Worshipping at Home 19th March 2023
Home Worshipping 

19th March 2023

Welcome to Home Worshipping 19th March 2023!

Bible Reading

This week’s bible readings


Exodus Ch.2: vs. 1-10


Luke’s Gospel Ch.2: vs. 41-52


Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.


Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”


“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

Thought for the Day

Our children might be very surprised to find that even Jesus Christ himself got into trouble when he didn’t keep up with his parents and wandered off into the temple.

Likewise Mums might be surprised to read that Mary and Joseph simply left the crowded city without checking that their twelve year old son was with them! I’m sure most Mums could just imagine Mary’s horror when she realised that they had not seen him for a whole day. Even worse it wasn’t until three days had passed that they finally located him.

So we can begin to understand the serious responsibilities of being a parent, especially a mother, and the duty of a child as well to respect their parents. I dare say though that in this day and age both Mother’s and father’s roles overlap a lot more and responsibilities are shared jointly; however there is no doubt that it is the mother’s role that is quite distinct in many respects. It must certainly make a huge difference to future relationships once a mother has carried her baby in her womb for 9 months. The baby has room to grow and develop full human form and derives nutrients from what its mum eats and drinks.

The unborn child is aware of the sound of its mother’s voice and possibly her feelings and emotions too. So a close bond between mother and child is natural but many dads get involved too with bottles, nappies, baths, stories and other daily routines. But things have changed a lot since biblical times and many mothers need to get back to work as soon as possible. Nursery and school runs put pressure on time and although dads play their part many mums live a hectic life with the conflicting demands of work and motherhood duties. But despite all the pressures there is no doubt a feeling of deep love and joy that lucky mums experience that surpasses all else.

In all I have said the mother is the key person. The one to whom we can turn in our darkest hour; the one who nurtures us through all our illnesses and injuries; the one who mends our heart when it is broken; the one who listens when no one else can be bothered; the one who dries our tears; the one who supports us when it seems everyone is against us. We often take our mums for granted but we never should.

Although we love our fathers and grandparents too there really is no one else like a mum - except…….Jesus! You see everything, every accolade and attribute that I have aligned with our wonderful mums is there for us too in Jesus Christ and much more. Let’s face it when things do get unbearable even for our mums Jesus is there for her especially.
The same goes for the Dads and children too each with their own problems and just as important in the eyes of Jesus.

Mothering Sunday brings the whole family together in the light and love of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the head of the family of God and we are the body- mums, dads, children, grandparents and relatives. What a happy family with a mum inspired by the love of Jesus and loved by all those around her. Amen

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus thank you for our homes and families. Thank you for our mums and dads here today, at home, at work or busy somewhere else. Help us Lord to look after our parents just as they have cared for us. Inspire us with treasured memories of the very best of our Mum’s who have joined you in your heavenly kingdom. 

Thank you Jesus. 

Amen
The Blessing

Christ give us grace to grow in holiness, to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among us and remain with us always.


Amen

 The Collect Prayer

God of love, passionate and strong, tender and careful: watch over us and hold us all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Amen

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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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