15th November 2020 All Saints Church, Childwall
READ Matthew 25.14-30:
14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
REFLECT:
In Jesus’ day a talent was the greatest unit of accounting in Greek money- about ten thousand denarii. And if you remember from the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, a denarius was a fair day’s wage. A single talent would therefore be equivalent to fifteen years of labour. When we understand the scale of the sums involved, we see that whether the master gives the slaves five talents, two talents, or even just one talent he is being incredibly extravagant with his cash.
This highlights the character of the master and his incredible generosity. The first two slaves seem to be inspired by his attitude of fearless confidence and benevolence. However, the third man seems to have misunderstood him. He fails to take a risk because he fails to appreciate the true nature of his Lord. He fears the consequences of messing up, believing that he will be punished if things don’t go as planned. The master shows favour to the servants who take a risk because in doing so they demonstrate their faith in his grace.
Jesus calls us to live risky lives of faith, safe in the knowledge that God will provide. We have nothing to fear. Our task is simply to use the resources he gives us to advance his kingdom. Like the slaves in the story, we are each blessed in our individual ways. God has equipped us with love, time, talent and treasure to be used and spent in his service. As disciples, we are learning to love and trust him enough not to sit on it, hide it, or bury it.
Reading this parable leads me to consider how much I have personally risked or am willing to risk for the sake of the gospel. I reflect on the things I keep buried and the occasions when I have found the courage to step out in faith. Looking back at my journey so far, I am struck again by God’s perfect sense of timing. And it leads me to conclude that even if we try really hard to bury our talents when the time is right God will expose them and call upon us to use them. God’s desires will eventually trump even our noblest plans.
This week, we have respectfully displayed our poppies as a symbol of remembrance. Field poppies are triggered into germination when the soil is disturbed, and they are exposed to light. Each poppy flower produces seventeen thousand seeds, of which around three thousand will remain dormant for hundreds of years. Bursting into bloom when the conditions are just right. So it was, that thousands of poppies sprung up in the explosive churned battlefields of the Western Front.
I wonder what the turmoil of these current times is bringing to the surface. Which things, that have been buried, are now being called into action. Which of our individual gifts are coming to the fore and which of our corporate treasures we are being led to invest?
The world we serve has changed and there is a need to adapt. Are we as a church, going to bury our talents? Or are we going to press forward, despite our fears, seeking new opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel? Will we respond in faith to the call of mission, at this time, and grow? Or will we dig down deeper in the hope that all will just go back to the way it was before?
Faith is a risky business but as dangerous and fearful as investing our talents may feel, there is no safer haven than being in a place of obedience to God.
RESPOND:• Take time to consider those who have taken a risk to serve others during this pandemic and lift them up before God.• What unique time, treasure and talent do we have as individuals and as a church that we may be being called to invest?• What calls for a risk of faith in your own life? In our church?
PRAY: God, help us to use what you have given us wisely and always for good. Enable us to hear your voice and strengthen our faith so that we may have the courage to respond. Amen.
Helen Deegan (Curate at All Saints, Childwall)
Dear Friends,
Church Services
In line with new Government legislation our Church Building is now closed for ALL services until further notice. The only exception that is allowed are Funeral services in church with a maximum attendance of 30 people all socially distanced.
Prayer for the Nation
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York and senior church leaders have called a month of Prayer for the Nation during the second lockdown. The suggestion is that as many of us as possible unite to do this at 6pm each day. The prayers and themes are offered as tools to enable all to participate and are intended simply as suggestions. Please see the attached ‘Prayer for the Nation Card’ which has further details and prayers for each day of the week. Please can I encourage you to use this Prayer card daily!
Church Services Online
You can access our Church Services online every week on our Church website.
Rock Club Online Now!– Our new youth and children’s worker Gypseyhas 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
Ordinand to start at All Saints – Adeyinka Olushonde
Adeyinka is currently studying at St Mellitus College in our Diocese as an Ordinand. He will be starting a 3 year placement with us this month.
Adeyinka writes:
My name is Adeyinka Olushonde and I am a father of two children, a husband, brother and a son. I come from a large and complex family that is spread across the globe. I have worked in a number of fields both Christian and secular, visited and worked in many countries and am interested in many things.
I like food (cooking and eating), singing (all styles of music), cycling (preferably not in traffic), football (both playing and watching), dog-walking and fencing.
Please pray for Adeyinka and his family as he joins us at All Saints for the next 3 years.
All Saints Playgroup
Please support the work of All Saints Playgroup by purchasing a ‘Real Christmas Eve Box’ this year. the kits contain; The real message, goodies, reindeer food and a letter from Santa himself! They cost just £5:00 each. To order contact allsaintsplaygroup1@hotmail.co.uk. Or visit the playgroup facebook page https://www.facebook.com/All-Saints-Playgroup-107894217747755 for more information on this and other ways to get involved.
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-isolationWeekly 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.
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 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.
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.
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 Sunday coffee – Every Sunday 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
