Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24 : 35Bible reading : Matthew 24 : 30 - 35Thought for the weekDuring lockdown when virtually the whole country had collectively turned to clearing out bookshelves and cupboards, I was bracing myself for an avalanche of old Bibles. At St Ed’s we are entrusted with many old family Bibles and Christian heirlooms, and they are all treated respectfully and find their way to new homes.Yet the avalanche never came. If anything we were giving out more of the Scriptures in the form of Bible verses on prayer cards, bookmarks and through Facebook, as well as whole Bibles in different versions. The avalanche has been in the opposite direction!I shouldn’t have been so surprised. In the uncertainties we have faced we have all found the Lord’s Truth, hope and meaning in His word to us. The Bible has been the only means of making sense of these extraordinary times and growing in the relationship the Lord offers each of us when so much has been and is still being stripped away.The Bible speaks constantly of the Lord’s faithfulness. His strength. His love for this world that has so seriously strayed from Him. This Bible Sunday let us treasure His word and listen to all the Lord is saying. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekMerciful God,Teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty,that trusting in your wordand obeying your willwe may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The livestreams are all continuing - these include livestreams from the church building.The following services will be made available via the St Ed's Facebook page:Sunday 25th October 9:30 am with Rev Paul Sunday 25th October 11am with Rev Paul (service sheet attached)Sunday 25th October evening 6.30pm with Rachel and Sophie (for Sunday Club and the young at heart)Tuesday 27th October 10am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people)Wednesday 28th October 10.30am Rev Paul/Rev PhilWatch 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 :25th October 9.30am St Ed’s Communion 25th October 11.00am Ringland (Shoebox service)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 SundayAlso online : Remembrance Sunday this year (8th November) will involve a 9.30am service at St Ed’s (livestreamed) and a 10.50am service at Ringland. The 10.45am at St Ed’s will be attended and led by the uniformed organisations. The service will be livestreamed for others to join virtually.AdditionallyAdvent begins on Sunday 29th November.Please note that if Covid restrictions in Norfolk are tightened (through local or national lockdowns) the services in churches may be affected.
Monday 19th October at 7pm we have a special celebration of christian songs and hymns for Autumn.The St Eds music group will lead us for this service via the St Eds facebook page.All welcomePlease join (digitally) with us at this time if you are able – or you can watch later when you have an opportunity to do so.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. Matthew 22 : 21 - 22Bible reading : Matthew 22 : 15 - 22Thought for the weekThese days it is unusual to come across a coin. I can’t remember the last time I was given a coin in a shop, or even had one in my pocket. Coins have become a reminder of when life was different. When both coins and people were able to circulate freely.Jesus is challenged again by the Pharisees. Devout Jewish people were not allowed to handle the Roman coin. Yet not to do so, and not to pay tax with the coin, was an act of rebellion against Rome. The Roman coin bore the head of Caesar. It was an everyday reminder that the Empire, and the people within it, were under Roman rule. Were subjects.Yet the Bible tells us we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1 : 27). We bear His imprint in our lives. We reflect who He is in the world. Through faith in Jesus we belong to the Lord.Maybe at this time we need to be reminded of the Lord’s light in our lives. His strength. That through faith we are people of Jesus’ Cross and Resurrection. In all we are going through, in all that challenges us and confronts us, Jesus reminds us He will not let us go. That we belong to Him alone. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod, our judge and Saviour,teach us to be open to your truthand to trust in your love,that we may live each daywith confidence in the salvation which is given through Jesus Christ our Lord. AmenAdvent begins on Sunday 29th November.
