Worshipping at Home 1st May 2022
Home Worshipping 

Easter 3 - 1st May 2022 

The First Hymn
Welcome!

In the resurrection stories we see Jesus going in search of the disciples. It is he who finds them. He appears to them. They don’t have to coax or conjure him to turn up. He wants to meet them. As we enter any time of prayer or worship we do well to remember that the Lord is as eager to be with us as we are to be with him. Out time with God is not a game of Hide & Seek! Both we and God are eager to be found.



Psalm 4  

Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer. How long, you people, shall my honour suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!"
You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

Acclamation

Let us worship 
our Lord Jesus Christ
who died and rose again 
from the dead.
He lives among us 
as Saviour.

He embraces human life.
He has won for us 
the glory of heaven.

The Collect Prayer

Risen Christ,
you filled your disciples
with boldness and fresh hope:
strengthen us to proclaim
your risen life
and fill us with your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.

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 21: 1-14 (Jesus appears to the disciples a third time.)

 

Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’


‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment round him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred metres.


When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Thought for the Day

The first appearance of the risen Lord to the disciples, on the evening of the resurrection, was amazing; the second appearance, when Jesus confronted Thomas’ doubts, was astonishing; the third appearance, however, was different – it was full of happiness and humour. Seven disciples were in a fishing boat. We know the identity of five of them. 

The story gives us many other details, such as the failure of the night’s fishing, the better eyesight of the younger disciple, the distance from the shore, the number of fish eventually caught, and the breakfast menu. But the detail I love the most, which suggests happiness and humour, is when Peter jumps into the water and starts to swim ashore as soon as he realizes that Jesus is standing there. Whilst theological and spiritual points are important, it is worth pausing for a moment just to take in the sight of Peter thrashing his way to shore, and arriving dripping wet at Jesus’ feet. What a heady mixture of joy and excitement!

The serious point of the story is an echo of Jesus telling the disciples that they will be ‘fishers of men’. It’s about the forecasted success of a worldwide mission. The disciples’ nets were big enough and strong enough to hold a great number and variety of fish. In the same way, the Church will be big enough and strong enough to welcome all and all sorts. But let’s return to Peter: This Church that Jesus is alluding to will be built on the foundation of the Apostles – the chief apostle amongst them being that excited and joyful disciple who, dripping wet, stood before Jesus on that sea-shore, thrilled to the marrow.

Let us Pray

God of Promise and God of Hope, who through your great mercy have granted us new birth through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we praise your wonderful name! God of Glory and God of Might who through your great power
have granted us new strength to endure all things through faith in Christ our risen King, we praise your wonderful name! Amen!

Mighty God, in whom we know the power of redemption, you stand among us in the shadows of our time. As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,
uphold us with knowledge of the final morning when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son, we will share in his resurrection, redeemed and restored to the fullness of life and forever freed to be your people. 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

God the Father, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life; 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

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: