Worshipping at Home 3rd December 2023

Home Worshipping 
3rd December 2023

Welcome to Home Worshipping 3rd December  2023!
Advent Sunday

Bible Reading

Isaiah 64 1-9

a]Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to[b] our sins.

Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay; you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, LORD; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.


Mark 13 24 -37

“But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it[b] is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.


The Day and Hour Unknown

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert[c]! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.

If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone:

‘Watch!’”

Thought for the Day

It seems years ago when one of the Christian “Top of the Pops “was the hymn “Have Thy own way Lord, have Thy own way. Thou art the potter I am the clay. Mould me and make me in thine own way.” This is linked with verse 8 of our reading from Isaiah today, where the main message is the wish to see the mighty power of God at work at that time. If you would like to know more about this potter and his moulding go to Jeremiah 18 1-6. It is also the subject of Hymn 454 in our Hymn Book, “Spirit of the Living God” where we sing “melt me, mould me, fill me , use me” You may have heard a comment after singing this “and some are mouldier than others”! There is no one among Christians in Henley like that I am sure.

There is picture language in use here. The lump of clay is being moulded into the type of Christian who fulfils Gods plan for them and, if they have allowed themselves, to be moulded into a “Jesus shape” with their lives.

As usual there is a link with the two readings: however, we find that Mark has a shock for us as he predicts darkness and tribulation reigning. This reading is about the end of time as this world knows it, because the other meaning of Advent is not about the decoration of lights in the High Street and a Christmas Tree event in Church, it’s about Jesus coming back for the second time. Yes, arriving again on this earth where we live.

The first Advent, the coming of Jesus, is a proven historical fact. His second coming is forecast in the same Bible and is just as much a fact and as relevant as our promise of eternal life, and all parts of our faith as Christians that we celebrate every year at Christmas. Therefore, we need to treat both with equal regard and absorb these facts, and maybe wait a little while before we get excited about Christmas presents, and all the preparation that is often overdone, when celebrating our Saviour’s first arrival in this world. This second coming may be while we are still alive in this part of our eternity and we will be taken out of this life into the place our Lord has prepared for us. In the meantime, we remain in suspense as no date has been given so we carry on being moulded.

In view of all the uncertainty in the world with its wars and rumours of wars etc. many of us are saying the sooner the better, even if we will then miss the turkey and Christmas pud. We will all want to think about our “moulding” and whether we are ready if our Lord decides to return in my lifetime. Are we ready?

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus shape us into your image and your likeness so that we may follow you in true faith throughout all of our lives until we are born again into your kingdom at the end of this time and the beginning of eternal life.. 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. Amen
The Blessing

Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon us and scatter the darkness before our path.

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

God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and follow in his service, whose Kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you ad the Holy Spirit, one God one glory.


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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