My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ Luke 2 : 30 - 32Bible reading : Luke 2 : 22 - 40Thought of the weekAlthough the event itself is remote from us, there is something immensely human about Mary and Joseph bringing their first – born child into the Temple. There is always the first thrill of new parents to present their new-born. Unforgettable moments made even more so by the people who are there to witness it.Jesus’ Presentation is truly unforgettable. Simeon stands almost as a gatekeeper to the world, full of the Holy Spirit, full of the expectation and anticipation of Israel for the coming of the Messiah, aware of the promises of the Lord being fulfilled in the person of this tiny child.It is a moment where the grace and love of the Lord meets with our frailty as humans, and our potential through faith to be all the Lord calls us to be.Both Simeon and Anna are outstanding in their faithfulness. They are filled with wonder at the divine promises being made so real in human terms. Yet this is how the Lord meets with us now. In the most human of ways and in the times where we share our common humanity.This is Jesus for us every day. Who calls us to believe in Him and look to His Light, and to know His promises are true. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod our creator,who in the beginningcommanded the light to shine out of darkness:we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christmay dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,shine into the hearts of all your people,and reveal the knowledge of your gloryin the face of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever, Amen.Prayers together….Please join us at 8.00 each day (Monday to Saturday), on the St Ed's Facebook page, for our sixty second Bitesized Prayer. If you would like to, please take a moment each day at 12.00 noon to join with Christians around the world to say The Lord’s Prayer.We also have thoughts and ideas for prayers and intercessions for each day on our Prayer hub – see the separate weekly news-item on the St Peter's website.
St Ed’s and St Peter’s Prayer Hub - week beginning Sunday 31 January 2021.St John, in the first chapter of his gospel reminds us that 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.This week we will focus our prayers on the Light of Christ, shining in what seems like very dark times at the moment. The darkness cannot and will not overcome the Light which is Christ, the very presence and life of God amongst us.You may like to use these prayer suggestions this week.Sunday: ‘The Light of Christ has come into the world.’ We rejoice today and give thanks for the presence of Christ with us.Monday: ‘The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.’ As we pray today we pray remembering that that in the bleakness of the circumstances we find ourselves in God is here with us.Tuesday: Hold in the Light of Christ all those who are unwell in body, mind or spirit as a result of COVID-19.Wednesday: We are called to be light in the world. Pray that we may shine the love of Christ wherever and however we may find ourselves.Thursday: We pray today that the Light of Christ may set our hearts on fire with love for God and for our neighbours.Friday: Spend some time today reflecting on the warmth of the light of God’s love for you.Saturday: Pray for our worship tomorrow.God our creator,who in the beginningcommanded the light to shine out of darkness:we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christmay dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,shine into the hearts of all your people,and reveal the knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you,in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever. Amen. Our Father who art in heaven…..Please join us at 8.00 each day on Facebook for our Bitesized Prayer. If you would like to, please take a moment each day at 12pm to join with Christians around the world to say The Lord’s Prayer.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 31st January 9:30 am Candlemas Celebration of Light, Rev Phil Sunday 31st January 11:15am Candlemas Celebration, Rachel (service sheet attached)Sunday 31st January evening 6.30pm with Rachel (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 2nd February 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 2nd February 10.30am Rev PhilWednesday 2nd February 5.00pm Evening Prayer, ValAdditionally at 8am daily (Monday to Saturday) 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.AdditionallyServices in church Although our services in church are suspended the church is alive! Please continue to pray for the needs of our community, our neighbours and our friends. Our pastoral work is continuing as we are more and more available to the needs of our community. The church is open each day for private prayer and our livestreams continue.31st January we celebrate Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple (Candlemas). We hope to celebrate with candles and light. You may want to have a candle at home to light as part of our livestreams this week.St Peter’s Appeal Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to the Appeal for St Peter’s for the investigation works into the structure of the building. We have raised an amazing £6,200 of the £8,500 needed. The appeal will continue until March. Donations may be made by cash or by cheque payable to St Peter’s PCC Ringland and passed to Rev Paul. Thank you so much for your support.Sad news we were very sorry to hear that Kathleen Medler from Ringland has died. She lived her whole life in the village and was a regular attender of St Peter’s. Her funeral will be at St Faiths on 9<sup>th</sup> February.Lent begins on 17th February (Ash Wednesday). We will be livestreaming a service of spiritual Communion at 10.30am and we livestream Evening Prayers at 5.00pm, as we begin to make the journey of Lent together.
Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. John 1 : 11Bible reading : John 2 : 1 – 11Thought of the weekOne of the features of Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana is who is there to witness it.It was a remarkable event in itself. Jesus reveals His power over all things, and His compassion in responding to the wedding couple’s immediate need. Yet John the Gospel writer is clear to highlight the impact Jesus’ miracle has. For the wedding couple, whose wedding is transformed from what could have been a disaster to an even bigger celebration. John also points out that Mary, Jesus’ mother, and His disciples, also witness the miracle, because this is ‘the first of His signs’, pointing to His identity as God Himself come amongst us, transforming and redeeming our humanity, making all things new.Yet usually forgotten in the miracle are the servants. Mary says to them, ‘Do whatever He tells you’. They are also witnesses, the lowly, ordinary people, just as the shepherds first hear the Good News of Jesus birth.So we are called to do ‘whatever he asks’, to go about our ordinary days knowing who Jesus is, the One who is our Saviour, our Lord and our friend. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod of all mercy,your Son proclaimed good news to the poor,release to the captives,and freedom to the oppressed:anoint us with your Holy Spiritand set all your people freeto praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen
