Sunday 18th April 2021- Third Sunday of Easter All Saints Church, Childwall
READ: Luke 24. 36-48
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
REFLECT:
What is it about food and our connection to it? If there is a celebration at hand, it is best accomplished with food. If there is a meeting to go to, snacks make it go more smoothly. If someone has died, food gives us something to do with our hands and something to talk about to break the tension of the situation. In this reading, a number of dazed and distraught disciples have gathered together to share a meal. It is Sunday, the third day of the most traumatic weekend of their lives, and they are on a roller coaster of emotion. On Friday, they had witnessed the painful death of their beloved leader, teacher and friend. That night, and all through Saturday, they have kept each other company in utter despair, their dreams shattered. And now, on Sunday, a glimmer of hope hasbeen introduced to the situation. There was talk of resurrection but it was too soon to tell if it was a miracle or a hoax. Earlier that morning, the women had gone to the tomb and found it empty. They reported back and Peter ran to witness the empty tomb for himself. I imagine those same women spending the afternoon together in the kitchen, busying themselves by preparing food, all the while whispering and wondering. Then, everyone comes together to eat and talk. Half way through, two more friends show up and excitedly describe how they encountered the risen Jesus, in person, on the road to Emmaus. And while they are talking about this, Jesus shows up. Despite everything they’ve been taught, the shocked disciples can’t bring themselves to believe it. Even as they look at him, standing there before them, even as they reach out to touch his wounds. Jesus sees them struggling to figure out the impossible. So he asks them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They give him a left over piece of fish and he eats it. That simple action brings everything into focus. Jesus is alive and with them. It doesn’t matter how. They have witnessed it for themselves. It’s easy to fall in to the trap of needing to justify everything. We can spend a lot of energy trying to gather evidence and build case to support our beliefs. We exhaust ourselves trying to explain things that can only ever be experienced. If we had all the answers there would be no room for faith. We don’t have to know everything to know something. We know what we need to know, and that is enough. Sometimes, we just need a little bit of fish. A reminder that that though much may confuse or astound us, Jesus is here, He has saved us, all that is left to do is to partake in the feast and to invite others “Come, taste and see.”
RESPOND: What are the things that confuse or astound you? What things that make it difficult to believe? Perhaps there is a question you fear being asked because you lack an adequate answer? Be honest with the Lord and with other Christians. Bring your doubts and your questions to the table and pray that he will meet you in your scepticism and reveal Himself to you.
PRAY: Risen Christ, you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope: strengthen us to proclaim your risen life and fill us with your peace, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Helen Deegan [Curate]
Dear Friends,
Church Services
Sunday 18th April – 9.30am & 11am – Service of the Word – Both services will be the same.
Thursday 22nd April – 10.45am BCP Communion Service
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
We will continue to record our Sunday services every week after Easter Sunday and upload them.
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
A message from Bishop Paul on the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh
“First of all our prayers are with HM the Queen, and all her family, on the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. We pray that God’s love and strength will fill and surround her and them, and indeed all who mourn.Prince Philip was a strong individual, full of character and humour, who chose for the whole of his life to use that strength and character to serve and support – to support the Queen and to offer service to the nation as a whole. He accompanied the Queen many times on visits to Liverpool and our region over the years, on each occasion enriching and encouraging our communities here. We thank God for his life, and commend him now to the mercy of our Lord.” We are invited to join in remembering His Royal Highness, in prayer, with these words:
God of our lives, we give thanks for the life of Prince Philip, for his love of our country, and for his devotion to duty. We entrust him now to your love and mercy, through our redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.
You can access the national online condolence book, further information and prayer resources here
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
Please pray for Gypsey and Nathan who are getting married on 23rd April at noon. As Gypsey’s church family if you would like to join the ceremony via livestream video you are very welcome.
You can join on this link:
http://stjohnshartford.org/gypseyandnathan
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 and Hazel Watson.
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.
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. Thank you.
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
