Worshipping at Home 17th March 2024
Home Worshipping 
17th March 2024

Welcome to Home Worshipping 17th March 2024!
5th Sunday of Lent (Passiontide)

Bible Reading

Bible Readings


Jeremiah 31: 31-34

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them” declares the LORD. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD, ’because they will all know me, the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”


John 12: 20-33 Jesus predicts his death

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.


27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Thought for the Day

Very few of us like to hear bad news especially when it concerns someone we admire and believe in with utmost trust so we could find it easy to sympathise with Jesus disciples when he begins to tell them some unpleasant truths about his future as their leader. They have acclaimed him as their Messiah and leader and are prepared to follow him wherever he goes without counting the cost.

However he now starts to restate the real cost of being one of his true disciples and not least is the requirement to give up their lives on this earth; lives that they may cherish and love but must now hate and instead look forward to eternal life in the service of Christ.

Even Jesus himself expresses his own difficulty in accepting his death and in reconciling himself with the Father’s will for him. It is also difficult for his followers who have always expected ‘Their Messiah’ to reign for ever and they show their disquiet at his pronouncement.

But there is a driving force behind all of this and he has to submit to his father’s will in obedience, even unto death, because the forces of evil and death will be destroyed through his own death. Despair and defeat will be transformed into joyful victory as he is raised from the dead and then draws all of mankind to himself to enjoy eternal life.

There is no mistaking our destiny as serving Christians that we must follow him with passionate belief and commitment abandoning all earthly values and throwing caution to the winds as children walking in his light overthrowing the darkness. This is our one and only hope of eternal life in his presence!

Amen

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus let your irresistible light shine upon us and attract us to be your followers, with a passion that defies the powers of sin and death and leads us to eternal life in your presence. 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 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

Christ crucified draw us to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope and the assurance of sins forgiven; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be amongst us and remain with us always.


Amen

 The Collect Prayer

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; 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

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

Henley in Arden The incumbent   (Vacancy)



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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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