Worshipping at Home 14th April 2024

Home Worshipping 
14th April 2024

Welcome to Home Worshipping 14th April 2024!
Third Sunday of Easter

Bible Reading

Bible Readings


Acts3: 12-19

Peter speaks to the onlookers


When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,


Jesus appears to his disciples Luke 24: 36-48


While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”



Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Thought for the Day

Quite a mysterious start to this week’s passage from Acts; it goes ‘when Peter saw this he said to them “Men of Israel why does this surprise you?”’ It is therefore quite helpful to know that in the preceding few verses Peter and John had healed an unnamed crippled beggar in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. 

There were quite a number of witnesses to this and it quickly attracted a large crowd which is where our passage starts. The admiration and astonishment of the crowd had been directed towards the two Apostles and Peter was quite upset when he saw and heard all of this. Peter very quickly made it clear that this healing miracle was the work of their creator God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who had glorified his son Jesus Christ. In other words the healing had only been possible because it was through the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ which had empowered Peter and John.

Are there lessons to be learned from this passage by us today? The short answer is yes – at least two major ones. The first is to have confidence in and act boldly for good in the power of the Holy Spirit, but at the same time acknowledging this in true humility, just as did Peter. 
The second is in verse 19 where those repenting of their sins are promised ‘times of refreshing from the Lord’.

Even now after all of Jesus teachings, miracles, suffering and glorious resurrection the permanent establishment of true Christianity was beginning to take place in accordance with God’s original plan. The call to repent, similar to that of John the Baptist, which was the pre-cursor of Jesus’ ministry, was still at the top of the list for all would be disciples or followers of the Risen Christ! Christ earned our forgiveness on the cross but we can only have the benefit of this if we turn to God unreservedly and wholeheartedly! 

Just look at the personal benefits of this let alone the benefits for mankind as a whole; ‘Times of refreshing may come from the Lord’; Do we realize that is available to us all right now? We have an opportunity to experience refreshing from the presence of the Lord when we turn our hearts to him and away from the world. Jesus offers to carry your distress and burdens away from us leaving us revived, refreshed and restored.

Let us Pray

Lord Jesus you gave us your life, your teachings and most of all your Holy Spirit, and we offer you our wholehearted thanks and praise. In our times of uncertainty, trouble, weakness and distress let your Spirit point us in repentance to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit so that we may experience true refreshment of mind, body and soul through and in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. 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 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

God the father, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.  


Amen

 The Collect Prayer

God of life and love, your Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of the bread. Open our eyes that we may see him in his redeeming work; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.


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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