Worshipping at Home 12th September 2021
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Trinity 15                       12th September 2021

The Service

The above video is 18 minutes & 31 seconds long
The First Hymn
Welcome!

Many of us live in the fast lane, rushing from one thing to another. It is no wonder that we often think that time is flying by. Setting time aside for prayer and worship makes us slow down, even stop a while. It helps us catch up with ourselves, and with God. We pause to restore a sense of purpose to our lives, and to pursue fulfilment at a more sensible pace.



Psalm 19: 1-10 

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

Acclamation

Place us, Lord, like a seal 
over your heart,
like a seal on your arm.
For love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like a blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Praise the Lord, oh my soul;
let all that is within me 
bless his holy name!

The Collect Prayer

God, who in generous mercy 
sent the Holy Spirit upon your Church 
in the burning fire of your love: 
grant that your people may be fervent 
in the fellowship of the gospel that, 
always abiding in you, 
they may be found steadfast in faith 
and active in service; 
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
who is alive and reigns with you, 
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sharing the Peace

We are the Family of God;
In the one Spirit we were all baptised
into one body.
Let us then pursue all that makes for peace
and builds up our common life.

(At this point please think of others
and in your heart send them
the message: Peace be with you.)

Bible Reading

Mark 8: 27-38 (Devoting our lives to something worthwhile.)

 

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’ Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’



Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.’

Thought for the Day

Do you believe in fate – the idea that the course of our lives have been set out right from the beginning? It’s a tempting thought, but it clashes with our belief in freewill and the moral responsibility for us to make our own decisions and choose our paths. What about destiny? In one of the Star Wars films, Darth Vader tells his son, Luke Skywalker, “It is your destiny! Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son!” Well, let’s just say that the plan didn’t work out. And what about Elvis Presley’s words in the song “Can’t help falling in love” where he says “Some things, you know, are meant to be”? Maybe logically we might dismiss the notions of fate, destiny and the inevitable, but these ideas stir the heart and won’t go away. In church circles we legitimize these things by referring to ‘vocation’. And we talk about God having plans for us. So, let us ask ourselves, “Do we recognise a plan and purpose for our lives, and are we fulfilling them”?

Jesus certainly had a plan and purpose for his time on earth. He knew what his mission was, and he knew the cost involved. For Jesus it was so vital and he completed his work that he strongly rejected any attempt to divert him from his path. Poor well-meaning Peter learnt that the hard way. Imagine our world today if Jesus had taken Peter’s advice and retired early from public ministry, or if he had lowered his expectations of himself. As we contemplate the huge impact that such a course of action would have had on all of us, let’s recall that Jesus went on to say that there is a plan and a purpose for all our lives, and that we should engage with them with equal commitment and determination. To ignore God’s plan and purpose for our lives, whether by the denial of their existence or by balking at the cost involved, would result in us forfeiting our soul.

Believing in fate might not be compatible with the Christian faith, and our future is not written in the stars, but it is not fanciful to seek out a godly plan and purpose for our lives. And if that seems too much to do, then let’s remember Jesus’ call to us to follow him. At the very least, we have been given a Jesus shaped template for our lives. 

Let us Pray

(This prayer was written by the late bishop of Iran – bishop Hassan)

Father, let my existence be ruled by a great silence.
Let my soul be listening and be given to the needs of others.
Let me be silent in my innermost being – not asserting myself.
Let my soul be detached – not grasping of anything in this world, and thus overcome in my life the power of habit, daily routine, dullness, fatigue and fear.
Let me create within me a carefree tranquillity – a place for every encounter, unreserved receptivity and an unhurried disposition.
Extinguish within me the feeling of self-importance, and the last stirrings of my ego – and make me gentle.

Let me answer thoughts and situations rather than words.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to be holy as you, O Father, are holy. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

(Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.)
The Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.


Amen.

 The Second Hymn

Bible Readings for the Week

Monday: 1 Kings 13:1-10; Romans 3:9-20

Tuesday: 1 Kings 13:11-25; Colossians 3:1-11

Wednesday: Isaiah 10:12-20; John 7:25-36

Thursday: Judges 6:1-10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Friday: 1 Kings 22:24-40; Romans 11:25-32

Saturday: 2 Kings 17:5-18; Matthew 23:29-39

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

Henley in Arden The incumbent/priest in charge John Ganjavi
telephone 01564 792570 or email Incumbent/ Priest in charge

For a full list of church contact details please click here
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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.
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