26th September 2021 Trinity 17
All Saints Church, Childwall
READ: James 5.13-end 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
REFLECT: As someone who joined All Saints’ during the pandemic, I have yet to see the church in full swing. Like any newcomer, I have been trying to get to grips with the jargon. Today, is the fourth Sunday, I’ve been told. I now know that this means there will be baptisms. I have never been a member of a church that welcomes so many new believers they need to set aside a regular date on the calendar. What a blessing, what a joy, what a privilege, what a responsibility! Spider-man once said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” or if you prefer, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12:48. Do we take our responsibilities seriously? Do we rise to the challenge?
Those present at the baptism service will all make promises. Promises I hope that they intend to keep. The parents and godparents of those being baptised will be asked “Will you pray for them, draw them by example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?” and they will answer “With the help of God, we will.” However, before they even get to speak, Andrew will address All Saints church, “People of God, will you welcome them and uphold them in their new life in Christ?” Our assembled members will answer on behalf of us all, andjust like that, we will all be committed to the cause.
As a church, we should be fully committed to upholding each other in our life in Christ. As God gifted individuals, we will each have our specific contributions to make, but the reading above focuses on something we should all be doing, all the time, praying. Today’s passage is all about prayer and more specifically the responsibility that communities of faith have to pray for one another. Quite possibly, the most important thing we can do to uphold each other, outside of being devoted to God’s Word and hearing directly from him, is to be actively and regularly engaged in prayer. This is one of the biggest signs of health in a church. Prayer exercised within and on behalf of the churchhas power. James says it’s “effective.” It’s effective because it is offeredwithin the context of a community redeemed by Jesus Christ. In James’ language it is the prayer of ones who are “righteous.” Perhaps you think we should leave it to the experts? After all we can’t all be super-heroes. James reminds us, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are.” Heprayed and miracles happened, he was a normal person like you and me.It wasn’t some supernatural ability that gave him power, nor perhaps even his status as a prophet of God, nor anything else. The power of prayer is not limited to those in certain positions, like vicars or youth leaders, or any other role. That’s not what made Elijah such a powerful pray-er; it was, instead, his faith and reliance on God. With great power comes great responsibility. How will you use yours?
RESPOND: Do you pray for the people in this church? Do you pray for other local churches? Will the promises that are made in afresh at every baptism service be empty, or will they be kept?
PRAY: Father we thank you that we are part of a vibrant and growing church community. Help us to fulfil our responsibility to support each other through prayer. Enable us to be good companions on the journey, involving you at every step and seeking your direction. Amen.
Rev Helen Deegan (Curate)
Church Services
Sunday 26th September – 9.15am – Service with Holy Communion 11am – Service of the Word with Baptism 6pm – Evening Service (in the Church Hall)
Thursday 30th September – 10.45am BCP Holy Communion
Sunday 3rd October– 9.15am – Service of the Word 11am – Service with Holy Communion
6pm – Evening Service (in the Church Hall)
Zoom Sunday Coffee – Every Sunday at 10.45am – Meeting ID:842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaintshttps://us04web.zoom.us/j/8427671496?pwd=K2dMMnlvTHpwTkxDNEV6bDYwQXBDQT09
Online Church Services – We are continuing to record our Sunday morning service in church. It will be uploaded to our website to be viewed each week soon after 11am. www.allsaintschildwall.org.uk
Morning Prayer– Monday and Friday at 8:00am – Common Worship Morning prayer service with words on screen. Optional Chat after the service. Meeting ID: 865 694 0214 Passcode: mprayer
Evening Service – Our evening service will be held in our Church Hall at 6pm followed by tea & coffee.
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 https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8802380315?pwd=cGxQTnQ0QVRjU1gyUnBrYnJMMzZldz09
Please note new joining ID. Meeting ID: 880 238 0315 Passcode: yt76bq
VESTRY HOUR is back – every Tuesday in Church
If you would like to book a Baptism or a Wedding or speak to us about anything else, please come to Vestry Hour which is held in the church on Tuesday evenings between 7pm and 8pm, no appointment is necessary. Please use the small door to the left of the building for access – there is a path from the white gates nearest the Abbey pub. You do not need to knock; just come in, take a seat and you will be seen privately in turn.
School Forms – Secondary School Applications
If you need a Secondary school form completing I will be doing this by appointments.
Please email me and I will arrange an appointment time for you. Thank you, Andrew
Storytime – Mondays from 10am – 11.30am
Storytime is a group for pre-school children run by volunteers from All Saints and meets every Monday during term time in the church hall. It starts with a story and involves lots of fun, crafts, teddies and action songs. It costs £2 per family which is entirely used to cover running costs, snacks, rent and craft items.
Pastoral visiting – If you would value a visit or know anyone who would please let Helen or me know, our phone numbers and emails are below.
Pram Club – Thursdays from 1.30pm – 3pm
We run every Thursday for pre-school children during term time with a cost of £2 per family.
Why not come along and join in the fun? Refreshments served for both children and adults.
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, Patricia Horne, Margaret Whitehead, Alan Kirk and Louise Kenny.
We also pray for the bereaved family and friends of Gladys Lucass and Alma Canavan.
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
Bill Forster – Associate Minister – william.forster1@btinternet.com
Adeyinka Olushonde – Ordinand – adeyinka.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
