Worshipping at Home 12th November 2023
Home Worshipping 
12th November 2023

Welcome to Home Worshipping 12th November  2023!
Remembrance Sunday

Bible Reading

Bible readings

Thessalonians 4: 13-18


The hope of resurrection

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.


Matthew 25: 1-13 The parable of the ten bridesmaids


“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.


Thought for the Day

Remembering and remembrance – the key to the future!

November has a very poignant flavour to it as we start with All Souls’ Day when we remember family members who have passed away alongside friends and acquaintances going back over the years.

At this time we pray that we and they, as faithful followers of Christ, may enjoy the eternal benefit of his saving grace. Then on the second Sunday of November communities across the United Kingdom and many other countries gather to observe Remembrance Sunday.

This solemn and reminiscent day serves as a collective act of remembrance, a time when we pay our respects to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nations.

It is a day of reflection, gratitude, and a pledge to never forget the cost of freedom. But both remembering and remembrance have a forward-looking purpose as well because those we have collectively lost have left us memories and examples that will hopefully inspire us to make the most of our lives in the future whilst learning lessons from our predecessor's life experiences too.

However there was one person alone, Jesus Christ, who made that ultimate sacrifice for all of humankind equally, no matter what race or parentage or nationality they might have. He gave us the opportunity to be re-borne into a new life with immediate effect. Through his living example Jesus taught us how to think, speak and act in a loving, humble and gracious manner; he gave us many working examples in his parables; he taught us a set of values that we could adopt and then adapt in differing circumstances and live fulfilling and happy lives. In particular he taught us how to love our fellow mankind no matter what had transpired in the past. Finally, he gave his life for us and by conquering sin and death through his own resurrection he gave us the hope of eternal life with him.

As we commemorate all of these memories and give thanks for our future opportunities in life let us hold them steadfastly in our thoughts and prayers for those in the Middle East in particular, but also for any oppressed by tyranny, war and poverty, where the only currency and way of life that can survive in the long run is the unconditional love of all peoples. Only by living and working together as Jesus has taught us can we bring wars, famine and hatred to an end once and for all. Let us remember above all else that someone has to make the first move towards a genuine and lasting peace – it is the only way that mankind as a whole can survive and prosper as our creator God originally intended

Let us Pray

God of suffering look down those who practice and profess true faith in you in the harshest and most hostile of locations and circumstances. Through your infinite mercy and love and bring them true and lasting relief and grant that we may offer them comfort, support and understanding by whatever means are at our disposal. 

Amen

Prayer for the interregnum of the Parish of Beaudesert with Henley and Ullenhall (to be said during intercessions).

Almighty and everlasting God as we travel together through this period of interregnum we thank you for your everlasting love for us. Give us strength to accept this time of change and send us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with encouragement and hope for the future. We ask that you will help us to share responsibilities growing in faith and love with one another. We look forward to the appointment of a new Priest and believe you will send one best suited to your disciples in this parish and who will encourage many to join with us on our journey of faith. Amen
The Blessing

God grant to the living grace,

to the departed rest,

to the Church, the King, the

Commonwealth

and all people,

unity, peace and concord,

and to us and all God’s servants,

life everlasting.

And the blessing of God Almighty,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you all

and remain with you always.


Amen

 The Collect Prayer

Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.


Amen.

If you have any thoughts, questions or concerns, please contact us

Henley in Arden The incumbent   (Vacancy)



Contact Us

 We’re here to help!

I believe if you keep your faith, you keep your trust, you keep the right attitude, if you're grateful, you'll see God open up new doors.
Share by: