God Speaks: Listening Together
This Sunday’s readings invite us to listen for the voice of God. In Isaiah 42, we meet the Servant of the Lord: gentle, faithful, and filled with the Spirit. God speaks a promise of justice that does not crush the bruised reed, but heals and restores. Psalm 29 then turns our ears to creation itself: “the voice of the Lord” thundering over the waters, shaking cedars, flashing like fire—majestic, unsettling, alive. And in Matthew 3, at Jesus’ baptism, the heavens open and the Father’s voice is heard: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” God speaks identity, blessing, and direction.
We need that attentive listening right now as a church. On Monday 12th, our Joint PCC meets at St Edmund’s to seek God’s will in some key issues we face—how we steward our buildings, strengthen our mission, and grow a sustainable presence in our communities. Please pray for the PCC: for wisdom, humility, courage, and peace; for honest conversation; for unity in Christ; and for a deep sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 29 ends with a gift: “The Lord will bless his people with peace.” Pray that peace will rest upon our team and upon our whole church family as we discern the way ahead.
And please remember: the PCC serves on behalf of us all. If there are matters you would like raised at church council meetings, speak with the Churchwardens or Revd Tom. Together, may we become a people who listen well—so that, hearing God’s voice, we can follow with confidence and love.
Revd Tom
Mrs Beryl Parker - Resting in Peace
A message from Charles regarding his mum Mrs Beryl Parker who died mid December.
Mum's funeral will be next Thursday, 15th January, at 9:15am at All Saints Church, Hale Barns (map here) - the parish church where my mother has been a member for the past 2.5 years. All who knew her, or knows me, are invited. The wearing of traditional funeral attire (black) will be appropriate but not mandatory. Following the service there will be light refreshments served in the church hall, where you can also see some film of my mother when she was a child, whilst the family go to the crematorium and then come back.
We are not grieving because she had a full life devoted to the Lord's service and prayer (several staff members in her care-home have spoken of how often she prayed for them) and is now safe in Our Lord's keeping, assured of resurrection life.
Register on Our Website
Please could everyone complete the registration form on our new church website CLICK HERE so that we can refresh our church database. This will allow you to share your details and give us permission to hold your information, helping us to keep our GDPR records up to date.
We want to make sure everyone is correctly listed on our new church data management system, Church Hub, which is part of the tools provided through our new website. Keeping our records accurate will help us communicate better, care well for one another, and support the life and mission of our church.
Thank you for taking a few moments to help us with this.
What's on at a Glance
Readings we share across all our services: Isaiah 42.1-9, Psalm 29, Matthew 3.13-end
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9.30am Short Communion at St Edmund's
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10.30am All Age Celebration at St Edmund's and Communion at St James'
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4pm Grace Community Urdu Church
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4.30pm Cafe Church at St James
Monday
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9.30 Prayers at St Edmund's
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JPCC at St Edmund's 7.15pm for 7.30pm
Tuesday
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Morning Prayer 9.30 at St James'
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Place of Welcome 10am at St James'
Wednesday
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Coffee Morning 10.30am at St Edmund's
Thursday
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Grieving Together Cafe 11.30am at St James'- Grief Movie Clips Discussion
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The Chosen Bible Study - Do join us at 7.30 on Thursday 15th Jan at St Ed's for our first Chosen session of 2026! We'll be watching Episode 7 of Season 1, Invitations, where Jesus meets Nicodemus.
Readings we share across all our services: Isaiah 49.1-7, Psalm 40.1-12 and John 1.29-42
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9.30am Morning Worship at St Edmund's
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10.30am Communion at St Edmund's and at St James'
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4pm Grace Community Urdu Church
Advance Notices
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Joint PCC meet on Monday 12th January 7.15 for 7.30pm at St Edmund's.
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Preaching Workshops — Sunday Jan 25th and Feb 22nd - 12.30–2.30pm with lunch provided. It is essential that all those who preach come to one of these meetings as a commitment to ongoing development.
Keep up to date at any time by checking our calendar - click here>>
Prayer Pointers for this Week
10 prayer points shaped by Isaiah 49.1–7, Psalm 40.1–12, and John 1.29–42
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Called by God – We thank you, Lord, that you call us by name and purpose us for your work, even when our calling feels hidden or unclear.
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Strength in Weariness – When our efforts seem fruitless or exhausting, help us trust that our labour is held in your hands.
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Light for the Nations – Make your Church a light that reflects Christ’s hope, justice, and mercy to all peoples.
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Patient Trust – Like the psalmist, teach us to wait patiently for you, confident that you hear our cries.
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New Songs of Hope – Put a new song in our mouths, especially when you lift us from despair or uncertainty.
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Delight in God’s Will – Shape our hearts to delight in your will, that our lives may reflect your truth with integrity.
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Forgiven and Held – Where sin, shame, or fear overwhelm us, remind us that your mercy is greater than all we face.
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Beholding the Lamb – Help us to see Jesus clearly as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
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Listening and Following – Give us attentiveness to your voice, that we may follow Christ faithfully day by day.
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Invitation and Belonging – As Jesus invites, “Come and see,” draw others into lives of faith, community, and transformation.