Sunday 3rd May 2020 All Saints Church Childwall
READ: The Good Shepherd and His Sheep – John 10 v1-11
1“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
REFLECT:
Our Bible reading today paints a very vivid image of a flock of sheep being looked after and protected by their Shepherd. A traditional sheep pen would have been low walls on all sides with a very narrow opening for the sheep to enter. The Shepherd would sleep across the opening once all the sheep were safely in. The sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice. The Pharisees didn’t understand this illustration, so Jesus makes it very clear and says to them “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved” He then goes on to say “I am the good shepherd”.
There is a clear message here, Jesus is the Good Shepherd! He is there for us daily during the day and the night. Have we responded to his call on our lives? Have we listened to his voice and come to him? When we do follow Jesus, he promises that we will have life and have it to the full.
RESPOND: What voices are you listening to at the moment? Maybe it is news readers, politicians or the scientific experts. Or is it family members, work colleagues, neighbours and friends?
Everyone seems to have an opinion at the moment, there are lots of voices to listen to. How do you decide who to trust and believe? Are you listening to the voice of Jesus more or less at the moment? Through his words in the bible, through prayer and reflection. How familiar are his words to you? Do you recognise his voice? Or maybe you have become a bit of a stranger to Jesus in recent times for all sorts of reasons.
Spend some time now telling Jesus how you are really feeling and what you are currently facing. Ask him to speak to you through the bible and prayer. Give yourself some time to be quiet and reflect on what he wants to say to you and what he wants you to do.
PRAY: – Thank you Jesus that you are our Good Shepherd. Help us to hear your voice above all others. Help us to follow you daily and to stay close to you. Help me to give my fears and doubts to you and let you lead and guide me every day. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God of healing and hope, in Jesus you meet us in our places of pain and fear. Look with mercy on those who have contracted the virus, on any who are vulnerable, and on all who feel in danger. Through this time of global concern, by your holy spirit, bring out the best, not the worst in us. Make us more aware of our interdependence on each other and of the strength that comes from being one body in you. Through Christ, our healer. Amen.
Rev. Andrew ColmerVicar of All Saints Church Childwall.
Dear Friends,
This week I have included below our plans as a church for Christian Aid week this year. It is going to be a different approach and there are a number of different suggestions. Christian Aid are running a live national celebrity quiz on Sat 2nd May at 7.30pm, details of how to get involved are all below.
I have also included a letter from the CEO of Tearfund one of the International Christian Charities that we support as a church. It certainly makes you thankful for all that we have in the UK when you read his letter and hear what people in other countries are facing.
There are also details below about ‘Daily Hope’ a new Church of England resource that has been launched. It is a free national phone line that gives you access to daily services and hymns. It is particularly aimed at those people who do not have Internet access.
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
“Daily Hope”
“Daily Hope” was launched a couple of days ago. You may already know of this and have used it, but if not I encourage you to do so, especially if you have no internet access.
The team behind “Daily Hope” write: “It’s a free national phone-line aimed particularly at the over 75’s who don’t have access to the internet. Research indicates that some three million people – particularly those in this age group – have no, or very irregular, access to the internet.
The line will be available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044.
Callers will hear a special greeting from the Archbishop of Canterbury before being able to choose from a range of options, including Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer updated daily, from Common Worship, and a recording of the Church of England’s weekly national online service. A section called Hymn Line will also offer callers a small selection of hymns, updated daily. An option entitled ‘Hymns We Love’, provides a hymn and reflection and is based on an initiative by Connections, a group focused on this age group.
At present, there is clearly a challenge in informing those that are digitally-disconnected of this phone line. As such, promotion of the phoneline is in two strands: via the media, and encouraging local churches to identify and inform those for whom this service would be valuable.”
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 share all this information with other members of our church congregation and community.
All Saints Childwall Church – Andrew Colmer – Vicar – Tel: 07305 842257
Christian Aid Week 10th to 16th May 2020
We are living in extraordinary times and whilst we may not be able to meet in person, many of us are still meeting up with friends and family in the virtual world via zoom and facetime. Quizzes seem to have been a popular pastime during lockdown so why not do a virtual quiz with your friends and family to raise money for Christian Aid?
