Sunday 7th March 2021 – 3rd Sunday of Lent All Saints Church, Childwall
READ: 1 Thessalonians 2. 1-13 Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica
You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, 2 but though we had already suffered and been shamefully maltreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. 3 For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; 6 nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, 7 though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. 8 So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
9 You remember our labour and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was towards you believers. 11 As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, 12 urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.
REFLECT: Why did Paul spend so much time seemingly praising himself and his methods? Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth – a stranger, and not your own lips.” It’s not good to blow your own trumpet. So why does Paul do it? He states himself, in verse six, that he is not glory seeking, so what was he up to? Perhaps he was defending himself against false accusations regarding his character and teaching? Or maybe Paul is modelling good practice, and he writes to the Thessalonians to remind them of what they have already seen and learned from his example. So, how did Paul tell the story of God’s love and what can we learn from him today? Firstly, he calls us to check our motives. We are on the wrong track if we are sharing God’s story in order to benefit ourselves. Our intent should always be to please God. Paul’s perspective is fully focused on God’s purposes. What about ours? Our purpose should never be to gain wealth or praise. When we share our stories the main character, the hero, should always be God.Secondly, it’s not our business to try to trick or deceive people. Instead, we tell the truth as we understand it. Sharing our own individual experience of God. Speaking of what we personally have seen. Our stories should always be based on fact, not on conjecture. Authenticity is attractive. Next, we should be gentle. Paul describes himself as a nursing mother. He did not behave like a dictator. He didn’t take a “my way or the highway” approach. He did not force his views on anyone. While we do see a bit of tough love from Jesus and Paul, mostly we see gentleness, patience, and compassion. This is how we should treat others. Finally, Paul knew that the gospel story could never be communicated purely with words, but it had to be lived as well. His relationship with God led him to genuinely care about the people he witnessed to and he demonstrated his love for them in his actions. People could see the impact of the gospel through the way in which he lived his life. Actions speak louder than words.
RESPOND: Hannah Steele writes “… people need to see the authenticity of our story in who we are if they are truly to be touched by the story we speak about.” Is the way you think and speak about God reflected in your actions?
PRAY: Jesus, please help us to tell the story of your love and goodness through the way we live as well as in the words we say. Amen.
Helen Deegan- Curate
Dear Friends,
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 evening at 6pm 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
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
#LiveLent course – If you would like to join the Lent course that is being run centrally on Zoom it is taking place on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Please join us any week you can make it. It will meet weekly for 1 hour with an opportunity for discussion and further study based on the Archbishop’s Lent book ‘Living his Story’. There will be a short video each week along with discussion and opportunity for questions.
Meeting ID: 948 786 2454 Passcode: 4allsaints
#LiveLent – The power of a personal story and sharing our story. I shared three testimonies on Facebook this week to fit in with Tuesday and Wednesday’s theme of our Lent course. People have asked if the links could be shared so that people without facebook could see them. They are here for you, Thanks Helen.
Francis Collins – Dr. Francis Collins, director of the Human Genome Project, tells the story of his conversion from atheism to faith as a young doctor. https://youtu.be/ncMbufrVyMQ
Shane Taylor – Shane Taylor explains how Jesus Christ completely transformed his life from a violent criminal in maximum security prison to a loving husband and father. https://youtu.be/W1n5M9L2EeY
Debbie Flood – Debbie Flood is a rower who has won medals at two Olympic games and won three World Championship gold medals. Here she tells of her unlikely start in sport and how her faith has fundamentally impacted her life in a career full of highs and lows. https://youtu.be/l8uDd3s1d9Y
Mission in Papua New Guinea – An opportunity to meet with Dave & Emma Moore to reflect on lessons learned from the last 3 years of mission work in Papua New Guinea and hopes for the future in discipleship, healthcare and education. Saturday Mar 13th, 2021 7.30-8.30pm on Zoom
Meeting ID: 835 3309 1992 Passcode: 622251 Contact: mooredjm@gmail.com
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.
Aidan Holmes. Meeting ID:798 5378 2379 Passcode:7VUQh6 https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79853782379?pwd=NEloclhRVEJST3RFeUdUVEowSWJRUT09
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 email Mary Harrison at mary.harrison32@virginmedia.com with details.
Leprosy Mission – The Leprosy Mission have an Unconditional Appeal this year which focuses on their work in Mozambique. TLM hospitals are not only treating people suffering from leprosy but they are also treating people who have Covid 19. They are fully stretched on reduced resources. Please consider donating to TLM as all donations received by 24th April will be matched by the UK Government.
I would be happy to receive any donations (or collection boxes) to forward on or you could send a donation direct to – TLM, Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5GZ Thank you so much – Sandra Dunn.
Playgroup – This is an extract from a letter that sadly was sent out to Playgroup staff and parents of Playgroup children this week.
I am writing to advise you that the Parochial Church Council of All Saints Church, Childwall, (“the PCC”) has taken the decision to close the All Saints’ Playgroup (“the Playgroup”). It is proposed that the final day of operation will be on the last day of the Summer Term being Friday 16 July 2021.
Everyone concerned is saddened by this decision. This has not been an easy decision and it has been made for several reasons:• The number of children attending Playgroup has decreased over the last 12 months which has had led to a reduction in income which makes the operation financially unviable.• Previously the Church has been able to help subsidise and support the Playgroup in its running costs, but given the limitations on church activities due to the pandemic this is no longer possible as the Church itself has financial challenges.• The historic structure of Playgroup has relied too heavily on voluntary hours given by individuals which, going forward, is not sustainable. One of them, our Ofsted Nominated Officer, is stepping down from this role at Easter. This person has also covered staff hours when staff members have been absent. The Nominated Officer is a key liaison role and requires experience and a considerable amount of time to fulfil it properly. Whilst we will be able to fulfil our obligations to cover this role from Easter to Summer on an interim basis, we do not have the resources to recruit a replacement on a permanent, long-term basis.
For all these reasons, the Playgroup is not considered viable which is why the PCC has taken this decision.
I would like to stress that nobody is questioning the quality of the care provided by the staff of Playgroup and I hope that you wish to join me in expressing gratitude to everyone involved for all they have done over the years.
Prayer Space – will be closed on Monday 8th, Tuesday 9th, Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th of March as Helen is on leave. The normal pattern will resume on Monday 15th.
Morning Prayer will continue as normal, thanks to Garry Critchley, but please use
Meeting ID: 789 873 7449 Passcode: Newsman1
The tea room will also be open as usual at 4pm on weekdays. Do pop in and see who is around for a natter. Meeting ID: 753 2429 1267 Passcode: teatime
Put Jesus back into Easter with the Real Easter Egg – Due to the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we find ways to share the Easter story in 2021. The Real Easter Egg is a proven way to do this.
Supermarkets have decided not to stock the Real Easter Egg this year. The Real Easter Egg is the first and only Fairtrade chocolate Easter Egg to explain the Christian understanding of Easter on the pack. It is also plastic free and supports charity and development projects (For more info visit www.realeasteregg.co.uk).
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.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. Please pray for the bereaved family and friends of Peter Watson (Ruth Scott’s Father).
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.
Tea@4- Weekdays at 4pm. Pop in for a natter. Bring your own tea and biscuits!
Meeting ID: 753 2429 1267 Passcode: teatimehttps://us04web.zoom.us/j/75324291267?pwd=WmdnY1B3WUtRdHdVVkJQdXJGRE1Ldz09
Zoom Sunday coffee – Every Sunday at 10.15am – remember to bring your own coffee!
Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password:4allsaintshttps://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
