.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. Matthew 22 : 21 - 22Bible reading : Matthew 22 : 15 - 22Thought for the weekThese days it is unusual to come across a coin. I can’t remember the last time I was given a coin in a shop, or even had one in my pocket. Coins have become a reminder of when life was different. When both coins and people were able to circulate freely.Jesus is challenged again by the Pharisees. Devout Jewish people were not allowed to handle the Roman coin. Yet not to do so, and not to pay tax with the coin, was an act of rebellion against Rome. The Roman coin bore the head of Caesar. It was an everyday reminder that the Empire, and the people within it, were under Roman rule. Were subjects.Yet the Bible tells us we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1 : 27). We bear His imprint in our lives. We reflect who He is in the world. Through faith in Jesus we belong to the Lord.Maybe at this time we need to be reminded of the Lord’s light in our lives. His strength. That through faith we are people of Jesus’ Cross and Resurrection. In all we are going through, in all that challenges us and confronts us, Jesus reminds us He will not let us go. That we belong to Him alone. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod, our judge and Saviour,teach us to be open to your truthand to trust in your love,that we may live each daywith confidence in the salvation which is given through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenAdvent begins on Sunday 29th November.
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 18th October 9:30 am, with Rev Phil Sunday 18th October 11am, with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 18th October evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 20th October 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 21st October 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWednesday 21st October 9pm Rachel’s Rectory Ramblings (with slippers) Watch 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 :18th October 9.30am St Ed’s25th October 9.30am St Ed’s 11.00am Ringland (Shoebox service - filled shoeboxes can be left in either church before this service on 25th Oct)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 20th October 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 : Podcast: ‘Saving Graces’ a series of interviews with a range of people who have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic in very different ways. Available through the website for the Diocese of NorwichRemembrance SundayThis year (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.AdditionallyCare Homes We have begun to have more contact with the staff and residents of the Nursing and Care homes now. We would like to be able to give a small package of toiletries, puzzle books, gifts and chocolate to residents, especially those who are vulnerable and have lacked contact with their families. If you would like to make any donations of suitable items these can be left in St Ed’s church marked ‘Care Homes’. Thank you.The list of suitable items for ‘Bags of Care’ for Care Home Residents November/ December 2020 is shown below for your information.Any toiletries (men’s or women’s)ToothbrushToothpasteShaving FoamDeodorantFlannel for washingSocksSoap/shower gelShampooPackets of tissuesPerfumeAfter shaveCrossword/sudoku booksColouring books (for adults)ChocolateBags of sweetsSmall table-top Christmas decorations
Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. Matthew 22 : 9 – 10Bible reading : Matthew 22 : 1 – 14Thought for the weekI wonder when you last received an invitation? With so much that has been postponed or cancelled over the past six months, invitations to a celebration or a party have become few and far between.The Parable Jesus tells in the Gospel reading is based around an invitation. The host is clearly a man of influence, and yet the invitation reveals perhaps that his influence has won him few actual friends. So the invitation is turned down. Yet also of those who do attend, one of the guests disrespects the host, does not dress appropriately. The man is angry, and Jesus highlights the honour and grace of being invited, and much depends on how we respond to Him.Maybe soon, hopefully the invitations to join others in celebration will come again. Yet Jesus makes it clear throughout the Gospels He is inviting us into fullness of life. He invites us to follow Him, receive from Him, know forgiveness and salvation in His name.It is an invitation that cost Jesus everything. And it is for each of us personally. We respond by receiving from Jesus and believing in Him. Let us never forget the greatness of all that Jesus invites us into. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod, our judge and Saviour,teach us to be open to your truthand to trust in your love,that we may live each daywith confidence in the salvation which is given through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
