23rd January 2022 All Saints Church, Childwall
Read: John 2:1/11 – 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’
Reflect: Jesus was starting to get a name for himself in Galilee, news about him was travelling fast. He had been led by the Spirit to go throughout the area teaching in the local synagogues. Galilee was a large area, to give you an idea it would be like Jesus living today in Liverpool but travelling to Warrington and Manchester and as far north as Wigan, Preston and Lancaster. All on foot no doubt, which would mean that when he arrived in a town with a synagogue it wouldn’t be a case of just staying for an hour. Along with his disciples he would have had to rest and take time for refreshment. That would mean getting to know a town and people having multiple opportunities to hear him.
On this occasion he is in his hometown of Nazareth and he goes to the synagogue on the sabbath as was his custom. It is worth pausing here and recognising that Jesus went to worship weekly, the sabbath for him our Sunday was the day when he would go to meet with other believers to read the scriptures, to listen to others, to speak and to learn.
Jesus stands to read and is handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, he turns to chapter 61 and reads the first few verses. On finishing he then sits down and says to all that are gathered, “today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” If you read the rest of chapter 4 of Luke’s gospel you will see that Jesus’s words caused quite a reaction.
Jesus was now becoming bolder in his teaching, his message was becoming personal now, it was about him and what he could give to people.
Respond: Have you responded to the Good News of Jesus? Maybe you have in the past but have drifted from him since. What is it that you are held captive to? Is there something that you need to bring to God in prayer asking for his release and freedom?
Pray: Heavenly Father, help me with my struggles and my failings. Release me by your power from those habits, obsessions and addictions that hold me captive. Help my eyes to be fully open to the reality of your love for this world and for me. Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.
Andrew Colmer (Vicar of All Saints Childwall)
Right here, at the beginning of his ministry, Jesus tells us clearly what his mission is about. He boldly claims
to fulfill the words of Isaiah, who speaks of the Spirit anointing him, sending him, compelling him to bring
good news to every one of God’s children who is bound up, pressed down, broken in spirit, impoverished,
imprisoned, and desperately hungry for good news.
Jesus’ mission is to free people from captivity to sin and from captivity to the sinful structures and systems,
economic, social, and political realities
that diminish and destroy lives.
Covid restrictions – wearing masks in church for all services is still a legal requirement.
Everyone over the age of 11 years old will need to wear a mask in church. Please remember to wrap up well as we have to ensure there is continued adequate ventilation in the church building. Thank you, Andrew.
Services at All Saints Childwall
Sunday 23rd January – 9.15am – Service of Holy Communion 11am – Service of the Word with Baptism 12.30pm – Service of the Word with Baptism
6pm – Celtic Evening Worship (in the Church hall)
Thursday 27th January – 10.45am- BCP Holy Communion
Sunday 30th January 9.15am – Holy Communion 11am – Service of the Word.
6pm – Evening Worship (in the Church Hall)
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
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
Zoom Sunday Coffee – Every Sunday at 10.45am – Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaints https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8427671496?pwd=K2dMMnlvTHpwTkxDNEV6bDYwQXBDQT09
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 joining ID. Meeting ID: 880 238 0315 Passcode: yt76bq
VESTRY HOUR – every Tuesday in Church from 7pm – 8pm
If you would like to book a Baptism or a Wedding or speak to a member of the clergy, please come to Vestry Hour which is held in the church every Tuesday, no appointment is necessary. Please use the wooden door to the left of the tower. You do not need to knock; just come in, take a seat and you will be seen privately in turn.
A prayer for Tearfund – Tearfund is one of All Saints World Mission Partners & has been for many years.
Please pray for their partner organisations in Afghanistan as they provide food & support for the Afghan people suffering catastrophic food shortages affecting more than half of the population who are also dealing with bitterly cold weather conditions and the trauma of the recent violence.
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. Their names will stay on the sheet for 4 weeks. Please pray for all those who are unwell at this time particularly praying for Adeyinka Olushonde and Charlotte Fitzsimon. We also pray for the bereaved family and friends of Tony Ellison.
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 Bill Forster – Associate Minister – william.forster1@btinternet.com Adeyinka Olushonde – Ordinand – adeyinka.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
