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 : 16 – 17This week’s reading : John 14 : 15 - 21If we are honest, I think we all like freedom, and choices, and finding our own way. Often we are not great at being told what to do. Often we have to know why we have to obey rules before we’ll obey them! In our Gospel reading Jesus tells us, ‘if we love Him we will keep His commandments’. But why, and what are they?We know we are to keep the Ten Commandments, and they make so much sense in revering the Lord and in enabling others to live and thrive.Yet Jesus gave us so many other commandments. ‘Forgive those who sin against you’, ‘Pray always’ ‘Make disciples’, Love one another’, ‘Believe that Jesus is in the Father’, ‘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. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit, so those around us will see Jesus in our lives, as we live in Him. Rev PaulPrayer for todayGod 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 usto eternal joy;through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,AmenWe worship the God who inhabits our worldand indwells our lives.We need not look up to find God,we need only to look around: within ourselves, beyond ourselves, into the eyes of another.We need not listen for a distant thunder to find God,we need only listen to the music of life, the words of children, the questions of the curious, the rhythm of a heartbeat.We worship the God who inhabits our worldand who indwells our lives. ~ posted on the Presbyterian Church USA website. https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/peacemaking/pdf/mlk-resources.pdf
“Very truly I tell you, 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 - 14This week’s reading : John 14 : 1 – 14Thought for the weekThe Coronation service was a moving and solemn time of prayer and anointing, not only for King Charles, but for our whole nation. Apparently, there were 19 points in the service where Scripture was included, not only words of blessing and praise, but also words of repentance, of grace, and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. We were all invited to seek the face of the Lord, to trust in His mercy, to ask for His strength for our nation, to follow His example of compassion, love and service.As we continue to celebrate this weekend, the work of monarchy will continue for the King for the rest of his life. Our Gospel reading this Sunday could not be more appropriate. Jesus’ words to His disciples at the Last Supper.A call to rely completely on Jesus. To trust in His love and power. To pray in His name, and to know that when we pray, great and amazing works of the Kingdom are possible. The Kingdom that goes far beyond our United Kingdom. The Kingdom that is the will of the Father, transforming lives, bringing hope, drawing us all into eternity, looking to Jesus for salvation from our sins, and new life. We have had a Coronation. Let us now support and pray for the King, and live for the King of Kings. Rev PaulPrayer for todayOur Father in heaven, We pray today for our new King Charles III. Grant him your peace as he commits himself again to your service. Give him strength and perseverance as he promises to serve us all as King. May he know you are walking with him day by day. Help him to fulfil his vows and promises. May he follow the example of Jesus – the ultimate King of Kings. God bless the KingAmenFrom Hope Together https://www.hopetogether.org.uk/
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 7th May 9:30am Mustard Tree Church with Baptism – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 7th May 11:15 am Holy Communion - with prayers for the Coronation of King Charles III (at St Ed’s)Monday 8th May 11.00 am til 4.00 pm Coronation Fair (at St Ed’s and on the Glebe)Tuesday 9th May 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 9th May 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th May 10:30 am Peter Kerry’s funeral service (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 10th May 6.30 pm Alpha (at St Ed’s)Thursday 11th May 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 11th May 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Friday 12th 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. Cost £3. (at Trinity Church building) Also Sunday 14th May, 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree Church,11:15am Service of the word, Plus online 11:15am Informal Service. Additionally at 8am daily (except Sunday) we will be posting a ‘Daily bitesize prayer’ on the St Ed's Facebook page.For on-line services, watch live if you are able --- or join later on 'catch up'.Everyone welcome.AdditionallyRingland: future services/events at St Peter’s: 14th May Holy Communion 10:30am14th May APCM 12 noon11th June Holy Communion 10:30amWelcome to the family of Samuel Trett, who will be baptised at St Ed’s today at the 9.30am service. It is great to welcome you.St Edmund’s Coronation Fair is on Monday 8th May 11.00 - 4.00 celebrating King Charles III’s Coronation. Please tell your family and friends. Live Music, BBQ, Beer Tent, Competitions, games crafts &; the usual stalls around the Coronation theme. It promises to be a great day as we share the Coronation with our community. Peter Kerry’s service will be on Wednesday 10th May at St Ed’s at 10.30am (in place of our usual service). Everyone is welcome. Irene Coker’s service will be on Monday 5th June with a private family Committal, followed by a thanksgiving service at St Ed’s at 1.00pm. Christian Aid Paul Scarff is looking for volunteers to deliver envelopes this Christian Aid week, ideally between 7th and 16th May. Last year we delivered over 1,700 envelopes in Taverham and Ringland, and raised over £1,000! If you can help, please contact Paul at paul.scarff57@gmail.com or 868939.Calling All Gardeners We plan to hold the Plant Stall again this year beginning the last weekend of May and would appreciate any surplus plants you may be dividing or seedlings you are growing. This year the proceeds will be donated to Christian Aid.St Peter's Church Ringland–Annual Church Parochial Meeting and Annual Vestry MeetingThese will be at St.Peter’s at 12noon on Sunday 14th May and all our church family are encouraged to attend, to celebrate, reflect and pray for our life and ministry as Christ’s believers in this place.All those on the Electoral Roll are eligible to vote and please ask the Churchwarden for a form if you would like to go on the Electoral Roll.Nomination forms for Churchwardens and PCC members are available from the churchwarden or in St Peter's. Please pray if you feel the Lord is calling you or someone else to these roles. All candidates who are successfully elected will be subjected to our safeguarding processes before their appointment is confirmed.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10 : 9 -- 10This week’s reading : John 10 : 1 - 10Thought for the week This week we are praying for the work of Open Doors, highlighting the plight of Christians throughout the world who are persecuted, their lives made difficult and sometimes put in danger for their faith in Jesus Christ.Jesus spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd. The one who is trustworthy and true. Who leads the sheep to safety. Whose one desire is for the sheep to be saved, and brought home. The sheep belong to Him, and know the Shepherd’s voice. Jesus speaks of thieves and robbers. There are many forces in the world that attempt to steal, even to destroy. Sometimes these are obvious, others are more subtle. Yet Jesus has won the battle and has the final victory over all that can ultimately harm or destroy us.Christians in places of persecution need our prayers. Our prayers for them are vital. The more informed our prayers are the more effective they become.As we pray we are brought closer to the Good Shepherd. The one who stays with us in all the circumstances of our lives. Who offers peace with Him and new life. The one who through faith in Him brings us home.Rev PaulPrayer for todayGentle...yet powerful.Lowly...yet almighty.Shepherd...yet King.In Your gentleness, guide us.In Your power, strengthen us.In Your lowliness, strip from us our selfish pride which only destroys us.In Your greatness, lift us up that we might aspire to greater things.As a shepherd, call us to be Your servants.As a King, call us to be Your royal priesthood.O God, who is our shepherd and our King;O Christ, who was crucified and is now risen from the dead;O Spirit, who comforts and empowers;O great One in Three, Holy Trinity, set us free to worship. Amen. posted on My Redeemer Lives website. http://www.myredeemerlives.com/prayers.html
