Advent Sunday 28th November 2021 All Saints Church Childwall
READ: Luke 21:25/36 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
REFLECT: Today is Advent Sunday, the beginning of the season of Advent which is, arguably, the lost season of the Christian Calendar. The most commonly heard phrase during Advent is probably, ‘I’m really looking forward to Christmas!’ Advent is, indeed, supposed to be a time of looking forward, not just to Christmas, but beyond Christmas to the Day when Jesus will return and bring history to fulfillment. Sadly, the frantic activity leading up to Christmas often pushes this wider perspective of Advent aside.
The people of Jesus’ day were looking forward to the day when the earthly Kingdom of David would be restored, but that was never the focus of Jesus’ teaching or hope! Jesus poured cold water on that dream, and pointed his followers to a future day when He will return and the Kingdom of Heaven will come in fullness. Just as the countdown to Christmas, the first coming of Jesus, is marked by various sights, signs and sounds, according to the NT, the Second Coming of Jesus will also be marked with various signs. It will be preceded by a time of cosmic, environmental and international upheaval. It will be, says Jesus, a time of great anxiety, trepidation and fear. Yet, Jesus also says that we are to view the things He speaks of as signs of the coming fulfillment of God’s promises; like leaves on the trees heralding the coming of summer. But is what we are witnessing at present [wars, famine, mass migration, climate change and its impact etc.] part of the signs Jesus speaks of? We simply don’t know and we must beware the attitude of some US Preachers who say that they are and, therefore, we should do nothing about them because God is about to sort it all out!! No! I believe that despite what we see around us we are still called to be good stewards of God’s creation [people and planet]. Nobody knows when the end of time will be, precisely, but in the meantime, Jesus warns that we need to be alert and much given to prayer. And what is it that we are to pray for? That it won’t happen? No! Rather for the strength to stand firm and to pass through these trials and tribulations faithfully. What is the one thing that Jesus specifically warns against in this passage? See v 34, ‘Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life…’ We know how easy it is to do that, especially around Christmas/New Year, don’t we? The trappings of the season can so easily distract us from the celebration of the birth of Jesus. But we also need to be ‘on guard’ throughout the rest of the year because these same ‘things’ can take our focus away from following Jesus and being ready for His return and, whenever that is, I want to hear the words ‘Well done good and faithful servant’ not the words, ‘You wicked and lazy servant!’ [see Matthew 25].
RESPOND: Why not use this Advent as a time of reflection? Possibly use a resource such as ‘The Advent Project’ see https://theadventusproject.wordpress.com or similar.
PRAY: Father God, Keep us watchful and faithful as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin, but active in his service and joyful in his praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rev. Bill Forster [Associate Minister]
Church Services at All Saints
Advent Sunday 28th November – 9.15am – Service of Holy Communion 11am –Service of the word. 6pm – Evening service (in the Church Hall with tea & coffee afterwards)
Monday 29th November – 1.30pm – Funeral service of Avril Mason
Thursday 2nd December – 10.45am – BCP Holy Communion followed by tea & coffee
Sunday 5th December – 9.15am – Service of the word & Baptism 11am – Service of Holy Communion 5pm – Christingle service in church (please bring a torch with you)
Thursday 9th December – 10.45am- BCP Holy Communion followed by tea & coffee
Christmas card delivery to all Parish roads – Can you help?
We will be delivering a Christmas postcard with details of Services at All Saints over the Christmas period to every home in the parish but we could do with some help! If you used to deliver Contact and are willing and able to deliver the Christmas Postcard during December to your usual delivery road, please could you let Ruth Scott know: office.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com.
If you have previously delivered Contact and are unable to do so for any reason, it would be much appreciated if you could confirm this with Ruth so that we know how many roads we have left to cover.
If you would be willing to deliver Christmas Postcards to any roads that still need to be covered because the usual person is unable to do so, please would you also get in touch with Ruth. THANK YOU.
All Saints Choir – Do you enjoy singing? Have you considered joining our Choir?
We are not professional singers – just a group that enjoys singing the Lord’s praises with the aim of leading and encouraging the singing at the 9.15am Sunday service. We meet on a Thursday at 7.45pm, and if you would like to join us, you will be made to feel most welcome. Gentlemen will be especially welcome!
For our Christmas services, we usually enlarge the Choir, and if you would like to join us just for this period, then again you will be most welcome. We will start rehearsals for Christmas on 25th November.
Please either contact me, or just turn up on a Thursday! We look forward to seeing you Norman Mason Tel: 428 6250; Mob: 07850 383836; email: norman.mason@uwclub.net
Zoom Sunday Coffee – Every Sunday at 10.45am – Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaints https://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
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 joining ID. Meeting ID: 880 238 0315 Passcode: yt76bq
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.
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.
School Forms – Primary School Applications
If you need a Primary School form completing, please email me to make an appointment. Thank you, Andrew
VESTRY HOUR – every Tuesday in Church from 7pm – 8pm
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 every Tuesday, no appointment is necessary. Please use the wooden door to the left of the tower. You do not need to knock; just come in, take a seat and you will be seen privately in turn.
Christingle Service – Sunday 5th December at 5pm in church
If you would be willing to help make the Christingle oranges please come along to the church hall on Saturday 4th December at 10am. All ages welcome to help, please let Andrew know if you are available. THANK YOU
Lighting of Community Christmas Tree at the Church Hall – Saturday 4th December
6pm-7pm – FREE hot scouse with vegetarian option provided by Hope University Community Choir will be singing during the evening before and after the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree
7pm – Turning on of the Community Christmas Tree on the Church Hall roof. Please invite your family, friends and neighbours to come.
The Church hall car park will be closed for the event, please walk or park elsewhere.
If you are able to help setting up before the event or being a steward on the night please speak to Andrew
Christmas Afternoon Tea – Saturday 18th December at 2pm in the Church Hall
This event will be for older members of our church and community.
The Community Choir will be singing at this event.
How can you help? We need people to set up on the day, people to give lifts. We need people to make mince pies and small cakes. If you are able to help please speak to Andrew
More details will be publicised soon.
16 Days of Activism – 25th November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
It marks the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence which is an international campaign supported by many organisations including Mothers’ Union. To mark this, there is a service in the Lady Chapel at the Anglican Cathedral at 12 noon on Tuesday 30th November.
A prayer from this week’s Mothers’ Union Prayer Diary:
”We pray for right and just relations between women and men that together we may transform and overcome violence in all its forms and learn to celebrate our diversity and interdependence.”
Sue Watterson. Mothers’ Union Branch Leader 07707901279
National Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 200 0247 www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk
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, Louise Kenny and Charlotte Fitzsimon. We also pray for the bereaved family and friends of Avril Mason.
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
