Sunday 26th April 2020 All Saints Church Childwall
READ: Luke 24:13-35. Extract only below, please read the whole passage in your Bible.
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus …... 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked …….. Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognising him.17 He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast……. 25 He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. 29 But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.
REFLECT: Two members of Jesus’ wider circle of followers are returning home after the disastrous Passover weekend which had seen Jesus die on the Cross and be buried in a borrowed tomb. Now his body is missing! They are frightened, confused and grieving the loss, not just of their friend, but of all their hopes for Israel. How had it come to this? Life had seemed so vibrant, full of hope for the future, but now everything seemed bleak and hopeless! Then, a man [Jesus, unrecognised at this point] draws alongside them and helps them to understand that these events are the fulfilment of Scripture – of all the Law and the Prophets. Their ‘hearts burn within them’ as the man explains the significance of all that has happened. We are reminded of the importance of viewing life’s events through the panoramic lens of Scripture – all of it not just our favourite bits!
It’s getting late and they invite the man to stay and eat with them. It’s interesting that Jesus waits to be invited! As they break bread together they realise who is with them and can’t wait to return to Jerusalem to tell their friends the good news that Jesus IS alive.
It is possible for us to be so bowed down by life’s trials and tribulations that we fail to recognise Jesus travelling alongside us. I am reminded of the well-known poem, ‘Footprints’ [Google it and read it] which reminds us of God/Jesus many promises that He will ‘never leave us nor forsake us’.
RESPOND: Pray that this frightening, confusing and sad time in our own lives will be a time when we engage with Scripture afresh, inviting Jesus to draw alongside us and open up the Scriptures to us in a new and fuller way, giving fresh insights. Perhaps use a Bible Commentary or reading notes to help in this?
The people recognised Jesus ‘in the breaking of the bread’. Do you normally say ‘Grace’ before meals? If not, why not use it as a way of remembering God’s goodness and Jesus presence as the old adage puts it, “Christ is the head of the home, the unseen guest of every meal, the silent listener to every conversation.”
Is there anybody you could encourage and witness to [at a safe distance or by telephone or by email] about your experience of Jesus presence with you at this time?
PRAY: – Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. [A Collect for Easter 3].
Heavenly Father, we continue to pray for those in authority, for those researching vaccines, for those caring for patients in Hospitals and residents in Care Homes, for key workers in every field as well as for our own families, friends and neighbours. Please bless, guide and protect them, in Jesus name Amen.
Rev. Bill ForsterAssociate Minister at All SaintsChurch Childwall.
Dear Friends,
It seems to me that at the heart of our current national news we are regularly hearing about individual people that are making an amazing difference where they are. At this exceptional time of national need we are reminded of the real value of human relationships. We are all having to follow important and necessary guidelines currently that are resulting in us all having less human contact than we are used to. You maybe isolating as part of a family where you are juggling daily needs of food and shopping, home schooling and work and maybe looking out for isolated relatives. Or you may be on your own where you are much more aware of the lack of human contact that you are experiencing. Whatever your current circumstances, please remember this.
At the heart of the Christian faith we don’t find a philosophy, a creed or a code of morals. Instead we find a living person Jesus Christ the saviour of the world who can also be our friend and companion today. He says to us “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!” (Revelation 1 v17-18)
Be encouraged you are not alone, this weekly sheet is being sent out to over 200 email addresses now. We may not be able to meet together currently but we are all connected as members of All Saints Church family. This email list is growing all the time and if you know of anyone who is not receiving it and would like to, please ask them to send me their email address. For those that are not on the internet please could buddies print it off and post it through people’s doors using gloves.
Please can I encourage you to continue to pause every day at 12noon to pray for our nation our community our health workers and all those that are working in key roles at this uncertain time. As we pray let us be encouraged that we are not alone we are praying as the church, the people of God not in our church building, but in our homes and in the community. With my prayers for you all at this time.
Andrew – Vicar of All Saints Childwall
All Saints Buddy Scheme
The aims of the scheme are to keep in touch with members of our church family and community who are isolated or vulnerable and to provide them with spiritual support and, if possible, practical support. If you are willing to be a ‘Buddy’ please text Mary Harrison on 07817 471857 with your name and phone number and she will give you further details. If you are self-isolating and would value some help or support or know someone else who would locally please also text or email Mary Harrison at mary.harrison32@virginmedia.comwith details.
Please see this important message below. Thank you to those of you that have been responding recently with new financial support for the ministry of All Saints Church it is really appreciated at this time.
We all know how difficult things are just now but we are hoping that, in all the uncertainty, you still may be able to help in the work we do here in this Parish and beyond. Many of you are already contributing financially, and we thank you for that, but in this time when we are not meeting in Church, please do prayerfully consider whether you will continue your giving, increase it or perhaps contribute for the first time? We really are grateful for all we receive and there are so many ways you can contribute whether it is online, tax efficient ways or dropping off a donation. If you feel this is something you would like to help with then please contact Andrew, our Vicar, or Alan, our Treasurer, through the office email: office.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com or phone number: 0151 538 5973
With our gratitude, love and prayers Andrew and Alan
Please share all this information with other members of our church congregation and community.
All Saints Childwall Church – Andrew Colmer – Vicar – Tel: 07305 842257
