Sunday 7th February 2021 – second before Lent
All Saints Church, Childwall
READ: John 1 v1-14 – The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
REFLECT: You will probably be very familiar with this passage from John’s gospel as it is often the last reading that is read at a carol service when a series of lessons and carols are used to tell the Christmas story. It is used as the last reading as it gives a clear reminder of the reason that Jesus came, so that people would repent and believe and become children of God.
In this reading Jesus is referred to as the ‘Word’ that has been in existence from creation itself. He is also referred to as the ‘Light’. This Light is so powerful that darkness cannot overcome it. It is a Light that is the true Light one that gives light to everyone! John the Baptist is sent ahead of this true Light to bear witness to him and to encourage people to repent and believe. He is clear that he himself is not the light but that he is a witness to the Light.
The great truth of this passage is that when we do receive Jesus and we believe in his name, we become children of God. If you have made that step of faith in your life have you ever stopped to think about how many brothers and sisters you have through Jesus Christ. Throughout this world there are millions of Christian believers in hundreds of countries and we all belong to one worldwide Christian family, the family of God. John the Baptist was sent ahead of Jesus to encourage people to join this Christian family, he describes himself as a witness. For all of us that believe in God and in the name of Jesus we are witnesses to what God has done in our lives. God wants us like John the Baptist to share our experience with others by being witnesses to the Light – Jesus himself!
RESPOND: A witness is someone who has seen and heard something with their own eyes and ears and knows that what they have experienced is true. Do you feel that you are a good witness for Jesus to other people? Do you willingly and often tell others that you are a Christian and that you are a believer? It is not the easiest thing to do, to share your faith with others, we all know that. God though calls us like John the Baptist to be witnesses and that means sharing our experiences.
Why not download the #LiveLent App this year when it becomes available and use it daily. You can also get the booklet which is exactly the same, please let us know if you would like a copy. As Justin Welby says “The invitation of this year’s #LiveLent to all of us is to participate in God’s story…and then to be tellers of his story.” #LiveLent: God’s story, Our Story invites each of us to reflect on our own story of God and how we might share it through our everyday lives as part of our Christian witness.
PRAY: Thank you, loving God, for raising your Son Jesus Christ to life again. Thank you for the difference his resurrection makes to my life and to your whole creation. Please help me today and every day to share this astonishing news through my life and through my words.
Amen
Rev. Andrew Colmer Vicar of All Saints Church, Childwall
Dear Friends,
Please remember Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s call to prayer daily at 6pm, as he has said
“More than ever, this is a time when we need to love each other. Prayer is an expression of love.” A number of resources are available at: www.ChurchofEngland.org/PrayerForTheNation
Please can I encourage you to pause daily at 6pm and join in prayer with other Christians around the UK.
Services in church – All services in church are currently suspended until further notice. Funeral services are still happening at All Saints with a limit of 30 mourners set by government guidelines.
Church Services Online – We are recording our Sunday morning service in church weekly. It will be uploaded to our website to be viewed each week soon after 11am. www.allsaintschildwall.org.uk
Evening Prayer every Sunday at 6pm – Every Sunday evening the Readers will be hosting a weekly service of Evening Prayer on Zoom at 6pm. The liturgy and the readings will be on the screen and there will be a short reflection on the New Testament passage which has been set for the day. Please join us.
Garry Critchley Meeting ID: 789 873 7449 Passcode: Newsman1
Healing Service – The Sunday Evening Healing service was a time of Worship appreciated by many people when we were able to meet in Church. The Readers have adapted the liturgy we use and have made it suitable for the Zoom services currently on offer. The first of these Healing services will be held on Sunday 14th February at 6pm, you will be very welcome and please let your friends know. Zoom details as above.
