11th July 2021 Trinity 6 All Saints Church, Childwall
READ: Mark 6:14-29 – John the Baptist Beheaded
14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”
16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.
21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” 24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered. 25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
REFLECT: The name of Jesus had become well known, he was a celebrity of his day. People had seen him and heard him speak. There would have been plenty of individuals that would have had their lives changed by him. Lots of people would be talking about him, they would have been asking the obvious question of each other, ‘Who is he’? Some thought that he was John the Baptist raised from the dead, others thought he was Elijah or one of the Prophets of old.
I wonder what we would all write if we had to produce an essay which had the title ‘Who is Jesus’? We would probably draw on our own understanding, our own beliefs, what we have been taught and read in the Bible. The songs that we have sung and the stories that we have heard!
Ultimately though we would probably express our opinion based on what we believe in our hearts and what we have experienced in our lives. The way we have been guided by God and the prayers we have seen answered. The way that we feel when we are singing in worship to God. The way we have seen ourselves change with our habits and attitudes as we have lived our lives for Christ.
If we truly believe that Jesus was God’s son, then his life and the truth of his biblical teaching that he has given us should affect every aspect of our lives. This was true for John the Baptist who believed that Jesus was the Messiah and had preached fearlessly his message of repentance and salvation. Even in the presence of King Herod, John the Baptist spoke boldly against Herod’s unlawful marriage. He caused offence by doing this and ultimately paid the price by losing his life.
RESPOND: Who do you think Jesus was? A great teacher, a great preacher, a great prophet? Or do you think he was God’s son? Does the life that you live reflect the teachings of Jesus? Are you willing to stand up and express your beliefs, even if it there could be a personal cost to you?
PRAY: Jesus, my Saviour and my Lord, thank you for dying for me. I am sorry for the times when I let you down. Help me to be true to my beliefs and to follow you in my life. Help me to share your name Jesus with all those who I meet, so that other too may know you and follow you. Amen.
Rev Andrew Colmer (Vicar of All Saints, Childwall)
Church Services
Sunday 11th July – 9.15am – Service with Holy Communion 11am – Service of the Word
4pm – Jazz in the Churchyard with the Savoy Jazz Men – Please bring your own deck chair.
(please note no Evening Service today on Zoom at 6pm)
Thursday 15th July – 10.45am BCP Holy Communion
Friday 16th July – 1pm Funeral service of Joyce Gray in church.
Sunday 18th July – 9.15am – Service of the Word 11am Service with Holy Communion
Children and Youth over the summer holidays – Save the dates!
25th July – Connect Youth Event 6-8pm
31st July – Family Fun Day at All Saints Church – Save the date! More details to follow
9th – 11th August – Youth Serve – Year 6 (from Sept ’21) – Year 13. Join us for a few days of fun, serving, team work and worship. Starting with breakfast at 9am and finishing before lunch with 2 evening socials. Please speak to Gypsey to book on.
Children’s work – Rock Club
If you would like to receive specific information about our Children’s and Youth work please email Gypsey, our Youth and children’s worker directly, who will add your email to her master list for youth and children. gypsey.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com Unfortunately, we are still currently not able to re-open our Crèche.
Online Church Services – We are continuing to record our Sunday morning service in church. It will be uploaded to our website to be viewed each week soon after 11am. www.allsaintschildwall.org.uk
Zoom Sunday Coffee – Every Sunday at 10.45am – Meeting ID:842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaintshttps://us04web.zoom.us/j/8427671496?pwd=K2dMMnlvTHpwTkxDNEV6bDYwQXBDQT09
Morning Prayer– Monday and Friday at 8:00am – Common Worship Morning prayer service with words on screen. Optional Chat after the service. Meeting ID: 865 694 0214 Passcode: mprayer
Evening Prayer – There will be no Evening Prayer at 6pm on Sunday as the Jazz service is on at 4pm.
Pastoral visiting – If you would value a visit or know anyone who would please let Helen or me know, our phone numbers and emails are below.
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 https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8802380315?pwd=cGxQTnQ0QVRjU1gyUnBrYnJMMzZldz09
Please note new joining ID. Meeting ID: 880 238 0315 Passcode: yt76bq
The Children’s Society – The year 2020-2021 raised £630 from those who are Housebox Holders. Many thanks for your continued support & for those who gave donations. The money raised helps many children and young people who find themselves facing abuse, exploitation and neglect. The Children’s Society supports them through these serious life challenges to regain their hope and to achieve long lasting changes for them and for future generations. Thank you, Delia Owen
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 Nicoli Gray (Carole Turner’s daughter), David Miller, Shirley Powell, Patricia Horne and Margaret Whitehead.
We pray particularly for the bereaved family and friends of Joyce Grayand Hazel Watson.
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
Adeyinka Olushonde – Ordinand – adeyinka.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
C.H.A.T is back!
Strawberry Cream Tea Wednesday July 14th at 2.30pm – 4 pm (please note time).
We would love to see you all.
Depending on the weather, tables will be outside or in the hall, we suggest you bring a light blanket or shawl with you. We will be social distancing. If in the hall masks will need to be worn when moving around. You will also need to gel your hands and sign in with your name and phone number. Looking forward to seeing you. All welcome, Margaret and Wendy xx
ps. there will be an alternative if you can’t eat strawberries.
