‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in[ you. John 14 : 15 - 16Readings this week Acts 17 : 22 - 31; 1 Peter 3 : 13 - end; John 14 : 15 - 21Thought for the weekIn our Gospel reading Jesus speaks about love. Yet in the same breath He tells us living out His love in our lives has a very practical consequence. Jesus tells us, ‘if we love Him we will keep His commandments’. This is the beginning of Christian Aid week, which has such a practical impact on many people in the world who live in the poorest of circumstances. This year features an inspiring project enabling people in cities to grow their own vegetables by using urban farming techniques.We have the Ten Commandments, that enable ourselves and those around us to thrive. Yet Jesus gave us many more. ‘Forgive those who sin against you’, ‘Pray always’ ‘Make disciples’, 'Love one another’, 'Pray in my name’, ‘Repent’. ‘Do this in Remembrance of me’ . As we keep these and all Jesus’ commandments they have a transforming effect in our lives, and in the world. They become visible signs of the Kingdom. They enable the world to see who Jesus is, and the difference He makes in our lives. How inspiring it is that by following Jesus we can make such a practical difference often in the smallest of ways. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AmenRisen Christ, by the lakeside you renewed your call to your disciples: help your Church to obey your command and draw the nations to the fire of your love, to the glory of God the Father. AmenWe give thanks for….. The work of Christian AidSean and Charlotte’s wedding daySt Peter's Annual meeting on 10th May and St Ed's Annual meeting on 18th May
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 10th May 8:00 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 10th May 9:30 am Mustard Tree – Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 10th May 11:00 am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s) followed by refreshmentsSunday 10th May 11:15 am Service of the Word (at St Ed’s and livestream)Sunday 10th May 12:30 pm Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) (at St Peter’s)Monday 11th May 8.30 am Langley Prayers (at St Ed’s)Monday 11th May 5.00 pm Evening prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 12th May 10:00 am til 12 noon Community Café (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 12th May 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 13th May 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s – note change of venue )Wednesday 13th May 12:00 noon Wedding (at St Ed’s)Thursday 14th May 9.00am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 14th May 7.00pm Compline (at St Ed’s) Friday 15th May 9:30 am to12.00 noon Arts and Craft Group , - bring anything – art or craft - you fancy doing and coffee and tea are provided. (at Trinity church)Saturday 16th May 3:00 pm Organ Recital (at St Ed’s )Also Sunday 17th May 2026. At St Ed’s 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Holy Communionon-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events for Ringland St Peter’s: May 10th 10:30 am Holy Communion followed by refreshments (at St Peter’s)May 10th 12:15 pm Annual Meetings (APCM) (at St Peter’s)May 13th 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Peter’s - moved from St Ed's)May 24th 3pm The Gathering @ RinglandSt Ed's May Fair Thank you to everyone who contributed, and especially to Sue Elmes, Sue Beevor and the planning team for all their hard work. It was a great success, and we raised an amazing £2,943.23 !Christian Aid Week begins today (10th). Please pray for the work of Christian Aid. This year’s focus is on helping people to establish mini – farms in areas of urban povertySean and Charlotte are being married at St Ed’s on Wednesday 13th May at 12.00pm. They would be delighted if you would like to join them for the service and support them as they are married.Norwich North Deanery Ascension Service with Archdeacon of Norwich Keith James Thurs. 14th May 7pm St. Mary & St. Andrew’s Church, Church St, Horsham St Faith, NR10 3JJThe Inaugural Recital of the st Ed's restored organ will be held on Saturday 16th May 2026 - at 3pm In St Edmund's Church. Given by Richard Bower - organist and organ builder Followed by a light afternoon tea. Tickets-£10 each (cash only) from Gwendolyn APCM our Annual meeting will be held on Sunday 10th May at St Peter’s at 12:30pm. Nominations for PCC (our Church Council) would be gratefully received! All Welcome!St Ed's Plant sale and display of our local talents in church – 23rd – 25th May.
The St Peter’s Annual report for 2025 is attached.The document includes the minutes and reports to the 2026 Annual Parochial Church Meeting to be held in St Peter's at 12:30 pm on Sunday 10th May 2026.A few words, below, from Rev Paul to set the context for the report.One of the shortest Psalms in the Bible contains the greatest spiritual truth. Psalm 131 is just three verses, encouraging quiet trust in the Lord, in calmness, and perseverance. They are wonderful words that underline how as Christians we can find so much comfort in quiet faith and trusting in the Lord’s faithfulness over time.LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.O Israel, put your hope in the LORD— now and always.I believe every visitor to St Peter’s discovers this quiet faith and calmness, and the ministry in Ringland continues to provide this faithful stillness amidst the storms of the world and of our daily lives. The turmoil that affects us all from time to time.
Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14 : 12 - 14Readings this week Acts 7 : 55 - end; 1 Peter 2 : 2 - 10; John 14 : 1 - 14Thought for the weekThere has been a lot about relationships in the news lately. Relationships between nations, particularly with the King’s visit to USA. Relationships between people of different faiths and none, highlighted by events in London. Relationships within communities, highlighted by the local elections. In our Gospel reading Jesus tells us if we ask anything in His name, He will do it. This is astonishing! Anything? Yet the key to Jesus’ words lie in those He speaks just before this. He has been speaking of His relationship with the Father. The Trinity is a community of love between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A community we are called into through faith in Jesus. This is the most amazing and precious truth that In His love for us, the Lord calls us to Him, to belong to Him and to join in with His purposes for the world.This is the context for our faith and for our prayers. Anything we ask in faith will stem from this relationship with the Lord and from within His heart of love for the world and for all people. We have this immense and undeserved privilege. To belong to Jesus and reflect His love in the world. Can you reflect on what this means for you today? Rev Paul Prayer for this weekAlmighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, AmenRisen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father. AmenWe give thanks for….. St Ed's May FairSean and Charlotte’s wedding day at St Ed'sOur (St Peter's) Annual meeting on 10th MaySt Ed's Annual meeting on 18th May
