16th January 2022 All Saints Church, Childwall
Read: John 2:1/11 – “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.“
Reflect: There is a lot of potential theological study material in this passage. We could think about what this miracle says about Jesus as Lord of Creation! We could think about the six stone water jars, traditionally associated with ritual washing, and how the turning of water into wine symbolises the way in which Jesus wants to turn empty religion into life enhancing faith. We could ponder Jesus’ apparent hesitancy! However, I want to focus on what I am going to call the ‘human components’ of this miracle.
It all starts with Mary and her awareness of what is going on around her i.e. the wine is running out. This is, potentially, acutely embarrassing for the wedding couple. Next, Mary brings the issue to Jesus’ attention and persists even when Jesus seems a little hesitant. Mary then instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. Jesus tells them, firstly, to fill the stone water jars which they do. Secondly, Jesus tells the servants to draw out some water and to take it to the master of the banquet which they do. The result is history! The master of the feast discovers that the water is the finest of wines, the wedding couple are spared a lifetime of embarrassment, and the disciples ‘believed in him’! I want to highlight three things:
The awareness of Mary to what was going on around her and her concern for the Bride and Groom. The faith of Mary in bringing the matter to Jesus attention and her expectant persistence.
The obedience of the servants in filing the water jars and, indeed, their courage in presenting what they knew to be freshly drawn water, to the master of the banquet!
These three things are the ‘human components’ of this miracle. Without them there would/may have been no miracle! This miracle, Jesus very first, speaks to me of the partnership which God seeks with us. A partnership in which we are aware of, concerned for and willing to bring the needs of others to Jesus, and in which we are also willing to play our part in obedience to Jesus instructions/guidance/commands.
I wonder how many ‘miracles’ have not happened because we have not been willing to play our part?
Respond: How aware are you of the needs of others around you – family, friends, neighbours, colleagues? Are you sufficiently concerned to bring them to Jesus in prayer and to persist in doing so? How willing are you to be used as part of Jesus’ answer to your prayers for others?
Pray: Heavenly Father, help us not to be so focussed on our own needs, issues and pleasures that we ignore or don’t even notice the needs of others. Help us to remember that we are called to be channels of your grace to others by being willing to pray and act, led by your Holy Spirit. Amen
Bill Forster (Associate Minister at All Saints)
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 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
Thursday 20th January – 10.45am- BCP Holy Communion
Sunday 23rd January – 9.15am – Service of Holy Communion 11am – Service of the Word with Baptism 12.30pm – Service of the Word with Baptism
6pm – Celtic Evening Worship (in the Church hall)
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
There will be no Morning Prayer on Monday 17th Jan. It will resume on Friday 21st Jan. 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
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
If you would like to book a Baptism or a Wedding or speak to a member of the clergy, 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.
The Children’s Society
£513 has been banked so far from those who are house box holders & who have supported the Children’s Society for many years. A big thank you to you & also to those who helped prepare the Christingles, those who helped to make that service so memorable and for the generosity of those who donated money. £210 has been sent to the Children’s Society.
A prayer for the Children’s Society
We praise & thank you Lord for the Children’s Society working with children & young people who face exploitation , abuse or neglect providing support, help and guidance to plan for their future. Amen
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 and Charlotte Fitzsimon. 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
