Worshipping at Home 19th June 2022
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Trinity 1 St John the Baptist - 19th June 2022 

The First Hymn
Welcome!

With the arrival of the Summer Solstice we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Baptist. John was a colourful and controversial character who stirred people into a deeper commitment to faith. John pointed his disciples towards Jesus and so we, as ever, focus on Jesus in our worship.



Psalm 89: 5-8

The heavens praise your wonders, Lord,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
Who is like you, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty,
and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Acclamation

Give thanks to the Lord 
and call upon his name.
Make known his deeds
 amongst the peoples.
Sing to him, 
sing praises to him,
and speak 
of all his marvellous works.
Holy, holy, holy 
is the Lord God almighty,
the same, yesterday, today 
and for ever! Amen!

The Collect Prayer

Almighty God, by whose providence 
your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, 
and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Saviour 
by the preaching of repentance: 
lead us to repent according to his preaching 
and, after his example, constantly to speak the truth, 
boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; 
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

Luke 1: 57-66 (The birth of John the Baptist)

 

When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, ‘No! He is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘There is no one among your relatives who has that name.’


Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.’ Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. All the neighbours were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him.

Thought for the Day

Let me point out the obvious: Revolution is disturbing. Any sudden change causes disruption. Most of us prefer evolution to revolution – the step by step approach to change. Even winning a fortune can be difficult if it happens overnight. Zechariah and Elizabeth were two ordinary people. Their life had a routine to it. Then, one day, everything changed. A spiritual experience, an unexpected pregnancy, and their world changed in an instant. They would have a child, a son, their first and last. But he would not bring them the usual joys of family life because he was going to be set apart for an amazing purpose – to prepare the way for Jesus’ public ministry. 

Maybe we all harbour the hope that God will bless us, but would we want something to happen to us which would be as sudden and dramatic as what happened to Zechariah and Elizabeth? As some would say, ‘Be careful what you wish for…even pray for’! Each and everyone of us would unreservedly agree that a life of faith and service should be every believer’s goal. And yet most of us also prefer to be in charge of our destiny, to do good by all means but also to enjoy a fair share of pleasure and luxury. As many stewardship campaigns inadvertently suggest, ‘Give God 10% and keep 90% for yourself’. Yes, we want God to be with us and bless us, but we also want to have a say in the nature and pace of his involvement. 

Here, I point the finger at myself because on a number of occasions I have had to wrestle with this dilemma. The answer, however, is simple: We have to learn to trust God that he knows best. Zechariah and Elizabeth seem to have had no option. God’s involvement and blessing came to them as a fait accompli. But what if God were to approach us to negotiate a plan? What would we say? Assuming we knew it was God calling (and not just the vicar or our conscience masquerading as the voice of God), are we ready to follow the example of the saints and say ‘Yes’ to God?

Let us Pray

Creator God, who breathed this world into being, who is discernible within the harmony of nature, the perfection of a butterfly's wing, the grandeur of a mountain range, the soaring eagle and humming bird, thank you for this world which you have created. Thank you for summer sun, which reminds us of the warmth of your love, sustaining this world, your garden. Amen.

For the blessings of each day we praise your holy name: For strength to endure in times of strife, shelter from storm, protection through life. For the blessings of each day we praise your holy name. For footsteps to follow a road that is true, a love that endures whatever we do. For the blessings of each day we praise your holy name. For faith to believe, hope in our heart, your Spirit enabling as we play our part. For the blessings of each day we praise your holy name. Amen.

We give thanks for the saints who have set us examples of true discipleship. Today we give thanks for John the Baptist – for his boldness, honesty, faith and humility. And now may our voices bring words of comfort, may our hands be there when needed, may our feet walk that extra mile, may our lives be always centred on service, Lord, for you. 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

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

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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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