“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 13 : 31 - 32Bible reading: Matthew 13 : 31-33, 44 - 52Thought for the weekIn our Gospel reading Jesus gives us a whole range of parables. In each of them He is speaking about something precious amidst the very ordinary things.There is a range of everyday activity here, from sowing, to gathering, to preparing food, to buying and selling. Pictures about human skills, and hopes, and choices that we all share. And into all this activity Jesus speaks words of the Kingdom. About the Lord’s sovereign rule. About what is most precious. About the Kingdom that is so often seemingly hidden, and yet is unstoppable. The last parable is challenging. About the separation of the wicked from the righteous. It is uncompromising. Harsh even. Until we realise this is Jesus Himself speaking. The one who has brought the Kingdom into our lives. Who offers everyone His grace, His compassion. His love. The one who has brought all our choices together into one. To choose Him. To follow Jesus. To live in His life and in His hope.Jesus is the one who offers each of us the Kingdom and eternal life in Him. Something so precious that begins now in the everyday when we choose Jesus. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGenerous God, you give us gifts and make them grow;though our faith is as small as a mustard seed,make it grow for your glory and the flourishing of your Kingdom;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Date for your diary: Cycle for your churchSat 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. 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.
We are continuing to hold small face-to-face services at St Eds, including services of Holy Communion. If you would like to come along it would be great to see you. Track and Trace means we have to keep a record of who attends. Please contact Rev Paul (by phone or e mail) and he will ‘book you in’.The livestreams are all continuing, and we are hoping these will include livestreams from the church building soon!The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 26th July 9:30 am, with Rev Phil (using spiritual communion Trinity liturgy on separate webpage) Sunday 26th July 11am, with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 26th July evening with Rachel 6.30pm (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Wednesday 29th July: 10.30am Wednesday 29th July 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 PaulNorwich Diocese Drive in service - Sunday 2 August at 1pmThe Diocese have organised a Special drive-in service next Sunday at the Royal Norfolk showground in Easton for a special church service (in our cars!) ,Speaking about the service, the Very Revd Jane Hedges said: "We hope that people will come from all over the diocese to join with us as we celebrate all the gifts God has given us, share in worship, and give thanks for the wonderful people of our diocese and all that has been given in public service during the past months."For more details see Diocesan website at https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/news/special-drive-in-church-service-to-take-place/ The service is free to attend but places are limited and booking is essential via the following link: https://events.musthavetickets.co.uk/54968685
“the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father”. Matthew 13 : 43Bible reading: Matthew 13 : 24 – 30, 36 - 43Thought for the weekAmongst the many ‘unseen heroes’ of the past few months have been the staff and the children of our local schools. The teachers have had to be massively creative and dedicated in ensuring each child has had provision for their learning and also their well - being, whether at school or at home.There have been so many challenges, including rapidly effecting Government directives, providing for the children of key – workers so they can carry out their essential roles, supporting children who are in transition phases of their education, and also helping those youngsters who have worked towards exams for years that have not now taken place.In our Gospel reading Jesus speaks of the good seed being threatened by weeds and all the dangers that the world can present to healthy and God – given growth. I believe it is so important we give thanks to the Lord for the teaching staff, for His protection and guiding of them, and for the Lord’s blessing on the amazing children and youngsters in our community who carry so much potential and are so precious to Jesus. Please pray for them over the summer, that they will know the Lord is with them and loves them. Rev Paul
The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 19th July 9:30 am, with Rev Phil (using spiritual communion Trinity liturgy on separate webpage) For the 9:30am livestream service on 19th July we will use the general confession from the Book of Common Prayer:ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, We have offended against thy holy laws, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, And we have done those things which we ought not to have done, And there is no health in us: But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable offenders; Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults, Restore thou them that are penitent, According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord: And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.And TWO Bible readings (from the lectionary for the day): Wisdom 12:13, 16–19 and Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43Sunday 19th July 11am, with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 19th July evening with Rachel 6.30pm (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Wednesday 22nd July: 10.30am Wednesday 22nd July 9pm: Rachel’s Rectory Ramblings (with slippers) Watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'Everyone welcome.Church opening for worshipWe are now holding small services in St Ed's once a fortnight, including services of Holy Communion. If you would like to come along it would be great to see you. Track and Trace means we have to keep a record of who attends. Please contact Rev Paul (by phone or e mail) and so he can ‘book you in’.We are also exploring other options, including outdoors and at Ringland.In addition Rachel will be resuming the Tuesday evening meditation with Compline during August at St Ed's– dates to be announced.The livestreams are all continuing, and we are hoping these will include livestreams from the church building soon! Watch this space.Also online : Rspace Zoom for teenagers every Tuesday at 7.00pm. Details Rev Paul
