The livestreams are continuing with the following services being made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 20th December 9:30 am Communion Rev Paul/Rev PhilSunday 20th December 11:15am (service sheet attached)Sunday 20th December evening 6.30pm Sunday Club CarolsTuesday 22nd December 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 23rd December 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWednesday 23rd December 9pm Rachel’s Rectory RamblingsChristmas Eve 9am Reflection with prayers - Rev PaulChristmas Eve 3:30pm virtual Christingle service Christmas Eve Midnight Carols and prayers Rev Paul with RachelChristmas Day: Family communion service 10:30amWatch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyServices in church Service of the word on Sunday 20th December 11am at St Peter'sWednesday 23rd 11am Carol singing at St Peter'sChristmas Day 9:30am Holy communion at St Peter'sChristmas Day 10:30am Holy communion at St Ed'sNativity scenes display Sadly in the light of the Government’s announcements and the rising number of virus cases we have decided to postpone the Nativity scenes display until next year. We are disappointed, but our priority is to keep everyone safe.An Appeal We have launched an appeal for the money needed for St Peter’s for investigation works into the structure of the building, and for the annual payment for the roof alarm. Any help is very much appreciated after this difficult year. Further details of the appeal is available at St Ed’s. Paul and Rachel are having to isolate this week after contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid. We are all well (no symptoms). We will continue to isolate until Boxing Day, but will appear on various livestreams. We hope and pray you will all have a peace- filled and hopeful Christmas. The Lord bless you.
The livestreams are continuing with the following services being made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 13th December 9:30 am Communion Rev Paul/Rev PhilSunday 13th December 11:15am (service sheet attached - to take part in the prayers you will need to have a bowl of water and 4 stones ready!)Sunday 13th December 3pm Annual Bereavement Service Sunday 13th December evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 15th December 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 16th December 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWednesday 16th December 9pm Rachel’s Rectory RamblingsThursday 17th December 9am Advent song by Rachel and NickFriday 18th December 6:30pm Christian Aid Carols Saturday 19th 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.AdditionallyBereavement service on Sunday 13th at 3.00pm, and livestreamed through the St Ed’s Facebook page. We will be lighting candles for those who are being remembered.Christian Aid envelopes There is a Christian Aid display at the back of St Eds, together with envelopes that can be used for donations. These have details of where to return them. If you have friends, family or neighbours who would be interested in having an envelope, and have the chance to make a Christmas donation, please take an envelope for them. Nativity 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. If you have an unusual Nativity scene St Peter’s may borrow for the display, please let Rev Paul know.An Appeal We have launched an appeal for the money needed for St Peter’s for investigation works into the structure of the building, and for the annual payment for the roof alarm. Any help is very much appreciated after this difficult year. Further details of the appeal is available at St Ed’s.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1 : 6 - 8Bible reading : John 1 : 6 – 8, 19 - 28Thought of the weekThe appearance of John the Baptist in the Advent Gospel readings is a salutary reminder of the true meaning of these days leading to Christmas. It is about the Kingdom of God, with Jesus’ power, healing and peace, breaking into our world with all its distractions and constructions. It is about truth over deceit, and light in the darkness. John comes with his single message of turning back to the Lord.We need to hear his message more than ever this year of course. For Christmas to be truly Christmas this year we need to stop. To turn again to the goodness and grace of the Lord’s love entering our world. Of His cleansing and His power in Jesus. Of His invitation to us to draw close to the stable, and believe that this is the Lord who searches for us, who comes in sacrifice and offers us freedom from fear.This is a Christmas like no other any of us have ever known. Let us make it unforgettable by listening to John the Baptist’s words, that Jesus is the one who was long awaited, who has come to us with authority and grace. Let us stop in our busyness, and lift our eyes from the day to day, to eternity, and to the miracle of Emmanuel, God with us. Rev Paul
Welcome to the St Ed’s and St Peter’s Prayer Hub for the week beginning Sunday 13th December.This week sees us travelling deeper into our Advent journey and we light the third candle on our wreath. The third candle represents JOY. In a year where there has perhaps been seemingly little joy it is good to pause and remember what joy is about and why, even on the darkest of days we can still know joy. This is the joy that comes despite our circumstances but rather comes from our identity in belonging to Christ. In a year when we have longed for good news we are reminded that Jesus is The Good News. Angels and shepherds are filled with joy because there is Good News. Jesus is born. He is here. This is what our faith rests on, the Good News that God is not absent, but rather present in all that fills our lives - the good, the bad, the ups and the downs.In our prayers this week we invite you to focus on the word joy, as we reflect on what it might mean in difficult times, and how the Good News of Jesus Christ brings light, hope and peace to our world.St. Paul writes to the Philippians Christians May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again; rejoice! Show a gentle attitude towards everyone. The Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7)Sunday: We give thanks today for the joy that comes from belonging to Christ and for the joy of belonging to one another.Monday: Hold in the Light of Christ any particular situations and circumstances where the joy of Christ’s love would make a difference.Tuesday: Ask God to give you a deep sense of joy that comes from belonging to him.Wednesday: Pray for those who are struggling with concerns about their businesses and livelihoods and whose futures are uncertain.Thursday: In all the uncertainty regarding Brexit pray for our leaders and ask for God’s wisdom for them in their decision making.Friday: Pray for our life and witness in our community as we seek to share God’s love over these next few weeks.Saturday: As we prepare to worship tomorrow pray that our worship may bring joy to God.Attached is a sheet of the above in case you prefer to print a copy for reference
