For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's consent. As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows! Matthew 10 : 29 - 31Bible reading : Matthew 10 : 24 - 39Thought for the weekLove is shown in so many ways. For some it is words that count. For others actions. For some people love is shared in time together. Or thoughtfulness. Or patience. In fact love takes many shapes and forms. Often it involves strength, commitment and persistence.Today we reflect on the Father’s love for us. A love that abides. That goes far beyond emotions. A resilient love that perseveres, is grounded and real, that is not subject to circumstances or mood, but is for the long term. Love that conquers, and passes through, is beyond words or understanding, and even time and eternity.In our Gospel reading Jesus speaks of the challenges that the disciples will encounter, and the temptations to be led astray. Of the great commitment involved in following Jesus, and the unrest faith in Jesus will stir up as His truth is revealed and the ways of the world are exposed. Through the challenges Jesus speaks of the Father’s love that knows even the hairs on our head. The Father’s love that abides, is entirely faithful, that never fades or is distant. In our situations we can trust in the Father’s love. The one whose face is turned towards us, and whose love is real. Rev Paul
The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 21st June 9:30 am, with Rev Phil (using spiritual communion Trinity liturgy on separate webpage) Sunday 21st June 11am, with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 21st June evening with Rachel 6.30pm (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Wednesday 24th June: 10.30am Wednesday 24th June 9pm: Rachel’s Rectory Ramblings (with slippers) Watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'Everyone welcome.Also online : Rspace Zoom for teenagers every Tuesday at 7.00pm. Details Rev PaulPlus a noticeCycle for your church Sat 12 September 9.00 am - 5.00 pm A fun day out for all, stopping off at as many churches and Chapels as you can! Join a sponsored bike ride or walk discovering beautiful churches, which also raises money for their repair and preservation. Pump up your tyres, dust off your walking boots, pack a picnic and plan a route from your own door to visit as many of the most beautiful churches in Norfolk as you can. PLUS you can join with others in your parish to win £1,000 for your church by becoming the parish with the most improved amount of money raised. Simply get sponsored for each building you visit or make a donation.
Following the changes to Government and Diocese guidelines it has been decided that the church building will be open for personal, private, prayer. From Monday 15th June, St Peter’s will be open from 10am to 3pm each day.Health and safety guidelines warn that it is safest for as few people as possible to come into contact with one another so we will not have any people welcoming those who come. Please help to reduce the risk of infection by –• USING the hand gel as you enter and as you leave the building.• OBSERVING social distancing at all times.• TAKING a paper cross to put on your seat before you leave. This will help others to know when a seat has already been used. If you have a prayer request please write this on the underside of your cross, (these will be collected at the end of each day).Please AVOID those areas of the church that have been roped off or covered.There are notices in the porch and church reminding everyone of these requirements.For further information contact Revd. Paul Seabrook on 01603 868217 or by email at vicarattaverham@gmail.com.
Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: “Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighbourhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. Matthew 10 : 5 – 8Bible reading : Matthew 9 : 35 – 10 : 23Thought for the weekAs we now make our way through the Trinity Season we have entered the green time or Ordinary time, a time for growing, a time for looking around us and seeing where the Father’s Kingdom is breaking through, where the Spirit is moving and Jesus is being honoured.In our Gospel reading Jesus even exhorts the disciples to ‘Stay alert’ (I’ve heard that before?). So too we need to listen, be aware, notice, look for signs of the Lord’s work and His breath in people’s lives.Jesus spends time with ordinary communities in their homes and all their places of gathering, bringing His extraordinary power and love, and speaking to everyone of this new hope of the Lord’s presence and love.Ordinary communities and lives, and Jesus who does extraordinary things, brings extraordinary transformation.For all of us there has been a lot of ‘ordinary’ during the lockdown. But we belong to the Lord who has an extraordinary love for us. We are called to see his love at work, and witness that He is the Lord who has power and authority over all things. Let us look to the extraordinary things He is doing today. Rev Paul
