Worshipping at Home 30th October 2022
Home Worshipping 

All Souls - 30th October 2022 

The First Hymn
Welcome!
 
As we approach Halloween, the shops are full of images of ghosts and ghouls and scary things. We might think that such things have nothing to do with the Christian Festival of Halloween, but there is a connection. Even before Christianity, at this time of the year people would prepare for the challenging months of winter. They would confront their fears, and recall the wisdom of past generations in tackling them. The spooky Halloween images are supposed to represent the things that frighten us, and the example of past saints and Christian souls help us to overcome our fears. 


Psalm 34: 1-8 

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.

Acclamation

O praise ye the Lord! All things that give sound; 
each jubilant chord re-echo around; 
loud organs, his glory forth tell in deep tone, 
and sweet harp, the story of what he hath done. 

The Collect Prayer

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those inexpressible joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; 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

Luke 6: 20-31 (In the preaching of Jesus we find the key to God’s blessings.)

 

Looking at his disciples, he [Jesus] said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil,        because of the Son of Man. ‘Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.



‘But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. ‘But to you who are listening I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Thought for the Day

On some quiz shows they show us half a quotation, and they invite us to complete it. Suppose we did the same with the Beatitudes. ‘Complete the following sentences: Blessed are you who are poor…. Blessed are you who hunger now…. Blessed are you who weep now….’ In each case we would have to try and come up with something that will happen in the future to make amends for their misfortunes. 

Jesus hints that the future event that will put everything right is our arrival in heaven. This is a strange bit of teaching from Jesus because he was keen to see the Kingdom of God get established here and now. So, how do we reconcile these thoughts? I guess anyone who truly loves God would want to bring a bit of heaven to deserving people well before they die. In all cases the key to God’s blessing is to appreciate the correct timescale – one that straddles this life and the next. There are blessings to be had when we die, and there are blessings to be had in pursuing justice and compassion for others here and now because it’s a foretaste of what is to come. Time and eternity complement each other.

Let us Pray

As we remember the great Saints of history, we pray: Dear Father, We thank you for the communion of saints through which we are mysteriously united in Christ with those who have walked before us and with us in the faith. Although they now rest from their labours in your heavenly realm, we continually draw upon their indelible and living examples of excellence and holiness. We are grateful for the way they have shared their lives, struggles, faith, courage and acts of mercy during their lifetimes so that we might today live better lifetimes of joyful service to You in your kingdom. 

With them we pray in one accord, “Thy Kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Preserve the vivid lessons of their deeds of heroic trust, healing compassion and sacrificial love. Inspire our hearts to dare to follow in their fearless footsteps. Impart to us the heavenly perspective of eternity that they now enjoy. Help us to gaze steadily toward your face as they did before us, resisting evil and humbly depending on you to strengthen and preserve us in the days of testing. We make this prayer to you, the God of all nations, who calls us each to yourself that we might aspire to holiness and service in concert with the work of the saints of the ages. To you be the glory and praise and honor for all time to come. Amen. As we remember our own loved ones who have departed this life in the faith of Christ, we pray: Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; inspire within us the imitation of all that was good and noble in them; help us to honour their memory by living a life of faith and serving those around us with a godly compassion; grant us peace in our daily living until the day when you will unite us all in your eternal joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.)
The Blessing

Christ, as a light illumine and guide you. Christ, as a shield overshadow you. Christ under you; Christ over you; Christ beside you on your left and your right. This day Christ be within and without you, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ be in the heart of each to whom you speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto you. Christ be your light; Christ be your shield; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.


Amen.

 The Second Hymn

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

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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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