Rock Club Online!– Our youth & children’s worker Gypsey has developed online activities for Pebbles, Rock Club & Boulders. Available on our website: https://www.allsaintschildwall.org.uk/online-rock-club/
If you would like to be kept informed and receive specific emails detailing our Youth & Children’s Worship please can you let us know by emailing gypsey.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
Men’s Breakfast – Our meetings are currently happening monthly on Monday evenings without breakfast!
The February meeting of men’s breakfast is on Monday 8th February at 8pm on Zoom. See the below link. Our speaker is Bill Forster and the attribute he is talking about is ‘He is Gracious’. If there are prayer requests please could you let me know.
Thanks Aidan.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79853782379?pwd=NEloclhRVEJST3RFeUdUVEowSWJRUT09
Meeting ID: 798 5378 2379 Password: 7VUQh6
All Saints Buddy Scheme – If you are self-isolating and would value some support or a regular chat or know someone else who would, please text or email Mary Harrison at
mary.harrison32@virginmedia.com
with details.
Bookworms is our All Saints reading group – We have not been able to meet to discuss books over the past year but undoubtedly many of us have been reading avidly. It has been decided to create a book quiz which anyone will be able to access, whether or not they have attended Bookworms in the past. It will be sent out on-line or delivered as a paper copy and you can do it in your own at home, share it with your family or phone a friend! Results will be sent out about 10 days later. There will be no prizes but we hope it will stimulate the brain cells and while away a wet afternoon or two! Everyone who is on the Bookworms email list will automatically get a copy. If anyone else would like to receive it either on line or as a printed paper copy delivered to their door please contact Helen Ford.
email: h.h.ford@btinternet.com.
Phone 428 9153
Weekly Prayer requests – If you would like other members of our church family to pray for you or a family member, please send me their names for this sheet, please ask permission from the person. Please pray for all those who are unwell at this time particularly praying for Bill Maitland, Nicoli Gray (Carole Turner’s daughter) David Miller and Eileen Miller and Jenni Delea. Please pray for the bereaved family and friends of John Downes and Peter Watson (Ruth Scott’s Father).
Weekly News – If you are aware of anyone who is not receiving all the weekly news that we are sending out please ask them to send me their email address so I can add them to our master email list. Thank you.
We know that many of you are reaching out in to your communities as well as your church families – this is fantastic! We’re also aware that many people are looking for ways to help others during this time and it might just be that ‘Give a Gift’ provides a practical way to do so.
There is much need across the city and churches are doing wonderful things in response. We hope this message is seen as an opportunity and encouragement as one of many good things happening in Liverpool. We fully understand if this isn’t something you would be considering at the moment, however we would love for your church to keep us in your prayers as we reach young people and support those in Youth Ministry.
Kate Yates – Centre Director – Liverpool Youth for Christ
Pastoral visiting – Current Government guidelines mean that we cannot visit people and go inside their homes. Any face to face visiting will have to happen from the front gate. If you would value a chat or know anyone who would appreciate a visit please let Helen or me know, our phone numbers and email addresses are below.
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING – Weekly prayer meeting Thursday 6.30pm on Zoom. Why not join a group of us at All Saints that pray regularly. It lasts 40 minutes, you can pray, sit and listen or just contemplate.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79853782379?pwd=NEloclhRVEJST3RFeUdUVEowSWJRUT09
Meeting ID: 798 5378 2379 Password: 7VUQh6 Aidan Holmes
Zoom Sunday coffee – NEW TIME! – Every Sunday at 10.15am – remember to bring your own coffee!
Zoom Coffee – every Sunday at 10.15am Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaints
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8427671496?pwd=K2dMMnlvTHpwTkxDNEV6bDYwQXBDQT09
With our prayers for you all at this time
Andrew Colmer – Vicar – Tel: 07305 842257 – vicar.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
Helen Deegan – Curate – Tel: 07984 933467 – curate.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
Gypsey Tait – Youth & Children’s Worker – Tel: 07961 793435 –gypsey.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
Bill Forster – Associate Minister – william.forster1@btinternet.com
