12th June 2022 – Trinity Sunday All Saints Church, Childwall
READ: John 16:12-15 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
REFLECT: The doctrine of the Trinity – ‘an eternal community of diversity and unity…’
The concept of the Trinity has confused many people (including Christians!) ever since the early church fathers began to articulate it. The word ‘Trinity’ can actually be built from two words ‘tri’ (meaning three) and ‘unity’ (meaning together), hence ‘Trinity’. In more recent times people have used analogies involving apples, water, variations on triangular shapes – anything to try and explain what the Trinity is like. All of these analogies can be helpful up to a point, but none of them seem to fully explain the eternal mystery of ‘three in one’.
The problem is that for humans, God being ‘three persons in one’ not only seems to go against all logic, but the word ‘trinity’ doesn’t even appear in the bible – so why do Christians believe it? Firstly, with a little research it is apparent that the concept of the Trinity is logical, as it best expresses the way that God has chosen to reveal himself (John 1:1, Isa 9:6, Micah 5:2). That said, since God does not abide by the restrictions of our universe (such as time, space, matter etc.), restrictions which naturally shape our experience and thinking, the Trinity will remain in many ways unfathomable to us. Secondly, there are other concepts and/or terms to describe God where the specific word does not appear in the bible (e.g. being omniscient, omnipresent etc.). This should not worry us because scripture gives us clear indications that these concepts and descriptions of God are true (Isa 41:22-23, Ps 139:7-10). Equally, we believe in the Trinity because scripture gives clear indications that God has revealed himself to be three distinct personalities that are co-equal (Deut 6:4, Isa 44:6, John 20:28, Heb 3:7-11, Mtt 28:18-19), co-existant (John 15:26, John 14:26, John 16:13-15,) and co-eternal (1 Cor 8:6, Col 1:15-17, Heb 9:14).
In the passage for this week (John 16:12-15), Jesus specifically refers to the three persons of the Trinity, identifying himself with the glory of the father, naming the Holy Spirit and giving us a glimpse into the nature of their divine relationship. The fact that the different members of the Trinity have different roles has been a stumbling block for some, but it does not detract from their co-equal status. In our fallen world we find it difficult to see diversity without building hierarchy (which leads to subjugation). This is not a feature in the Godhead because we know that unlike man, God is perfect and God is love (1 John 4:8). Love requires someone to be the object of that love, it requires relationship – and this unity and diversity has been expressed from before time began within the community of the Trinity.
RESPOND:
In light of the reflection above, and Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17, what ways might God be challenging you to live in unity with those around you – especially your brothers and sisters in Christ?
PRAY:
Father, thank you that you have revealed yourself to mankind and that you have done so in a way that points to holy, loving and sacrificial relationship. Give us a renewed sense of urgency for your purpose of relationship and salvation and send us out in the power of your Holy Spirit to love and serve others in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Adeyinka Olushonde (Ordinand, All Saints, Childwall)
Sad news
Very sadly Alan Woods, one of our Readers at All Saints and our Church Treasurer passed away very suddenly on Tuesday 31st May at home. Alan was a long-standing member of our church. His ministry as a Reader and as our church treasurer has been valued enormously. Alan’s pastoral ministry has been appreciated by so many people over the years!
There are currently no funeral details and unlikely to be for a couple of weeks, but once a date is confirmed, the details will be on this weekly sheet. Please pray for Alan’s sisters and his family at this time.
Accommodation needed for Ukrainian family
Does anyone have the space to host a mother and father and their 2 boys from Ukraine? This is a placement through the Red Cross and will take approximately 1 month for the administration to be completed.
If you are able to help please ring Julie Fadden for further details on Mob: 07795 635887
Thursday 16th June 10.45am – BCP Holy Communion
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
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
Vestry Hour – every Tuesday 7pm – 8pm.
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.
Sunday 12th June – 9.15am – Holy Communion 11am – Parade Service
3pm – Boys Brigade Battalion Service at All Saints 6pm – Deanery Visitation Service at All Saints
Sunday 19th June – 9.15am – Service of the Word 11am – Holy Communion
6pm – Holy Communion with prayers for healing. (in the church hall followed by tea & coffee)
Youth Confirmation Classes – Monday 13th June at 4.30pm at All Hallows Church
Please pray for our 9 young people from All Saints who are attending confirmation class and are preparing to be confirmed this year on Monday 20th June at the Cathedral at 7.30pm.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8802380315?pwd=cGxQTnQ0QVRjU1gyUnBrYnJMMzZldz09
Please note joining ID. Meeting ID: 880 238 0315
Passcode: yt76bq
Weekly Prayer requests – Please pray for all those who are unwell at this time particularly praying for Stan Cowley, Alison Kefford, Sue Holden, Shirley Rawlinson, Margaret Whitehead and Diane Deacon. We also pray for the bereaved family and friends of Gary McCoy, Norman Russell, Alan Woods & Norman Bell.
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
