9th January 2022 All Saints Church Childwall
Read: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, ‘I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’
The baptism of Jesus
21 When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’
Reflect:
The Baptism of Jesus fired the starting gun on Jesus’ public ministry. All of the gospels comment on it and Luke brings his own special emphasis in his telling.
John the Baptist had a powerful effective ministry the impact of which was still being spoken of 20 years after his death. His humility in his ministry is striking, he sees himself as one who is simply preparing the way for the Messiah.
Consider: How willing are we to take the humble place? or do we want some of the glory? There has always been speculation about the early years of Jesus, but these have been hidden by God.
Consider: Do we spend time in idle speculation rather than responding to the revealed, actual, Word of God.
At His baptism, Jesus is singled out by God and he is visibly anointed by the Holy Spirit for His ministry.
Luke alone records that Jesus was praying when He was baptised and the Spirit descended. Luke tells us most about the prayer life of Jesus.
Respond:
Pray: Heavenly Father, at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son: may we recognise him as our Lord and know ourselves to be your beloved children. Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Garry Critchley (Reader at All Saints)
The gift of prayer is given to us all, are we willing to pray individually and as the Church that God will use us for his glory in Childwall in 2022?
Covid restrictions – wearing masks in church for all services is still a legal requirement. Everyone over the age of 11 years old will need to wear a mask in church. Please remember to wrap up well as we have to ensure there is continued adequate ventilation in the church building. Thank you, Andrew.
Services at All Saints Childwall
Sunday 9th January – 9.15am – Service of Holy Communion 11am – Service of the Word (Please note our first Parade service will now be on Sunday 13th February)
6pm – Communion service with prayers for healing (in the Church hall)
Thursday 13th January – 10.45am- BCP Holy Communion
Thursday 13th January – 1.30pm Funeral service of Norman Edwards
Sunday 16th January 9.15am – Service of the Word 11am – Holy Communion 6pm – Evening Worship (in the Church Hall)
Monday 17th January 10am – Funeral service of Tony Ellison
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: 789 873 7449 Passcode: Newsman1
Please note change in sign in details for this week only.
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
VESTRY HOUR – every Tuesday in Church from 7pm – 8pm
Vestry hour will start again on Tuesday 11th January 2022.
A prayer for Christians Against Poverty (CAP) one of All Saints World Mission Partners
Please pray for those in our society who are struggling financially as a result of the pandemic that they will seek help and hope from organisations like CAP who are working hard to provide the support and care that is so desperately needed.
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. The list is starting again this week and names will stay on for 4 weeks. Please pray for all those who are unwell at this time particularly praying for Adeyinka Olushonde. We also pray for the bereaved family and friends of Norman Edwards and Tony Ellison.
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
