Worshipping at Home 31st October 2021

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All Souls                     31st October 2021

The Service

The above video is 18 minutes & 20 seconds long
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

John 11: 32-44 (Jesus weeps over the death of Lazarus.)

 

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked. ‘Come and see, Lord,’ they replied.



Jesus wept. hen the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ‘Take away the stone,’ he said. ‘But, Lord,’ said Martha, the sister of the dead man, ‘by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth round his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’

Thought for the Day

Mary and Martha, and their brother Lazarus, were three of Jesus’ closest friends. They lived in a little village called Bethany, not far from Jerusalem. Jesus often stayed with them. When Lazarus became seriously ill, the sisters called for Jesus. Their story is so recognisable. In our hour of need, we call for Jesus – the one we call ‘our friend’. We call upon Jesus, knowing that he is able to help us. We know he is deeply compassionate, and we also know that he is a miracle worker. Maybe we call him as a last resort, but nevertheless we call him. We pray. This is how the story of Lazarus begins. The sisters send a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is ill.’ The story, however, does not make easy reading. First of all, Jesus chooses not to respond immediately. He leaves it so late that Lazarus dies. 

When Jesus eventually arrives at Bethany, Mary and Martha’s reaction to him is both understandable and embarrassing. Their comments are a mixture of emotions. They are grief-stricken; they are confused, and they are in denial. They confront Jesus who seems to have not responded to their plea for help. They want to still believe when it seems there is nothing left to hope for. Martha holds out for a miracle. Mary has nothing more to say. What a sad situation. As the story unfolds, the matter goes from sad to bizarre. Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days, and yet Jesus insists on having the tomb opened. He calls Lazarus forward, and to everybody’s astonishment out comes Lazarus, risen from the dead. Whilst delighted, Mary and Martha must have wondered why Jesus had put them through such an ordeal. 

Does the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus inspire us to call upon Jesus in our hour of need? Some aspects of the story might put us off – the delay, the confusion, the bizarre outcome. And yet we do call upon Jesus, and the reason for this lies at the heart of our gospel story. In the midst of all that was going on, we have the shortest verse in the Bible: Jesus wept. In my deepest hour of need I would want Jesus to be with me, not necessarily because of some hoped for escape from danger, but because I want my dearest friend, who empathises with my deepest needs, to be there with me. No words. His presence would be enough. Somehow, it makes all the difference. Faced with the worst, he still helps us believe that all will be well. That’s the miracle.

Let us Pray

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; Amen. 

Hear us as we remember those who have died in the faith of Christ...; according to your promises, grant us with them a share in your eternal kingdom. 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

Go in the power of the Spirit to live and work to God’s praise and glory. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your 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 you, and remain with you always.


Amen.

 The Second Hymn

Bible Readings for the Week

Monday: Deuteronomy 6:10-25; Romans 12:17-21; 13:8-10

Tuesday: Deuteronomy 28:58-29:1; Acts 7:17-29

Wednesday: Micah 6:1-8; John 13:31-35

Thursday: Numbers 36:1-13; Romans 5:6-11

Friday: Deuteronomy 15:1-11; Hebrews 9:15-24

Saturday: Deuteronomy 24:17-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-24

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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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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