25th October 2020 All Saints Church, Childwall
READ Matthew 22:34-40:
The Greatest Commandment
34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
REFLECT:
The commands to love God and love our neighbour are distinct – but equally mandatory. We know that because Jesus tells us in this passage from Matthew. But what of the third member of this trio – love of self? After all it is assumed to be the model of the way in which we should love our neighbour – as ourselves. If we don’t love and respect our selves it is going to be difficult to love anyone else, neighbour or not. Over time this “love of self” has proved to be a bit of a minefield. It has been seen as a corrosive force that defeats both love of God and love of neighbour. However, “love of self” should not be confused with selfishness. It is important to differentiate between the secular idea of loving ourselves and the sacred. The latter involves learning to see ourselves as God sees us. Dearly beloved children, made in his image, cherished, precious and unique.
In 1985, Whitney Houston recorded a song that became a hit. It was entitled, “The Greatest Love of All.” The last lines are: “I found the greatest love of all inside me. The greatest love of all is easy to achieve. Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.”
Although Whitney got her start singing in her church, the last few years of her life were pretty rough, and she probably didn’t love herself very much. However, the last song she sang publicly, two days before her death was “Jesus loves me.” Contrary to her song, loving yourself is not the greatest love of all. Loving God is. But tied up inextricably in that love of God is love of neighbour and love of self. You can’t truly and fully love God and neighbour until you love yourself. And you won’t love yourself until you see yourself as God sees you.
It is understanding our true identity as God’s creatures that enables us to love and value ourselves and others. If we cannot see why we should love ourselves, then we cannot see why we should love our neighbour.To love God is to both love who we are and love the other for who they are. The three cannot be separated. It is the way Jesus connects these three loves that is important, and it is his subtlety in doing so is that leaves the Pharisees speechless.
RESPOND:
What do you think about the connection between loving others and loving yourself?
In what ways do you struggle to love yourself and extend grace to yourself?
PRAY: Creator God, help me to remember that when I feel that I am not good enough you say I AM. I pray that through your Holy Spirit you will guide me to change any negative views or thoughts of myself so that I can glorify you. May my whole heart belong to you and may I be obedient to your command to love my neighbour as I love myself.Amen.
Helen Deegan (Curate at All Saints, Childwall)
Dear Friends,
Church is OPEN this Sunday and we will be having two Services of the Word at 9.30am & 11am.
With current Covid 19 levels increasing rapidly in Liverpool please stay at home if you have any Covid symptoms or a cough or cold of any type. You can still join us in worship online via our website.
Both Sunday services will be the same and last 35mins. Children are very welcome at either service.
Please start arriving from 20mins before the service. You will need to wear a face mask, gel hands on arrival and sign in. Children will need to stay with parents at all times please.
We will have an activity sheet for the children to do in church each week, please bring colouring pencils and lead pencils to complete the sheets in church. There will also be a link to electronic games which will relate to the Bible passage being preached on in church.
Inside church and afterwards outside please keep 2m apart at all times.
Thank you to all of you that have come to the services and have been so positive and helpful and have sat in the pews that you have been asked to. It is essential that we fill up each aisle from the front so as no one is walking past anybody else. At the end of each service please remain in your pews until directed to leave.
I am sorry that this is all necessary, but it ensures the safety of everyone attending and those on duty.
Thursday Communion service – weekly at 10.45am. There is no shared cup, only wafers which I will distribute with tongs whilst wearing a mask. Everyone will need to wear face masks, gel hands on arrival and sign in.
APCM – Our Annual Parochial Church took place on Monday 19thOctober.
The following people have been elected to the positions that they stood for.
Wardens: Alison Kefford and Barbara Critchley
Deputy Wardens: Mary Harrison and Graham Deacon
PCC members: John Groom, Adrian Carter, Chris McDonald and Sarah Swensson
Deanery Synod Reps: Aidan Holmes and Keith Caulkin
Rock Club Online Now!– Our new youth and children’s worker Gypsey has developed new online activities for Pebbles, Rock Club & Boulders.These can be accessed on our website: https://www.allsaintschildwall.org.uk/online-rock-club/ Thank you Gypsey for all you work on this!
If you would like to be kept informed and receive specific emails detailing our Youth & Children’s Worship please can you let us know by emailing gypsey.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
Please pray for Gypsey as she plans and develops our online provision for our Children and Young People.
Connect – Deanery Youth Event – Quiz and Games night on Zoom – Sunday 25th October at 6pm.
Connect is back on! If you are in School Years 6-11 please email Gypsey and she will email you the Zoom code to join us on Sunday evening. Gypsey.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
Gypsey, Helen and Andrew are all involved as leaders and will be on Zoom for Connect. It is going to be a Fun filled evening of different rounds and games. Make sure you have got ‘your brain in gear’ and ‘your running shoes on’! SEE YOU on ZOOM.
