30th January 2022 All Saints Church, Childwall
READ Luke 2:22-40: 22
When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law
required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36 There was also a
prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of
Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
REFLECT: Last spring, I welcomed a new addition to my family. Joey, the springer spaniel, is now 10 months old. We are attempting obedience training. One of the techniques used is known as ‘Mark and Reward’. Desirable behaviour is marked with a specific word and rewarded with a treat. When Joey hears his word, he expects that something good is about to happen, he engages with me, and finally he is encouraged to keep trying. I have been torturing Joey by making him wait longer and longer to receive his promised reward. I want him to be fully focused on me. To keep his eyes on the prize regardless of tempting sounds, smells, and squirrels! Joey is not very good at waiting. Neither am I.
Perhaps we can both learn a thing or two from Simeon. A man to be admired and imitated for waiting well. Amid a lifetime of hostility, disappointment and temptation, Simeon remained focused on God. Despite everything that was going on around him, he never took his eyes off the prize. He expected God to deliver on his word. Both the corporate promise that God would send his Messiah, and the personal promise that he would not die until he had seen that Messiah for himself. In the book ‘All the Promises of the Bible’, the author Herbert Locklear found 7,147 promises from God to man. Some of them have already been fulfilled, and should serve to encourage, others are works in progress. Good waiting begins with learning to trust your master to deliver.
Being expectant is only part of the story though. Simeon didn’t just receive a promise then sit back waiting for God to fulfil it, he was also engaged. He understood that seeing the prophesy fulfilled needed action on his part. So, he obeyed God, listened for his voice, and actively sought his guidance. We too have a role to play if we are to see God’s promises come to fruition in our lives. Good waiting involves being attentive to your master’s lead and following their direction.
Finally, when Simeon saw God’s chosen Messiah with his own eyes, he rejoiced and gave glory to God. He encouraged not only Mary and Joseph but also Anna to do the same. Spurring one another on is so important. When we open up and share our stories of God breaking through into our lives, He encourages others through us. Good waiting is supported by seeking and responding to your master’s encouragement.
Maybe we can train ourselves to wait well by following Simeon’s example? Let’s ask the Holy spirit to fill us and form us into people who are expectant, engaged and encouraged so that we can obey God’s call as both a church and as individuals.
RESPOND: What could you do to today to boost your expectations, engage with God or seek his encouragement? PRAY: God, fill me with your Spirit. Help me to trust in you, to be attentive to your call and to follow your direction.
Lead me to seek and respond to your encouragement and enable me to experience your peace. Amen.
Helen Deegan (Curate at All Saints, Childwall)
Covid restrictions – Please will you continue to wear a mask in church for all services
Please remember to wrap up well as we have to ensure there is continued adequate ventilation in the church building. Thank you, Andrew.
MENS BREAKFAST
SATURDAY 5th FEBRUARY AT 8am
A group of men that meet once a month in the church hall on a Saturday morning to share breakfast, fellowship, a short talk, pray and finish with a hymn. This month Gary Vyse and Keith Caulkin’s talk is entitled
Mind & Soul: A Christian perspective towards men’s mental health.
The meeting lasts about an hour, a good way to start the weekend. If you have any questions speak to Aidan Holmes (07563736150), Peter Jennins or Graham Deacon.
Sunday 30th January 9.15am – Holy Communion 11am – Service of the Word.
Please remember there are no children’s groups in the hall today as it is a 5th Sunday.
6pm – Evening Worship (in the Church Hall)
Thursday 3rd February – 10.45am- BCP Holy Communion
Thursday 3rd February – 8pm Living in Love and Faith course – held in the Childwall Abbey function room
Sunday 6th February – 9.15am – Service of the Word 11am – Holy Communion 6pm – 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
Please note the new Church Zoom details below for Morning Prayer
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
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
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.
News from New Tribes Mission one of All Saints World Mission Partners
A thank you letter and update has been sent from NTM on behalf of Daniel & Elizabeth Moore who are based at the NTM College Northcotes, near Grimsby. Last year NTM college sent out new missionaries to the mission field & in September new students arrived to receive training which has not been disrupted by Covid 19. The college received accreditation & the college Nursery was Ofsted approved & accredited. The Lord provided financially for their missionaries, students & staff.
NTM are truly thankful for our continued interest & support for their work in the U.K. & around the world
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 and Brian Morris.
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@alisonkefford
