Sunday 12th April 2020 – Easter Sunday All Saints Church Childwall
READ: Matthew 28:1-10. ‘After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” Now I have told you.’ 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
REFLECT: What a range and mixture of emotions and attitudes we encounter in today’s Gospel reading! Fear! Confidence! Joy! Worship! It’s not surprising that the various characters who witnessed these events felt and responded the way they did, is it? An earthquake! A speaking Angel with an unbelievable message! The empty tomb! A face to face encounter with the risen Jesus with a message of hope and reassurance for them, at a time of utter confusion, ‘Greetings! Do not be afraid.’
On Palm Sunday evening our nation received a message of hope and reassurance, from H.M. the Queen, but today’s Gospel reading brings us a message of hope and reassurance from THE KING. What is that message? That Jesus IS [not was] risen and because of His resurrection we too can have the confidence that He is with us amidst life’s trials and tribulations AND that death is not the end rather it is the beginning of a whole new quality of life. St Paul exudes this confidence when he writes to the Church at Corinth that Jesus is just the ‘first fruits’ of a great harvest which includes all who believe and trust in Him. [See 1 Corinthians 15:20].
So, on this Easter Day, as we face the greatest challenge for more than a generation, let’s keep a firm hold on the traditional Easter greeting: The Lord IS risen! He IS risen indeed! Hallelujah!
RESPOND: What range of emotions are you going through on this Easter Day? Name them before God.
What is your attitude towards the events of that first Easter Day? Confidence? Uncertainty? Unbelief?
Let the fact that Jesus IS risen give YOU confidence in all of God’s promises. Praise God that He is with you.
We are all feeling an element of fear in the face of the Covid 19 pandemic; fear for ourselves – possibly; fear for our loved ones – almost certainly; maybe even grief at the recent loss of a loved one. Turn that fear or sense of loss into prayer for yourself and for those on your heart.
In the stillness, hear the words of Jesus to you, ‘‘Greetings! Do not be afraid.’ and respond, if you feel you can, The Lord IS risen! He IS risen indeed! Hallelujah!
PRAY: An Easter Collect – God of glory, by the raising of your Son you have broken the chains of death and hell: fill your Church with faith and hope; for a new day has dawned and the way to life stands open in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for Easter and its message of ‘strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow’. Lord, we pray for all those on the front line of fighting the Coronavirus pandemic; our Government, scientists, medical professionals, carers, and those who are keeping the wheels of daily life in motion; bless them and may they know your presence, your peace and your protection.
Rev. Bill Forster – Associate Minister All Saints Church Childwall
Dear Friends,
I never thought that on Easter Sunday, the most important day in our Church calendar that we would not to be able to meet together in our church building to celebrate our risen Lord.
In a world where currently, we have seen change that we never thought was possible. The good news about the Christian faith is that the truth about Easter remains the same. Jesus Christ who died for you and for me, and for the whole world rose again. He gave his life willing for us because his love for the world was so great. On this Easter Sunday we cannot physically be together to celebrate this great truth but that should not stop us from celebrating it in our homes. We cannot lose focus of his great sacrifice for us during these difficult times.
In Luke’s gospel in chapter 24 the women go to the tomb of Jesus early on Easter Sunday. Imagine how they must have felt when they saw the enormous stone rolled away at the entrance. They go into the tomb and the body of Jesus is not there. As they stand there in shock and bewilderment two angels suddenly appear and speak to them. In fear they bow to the ground, as the angels say to them “ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee”
The reason to celebrate on this Easter Sunday is clear! Christ is Risen, He is risen indeed Hallelujah!
This weekly sheet is currently being sent out every Saturday in time for use on Sunday to over 170 email addresses. My email list is growing all the time and if you know of anyone who is not receiving it and would like to, please ask them to email me their email address. For those that are not on the internet please could buddies print it off and post it through people’s doors using gloves.
Please can I encourage you to continue to pause every day at 12noon to pray for our nation our community our health workers and all those that are working in key roles at this uncertain time. As we pray let us be encouraged that we are not alone we are praying as the church, the people of God not in our church building, but in our homes and in the community. With my prayers for you all at this time.
Andrew – Vicar of All Saints Childwall
All Saints Buddy Scheme
The aims of the scheme are to keep in touch with members of our church family and community who are isolated or vulnerable and to provide them with spiritual support and, if possible, practical support. If you are willing to be a ‘Buddy’ please text Mary Harrison on 07817 471857 with your name and phone number and she will give you further details. If you are self-isolating and would value some help or support or know someone else who would locally please also text or email Mary Harrison at mary.harrison32@virginmedia.comwith details.
Please see this important message below.
Thank you for the time in reading this message. We all know how difficult things are just now but we are hoping that, in all the uncertainty, you still may be able to help in the work we do here in this Parish and beyond. Many of you are already contributing financially, and we thank you for that, but in this time when we are not meeting in Church, please do prayerfully consider whether you will continue your giving, increase it or perhaps contribute for the first time? We really are grateful for all we receive and there are so many ways you can contribute whether it is online, tax efficient ways or dropping off a donation. If you feel this is something you would like to help with then please contact Andrew, our Vicar, or Alan, our Treasurer, through the office email: office.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com or phone number: 0151 538 5973
With our gratitude, love and prayers Andrew and Alan
Please share all this information with other members of our church congregation and community.
All Saints Childwall Church – Andrew Colmer – Vicar – Tel: 07305 842257
