29.03.2020 All Saints Church Childwall
READ: Philippians 4:3/8
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” [NIV]
REFLECT: Paul is in prison facing an uncertain future yet he writes one of the most encouraging passages in the New Testament. How can he do that? How can he encourage his readers [twice] to rejoice? Paul isn’trejoicing in his negative circumstances nor encouraging his readers [you and me] to rejoice in such circumstances, but in their/our God! The Message translation of v4 says, “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!” It is Paul’s awareness of the Lord’s nearness both to him, in prison, and in terms of His ultimate return, that enables Paul both to ‘revel in Him’ and to encourage us to do so.
Paul further encourages his readers to pray; prayer is Paul’s antidote to anxiety and the gateway to peace – a supernatural peace which is beyond our understanding because it is the peace of God! The Message translation of vv6/7 reinforces this; “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life. ”
Paul closes by inviting his readers to look and think [and pray and praise, perhaps] beyond themselves. When we focus only on ourselves we become very inward looking and forget that there is much in life and in the world to be thankful for.
RESPOND: Perhaps you feel ‘imprisoned’ at the present time. What can we learn from Paul’s advice?
Are you conscious of God’s nearness to you at this time?
Do the present circumstances of isolation and the break in our normal routine give an opportunity to ‘revel’ in God’s presence, remember His promises and absorb His peace? How might you do that?
What are the noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy things that you witness around you or benefit from and for which you can give thanks?
PRAY: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, ‘I am with you always’. Be with me today, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself, and keep me in your care. May I and those for whom I pray know both Your presence and peace at this time.
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for all who are working to defeat the Covid 19 virus and for those whose work helps to sustain daily life in these difficult circumstances. We pray for Scientists seeking to develop a vaccination and a cure, for Doctors, Nurses and Carers ministering to the sick, infirm and housebound, for all Government officials making policy decisions. Please grant to each the wisdom, skill, insight, inspiration, and compassion they need and help all of us to be good neighbours. Amen
Rev.Bill Forster-Associate Minister All Saints
Dear Friends, I am sending this weekly sheet out every Saturday in time for use on Sunday when we are currently not able to meet together. My email list is growing all the time and if you know of anyone who is not receiving it and would like to, please ask them to email me their email address. For those that are not on the internet please could buddies print it off and post it through people’s doors using gloves.
As you will know all Church buildings had to close for the foreseeable future at the beginning of this last week. All Sunday and midweek services and all Baptisms and Weddings are currently postponed until we know how long this crisis is going to last. The Church building cannot be opened for any purpose and therefore will not be open for private prayer at any time. I am very sorry that this is the case, but it is necessary at this exceptional time. The last time that our church building was open for services was on 15th March. On that morning I was speaking on Matthew chapter 6 and how when Jesus’ disciples ask him how they should pray, he gives them the model of the Lord’s prayer. Within that is the clear message of living daily. Jesus goes on to encourage us not to worry. A message that is easy to hear but particularly in these current times hard to put into practice. We are told to look at the world around us, the birds, the flowers and to realise that they continue to feed and blossom. We see that in our own community, leaves opening on trees and flowers blooming. We are encouraged to remember that life continues to go on and that there is hope for the future. Instead of worrying which can change nothing, we are encouraged to seek God first in our lives and to give the worries that we do have to God and leave them with him.
I have been really encouraged this week as I have travelled round the parish visiting some of our congregation who have been self-isolating now for 2 weeks. Speaking to them from the safety of the pavement so many of them have been very grateful to be buddied up with another member of our church. Simply to have a phone call and a chat during these difficult times is making a big difference for so many. Thank you to those of you that have volunteered as buddies, you are making a huge difference.
Please can I encourage you to continue to pause every day at 12noon to pray for our nation our community our health workers and all those that are working in key roles at this uncertain time. As we pray let us be encouraged that we are not alone we are praying as the church, the people of God not in our church building, but in our homes and in the community. With my prayers for you all at this time.
Andrew – Vicar of All Saints Childwall
All Saints Buddy Scheme
As a church we have set up a Buddy scheme so that we can respond to needs as they arise. The aims of the scheme are to keep in touch with members of our church family and community who are isolated or vulnerable and to provide them with spiritual support and, if possible, practical support. If you are willing to be a ‘Buddy’ please text Mary Harrison on 07817 471857 with your name and phone number and she will give you further details. If you are self-isolating and would value some help or support or know someone else who would locally please also text or email Mary Harrison at mary.harrison32@virginmedia.com with details.
Please see this important message below.
Thank you for the time in reading this message. We all know how difficult things are just now but we are hoping that, in all the uncertainty, you still may be able to help in the work we do here in this Parish and beyond. Many of you are already contributing financially, and we thank you for that, but in this time when we are not meeting in Church, please do prayerfully consider whether you will continue your giving, increase it or perhaps contribute for the first time? We really are grateful for all we receive and there are so many ways you can contribute whether it is online, tax efficient ways or dropping off a donation. If you feel this is something you would like to help with then please contact Andrew, our Vicar, or Alan, our Treasurer, through the office email: office.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com or phone number: 0151 538 5973
With our gratitude, love and prayers Andrew and Alan
Please share all this information with other members of our church congregation and community.
All Saints Childwall Church – Andrew Colmer – Vicar – Tel: 07305 842257
