The St Peter’s Annual report for 2023 is attached.The document includes the minutes and reports to the 2024 Annual Parochial Church Meeting which will be held at 12:15 pm on Sunday 12th May 2024 at St Peter's.A few words, below, from Rev Paul to set the context for the report.“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 : 4 – 7These words are from perhaps St Paul’s most optimistic letter. Writing to the Christians in Philippi it is full of thanks for his friendship with the Christians and their care and support of him, as well as joy in the faith they share. He does not underplay the challenges of keeping faith in Jesus and living as the church, but his letter highlights belonging to Jesus and growing in Him as we reveal His love to the world.St Paul reminds us our life and witness is based on partnership and communion. First and foremost with the Lord Himself, and then with one another as believers, and with the wider community.At St Peter’s we have much to give thanks for in the partnerships that are forming. As we seek to worship the Lord and share His love in the community and to those who visit, I believe we are also called to look to the generations who will come after us. That our faithfulness and obedience now to the Good News will enable others to know the joy, love hope and forgiveness of Jesus.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. John 15 : 9 - 10Readings this week : Acts 10 : 44 - end; 1 John 5 : 1 - 6; John 15 : 9 – 17Thought for this weekIn our Gospel reading today Jesus uses the word love nine times. Yet each time He uses it with slightly different implications. Because it is about love that makes a difference.Jesus is actually using the word Agape, a particular kind of love that is selfless, abiding, persevering, life – changing, empowering, even sacrificial.This is the love the Father has for Jesus, and the love He has shown us. So Jesus speaks of us remaining in His love. Also for us as Jesus’ disciples to love one another, not just imitating Jesus’ love, but having the same selfless and forgiving heart as Jesus. He speaks of laying down His life for us in His love. Also of us being fruitful by living in and sharing Jesus’ love. Finally He tells us this is His command. It is not an optional extra of discipleship and of being the church. ‘Love one another’. So Jesus tells us His love is life – changing, empowering, affirming, persevering. His love is something that changes our relationships, our self – esteem, our communities, our world. It begins with us receiving His love. This is Jesus’ love that makes all the difference.Rev PaulPrayer for this weekGod our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darknessand 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. AmenPeople to pray forFor those suffering from mental health issues, and mental health servicesFor those preparing to be married
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 5th May 9:30am Mustard Tree– informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 5th May 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 5th May 12:30 pm setting up tents for tomorrow (at St Ed’s)Monday 6th May 11.00 am to 4.00 pm St Ed’s May Fair (at St Ed’s and on the glebe)Tuesday 7th May 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 7th May 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 8th May 10:30 am Service of the word (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 8th May 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Thursday 9th May 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 9th May 7.00pm Compline with meditation (at St Ed’s) Thursday 9th May 7:00 pm Ascension Day Deanery service (at St Catherine’s Mile Cross)Friday 10th 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)Also Sunday 12th May, At St Ed’s 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree, 11:15 am Service of the word. At St Peter’s 10:30 am Holy Communion followed by coffee and the APCM. Plus online 11:15am Informal Service. For on-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 12th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s) followed by coffee and then the APCM at 12:15 pm – All WelcomeJune 9th 10:30 am Holy Communion (in St Peter’s)St Ed's May Fair – tomorrow (6th) from 11am to 4pm. If you are able to help on the day, or with the setting up of tents today (Sunday 5th May) at about 12.30pm help would be much appreciated! Please pray that it will be a great event and an opportunity to meet our community.Ascension Day Deanery service 9th May 2024 St Catherine’s Mile Cross will be hosting this service, starting at 7.00pm. Everyone is welcome.Christian Aid week is 12th to 18th May, an opportunity to pray for and donate towards some of the most desperate situations and people in the world. With so much that is hard at the moment, it is heart – warming to have this opportunity. Envelopes will be in church. APCM date The Annual meeting for St Peter’s will be on Sunday 12th May at 12.15 pm (after the service and coffee) in the church. Everyone is welcome as we share the highlights of the Lord’s work among us.PCC Nominations if anyone would like to stand for PCC (Parochial Church council), nomination forms are at the back of St Peters, or contact the churchwarden.
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15 : 4Readings this week : Acts 8 : 26 - end; 1 John : 7 -- end; John 15 : 1 - 8Thought for this weekOn Monday this week we celebrated Earth Day, a reminder of our relationship as human beings with our beautiful planet and the environmental needs for biodiversity and sustainability.In our Gospel reading today Jesus speaks of our relationship with Him, and through Jesus with the Father. Jesus’ phrase, ‘I am the true vine’ immediately involves us. Jesus tells us we are the branches, and we are to bear fruit. Yet this is only possible through being in a personal relationship with Him. Receiving from Him. Trusting in Him, talking with Him, listening to Him, walking with Him, following Him.All the ‘I am’ sayings point us to who Jesus is. ‘I am the true vine’ points us especially to our call to be in a relationship with Jesus. This is the only way we can be fruitful for Him, by being connected daily to Him, and receiving our strength, inspiration, motivation, grace and forgiveness from Him.As we show Jesus’ care for others, and care for the planet, we are called first and foremost to grow in our relationship with Jesus, and to know He is the source of all Life, love, goodness and hope.It begins with us personally. Only then will the world know Jesus’ love. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekThis is love. Not that you spoke words of comfort, walked with the unclean and unloved, shared wisdom, bread and wine, brought healing into lives and challenged the status quo. This is love. That you spoke the word of God, walked a painful road to the Cross, shared living water, bread of life, brought Salvation to the world and died for the sake of all. This is love. It is a seed sown in the ground, which germinates, blossoms, and spreads its sweet perfume.~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com/People to pray forAll those seeking a relationship with JesusOur contacts through the St Ed's May Fair (6th May)