Living in Isolation – C of E website – On the church of England website there are some excellent resources. At this time of increased restrictions affecting who we can be with and where we can go we can feel increasingly isolated. Please can I encourage you to have a look at the Church of England website and their reflection and resources called ‘Living in Isolation’.
This is an extract with the link to the page below. It is easy to say, “You are not alone; God is with you.” It is not easy to live with isolation from the warmth of human company. However, isolation is not really, or only, about how many other people are in the room or house with us. It has more to do with who is in our hearts and minds, and how we may reach beyond the confines of rooms and homes to connect with those we love. https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-action/mental-health-resources/supporting-good-mental-health/day-one-living-isolation
Weekly News – If you are aware of anyone who is not receiving all the weekly news that we are sending out please ask them to send me their email address so I can add them to our master email list.
Children’s Society Boxes –Please bring your collecting box to church and place in the box at the back of church. Please write your name on it so it can be returned to you. Thank you, Delia Owen
On the Trail: In search of hope! – This month’s community activity is brought to us by Scripture Union. On the Trail: In search of hope! is a treasure hunt for children and families that uses a series of films to create conversation and help crack a code. You will need your phone or tablet with you as videos are accessed by scanning four QR codeshidden in the church grounds. Look for the posters on the notice boards and gates for further instructions on how to get started. Can you find all the clues? The resource is fun, interactive and engages children in exploring, walking and talking about their experiences and what they are looking forward to. No booking is necessary. The trail can be accessed throughout October at any time apart from Sunday mornings, when the church building is being used for services. Please act responsibly and follow government guidance on social distancing. On the Trail is a community resource so please tell your friends. All are welcome. Thank you Helen for putting this together for us all to use!
Pastoral visiting – Current Government guidelines mean that we cannot visit people and go inside their homes or sit out in their gardens for a chat. Any face to face visiting will have to happen from the front gate, and with the colder and wetter weather will need to be brief so people don’t get cold. If you would value a chat or know anyone who would also appreciate a chat please let Helen or me know, our phone numbers and email addresses are at the bottom of this sheet, Thank You.
CARE FOR THE FAMILY – AUTUMN EVENTS Online – Free to view – DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.
Care for the Family events are always very good value, well presented, enjoyable, amusing, and tackle real issues in all aspects of family and other relationships. They are practical. You will not regret listening.
Go to Care for the family website, careforthefamily.org.uk; click on Events; click on Events online.
Christmas starts with Christ! – “2020 was a year unlike any other. This autumn it is more important than ever that, as we make our journey towards Christmas, we find ways to share the story of the birth of Jesus, our Light and our Hope. The Real Advent Calendar is a proven way to do this.” (Meaningful Chocolate Company). It is a fun way for parents, grandparents, Godparents and friends to share the Christmas story. They cost £3.99 and if you would like to order any please use the link below:
All Saints Playgroup – All Saints’ Playgroup have a limited number of spaces available for 2 – 4yr olds. To book a place for after half term please get in touch ASAP. At Playgroup we empower children to be leaders of their own discoveries. We strive to engage, support, enhance and challenge them as they grow and develop. To find out more please follow us on Instagram @all_saints_playgroup and Facebook All Saints’ Playgroup and email us to arrange a Covid compliant outdoor visit. allsaintsplaygroup1@hotmail.co.uk
Morning Prayer
Now I have joined the All Saints community, I am trying to keep up the discipline of Morning Prayer. A small group of us have been getting together on Zoom for Morning Prayer. We meet on Monday’s and Friday’s at 8:00am. Whether you are a veteran of this type of prayer or looking to try something new, you are most welcome to join us. It is a great way to start and finish the week and helps us to stay connected.
If you would like a zoom invitation, please email me curate.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com. Once you have the code, you are welcome to join the meeting as and when you wish. Thank you, Helen.
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.
We pray for all those who are unwell at this time particularly for Alan McClelland and Ann Roberts.
Tearfund Big Quiz Night – Saturday November 14th at 8pm.
Please will you contact Delia Owen
deliaowen@hotmail.co.uk or text 07747601269 to let her know that you intend to join the Quiz that night. The Quiz will be on Zoom and the login details & password will be sent to you.
A JustGiving page has been set up
for donations to Tearfund. A suggested entry fee of £5 per team. Many thanks Delia Owen
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING – 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.
Zoom Meeting: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79853782379?pwd=NEloclhRVEJST3RFeUdUVEowSWJRUT09
Meeting ID: 798 5378 2379 Password: 7VUQh6 Aidan Holmes
Zoom coffee – Please note change of time to 11.15am for 40 mins – remember to bring your own coffee! Details for Zoom coffee are as follows:
Zoom Coffee – every Sunday at 11.15am Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaints
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
