Worshipping at Home 24th January 2021
Home Worshipping Epiphany 3 

24th January 2021

The Service

The above video is 17 minutes 55 seconds long
The First Hymn
Welcome!

Are you in need of a boost to your faith? Do you need an anchor in the storms of life? Or are you in need of an uplift – a bit more wind in your sails? Don’t we all wish we could order some faith and then ‘Click & Collect’! In reality we know that faith takes more effort than that. So let’s meet someone who can help. Let’s meet Jesus!


Psalm 62:5-12

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honour; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. 

Acclamation

Worthy oh worthy 
are you Lord, 
worthy to be thanked 
and praised 
and worshipped 
and adored.

The Collect Prayer

Almighty God, 
whose Son revealed 
in signs and miracles 
the wonder of your saving presence: 
renew your people 
with your heavenly grace, 
and in all our weakness 
sustain us by your mighty power; 
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

Mark 1:14-20 (Jesus says: Follow me.)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
Thought for the Day

Do you have a word or phrase that you use often…or too often? My children make fun of my over-use of the word ‘marvellous’. Everything is marvellous! St. Mark had a word he was very keen on. The word was ‘immediately’. Jesus immediately arrives, immediately sees, immediately does and immediately leaves! St. Mark’s style of writing leaves us in a whirl. We are tempted to say, ‘Slow down. Give us time to take it all in’. In today’s reading it’s the disciples who are jumping to it: Jesus calls them, and St. Mark says that they immediately follow. What do we make of this response? Are we impressed by what seems like an unquestioning faith or are we suspicious of what might be described as a blind faith? Were they right to act so hastily? 

There is a phrase ‘Act in haste. Repent at leisure.’ It has been applied to situations as varied as marriage or getting a tattoo! The disciples certainly acted in haste. They were stirred up and ready for action. Jesus was the man of the moment and there was an excitement in the air. I am sure that Jesus respected their ‘immediate’ response, but he was also wise enough to see it for what it was – an initial burst of enthusiasm. A demanding and long-term commitment, however, had to be a more considered decision. In the marriage Service we hear that such a commitment needs to be undertaken ‘reverently, responsibly, and after serious thought.’ Big decisions need careful thought.

In St. John’s Gospel we read of a very difficult time in Jesus’ ministry. His followers were beginning to realise that his teaching was not easy to accept. We read that his disciples began to leave him in droves. Jesus asks Peter if he, also, was going to leave. We can read a lot into Peter’s reply, ‘To whom shall we be go? You have the words of eternal life.’ We no longer detect any excitement. No ‘immediate’ joy. This is a mature response made ‘reverently, responsibly, and after serious thought’. Here is a faith that has asked the questions, a faith that has not been blind. 

Faith is a wonderful possession. Faith brings both peace and purpose to our lives. Faith is like an anchor in a storm and then, when the time is right, it’s like wind in our sails. So, where can we find faith? The answer is ridiculously obvious! Just as it did for the disciples, faith develops out of a relationship with Jesus. Initial contact with Jesus causes a burst of excitement. A growing relationship with him adds depth to our experience of life. A mature relationship with Jesus brings a joyous freedom that enables us to live life to the full. Faith is not an ‘off the shelf’ gift; it is something that grows out of our friendship with God. It is this developing faith that adds quality to our praying, ecstasy to our worshipping and power to our social action. And so Jesus says, ‘Follow me’. 
Lets us Pray

Holy God, you gather the whole universe into your radiant presence and continually reveal your Son as our Saviour. Bring healing to all wounds,
make whole all that is broken, speak truth to all illusion, and shed light in every darkness, that all creation will see your glory and know your Christ. Amen.

Circle me, Lord. Keep protection near and danger afar. Circle me, Lord.
Keep hope within. Keep doubt without. Circle me, Lord. Keep light near
and darkness afar. Circle me, Lord. Keep peace within. Keep evil out. 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.)
Our Second Hymn
Bible Readings for the week:

Monday: Genesis 12:1-9; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Tuesday: Genesis 45:25-46:7; Acts 5:33-42
Wednesday: Proverbs 8:1-21; Mark 3:13-19a
Thursday: Deuteronomy 3:23-29; Romans 9:6-18
Friday: Deuteronomy 12:28-32; Revelation 2:12-17
Saturday: Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 8:28-9:1

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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 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.
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