Worshipping at Home 29th October 2023
Home Worshipping 
29th October 2023

Welcome to Home Worshipping 29th October  2023!
Sunday before 'All Souls Day'

Bible Reading

Leviticus 19: 1-2,15-18


The Commands of God

The Lord said to Moses “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly. Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbour’s life. I am the Lord. Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbour frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.’”


Matthew 22: 34-46 – The greatest Commandment


Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


Whose son is the Messiah?


While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ‘What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ ‘The son of David,’ they replied. He said to them, ‘How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him “Lord”? For he says,

“The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”

If then David calls him “Lord”, how can he be his son?’ No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Thought for the Day

This coming week we will be giving thanks for the lives of all ‘The Christian Saints’ on All Saints Day and then on All Souls Day for all our loved ones who have departed from this life on earth. The two days are consecutive on 1st and 2nd November. So apart from giving thanks for their lives what else do we pray?

Well as they died as Christian believers we pray that they continue to rest in peace in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ enjoying rest, harmony and happiness in the sure and certain hope of new eternal life which will be granted in God’s good time.

There will be a candle lit on the altar as a sign of our remembering each and every one whose name is read out and a further candle for all who died in faith of Christ and are just as precious in ours and our Saviour’s hearts even though they may not have been mentioned by name.

We will also pray for ourselves that when our time comes we too may pass on into the loving arms of Jesus and join in the presence of our loved ones and all the Saints. But should we be praying for their forgiveness too and whatever we might need to do or sacrifice on their behalf or indeed our own? Let’s face it none of us could ever be perfect in the eyes of God!

God’s forgiveness is something that we crave as Christians because we know many of our own failings and foibles and freely admit that there will be more too that we have forgotten or left out deliberately. We can guess that our beloved departed may have felt something similar. But we also know that we cannot earn forgiveness by good deeds or self-punishment nor can we judge others as to whether they need help in this manner.

It is only by God’s love and through Jesus Christ’s saving grace that pardon or forgiveness can be gained. This has already been earned on our and our forbear’s behalf by Jesus sacrifice on the cross and his subsequent resurrection which in itself defeated the powers of darkness and death. Certainty of darkness and death was replaced by hope that we too as firm believers in Jesus Christ will rise again into eternal life with the Lord at the end of this time when heaven and earth become as one.

Therefore let us rejoice in this hope for all who we remember today with love and thanksgiving. 

Amen

Let us Pray

God of forgiveness and new life sustain us in our faith; God of grace receive us in your presence when time is nigh; God of hope and resurrection raise us in glory on the day when heaven and earth become as one, so that we may take our place in your Kingdom. 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 will 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. 

Amem
The Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our 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 us and remain with us, and all those for whom we love and care, always.


Amen

 The Collect Prayer

Everlasting God, our maker and redeemer, grant us, with all your faithful departed,

the sure benefits of your Son’s saving passion and glorious resurrection,

that in the last day, when you gather up all things in Christ,

we may with them enjoy the fullness of your promises;

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 forever.


Amen

If you have any thoughts, questions or concerns, please contact us

Henley in Arden The incumbent   (Vacancy)



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: