Worshipping at Home 30th July 2023
Home Worshipping 
30th July 2023

Welcome to Home Worshipping 30th July 2023!
Eighth Sunday After Trinity

Bible Reading

 Bible Readings


1 Kings 3:5-12

Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

 

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all

through the dough.”


The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.


The Parable of the Net

 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.  When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away.  This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Thought for the Day

The recent byelections have given all three main parties pause for thought. Perhaps the biggest dilemma is people’s resistance to much needed environmental measures which hurt their pocket, at a time when cost of living pressures are so very real. This despite the fact that we are beginning to really feel the impact of climate change. Shock horror we might even have to rethink where we go on holiday!

Many, if not most, people are anxious about the future, one way or another.
It may be very immediate and visceral. How am I going to make ends meet with food prices still rising and uncertainty about the cost of fuel? If we are a little more secure financially, we may be more concerned about the wider picture. One aspect of this is the prospect of further mass movements of people from countries where floods or drought make life increasingly unsustainable.

Then there is the war in Ukraine, and Ben Wallace’s prediction that there will be war in Europe on a wider scale by the year 2030, whether the threat comes from Russia, China, North Korea or Islamic terrorist groups. And I haven’t yet got on to the new scare topic- Artificial Intelligence. 

It is certainly very natural to look ahead with fear. Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus recognises this, and tells his hearers not to worry (6:25). Easier said than done, we might think! However, this week’s parables provide a reason why Jesus urges us to be at peace. “The kingdom of God is growing, and it will come to fruition in God’s good time”, he says. 
“Look for pictures of the kingdom of God in the details of everyday life like planting seeds, baking bread, – and trust that God is working for good, as surely as seeds grow and yeast makes bread rise”.

Reputedly Isaac Newton forbade mention of the South Sea Bubble in his presence. The eminent scientist invested his fortune in this enterprise and lost the lot. We know that life involves taking risks, and it’s likely that we can all remember costly mistakes we’ve made. Jesus invites us to take the risk of putting our trust in him and then building our lives on the basis of the priorities which spring from valuing the growth of the Kingdom of God above everything else.

The poem The Bright Field by R S Thomas gives us pause for thought.

I have seen the sun break through
to illuminate a small field
for a while, and gone my way
and forgotten it. But that was the
pearl of great price, the one field that had
treasure in it. I realise now
that I must give all that I have
to possess it.

 Life is not hurrying
on to a receding future, nor hankering after
an imagined past. It is the turning
aside like Moses to the miracle
of the lit bush, to a brightness
that seemed as transitory as your youth
once, but is the eternity that awaits you.

Let us Pray

Dear Lord Jesus please grant us courage and perseverance in all our struggles, wisdom in our decisions and confidence in our faith in you and your Kingdom to come. 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 Rector and believe you will send us a priest 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

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 whom we love and care for, always.


Amen

 The Collect Prayer

Generous God, you give us gifts and make them grow: though our faith is small as mustard seed, make it grow to your glory and the flourishing of your Kingdom: 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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