Sunday 25th April 2021- Fourth Sunday of Easter All Saints Church, Childwall
READ: John 10 v11-18
11 “I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. 12 When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. 14-15 I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them. 16 There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd.
17 “The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again. 18 No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father has commanded me to do.”
REFLECT:
When something is ours, we value it more highly. If it is a material possession like a car or a house we will often ensure that it is kept in good condition, looked after and protected. If we think about family members and those people that we really love then it becomes a whole new level of care and protection.
Often you hear people saying ‘well, you will do anything for your family, won’t you’?
In John’s gospel we have Jesus saying that he is the Good Shepherd. What will he do to look after and protect his sheep? In order to ensure that we understand just how good he is and how far he will go, he makes the ultimate statement. I am willing to die for the sheep.
We learn that the goodness of the true shepherd comes at a cost. While the hired hand, who does not care for the sheep because they are not his own, runs away when the wolves come, the shepherd does not.
With this passage it is important to ask who are the sheep and who is in the flock? Well it is those that believe, but there are other sheep who are not yet in the sheepfold. Jesus says these other sheep belong to him and that he wants to gather them to himself. They will listen to his voice and they will become one flock with one shepherd. In Biblical times it was the Gentiles, the non-Jews that were not yet part of Jesus’ flock. Who are the Gentiles of our time? Who are the other sheep today that are not yet part of the flock of Christ?
This passage challenges us to look beyond on our congregation or flock at All Saints and to focus on the true meaning of the Body of Christ that is inclusive of all nations, all races and all people.
As the Parish church of All Saints, God calls us as his disciples to introduce other people in our parish to the Voice of Jesus. Our recent Lent Course has helped us to understand that God calls us be his witnesses which is simply about us living our lives where the life of Jesus through us is clearly evident.
RESPOND:
How can you help others to hear the voice of Jesus the Good Shepherd? Are there people that you are aware of that used to belong to the flock of Christ, but for whatever reason no longer do? Pray for those people regularly, asking God to give you opportunities to share his love with them. How are we going to reach those people that wouldn’t ordinarilycome to a church service? Like the Good Shepherd we have to go out into the land and meet people where they are at! When do you regularly meet with others that do not know Jesus for themselves yet? Do you have opportunities or do you need to create some?
PRAY: Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep: teach us to hear your voice and to follow your command, that all your people may be gathered into one flock, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Rev. Andrew Colmer Vicar of All Saints Church, Childwall
Dear Friends,
Church Services
From the beginning of May we are piloting some changes to our Sunday services. These changes will be reviewed monthly and we would appreciate your feedback during this time of transition.
We are changing the time of our earlier service to 9.15am to give us more time but our second service will remain at 11am. We are reintroducing communion which will take place weekly but will alternate between the 9.15am and the 11am service. We will receive only bread in the form of wafers and not the cup and it will be administered to you where you sit. This is in line with current guidance.
Children’s work – Rock Club
From 16th May we are restarting our children’s work and will be offering provision at both morning services. You will need to book your children on to this and more information on how to do so will come out nearer the time. On Sunday 16th May there will be limited capacity to test how our plans work and then it will expand week on week. The Children’s work will focus on using our outdoor spaces.
Both of our Sunday morning services will continue to be shorter services as we have been doing and children and young people are welcome at either of them.
Unfortunately, we are still currently not able to re-open our Crèche.
Sunday 25th April – 9.30am & 11am – Service of the Word – Both services will be the same.
Thursday 29th April – 10.45am BCP Communion Service
Sunday 2nd May – 9.15am Holy Communion 11am – Service of the Word
Sunday 9th May – 9.15am Service of the Word 11am – Holy Communion
Social distancing measures will be in place and masks will still have to be worn.
Online Church Services – We are recording our Sunday morning service in church weekly. It will be uploaded to our website to be viewed each week soon after 11am. www.allsaintschildwall.org.uk
Morning Prayer– Common Worship Morning prayer service with words on screen.
Optional Chat after the service. Meeting ID: 865 694 0214 Passcode: mprayer
Evening Prayer – Every Sunday evening at 6pm led by the Readers. The liturgy and the readings will be on the screen and there will be a short reflection on the New Testament passage which has been set for the day. Please join us. Meeting ID: 789 873 7449 Passcode:Newsman1
Zoom Sunday Coffee – Every Sunday at 10.45am – Meeting ID:842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaintshttps://us04web.zoom.us/j/8427671496?pwd=K2dMMnlvTHpwTkxDNEV6bDYwQXBDQT09
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
Meeting ID: 798 5378 2379 Passcode: 7VUQh6
Congratulations to Gypsey & Nathan
Gypsey and Nathan were married yesterday. Helen has created an online Wedding card for all of us to use, it is not too late to sign it. Itwill only take you a few seconds to leave a personal message.
Please use this link to do so: https://padlet.com/allsaintschildwall/rq7zt24p2g00e2xt
Some of you have been asking if Gypsey has a wedding present list. What they are doing is trying to save up so they can travel back to Gypsey’s home in New Zealand to see her family when they are able to. If you would like further details please ask Helen or me.
Christian Aid Week 2021: 10th to 16th May 2021
The climate crisis hurts us all. But people living in poverty fight the worst of it every day. From drought to flooding, climate change robs people of control over their lives. Extreme weather means people are struggling to survive without a reliable source of water.
Your gift could help a community build an earth dam, so when the rains do come, they will have the water they need to live. A reliable source of water will help families withstand long drought or relentless rainstorms. Every gift can change lives. So how can we give this year?
You can give through the Christian Aid Week Website:
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week
Or just use the collection boxes at church. Whatever you can afford to give, thank you for your generosity, every donation will make a difference to peoples’ lives. If you would like to get involved with any of the virtual events this Christian Aid week please follow the link:
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. Please pray for all those who are unwell at this time particularly praying for Nicoli Gray (Carole Turner’s daughter) David Miller, Eileen Miller.
Pastoral visiting – Any visiting will currently have to happen from the front gate or in the garden.
If you would value a visit or know anyone who would please let Helen or me know, our phone numbers and emails are below.
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
Adeyinka Olushonde – Ordinand –adeyinka.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
