In view of the Government announcements of a new four week lockdown we are now having to suspend our services in church. The church will however be open each day for private prayer. We are also introducing other opportunities for us to pray together:Praying Together each week - Within the benefice many of us have adopted the practice of pausing wherever we are to say the Lord’s Prayer at 12 o’clock each day. It connects us with one another and brings us into the conscious awareness of the presence of God.Alongside this we will be giving a simple suggestion for each day of something you might like to pray about as we pray together for the world in all its trauma and anguish and also as we give thanks for God’s continued presence and faithfulness to us in this time of uncertainty and difficulty. On the website there will be a separate news item each week with prayer ideas for each day that week.The livestreams are continuing with the following services being made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 8th November 9:30 am Spiritual communion with Rev Paul Sunday 8th November 10:45am Remembrance Service with Rev Paul and Rev Phil (service sheet attached)Sunday 8th November evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart) craft template on separate newsitemTuesday 10th November 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 11th November 10.30am Rev PaulWednesday 11th November 9pm Rachel’s Rectory RamblingsSaturday 14th November 9pm Prayers together - Each Saturday leading up to Christmas at 9.00pm we will be lighting a candle in church and hold a half hour time of prayer on livestream. Please send in any prayer requests or join online at the time!Watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyAdvent begins on Sunday 29th November.
Starting tomorrow, Saturday 7th November, we are inviting you to join us online each Saturday evening at 9pm for 30 minutes of quiet contemplative prayer time together. Join us on the St Ed’s Facebook page at that time - or later ‘on catch up’.
In view of the Government announcements of a new four week lockdown from 5th November we are now reviewing all our services and livestreams. This will now affect Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas Fair, and all services in church – we will provide an update once we have had time to consider how best to proceed.As Christ’s people we need to pray, keep faith in Him, be people of hope and witness to the love and abiding presence of Christ in our lives and our communityThe words of our Gospel reading this week could not be more appropriate : ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. Let us keep each other in prayer and be kind to one another as we look to the Lord to lead us from this difficult time into freedom and new beginnings. The livestreams are continuing.The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 1st November 9:30 am with Rev Paul Sunday 1st November 11.15am with Julian BryantSunday 1st November evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 3rd November 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 4th November 10.30am Rev PaulWatch 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 :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 Tuesday 3rd November 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 Sunday
“When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. Matthew 5 : 1 - 3Bible reading : Matthew 5 : 1 - 12Thought for the weekAs we come to more difficult days ahead, today is All Saints as we celebrate the faith we share with our brothers and sisters across the world, and those who have believed in and followed Jesus through the ages.In our Gospel reading Jesus speaks into our time, how being the saints involves doing as well as being. We are immersed in the challenges of this time as people of faith, people of compassion, people who look to the faithfulness and hope in the Lord that He alone brings. Jesus tells us we are called to be poor in Spirit, pointing to Jesus alone for hope. To mourn the state of our world that has fallen into such chaos. To live out our faith meekly, without arrogance and with time for everyone, and to hunger and thirst after Truth and the way back to the Lord. We are called to be merciful especially to those in need, and to be the people who are pure in heart, and not self – seeking. Also and perhaps most challenging to be bringers of Jesus’ peace into the lives and homes of those around us.So we are called to hold fast to our faith in Jesus, even though that may involve persecution. So we are all called to be the saints who reveal Jesus’ abiding presence and His everlasting love for this world. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekWe are not people of fearWe are people of courageWe are not people who protect our own safetyWe are people who protect our neighbours’ safetyWe are not people of greedWe are people of generosityWe are your people GodGiving and lovingWherever we are, whatever it costsFor as long as it takesWherever you call us. (from The Methodist Church)
