For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17 : 2 - 3Reading : John 17 : 1 - 11Thought for the weekThere is always a rightness in the Lord’s timing. Yet so often it does not coincide with our own sense of time. So often in the Bible the Lord’s people were frustrated and challenged by when things were happening, just as we are challenged by all the experiences of the lockdown and the virus.Yet Jesus appeared on earth just at the right time. He began His ministry after thirty years of human life at the right time. He entered Jerusalem at the right time. He gave His life on the Cross and rose from the dead at the right time for humanity, for the Lord’s grace to fill the world.This week we celebrated Jesus’ Ascension which occurred after a period the Risen Lord spent with His disciples, and anticipated the coming of the Holy Spirit, all at the right time.So often the right time demands patience of God’s people, and a growing for the disciples. Waiting is painful but has to happen for the right time to be fruitful and in the Lord’s plan.So we are called to trust in the Lord’s timing for us, and to know the joy and the hope of the Holy Spirit with us. The one who assures us now that we live in the light and love of eternity. Rev Paul
The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 24th May: 10.30am, by Rev Paul for the Sunday after AscensionSunday 24th May evening with Rachel 6.30pm (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Wednesday 27th May: 10.30am Rev Phil - spiritual communionWednesday 27th May evening 9pm: Rachel’s Rectory Ramblings (with slippers) Sunday 31st May – Pentecost9.30am service with Rev Phil11.00am with Rev PaulWatch 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 PaulTuesdays 10.00 am - 11.30 am virtual coffee morning – split into groups with people logging in at different times during the 90 minutes. If you’d like to join please contact Stella: midday1940@gmail.com and she will give you a time. The zoom number is 317 328 9088. Also the option to join Stella for a chat on Sunday mornings from 11.20am after the service. The number is the same.
We are holding a Deanery of Norwich North Ascension Day service on-line at 7pm on Thursday 21st May 2020 Celebrant Revd Phil Charlesworth Welcome by Revd Canon Simon Stokes, Rural Dean Readings Revd Rosemary Maskell and Revd Andrew Parsons Sermon Sr. Stella Noons Intercessions led by Revd Dean AkrillThe service sheet is attached to this news itemThis service can be joined in one of the following 3 ways –1. Facebook on the Sprowston parish church Facebook page watching live from there –https://www.facebook.com/sprowstonchurch 2. Via Zoom – to download Zoom use https://zoom.us/download Then press Join and join the meeting using the Meeting ID 750 607 3095 andPassword 17803. Phone using a mobile or landline 0131 460 1196, then enter the Meeting ID 750 607 3095 then the Member ID that is simply the hash key # and the Password – 1780
Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. John 14 : 19 - 21Reading : John 14 : 15 - 21Thought for the weekWe’ve had a lot of instructions over the past few months, beginning with when we were still meeting together. I remember, ‘Do not physically share the peace’. ‘Do not sit near others if you feel unwell’. And later, ‘receive Communion in the bread only’.How many have we all received since then! At one point there was a debate between guidelines, instructions and commands. Jesus tells us in our Gospel this week, those who love Him will keep His Commandments.Jesus gave many commandments. ‘Repent’, ‘follow’, ‘seek’, ‘forgive’, ‘be reconciled’, ‘trust in Him’. All the Government instructions we’ve been given have been for our own good. To save lives and end the pandemic.The Lord is the source of life and love. His commandments bring life, and freedom, purpose and hope for the whole world.So Jesus summarises them all. ‘Love the Lord your God’. And ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. Jesus showed us what true love is on the Cross. This is the kind of love, His love, that changes everything. May we love as He loves us. Rev Paul
