2nd Sunday of Advent 5th December 2021 All Saints Church Childwall
READ: Luke 3:1-6 3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
‘A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.”’
REFLECT: Luke starts this chapter with an A-list of earthly powers: an emperor, a governor, three tetrarchs, and two high priests. By presenting them together at the beginning of this chapter he roots his account historically, letting us know clearly the timing of his writing. Together the A-listers that Luke names represent the rulers of the known world and the religious, political and economic power that stands in the heart of Jerusalem.
This focus reminds us that the world to which God sends the messiah is a world that is held captive to earthly forms of domination and influence. I wonder have things changed much in the world since the days of john the Baptist? Where is the power and influence nowadays in our modern society?
In Luke’s account the men of influence are Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas and Caiaphas. The word of God though doesn’t come to any of these influential men of power. Instead it comes to a lone man out in the wilderness: John, son of Zechariah better known to us as John the Baptist.
What is the message that God gives to John to preach? In the first chapter of Luke’s gospel we are told:
16 He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord,
in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to
the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’
John’s God given task was to go into all the country and to encourage people to be ready for the coming of
the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Not by arranging big celebrations or painting the town or getting a welcoming
party ready. John simply calls people to repent, to change their ways and to put their lives right before
God and seek his forgiveness.
At this time of Advent this passage encourages us to do the same. To examine ourselves spiritually and to
seek God’s forgiveness. To be ready to receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, to put our trust in him and
follow him. Why is this so important, well Jesus promised that he would come again and when he returns
he will judge the living and the dead. The question is simple – will you be ready?
RESPOND:
Where do you think the power and influence over people is today in our world? Does it still rest with those who have position and wealth and status? What do you think are the greatest influences on people’s lives today? If we had a modern day John the Baptist on the streets of Liverpool preaching a message of repentance, how do you think he would be received? His message would be the same though ‘repent because Jesus is coming again!’
PRAY: Almighty God, purify our hearts and minds, that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as judge and saviour we may be ready to receive him, who is our Lord and our God. Amen.
Rev Andrew Comer Vicar of All Saints Childwall
Covid restrictions – wearing masks in church for all services is necessary again. We believe this is an important additional step that we can take to keep everyone as safe as possible. Please will you wear a mask at all services. Please remember to wrap up well as we will have to ensure there is continued adequate ventilation in the church building. Thank you, Andrew.
Church Services at All Saints
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
Sunday 12th December – 9.15am – Service of Holy Communion 11am – Parade Service – Toy Service The Salvation Army is running their Christmas appeal again this year, which we will be supporting. They find that gifts for teenagers, both boys and girls, are in short supply and also for 7 year old boys. Toiletry gift sets are welcome. Please don’t wrap the toys that you bring.
6pm – Evening service (in the Church Hall with tea & coffee afterwards)
Thursday 16th December – 10.45am – BCP Holy Communion followed by tea & coffee
Christmas CHAT – Wednesday 8th December 2pm-4pm – ALL WELCOME 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
Christmas card delivery to all Parish roads – Thank you!
Thank you very much to all of you that helped to deliver our Church Christmas card to every house in the parish. This card advertises all of our Christmas services. There are plenty of cards at the back of church and in the church hall to pick up if you don’t live in the parish and haven’t received one.
Zoom Sunday Coffee – Every Sunday at 10.45am – Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaints https://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 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. Could you help and be part of the team? Please email rachelkelleher@live.co.uk
‘To all our friends in Church, we wish a very happy Christmas, and a safe New Year. From Patricia and John Britland Horne’.
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.
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.
It is going to be a windy and maybe wet event so please wrap up well!
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
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
Please be aware this event may have to be postponed because of Covid restrictions
School Forms – Primary School Applications
If you need a Primary School form completing, please email me to make an appointment. Thank you, Andrew
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
