Sunday 24th January 2021 – Epiphany 3 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, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”
They did so, 9 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 10 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.”
11 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: Today, we read of Jesus’ first miracle – the turning of water into wine at Cana in Galilee. This miracle was NOT initiated by Jesus,indeed He seems a little reluctant; I wonder if that is because it was His FIRST miracle i.e. He had no previous experience! What a major step of faith this must have been for Jesus and He takes it in response to what would seem to be an insignificant problem, for an insignificant couple, in an insignificant home, in an insignificant town, in an insignificant part of the Roman Empire.
This miracle only happened because the wine was running out at a wedding and Mary brought the matter to Jesus’ attention. Then, ignoring Jesus’ seeming reticence she ordered the servants to do whatever Jesus asked them to do AND Jesus responds as only He can do! To run out of wine may not seem a very big deal to us, but it would have been for the wedding couple; it would have been a source of shame for the rest of their lives and Mary knew that.
Let’s note Mary’s awareness of the need/potential outcome, her expectation in bringing the matter to Jesus attention and her persistence in spite of Jesus’ initial response.
Let’s note that despite the insignificance of the people, the place and the problem, Jesus meets the need.
Let’s note the servants’ willingness to fill the water jars and then to draw out some wine [which they knew had been water a few seconds earlier] to take to the Steward of the feast for him to taste!
Let’s note the surprised reaction of the Steward when he tastes the wine, ‘…. you have saved the best till now!’
RESPOND: How would you have reacted in those circumstances?Would you have done what Mary did or would you have thought, ‘Nothing to do with me’?
How DO you respond when you recognise a problem or issue in someone’s life? Do you offer help? Do you bring the person/problem/place to Jesus in prayer?
How DO you respond when, like the servants, your small but practical involvement, however unlikely it may be, might make all the difference?
We are not Jesus, but sometimes it takes a similar step of faith on our part to respond to needs around us.
PRAY: “Christ has no body now but ours. No hands, no feet on earth but ours. Ours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world. Ours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Ours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Ours are the hands, ours are the feet, ours are the eyes; we are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but ours.” [Teresa of Avila] and having prayed, respond.
Rev. Bill Forster[Associate Minister]
Dear Friends,
Services in church – All services in church are currently suspended until further notice. Funeral services are still happening at All Saints with a limit of 30 mourners set by government guidelines.
Church Services Online – We are recording our Sunday morning service in church weekly. It will be uploaded to our website to be viewed each week soon after 11am. www.allsaintschildwall.org.uk
Evening Prayer every Sunday at 6pm – Every Sunday evening the Readers will be hosting a weekly service of Evening Prayer on Zoom at 6pm. The liturgy and the readings will be on the screen and there will be a short reflection on the New Testament passage which has been set for the day. Please join us. Garry Critchley Meeting ID: 789 873 7449 Passcode: Newsman1
Rock Club Online!– Our youth & children’s worker Gypsey has developed online activities for Pebbles, Rock Club & Boulders. Available on our website: https://www.allsaintschildwall.org.uk/online-rock-club/
If you would like to be kept informed and receive specific emails detailing our Youth & Children’s Worship please can you let us know by emailing gypsey.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
All Saints Buddy Scheme – If you are self-isolating and would value some support or a regular chat or know someone else who would, please text or email Mary Harrison atmary.harrison32@virginmedia.com with details.
Bookworms is our All Saints reading group – We have not been able to meet to discuss books over the past year but undoubtedly many of us have been reading avidly. It has been decided to create a book quiz which anyone will be able to access, whether or not they have attended Bookworms in the past. It will be sent out on-line or delivered as a paper copy and you can do it in your own at home, share it with your family or phone a friend! Results will be sent out about 10 days later. There will be no prizes but we hope it will stimulate the brain cells and while away a wet afternoon or two! Everyone who is on the Bookworms email list will automatically get a copy. If anyone else would like to receive it either on line or as a printed paper copy delivered to their door please contact Helen Ford. email: h.h.ford@btinternet.com. Phone 428 9153
Weekly News – If you are aware of anyone who is not receiving all the weekly news that we are sending out please ask them to send me their email address so I can add them to our master email list.
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. Please pray for all those who are unwell at this time particularly praying for Bill Maitland and Nicoli Gray (Carole Turner’s daughter). Please pray for the bereaved family and friends of John Downes.Pastoral visiting – Current Government guidelines mean that we cannot visit people and go inside their homes. Any face to face visiting will have to happen from the front gate. If you would value a chat or know anyone who would appreciate a visit please let Helen or me know, our phone numbers and email addresses are below.
WEEKLY PRAYER MEETING – 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.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79853782379?pwd=NEloclhRVEJST3RFeUdUVEowSWJRUT09
Meeting ID: 798 5378 2379 Password: 7VUQh6 Aidan Holmes
Zoom Sunday coffee – NEW TIME! – Every Sunday at 10.15am – remember to bring your own coffee!
Zoom Coffee – every Sunday at 10.15am Meeting ID: 842 767 1496 Password: 4allsaintshttps://us04web.zoom.us/j/8427671496?pwd=K2dMMnlvTHpwTkxDNEV6bDYwQXBDQT09
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
Gypsey Tait – Youth & Children’s Worker – Tel: 07961 793435 –gypsey.allsaintschildwall@gmail.com
Bill Forster – Associate Minister – william.forster1@btinternet.com
