Worshipping at Home 7th August 2022
Home Worshipping 

Trinity 8 - 7th August 2022 

The First Hymn
Welcome!

Faith is a sought after quality. The more we learn about it, the more we will know how it works and where to find it. This week Jesus gives us a lesson in the price and prize of faith. Welcome!


Psalm 145: 10-18 

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power, to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendour of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing. The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Acclamation

Eternal Father, the Fountain of Life,
Risen Son, the Prince of Life;
Spirit of freedom, Giver of Life.
Truth, Wisdom and Power,
Lover, Beloved and Friend,
Hope without end; 
Joy beyond words.
All glory to God, 
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Collect Prayer

Lord God,
your Son left the riches of heaven 
and became poor for our sake: 
when we prosper 
save us from pride, 
when we are needy 
save us from despair, 
that we may trust in you alone; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
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 12: 32-40 (The price and prize of faith.)

 

‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


‘Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will make them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or towards daybreak. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.’

Thought for the Day

I remember years ago a book was published about Christians. It was titled ‘The happiest people in the world’. If we were to search the internet, we would find that the happiest people in the world are the Finnish, followed by the Danish. The United Kingdom is the seventeenth happiest place to live. Happiness is thus presented as the highest ideal in life. I am sure it is universally undeniable that every human being would like to be happy, but maybe there are other things that are at least equally important. 

In our Gospel passage today, Jesus talks about the pleasures and treasures. He talks about how each one of us has something we treasure the most, and we can identify what that is by following where our heart leads us. I guess a scientist would want to wire us up and to see which suggestive comment makes our pulse race the quickest! But then maybe we already know the answer to what we prize the most in life. Jesus goes on to give his answer regarding the highest prize in life, and in doing so he takes us to an unexpected place. Jesus talks about the pleasure of servants who are found to be faithful. Here we are presented with the profound joy of knowing we have faithfully served the one to whom we are devoted. In his example, Jesus talks about the thrill of experiencing the reward of a delighted master. I am sure the servants were happy, but it seems there were much deeper emotions in play. 

The world often claims that the secret of happiness is to serve ourselves, to please ourselves. Jesus is claiming that the secret of happiness, and much more besides, lies in the satisfaction of serving others, or to be more precise: true joy is to be found in faithfully serving the one who means the world to us. In this down-to-earth way Jesus sets out both the price and prize of faith.

Let us Pray

God, creator, Artist supreme, the potter who forms us, the father who keeps us, the mother who holds us, the word who sustains us, the love who will not let us go, we offer you our sacrifice of praise.

Jesus, Messiah, Saviour and friend, the rabbi who teaches us, the prophet who stirs us, the healer who touches us, the One who dies for us, the love who will not let us go, we offer you our sacrifice of praise.

Spirit, power, Breath of Life, the guide who prompts us, the truth who inspires us, the fire who empowers us, the spirit who enables us, the love who will not let us go, we offer you our sacrifice of praise. Amen.

God of Grace, in whom I put my trust, be my rescuer when sins ensnare, the liberator of my soul, the still small voice that says ‘Be free’. 
God of Love, in whom I put my trust, be my joy and comfort at all times, the source of all my thoughts and words, the still small voice that says ‘Rejoice!’
God of Peace, in whom I put my trust, Be my tranquillity in times of turmoil, the steadying hand in raging seas, the still small voice that says ‘Be calm’.
God of Power, in whom I put my trust, be my confidence when faith is challenged, the sword and armour that protects, the still small voice that says ‘Be strong!’ 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

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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