6th February 2022 All Saints Church, Childwall
READ: Luke 5:1-1 – Jesus calls his first disciples
5 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding round him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ 5 Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’ 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
REFLECT:
Lake Gennesaret, more commonly known as the Sea of Galilee is one of the most familiar bodies of water in the Bible, especially to the readers of the Gospels. I get the sense from today’s reading that it was a place that Jesus was very familiar with. I suspect that he had taught the crowds there often and that he observed the fisherman at the lakeside on numerous occasions.
On this particular day the crowd was so big that the people were crowding in on Jesus. I can think of times when I have been in a crowd and have suddenly felt very uncomfortable because of the pressure of people around me. I am sure that Jesus must have felt the same, but he comes up with a great solution. Seeing two of the fisherman’s boats pulled up on the shore, he gets into Simon Peter’s boat and asks him to push the boat out from the shore. In doing this Jesus creates a floating pulpit and frees himself from the pressure of the crowd. This deliberate act of Jesus is so that the people can hear his message clearly.
Once Jesus had finished his teaching his focus turns to Simon Peter. It seems to me that this was not the first time they had met. Simon Peter had been out on the water all night with the other fisherman and had caught nothing. But when Jesus asks him to go out again to fish he only agrees to go, because it is Jesus who is asking him. I wonder how many times Jesus had talked to these fishermen before? Watching how they work together and what they were like?
They catch an amazing amount of fish and the other boat has to be called to help. This is such a dramatic event that Simon Peter falls at Jesus’ feet in fear and all his companions are astonished at what they have seen. After the catch has been landed Jesus tells Simon Peter not to be afraid and to follow him. We are told the fishermen pull up their boats, leave everything and follow him, becoming the first disciples.
RESPOND:
How strong is your desire to read and hear the teachings of Jesus? We may not be able to hear him first hand like those first disciples but we do have the printed word of God in our own language freely available to read and study. Jesus had a one to one conversation with Simon Peter that changes his life so radically that he leaves everything to become his disciple. What is it that Jesus wants you to do with your life? Is he calling you to a change in direction, a new opportunity or are you already in the place that he wants you, serving him?
PRAY: Heavenly Father, help us to read your word regularly, to hear your voice and to open our hearts to you. Give us the courage to respond to your call upon our lives and to follow you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Andrew Colmer Vicar of All Saints Childwall
Covid restrictions – Please will you continue to wear a mask in church for all services
Please remember to wrap as we have to have good ventilation in the church building. Thank you, Andrew.
Church services
Sunday 6th February – 9.15am – Service of the Word 11am – Holy Communion
6pm – Evening Worship (in the Church hall) Thursday 10th February – 10.45am- BCP Holy Communion
Sunday 13th February 9.15am – Holy Communion 11am – Parade Service. 6pm – Evening Worship (in the Ch2urch Hall)
Funeral of Brian Morris – Wednesday 23rd February at 3pm in Church
Morning Prayer – Monday and Friday at 8:00am – Common Worship Morning prayer service with words on screen. Optional Chat after the service. Meeting ID: 948 786 2454 Passcode: 4allsaints
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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
Zoom Sunday Coffee – Every Sunday at 10.45am – Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaints https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8427671496?pwd=K2dMMnlvTHpwTkxDNEV6bDYwQXBDQT09
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8802380315?pwd=cGxQTnQ0QVRjU1gyUnBrYnJMMzZldz09
Please note joining ID. Meeting ID: 880 238 0315
Passcode: yt76bq
Mothers Union meeting – Tuesday 8th February at 2pm in the church hall
We look forward to Helen Deegan coming as our speaker. Visitors are very welcome. You do not need to be a member of Mothers’ Union to attend. Sue Watterson branch leader. Tel: 428 8406 mob: 07707 901 279
CHAT – Wednesday 9th February at 2pm in the church hall
All are welcome, we look forward to seeing you. Margaret and the team.
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.
Release International
Please pray for Christians facing persecution & for Release International Voice of Persecuted Christians, one of All Saints World Mission Partners, as they support & help Christian men, women & children in over 30 counties in the world today who face abuse, violence, false imprisonment & even death for their Christian faith.
Christian Life & Witness course at All Saints – Saturday 12th February 10am-1pm
We are hosting a Christian Life & Witness course in the church hall, led by the Billy Graham Association. This free, easy 3 hour session is based on principles from nearly 70 years of ministry and will equip you to tell others about Jesus Christ and strengthen your own faith. No need to book just come to All Saints church hall.
https://godlovesyoutour.org.uk/christian-life-witness-course/
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. Their names will stay on the sheet 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 Tony Ellison, Brian Morris & Graham McCulloch.
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
