14th June 2020 All Saints Church, Childwall
Read: Matthew 9:35 – 10: 8 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” 10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
REFLECT: In Bibles this passage is often titled ‘The workers are few’! Why is this? Well the image that is given to us by Jesus is that the large crowds who came to hear him were like sheep without a shepherd. What does a traditional shepherd do for their sheep? They guide them and take them to good pasture, they protect them at night and during the day. They rescue them when they are stuck or lost and are brought back to the flock. Ultimately the shepherd knows all of their sheep and loves them and cares for them. What Jesus is saying is that there are crowds of people as numerous as sheep that need someone to guide and direct them. Jesus sends out his 12 disciples with his authority to proclaim the message ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near’. This is how the spread of Christianity starts by the willingness of 12 men to follow Jesus and to tell others about him. I am very aware that the absence of usual routines for so many people in recent months has meant that some people have had time to reflect and think about what they do regularly with their time, whilst others have found themselves much busier and under increased stress and haven’t had any time off since March.
God’s call for workers is still as real now as it was when the first disciples were called! Maybe God is calling you to a change in your work or lifestyle. Have you prayed recently asking God if you are still in the right place doing the right thing?
RESPOND: Have a think for a minute, where were you when you heard about Jesus for the first time? Who were the people involved? Was it a family member, a friend or work colleague, or a teacher or Sunday school leader or church minister? All these people were involved as God’s workers in different and varied ways giving you the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus! When was the last time you told someone that you were a Christian who didn’t know? Do you family and friends and work colleagues know that you have a faith? Have you responded to Jesus’ statement to the disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”? Ask God to use you where you live and work and to be one of his workers in the harvest field that is plentiful.
PRAY: God of compassion, God-with-us, be with us in these times of uncertainty.
Break into our lives, rekindle our hope and breathe love into our communities,
that we might find new ways of supporting and upholding one another,
bearing witness to your inclusive love of family, friend, neighbour and stranger alike.
May our love for those most vulnerable in our community become a beacon of hope for all.
In faith, hope and love, in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Rev Andrew Colmer (Vicar of All Saints, Childwall)
Dear Friends,
Services in Church – We were notified on Wednesday 10th June that from Monday 15th June funeral services will be allowed to happen again in church buildings, if local Clergy decide it is safe and practicable to do so. I have made the Pastoral decision that this is the right thing to do at this time for All Saints. Numbers will be very limited and only members of the person’s household and close family will be able to attend. It will be limited initially and therefore only clergy will be allowed in the building. Additional people like vergers, organists and others will not be able to be present. At all times a safe distance of at least 2M must be maintained between households, including entering and leaving the building.
At this stage NO other church services including weddings and baptisms are able to take place. In order for us to reopen the building for any use we have to complete: a full risk assessment, have a one-way route in place with a separate exit, have regular clear signage produced and displayed, all books and pew cushions will need to be removed, hand sanitizer has to be used by everyone entering and leaving the building, gloves, aprons and cleaning products have to be ordered and ready for cleaning the building.
Churches are allowed now to open their church buildings for private prayer. This is a local decision to be made by each church. Until everything is done and is in place in our church building this is something that we cannot consider. The government have said that the earliest church services could resume is the 4th July, but this could change. Singing will not be possible because of droplet transmission. Due to the necessity of social distancing we will only be able to use 35 of our 80 church pews in total for individuals or households at any one time. This, given the size of our congregation gives us real practical challenges and limitations. Please pray for real wisdom at this time, personally I do not want to be encouraging older and vulnerable members of our congregation to come to church just because it can now be open.
35th Boys Brigade Company – After 30 years as a volunteer leader in the 35th Liverpool Boys’ Brigade, the last 24 of which have been as Company Captain, Peter Kefford is retiring from his Boys’ Brigade roles with effect from the end of July 2020. Peter has served the Boys’ Brigade faithfully over many years, leading our over 11s work during his time as Captain. Alongside Peter, Will Lucas has served as an officer for almost as long and is also retiring at this time. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Peter and Will for all of their hard work, dedication, commitment and time over many years.
I have appointed Andrew McCaldon as our new Boys Brigade Captain and he will take on this role officially at the start of the new session. Please do pray for Peter and Will at this time of change and for Andrew as he takes over this very important responsibility.
Weekly Prayer requests – If you would like other members of our church family to be able to pray for you or for another member of your family, please let me know and I will put names on this sheet each week. Please ask permission from the person who’s name will appear on the sheet.
Zoom coffee – After our Online Service each Sunday why not join us for Zoom coffee at 10.15am for 40 mins – remember to bring your own coffee! Details for Zoom coffee are as follows:
Zoom Coffee – every Sunday at 10.15am Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaints
Some who usually contribute to the work of All Saints by Weekly Giving Envelopes have inquired as to whether they can continue to do this. If you would like to do this and are restricted in leaving the house, please contact Alison Kefford on 07748 334122 she will arrange with you to collect them safely.
Please can I encourage you to continue to pause every day at 12noon to pray for our nation and our community. 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.
Daily Hope – Is a free national phone-line aimed at the over 75’s who don’t have internet access. The line will be available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044. Callers will be able to choose from Prayer during the Day and Night Prayer, from Common Worship, and the Church of England’s weekly national online service.
With my prayers for you all at this time – Andrew – Vicar of All Saints Childwall
All Saints Church, Childwall – Andrew Colmer – Vicar – Tel: 07305 842257
