Worshipping at Home 2nd April 2023
Home Worshipping 

2nd April 2023

Welcome to Home Worshipping 2nd April 2023!

Bible Reading

This week’s bible readings

Isiah Ch.50: vs. 4-9

Matthew’s Gospel Ch.21:vs. 1-12


As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.

If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.’


This took place to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet:

Say to Daughter Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.


The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, Hosanna to the son of David, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest heaven.


When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’ The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’



Then Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves.

Thought for the Day

So many epic films, plays and dramas have been presented over the centuries and behind each one there is an imaginative writer, an artistic choreographer, a musical and sound director, a plot or story with twists and turns, a talented and perceptive director, a superstar lead actor and of course a beginning and an end. 

This particular epic is called ‘Holy week’ and is set against the backdrop of an opening scene of unparalleled jubilation and hysteria as the new hero of the people is cheered into the city of Jerusalem with shouts of Hosanna and palms being strewn before him.

Now multiply that many, many times over and we experience the passion, the raw human emotion, the visually expressive scenes, the stench of a city overcrowded with human and animal flesh; the victory roars, the angry cries, the intimacy of final secret meetings. The unthinkable betrayal, the personal anguish and sweated blood in earnest prayer before the hammer blow of arrest and scattered disciples.

More betrayals under pressure, false accusations, physical brutality, collaborative fabricated evidence leading to the most awful twist as the hero dies a villain’s death in front of the same public who acclaimed him ‘Messiah Son of David’ just five days ago. All pervading gloom sets in and the closing music is about to play as realisation sets in. 

Through all of this the Director guides, steers, protects, manipulates, motivates and sustains the participating actors in accordance with his will and his final vision. Only he can visualise the final ending which to the amazement of the audience, the actors and participators themselves is the absolute opposite of that final twist of death on the cross. The week ends in an eerie silence, the screen is dark, the only one who could save the day is sealed in a tomb; the all-conquering hero has become the villain and his followers are in hiding for fear of repercussions; but then …………the Director booms out a message. ‘There is a sequel just seven days only after that ‘Palm Sunday’ opening scene in Jerusalem!’ Return to your seats on Easter Sunday to witness the greatest miracle of all time!

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus we give you thanks for all of the riches of our life in your wonderfully created kingdom. We marvel each day as your creation unfolds before our very eyes and what seems spent and lost returns to flourish anew. Help us Lord to live our lives in your image and to give our all in furthering your kingdom until perfection is granted by your hand at the end of time. Give us strength and hope in our endeavours and faith when we cry out to you in our pain and anguish as we deal with the challenges and difficulties of life. 

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 among 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 on the way of the cross, which is the path of glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Amen

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

Henley in Arden The incumbent   (Vacancy)
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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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