The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 23rd August 9:30 am, with Rev Phil (using spiritual communion Trinity liturgy on separate webpage) Sunday 23rd August 11am, with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 23rd August evening with Rachel and Sophie 6.30pm (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Wednesday 26th August: 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWatch 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 PaulServices in church We are continuing to hold small services, The next service will be30th August (9.30am indoors St Ed’s)The sign-up sheets are now all at the back of St Ed’s church.
“Son of David!” she cried out. “Have mercy on me, sir! My daughter has a demon and is in a terrible condition.” But Jesus did not say a word to her. His disciples came to him and begged him, “Send her away! She is following us and making all this noise!” Matthew 15 : 22-23Bible reading: Matthew 15 : 21 - 28Thought for the weekIt springs up surprisingly. Grows in the harshest of places and circumstances. It clings, hangs on to life, draws strength when needed, persists and even breaks through barriers and obstacles…….faith in Jesus. Faith that perseveres. Faith that wins through because Jesus has broken through into hope and life for us. In our Gospel reading a woman persists in her faith despite all the obstacles. Even the disciples want Jesus to have nothing to do with her. Yet she is driven in desperation for her daughter, and she knows Jesus can heal. Her faith is revealed in how she addresses Jesus. Not just Rabbi, or master, but “Lord, Son of David”. Faith that Jesus is the Lord, the Messiah. That He holds all power and all love. He is God Himself.Her faith encourages Jesus, and challenges the disciples. She is after all in Jewish terms an outsider. Yet her faith in Jesus is real.We should never underestimate how our faith can encourage others. Paul writes, Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, (1 Thess 5:11). If Jesus was encouraged by her faith, how much more are we by each other’s faith. Let us speak of prayers answered, and faith received, so we can encourage one another. Rev Paul Prayer for this week On the 75th Anniversary of VJ DayGod our Father, in the dying and rising of your Son Jesus Christ,you have brought life and salvation out of cruelty and death.We mark Victory in Japanin gratitude for the courage of the Allied forces who suffered for freedom in the Far East campaignand in sorrow for all that hinders the coming of your kingdom of peace.Give us wisdom to learn from the bitter memories of war,and hearts that long for the unity of all nations.We ask all this in the name of Jesus,in whom there is no east or west, no north or south, but one fellowship of love across the whole earth. Amen.Please note: Rev Paul and Rachel will be on leave from 18th August onwards. Any urgent matters can be referred to the Churchwarden as appropriate.
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 16th August 9:30 am, with Rev Phil (using spiritual communion Trinity liturgy on separate webpage) Sunday 16th August 11am, with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 16th August evening with Rachel 6.30pm (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Wednesday 19th August: 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWednesday 19th August 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 PaulServices in church We are continuing to hold small services, The dates are :23rd August (11.00am St Peter's Ringland)30th August (9.30am indoors St Ed’s Taverham)The sign-up sheets are now all at the back of St Ed’s church. Cycle for your churchSat 12 September 9.00 am - 5.00 pm Join a sponsored bike ride or walk discovering beautiful churches, which also raises money for their repair and preservation. Simply get sponsored for each building you visit or make a donation.Cycle Ride Registration: can be online this year through norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk We also have a limited number of paper copies in St Ed’s. Please note: Paul and Rachel will be on leave from 18th August onwards. Any urgent matters can be referred to the Churchwardens as appropriate.
“Jesus spoke to them at once. “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don't be afraid!”Matthew 14 : 27Bible reading: Matthew 14 : 22 – 33Thought for the weekBefore Tuesday’s explosion in Beirut, the majority of the Lebanese people were in need of aid, a third had lost their jobs, one million people were living below the poverty line, and the country’s hospitals were already stretched trying to deal with the pandemic. And then the explosion struck. It is hard to see where hope can even begin.In our Gospel reading Jesus has spent the day healing and listening to the crowd. Then He feeds them. When they finally depart He finds some much needed time to pray and be with the Father. Yet in the night He sees the disciples struggling on the waves, and does not just call from the water’s edge, but goes out on the water to meet them.This is the Lord who stays with us through every difficulty, every crisis. Who abides, who hears and knows, who listens. Who even comes out to meet us in our times of pain, and brings His peace.We cannot know why these disasters happen. But we do know crisis is real and this is a broken world, full of tears.Yet the Lord is with us, and never turns away anyone who comes to Him, who looks to Him for hope and strength. Jesus who changes our world by changing our hearts, and building His Kingdom through His sovereign power, His healing of our lives and His hope. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod, our refuge in times of trouble we pray for our brothers and sisters in Beirut today.Lord, be with the emergency services as they battle to help the thousands injured.Lord, hold those who have lost loved ones in the palm of your hand.Lord, we pray your provision for poor and marginalised communities who face an even more uncertain future.Lord, we pray for wisdom for leaders as they make difficult decisions.Lord, open our hearts - may they be full of compassion for the suffering we see.Stir us to action. In the tragedy of loss, we pray your comfort. In the chaos and injury, we pray your calm and divine healing.In the devastation and the heartbreak, we pray your peace.We pray that in the despair that lies amid the rubble of the explosionthere will be glimmers of hope and life.Amen.