This Saturday (2nd May) Christian Aid are running a celebrity quiz at 7.30pm live on Facebook hosted by Rev. Kate Bottley. For more information go to
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week
They are also providing resources so that groups can run their own quiz nights for friends and family or join one of their quizzes during Christian Aid Week. If you would like to join in please use the link below;
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/christian-aid-week/virtual-fundraisers
To give you can use the All Saints Childwall Christian Aid Week Just Giving link below and then we can track how much we have given as a church;
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/allsaintschildwallcaw
Or just give via the Christian Aid website, but if you are a UK tax payer don’t forget to Gift Aid it, that way they will get an extra 25% from the government. Unfortunately they aren’t receiving donations by post at the moment but you can donate by phoning: 020 7523 2269.
Coronavirus has impacted all of our lives. As this virus spreads across the world, generosity rises up in response. You’ve already shown incredible kindness to your neighbours. Now is the time to reach out to your neighbours both near and far. Show those in parts of the world your generosity this year by giving to Christian Aid. Help to protect them from storms, from drought, and now from coronavirus. Your generosity protects our global neighbours battling the spread of this illness. Your generosity protects. With soap, clean water and medical supplies. By supporting Christian Aid you can reach out and protect more of your neighbours today. For over 70 years, Christian Aid has been standing with the poorest of our neighbours, with people of all faiths and none, to stand up for dignity, equality and justice.
Let’s stand together with our neighbours near and far.
THREE REASONS TO BE THANKFUL RIGHT NOW – A message from the C.E.O. of TEARFUND, one of our Church world mission partners.
In the middle of this pandemic, it can be hard not to dwell on feelings of fear and anxiety – at times I certainly have. But I want to share with you three reasons why I’m feeling incredibly thankful. I hope they will encourage you, as they have me, during this time.
Our global team is providing a truly global response to help tackle this pandemic
Tearfund is present in more than 50 countries and we are doing all we can to stand with the most vulnerable people at this time. People in poverty will be hit hardest by coronavirus. Millions do not have access to healthcare. Vital medical equipment, such as ventilators, is scarce. And for many families, being in lockdown means they are no longer able to earn money to feed their children. In places where malnutrition is already a problem, even more people face starvation.
We are adapting our programmes and finding new ways to safely support people in need, making sure no one is left behind. Such as in Afghanistan, where one of our local partners is providing counselling services for staff, patients and their families at a hospital set up to treat patients with coronavirus. We are working alongside the health ministry in Afghanistan to distribute Personal Protective Equipment, to limit the spread and help those on the frontline safely serve people in need.
In Burundi more than half of all children suffer from malnutrition. Our feeding centres provide lifesaving support to new mothers and their babies. Determined to continue this vital service if the country goes into lockdown, our local partners have made plans to use home delivery kits. This will make sure vulnerable families still get the food and help they need to overcome malnutrition and survive.
The church is at its most effective being salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)
Rosa Camargo de Bravo, who leads Tearfund’s work in Latin America and the Caribbean says that ‘the temple is closed, but the church is not.’ And I couldn’t agree more as I see churches around the world united in stepping forward to help people in need. Tearfund was born out of the compassion and generosity of the local church. And the church remains our greatest partner. We’re training pastors to raise awareness of coronavirus to counter misinformation and limit the spread. This will make sure that vital public health information reaches even more people – particularly those who are marginalised and at risk.
Generosity knows no bounds
We’re so grateful to have supporters like you, who even in the midst of a lockdown, are looking for ways to help people living in poverty battling this new threat. Thank you for your faithfulness to those we serve. As I speak to our teams around the world, they continue to share how much they value your prayers and support. The threat is significant, and we want to do all we can to adapt and set up new programmes to make sure that vulnerable communities are not devastated by coronavirus.
These are challenging times for us all. But I know God remains in control. He is close to poor and brokenhearted people. We will weather this crisis as we have always done – by standing together in prayer and by following Jesus where the need is greatest.
God bless,
Nigel Harris
CEO, Tearfund
