Worshipping at Home 20th February 2022
Home Worshipping 

2 Before Lent - 20th February 2022 

The Service

The above video is 20 minutes & 52 seconds long
The First Hymn
Welcome!
The teachings of Jesus have many admirers, and we often hear people say that whilst they might have doubts about spiritual things, they have a high regard for Jesus as a moral teacher. They might call to mind Jesus’ championing of the poor and the outcast. They might be inspired by his compassion, and they might admire his challenge to those who abused their power. What do you think? I find that every time I think I have understood Jesus’ instructions for life he makes me realise there is more.


Psalm 147: 3-11
The Lord heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Acclamation

O praise ye the Lord! 
Praise him upon earth, 
in tuneful accord, 
you children of new birth; 
praise him who has brought you 
his grace from above, 
praise him who has taught you 
to sing of his love.

The Collect Prayer

Almighty God, 
you have created the heavens and the earth
and made us in your own image: 
teach us to discern your hand 
in all your works 
and your likeness in all your children; 
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 
who with you and the Holy Spirit 
reigns supreme over all things, 
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 6: 27-38 (Jesus’ teaching on love and mercy.)

 

[Jesus said] ‘But to you who are listening I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.



‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’

Thought for the Day

If you were in a quiz, and you had to come up with some of Jesus’ quotable quotes, what would come to mind? Walk the extra mile? Turn the other cheek? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you? This last suggestion may well be the classic one that summarises what people regard to be the Christian way of life. It is also the quote that is often twisted for humour. For example, some have suggested that a better motto would be ‘Do unto others before they do it unto you.’ And then there are times when people genuinely remember Jesus’ teaching incorrectly. They mistakenly think that Jesus said, ‘Do unto others as they do unto you.’ Whereas Jesus actually said that regardless of how we are treated, we should treat others in a way that we consider to be the most honourable. 

This teaching might be seen by some as making us vulnerable, but in reality it is encouraging us to take charge of our own lives. We will not lower our standards just because everyone else might be lowering theirs. We won’t compromise our morals simply because others are. This is true holiness. By this I don’t mean a holiness that separates us from others, making us out to be self-righteous and haughty, but true holiness which allows us to shine regardless of any darkness around us. Jesus calls us to be non-judgmental, forgiving and generous. 

These are qualities that some might suggest make us a mug. Worldly advice would advise us to stand our ground, be aggressive towards those who offend us, and make sure we claim and keep what is ours. And if we were to say, ‘But Jesus says…’, we might hear the reply, ‘Yes, but where did it get him?’. Well, we believe it got him to the throne of heaven from where he will dispense ultimate justice. Not that we do good in order to be rewarded, but following Jesus’ teaching takes us along a path that leads to a very good place.

Let us Pray

Jesus, Good Shepherd, Jesus, True Light, Jesus, Eternal Wisdom, Jesus, Infinite Goodness, Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus, Joy of angels, Jesus, Master of apostles, Jesus, Teacher of evangelists, Jesus, Strength of martyrs, Jesus, Light of confessors, Jesus, Purity of the innocent,
Jesus, Crown of all saints, have mercy on us.

Lord, you are our salvation, the rock upon which we stand, the light by which we walk, the strength by which we overcome. Therefore we shall live by faith and fear no one, for you, Lord our God, are with us, walking beside and before us, sheltering us from harm. Lord, it is your song that we want to sing, your praise is within our hearts, your words are upon our lips, and you are the reason that we live. 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

Go in the power of the Spirit to live and work to God’s praise and glory. And 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

Bible Readings for the Week

Monday: Genesis 33:1-17; 1 Corinthians 11:2-16

Tuesday: 1 Samuel 24:1-22; 1 Corinthians 11:17-22, 27-33

Wednesday: Leviticus 5:1-13; Luke 17:1-4

Thursday: Deuteronomy 9:1-5; Acts 3:11-16

Friday: Deuteronomy 9:6-14; Acts 10:1-8

Saturday: Deuteronomy 9:15-24; Luke 10:21-24

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
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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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