8th May 2022 – Easter 4 All Saints Church, Childwall
Read: John 10: 22-30
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Reflect:
Chapter 10 is the “Shepherd” chapter in John’s Gospel. In it Jesus says He is both the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep and the Gate who protects the sheep in their sheepfold. In both of these examples Jesus has caused controversy by using the divine Name of God, “I AM.”
In today’s passage the controversy continues but the focus is not so much on the Shepherd as on his sheep. They are identified as those who “listen to his voice”
Many people heard Jesus speaking but only a few listened to his voice. The evidence that they were listening was that they “followed him.” Jesus was talking to the religious leaders and his implication was that they were not his sheep because although they heard him they didn’t listen and follow him.
Respond:
Pray:
Garry Critchley (Reader at All Saints Childwall)
Following His resurrection Jesus showed himself to his disciples on a number of occasions to convince them about His victory over the grave.
For us, He has changed the sense by which we perceive His presence from sight to hearing. Do we listen to His voice when we hear His word and when we listen do we follow him? This is Christian discipleship.
Lord Jesus, today when I hear your voice help me to listen, to trust, and to follow you.
Church services
Sunday 8th May – 9.15am – Holy Communion 11am – Parade Service
6pm – Holy Communion with prayers for healing (in the Church Hall)
Thursday 12th May – 10.45am – BCP Holy Communion
Sunday 15th May 9.15am – Service of the Word 11am – Holy Communion Service
6pm – Evening Worship (in the Church Hall)
CHAT – Wednesday 10th May at 2pm in the church hall
All are welcome, we look forward to seeing you. Margaret and the team.
MENS BREAKFAST – Saturday 14th May at 8am.
Why not join a group of men for a simple breakfast, a time of fellowship, a short talk, prayer and finished
off with a hymn. Our speaker this month is Mark Turner. We should be finished by about 9am.
Boulders – All Saints Church are delighted to announce the return of ‘Boulders’ – our Rock Club provision for children in school years 6, 7 and 8 (ages 10-13).
Boulders takes place during the 11am Sunday services to enable our young people to experience an alternative to the church-based service, to meet and socialise with each other whilst learning about God and the teachings of Jesus in a different and age-appropriate way.
Children will enjoy hot or cold drinks, snacks and a variety of different learning sessions, including some based in the church hall, church hall garden the churchyard and spire. Each session will be inclusive, fun and designed to make our young people think about their faith, its application to their own lives and their place in the world. We also want our young people to lead some of the Boulders work and will challenge them to take up roles within the church that add to our sense of community and access for all.
Boulders will restart on Sunday 15th May and we encourage all families with children in years 6, 7 and 8 to encourage them to join us for the start of a fun and engaging programme.
Morning Prayer – Monday and Friday at 8:00am – Common Worship Morning prayer service with words on screen. Optional Chat after the service. Meeting ID: 948 786 2454 Passcode: 4allsaints
.
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
