“The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.” Matthew 13 : 23Bible reading: Matthew 13 : 1 – 9, 18 - 23Thought for the weekOne of the aspects of life that has not depended on a Government directive or media scrutiny is what is happening in the fields, gardens and allotments all over the UK. Crops are growing in the field next to our house. Vegetables and fruit are looking healthy. It looks like there will be a harvest this year. When what is certain keeps changing, there is speculation and rumour about the future. Yet Jesus speaks about growing. About plenty and seeds that just keep being sown. About a sower who overcomes all the odds. Whose sowing carries on, and eventually produces a thick and plentiful harvest.Jesus’ Kingdom has been taking root and growing all through the lockdown. Through times of uncertainty and tragedy. When so much has threatened and destroyed, the seed of God’s word has continued to be sown. The growing and the harvest just keep on, regardless.Jesus calls us to prepare for the harvest, for the sower to reap even ‘beyond his wildest dreams’. We can be sure in these times the sower is sowing and the seed is growing. Let us celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness and His blessing, and rejoice in all He calls us to share in. Rev PaulBishop’s Prayer PilgrimageBishop Graham is walking from the Cathedral to Walsingham over three days, starting on Monday (13th July). “Pilgrimage is a meaningful journey to a sacred place. It provides the opportunity to step out of the non-stop busyness of our lives, to seek a time of quiet and reflection,” says Bishop Graham. “I’m intent on using this time to seek God’s heart and healing for all those affected by coronavirus. Do look out for me if I’m passing through your neighbourhood and please do all join me in praying during this time.”The Bishop will be passing through Taverham and Ringland at some time on Monday morning (13th July) and will visit St Ed’s and St Peter’s
A reminder of the on-line services for the week beginning Sunday 12th July 2020 - includes service sheet for 11am serviceThe following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 12th July 9:30 am, with Rev Phil (using spiritual communion Trinity liturgy on separate webpage) Sunday 12th July 11am, with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 12th July evening with Rachel 6.30pm (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Wednesday 15th July 10.30am Wednesday 15th July 9pm: Rachel’s Rectory Ramblings (with slippers) Watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'Everyone welcome.Drive – in church is being planned by the Diocese for the summer.The diocese is hoping to hold a songs of praise style service at the Norfolk Showground to celebrate all that local churches and communities have been doing over these past few months and give thanks to God. See the Diocesan website for full details ( if link fails go to https://www.dioceseofnorwich.org/news/special-drive-in-church-service-to-take-place/ )Also online :Rspace Zoom for teenagers every Tuesday at 7.00pm. Details Rev Paul
“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.” Matthew 11 : 28 – 30Bible reading : Matthew 11 : 16 – 19; 25 – 30Thought for the weekI wonder how we would have felt at the beginning of this year if someone had told us we would have three and a half months off – from everything. From busyness and meetings and travelling and expectations, and even shopping!Yet I think most people have found the lockdown hard. For most of us we have had to reinvent our lives. Yet we have learnt a great deal along the way, and maybe learnt what we took as normal was by no means the best for us, our family and our world.Jesus tells us following Him brings lightness and freedom and a new beginning. But it is by no means the easy way. It involves sacrifice, and re – learning who we are, discovering the truth of who we really are in fact. It involves a responsibility for the world, and living daily in a way that reveals the Lord’s love and the truth of who Jesus is.Yet Jesus’ way is the best way. In fact He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He offers us the way of life in Him, true life through the Cross and a turning away from sin. It is the way of forgiveness and life and freedom to live the Lord’s life in us, through the Holy Spirit. Let us receive Jesus’ promise today, and rest in the knowledge of His love. Rev Paul
The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 5th July 9:30 am, with Rev Phil (using spiritual communion Trinity liturgy on separate webpage) Sunday 5th July 11am, with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 5th July evening with Rachel 6.30pm (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Wednesday 8th July: 10.30am Wednesday 8th July 9pm: Rachel’s Rectory Ramblings (with slippers) Watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'Everyone welcome.Also online : <div>Rspace Zoom for teenagers every Tuesday at 7.00pm. Details Rev Paul</div><div>Additionally - Write the GospelsRecently I came across an invitation to handcopy the gospel of Luke as a way to prayerfully enter more deeply into words that we are either very familiar with or may not know at all. Just 10 verses a day - it's a long journey! If you would like to join me that would be great. Please message me via the St Ed's Facebook page if you'd like any further information. Rachel.</div>
