Worshipping at Home 3rd July 2022
Home Worshipping 

Trinity 3 - 3rd July 2022 

The First Hymn
Welcome!

‘Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.’ These are the words of a popular 18th century hymn. They were inspired by the author seeking refuge in a storm. Our psalm today talks of God calming the storm. 
Whatever the weather, may our time of worship together steady our boat and restore our strength as we navigate the ‘choppy waters’ of each week.


Psalm 107: 1-3, 23-32
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity;
they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Acclamation

We worship our holy God.
We honour him
with heart, mind and strength.
We delight in the love of our God
for he is gentle and understanding.
May the embrace of our God 
surround us
and fill us with heavenly joy.

The Collect Prayer

Almighty God, 
you have broken the tyranny of sin 
and have sent the Spirit of your Son 
into our hearts 
whereby we call you Father: 
give us grace to dedicate our freedom 
to your service,
 that we and all creation 
may be brought to the glorious liberty 
of the children of God; 
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 10: 1-11, 16-20 (Jesus sends out his followers on a mission.)

 

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. ‘When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to this house.” If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. ‘When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal those there who are ill and tell them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God has come near.”


‘Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.’ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

Thought for the Day

The excitement is tangible as we read of Jesus sending out his seventy-two volunteers on a mission. In his rallying call there is inspiration and empowering. Expectations were raised, and these were not disappointed as the missioners returned with stories of amazing success. I contrast all of this with my own experience of being sent on a mission when I was at theological college. There certainly was excitement and expectations as we travelled to our ‘mission church’. On arrival, the local vicar was very pleased to greet us. 

The rest of our time, however, was sadly downhill. Our impact was minimal. On our departure, the vicar assured us that he would be sending our college a letter of complaint. What had gone wrong? Without wanting to avoid any personal criticism, two problems seemed evident: There had been very little local thought and preparation. Secondly, we were repeatedly sent to the wrong groups ie to groups of long-established church-goers rather than to genuine enquirers. To put it in modern retail terms, we had the right product but badly packaged and sent to the wrong address. ‘Mission’ is not a universally popular word, as it reminds us of the church over centuries taking a badly packaged message to the world. 

But Jesus’ sending of the seventy-two still intrigues us, and their story sets out the vital principles of Mission: The message has to have the power to do good, especially in delivering liberation and healing. The messengers need to be sure of their God-given authority to preach the Gospel, but to be able to carry this authority with humility. And so we echo the Gospel words, ‘Lord of the harvest, send us out into your harvest field.’

Let us Pray

Creator God, you reveal yourself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Help us to discern your Spirit in the world around us. Let us find joy in the world that you created. Help us to worship you with all our being, and to hear and receive your word and your gifts. As we think about our local community and the glory of the natural world may we respond to you in love for our neighbours and for your creation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

God of fresh beginnings, you make all things new in the wisdom of Jesus Christ. Make us agents of your transforming power and heralds of your reign of justice and peace, that all may share in the healing Christ brings. Amen.

God to enfold us, God to surround us, God in our speaking, God in our thinking. God in our sleeping, God in our waking, God in our watching, God in our hoping. God in our lives, God on our lips, God in our hearts. God in our sufficing, God in our slumber, God in our ever-living souls, God in our eternity.

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

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

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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