Please find attached the liturgy for the Reflection and Compline service to be held at 7pm on Thursday 9th February 2023You can attend this service at St Ed's or join on-line via the St Ed's Facebook page Wherever we are, we gather in the Name of God, Source of life, love and hope.All welcomeThe attached sheet will help you participate in the service. Please join us on Thursday evening or watch later 'on catch up' Please note: St Ed’s has the following licences to support all our livestream services/activitiesCCLI 184420Streaming Licence 333710 Music Reproduction Licence 184420 SongSelect®Advanced
‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?...... ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Matthew 5 : 13 - 15This week’s reading : Matthew 5 : 13 - 20Thought for the week In Matthew’s Gospel the Sermon on the Mount comes at the outset of Jesus’ ministry. After His baptism, and the call of the first disciples, Jesus reveals how He speaks to us in our emptiness, in our need, in our openness to receive, to be healed and filled with His Holy Spirit. The Kingdom begins and flourishes in us. ‘Blessed are the poor in Spirit’. ‘Blessed are the meek’. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart’. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’.As Jesus goes on to speak of salt and light, it becomes clear the Kingdom is to be shown and made real in our daily lives. Amongst the everyday conversations and details. Salt and light are common, yet at the same time precious, and a little goes a long way.Jesus calls us to be His disciples amongst everyday things. To be immersed and pray amongst the everyday concerns, trials and joys of all those around us, so that His glory may shine and His love and mercy be shown. Everyday, faithful people of the Lord who is the same yesterday, today and for ever. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekCommission & Benediction: Salt of the EarthThe Spirit of God is upon you and has anointed you.You are the salt of the earth and you bring light to the world.You are not too young or too old, you are not too rich or too needyto bring good news to the impoverished, to give a hand to the broken-hearted,and to live out freedom and pardon through the gifts you have been given.So remember to pack peace in your toolbox, hope in your briefcase,love in your lunch box, and may integrity, honesty, and joy be your designer wear of choice.Do not be frightened, for you are never alone.The God in whose image you are made will walk with you and guide you today, tomorrow, and every day.— Copyright © Connie Epp. Used by permission
The following services will be available via the St Ed's Facebook page or by attendance (as stated below). Sunday 5th February 9:30am Wild Mustard Tree Church – informal service for families and children. (at St Ed’s)Sunday 5th February 11:15 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Sunday 5th February 11:15 am Online Sunday service (livestream)Monday 6th February 5.00 pm Monday prayers (at St Ed’s)Tuesday 7th February 10:00 am Tiny Tunes (music for all young people) (at St Ed’s), refreshments10am til12 noonTuesday 7th February 6:00 pm Rspace (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 8th February 10:30 am Holy Communion (at St Ed’s)Wednesday 8th February 5:00 pm Evening Prayer (at St Ed’s)Thursday 9th February 8.30am Church caretaking team (at St Ed’s )Thursday 9th February 7.00pm Reflection with Compline (at St Ed’s and livestream)Friday 10th February 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) Friday 10th February 1.30 pm Funeral (at St Ed’s )Also Sunday 12th February at St Ed’s: 8am Holy Communion, 9:30 am Mustard Tree (wild) Church,11:15am Service of the word. At St Peter’s 10:30 am Holy Communion. Plus online 11:15am Informal Service, 6:30pm Sunday clubAdditionally 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: 12th February Holy Communion 10.30am12th March Holy Communion 10.30amThe Big Pancake Party everyone is welcome to com to St Ed’s for pancakes on Tuesday 21st February (Shrove Tuesday) between 3.00pm and 5.00pm. Bring your friends!Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 22nd February. There will be services at St Ed’s at 10.30am and 7.00pm St Edmund’s Coronation Fair Save the Date! Monday 8th May 11:00-4:00. Live Music, BBQ, Beer Tent, Competitions, games crafts &; the usual stalls around the Coronation theme. In line with King Charles wishes to celebrate and promote Volunteering we will invite local charities and groups to provide information cards/flyers on their volunteering opportunitiesOnline discipleship: Intro to the Old Testament An online course offered by Diocese of Norwich. Mon 16th Jan 2023 at 12.30 - Sun 26th Feb 2023 at 11.30 Details through the Diocese website Events page. Cost £15, waived for AWA’s.Hats, Gloves, scarves for the homeless We are now collecting these to be taken to the Salvation Army in the city. These can be left at the back of St Eds.
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ Luke 2 : 29 – 32This week’s reading : Luke 2 : 22 - 40Thought for the weekThere must have been many special moments for Mary and Joseph after Jesus was born. Moments together as a family. Moments for Mary to treasure and reflect, and Joseph to plan and pray for the next step in keeping the family safe. Just like all new parents there are so many new experiences in being a family. Yet Jesus is the holy child, the Messiah, the Lord Himself. Joseph and Mary know they must share their first born son with the whole world, with the whole of humanity. Simeon appears, full of faith, and ‘takes the child in his arms’. So the sharing has begun. Mary and Joseph witnessing Simeon, receiving Jesus, opening his arms in faith, believing and praising the Lord. For each of us faith is personal, individual, real as we each encounter Jesus in our daily lives and walk with Him. Yet we are called to share Him as well. To let the Lord’s Light shine. To share with others the hope Jesus has brought us, the love that gives us strength, the joy that fills our hearts. Joy seems so scarce these days! Let us share the joy we have in knowing the Lord’s love and all His promises. Rev PaulPrayer for this weekLord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God.AmenA poem about JoyJoy is not made to be a crumb – Mary OliverIf you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate.Give in to it.There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be.We are not wise, and not very often kind.And much can never be redeemed.Still, life has some possibility left.Perhaps this is its way of fighting back,that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world.It could be anything,but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins.Anyway, that’s often the case.Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty.Joy is not made to be a crumb. from Swan: Poems and Prose Poems
