Worshipping at Home 20th March 2024
Home Worshipping 
20th March 2024

Welcome to Home Worshipping 20th March 2024!
6th Sunday of Lent (Palm Sunday)

Bible Reading

Bible Readings


 Isaiah 50: 4 – 9, Trust in God in the face of suffering

 

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious; I have not turned away.  I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.


 Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near.   Who then will bring charges against me?   Let us face each other! Who is my accuser?  Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.  Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

 

Mark 11: 1 -11, Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna![” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Thought for the Day

In today’s passage from Isaiah, we hear from the prophet who is seeking to make sense of the painful realities of exile. As an introduction to Holy Week, this text provides an understanding of Jesus’ journey to resurrection through the cross. Verse 6 is the crux of Isaiah 50:4–9 and a direct link with Jesus’s sufferings on the Cross as it describes the servant’s suffering at the hands of his enemies. 

Isaiah gives us a picture of perfect submission and obedience to the will of God, even to death on the cross. How is He able to be so obedient? Because of his understanding of God’s word and will, because His ears are opened “morning by morning” and allow him to submit and suffer willingly. This resolve to take on suffering stems from His communion and communication with God.

This passage speaks of God’s certainty to help us in the midst of suffering and shame. Isaiah’s sufferings are also meant to sustain all those who suffer. This is his purpose here. Isaiah tells us that we have a God who understands. We can find comfort in our sufferings because there has been a forerunner in our sufferings, because the one who did not deserve suffering, also suffered. 

Isaiah is encouraging people to come out of their darkness and accept God because to faithfully cling to Him, frees us from the darkness. 

We are reminded also of Christ’s firmness and resolve for God’s work, and his confidence of divine help. This was rooted in a knowledge and consciousness of God’s will and obedience to it.
We know that the Servant referred to is Jesus Christ, and this passage shows us again the heart behind the actions of His life and death. He came and spoke not on his own authority but was wholly obedient to the Father even to death. This was God’s will. Jesus was obedient to God and stayed resolute in God in the face of trial. He was the innocent one but was willing to suffer on behalf of all people.

In our chaotic world today, where is hard to make sense of the events in so many places and to witness scenes of so much suffering, we must look upon Jesus Christ, our saviour. Jesus is the one who came and called those who were weary and heavy laden and promised them rest that only He can give. Jesus who entered Jerusalem in triumph on Palm Sunday, only to be mercilessly crucified. We must turn to Him in our trials and remain obedient to His word and his commandments - to love the Lord our God with all our hearts and minds and strength and to love our neighbours as our selves.  
Then we can say with Paul in Romans 8:34, "who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us", today, and every day of our lives. 

Amen 

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus you knew that the time had come when your earthly ministry would cease in seeming disarray and despondency. Grant Lord that we may have the courage to follow you in true faith through the highs and lows of life so that we too may join you to enjoy heavenly peace and happiness. 
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

True and humble king, hailed by the crowd as Messiah: grant us the faith to know you and love you, that we may be found beside you on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory.


Amen

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Henley in Arden The incumbent   (Vacancy)



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