Worshipping at Home 16th January 2022
Home Worshipping 

Epiphany 2 -16th January 2022

The Service

The above video is 20 minutes & 52 seconds long
The First Hymn
Welcome!

There are many reasons why we go to church – to meet others, to pray with others, to ding hymns, seek guidance, thank God. Sometimes we go to church because we are dissatisfied with life. We think that things could be better in our world, and maybe there should be more to our own lives. We could say that we are looking for a fresh vision for ourselves and the world. In this week’s Gospel Jesus turns water into wine; he presents himself as the one who can transform life. 


Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.
For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed. How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! I try to count them -- they are more than the sand; I come to the end -- I am still with you.

Acclamation

Praise God from whom
all blessings flow.
Praise him, all creatures
here below.
Praise him above
ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost.

The Collect Prayer

Almighty God, in Christ 
you make all things new: 
transform us 
by the riches of your grace, 
and in the renewal of our lives 
make known your heavenly glory; 
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

John 2: 1-11 (Jesus turns water into wine.)


On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 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.’


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.

Thought for the Day

Talk about doing something that would be memorable, for his first miracle Jesus chooses to turn water into wine! The miracle is extraordinary in itself, but it gains added significance by being the first miracle. The focus is transformation. Jesus is sending out a signal that he is not in the business of just tinkering with reformation, nor is he interested in making only a modest contribution to the course of history. No, he had arrived in order to transform our understanding of God, faith, salvation and religion. And the world would never be the same. Later on in his ministry, Jesus would use wine again as an illustration when he says that new wine can’t be poured into old wineskins. In other words, his transforming teaching could only be contained within lives and structures that were fully renewed and refreshed. Well, that’s the message of the miracle, but there is one final detail that astounds me.

Imagine, for a moment, that we had been given the task of delivering Jesus’ life changing message to the world. Maybe we would have chosen a formal setting as we delivered this message, with our demeanour being serious and stressed. Instead we find Jesus at a wedding, relaxed and in a playful mood. Here is someone who exudes confidence, comfortable and in control. Breath-taking! We can’t help being drawn to him.

Let us Pray

The God who breathed this world alive and sustains it day by day, whose hands flung stars into space and controls our destiny says, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” The God who filled the ocean depths and set tides on their way, who caused mountains to be raised up and rainbows to display says, “I have called you by name, you are mine.” The God who made the fertile earth and seed within to sow, whose artistry creates butterflies and the early morning dew says, “You are precious in my sight.” Lord God, transform our understanding of ourselves and each other. Help us to see all life through your eyes, that we might have the courage to know your love and to believe your promises. Amen. 

Holy God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Saviour. Bring healing to all wounds, make whole all that is broken, speak truth to all illusion, and shed light in every darkness, that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. 

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

May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shine in our hearts and fill our lives with his joy and peace. And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always.


Amen.

 The Second Hymn

Bible Readings for the Week

Monday: Isaiah 54:1-8; Romans 12:9-21

Tuesday: Song of Solomon 4:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:3-17

Wednesday: Song of Solomon 4:9-5:1; Luke 5:33-39

Thursday: Isaiah 61:1-7; Romans 7:1-6

Friday: Nehemiah 2:1-10; Romans 12:1-8

Saturday: Nehemiah 5:1-13; Luke 2:39-52

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
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: