7th June 2020 All Saints Church, Childwall
Read: Matthew 28:16/20. ‘Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
2 Corinthians 13:11/14. ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All God’s people here send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
REFLECT: Sunday 7th June is ‘Trinity Sunday’ when we focus on the Holy Trinity which for many people is a theological nightmare! The doctrine itself arose out of theological disputes and heresies in the early centuries of Christianity. However, it’s important to remember that ‘Trinity Sunday’ is not about the often unfathomable words of a Doctrine, but about the relationship which existed and exists within the persons of the Holy Trinity i.e. God, who IS Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Doctrine was an attempt to put into words that which is truly beyond our human understanding, but today’s Gospel and Epistle remind us that the Holy Trinity is not something ‘dreamed up’ by ancient theologians, but reflects the understanding of the early Christians who experienced God as ‘Father, Son and Holy Spirit’ and who used this phrase as part of the rite of Baptism and other liturgies since the earliest days. The Holy Trinity is not a dusty, abstract, theological concept, but a ‘community in unity’; the community of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit who share a unity born of mutual love and purpose.
If I asked you to tell me about God in a single sentence what would you say? I’m guessing you might say, ‘God is love.’ and you would be right; but it isn’t simply that God is loving, or capable of love, but that God IS love – love is God’s nature. It is that love, the love which exists between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that reaches out to us and invites us to respond to it, but also, as Jesus last instruction [command?] to his disciples tells us, to ‘go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’. We all welcome the fact that God loves us, personally, but how well do we implement the ‘Great Commission’ to show and tell others of that love? I know it can be a bit scary, but Jesus’ last words, in Matthew’s Gospel, are encouraging, ‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
RESPOND: Take a few moments to ponder the truth that not only is God love, in some sort of abstract way, but that He loves YOU, deeply, personally and eternally! Give thanks for that great truth.
Despite the present limitations what part might you play in making and nurturing disciples?
St Paul gives us the prayer we refer to as ‘The Grace’; perhaps use that prayer today to pray for particular people whom you know, replacing the words ‘you all’ with the name of the person/people on your heart.
PRAY: A Collect for Trinity Sunday – Holy God, faithful and unchanging: enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth, and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love, that we may truly worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Trinity Sunday Post Communion Prayer – Almighty and eternal God, you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and live and reign in the perfect unity of love: hold us firm in this faith, that we may know you in all your ways and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory, who are three Persons yet one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Rev Bill Forster (Associate Minister at All Saints, Childwall)
Dear Friends,
Services in Church – Currently we have had no communication from the Church of England as to when church buildings will be allowed to reopen. Until there is a clear government decision we will continue with our weekly Online Services. I hope you are all enjoying our weekly Online service that is on the church website. It seems to me that it is going to be sometime before we are able to meet together again in our church building. With social distance guidelines that we will need to follow and the size of our congregation it is going to be a challenge. Please pray for wisdom for the national church working party that is looking at how this can be done safely and effectively when the time comes.
Childwall C of E School – Childwall C of E Primary school opened again last week for the children of Keyworker children initially. They are being taught in small ‘bubbles’ of children spaced out in their classrooms. I have started to take weekly assemblies for them again which I am recording and then these are available on the school website for the children to access.
Weekly Prayer requests – If you would like other members of our church family to be able to pray for you or for another member of your family, please let me know and I will put names on this sheet each week. Please ask permission from the person who’s name will appear on the sheet.
Zoom coffee – After our Online Service each Sunday why not join us for Zoom coffee either at 10.15am or 12.15pm for 40 mins – remember to bring your own coffee! Details for Zoom coffee are the same for both times and are as follows:
Zoom Coffee – every Sunday at 10.15am and 12.15pm
Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaints
Thank you very much to those of you that have responded with financial gifts for the mission and ministry of All Saints. If you want to respond in anyway please will you contact Ruth Scott our Church Administrator and please remember that if you are a UK tax payer the value of your gift will increase by 25% at no cost to you if you sign the form that Ruth can send you.
Ruth Scott Office Mob: 07550 080947 (working from home) email: office.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
Some who usually contribute to the work of All Saints by Weekly Giving Envelopes have inquired as to whether they can continue to do this. If you would like to do this and are restricted in leaving the house, please contact Alison Kefford on 07748 334122 she will arrange with you to collect them safely.
Please can I encourage you to continue to pause every day at 12noon to pray for our nation our community our NHS workers our social care workers our teachers 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.
Foodbank – Aiden Holmes reports that it is still operating and has been extremely busy but is calming down a bit now. There are still centres open distributing food but at a social distance. Unfortunately the usual cup of tea, chat and help can’t be offered. So Foodbank still need food, which can be dropped off at supermarkets, at Bridge Chapel 9am-5pm Mon to Fri. You can also donate money via the South Liverpool Foodbank website. If people cannot get out arrangements can be made to collect food. Thank for your support of Foodbank and please remember to continue that support as many families still really need it!
Daily Hope – It’s a free national phone-line aimed particularly at the over 75’s who don’t have access to the internet. The line will be available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044. Callers will be able to choose from a range of options, including Prayer During the Day and Night Prayer updated daily, from Common Worship, and a recording of the Church of England’s weekly national online service.
With my prayers for you all at this time – Andrew – Vicar of All Saints Childwall
Please share all this information with other members of our church congregation and community. All Saints Church, Childwall – Andrew Colmer – Vicar – Tel: 07305 842257
