Worshipping at Home 21st April 2024

Home Worshipping 
21st April 2024

Welcome to Home Worshipping 21st April 2024!
Fourth Sunday of Easter

Bible Reading

Bible Readings

Acts 4: 5-12

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin


The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 

Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. ’Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”


Christ and the Good Shepherd-John10: 11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.

Thought for the Day

Every building project has to start somewhere and this is usually with a comprehensive survey of the site both above ground and below. If the site is suitable then designs are drawn which are then expressed as outline drawings. 

A combination of design, planning requirements and practical usage determine the style, size and nature of the building and detailed drawings are prepared. These will eventually define the work of the construction team and they have to follow them meticulously.
So when a project of size was started there had to be a point or position on the site where the first stone was to be laid. This stone was required not only to be symmetrical, accurate and well prepared but also laid out with astronomical precision so that all other stones could be referenced back to the geometry of this one. 

As such it would be the key orientation and reference point for the rest of the building project and essential if a beautiful, sustainable, self-supporting and practical structure was to be produced. Something the original designer could regard with pride, affection and appreciation when finished.
Just imagine then our creator God who has selected this planet earth from a huge galaxy of universes and has drawn up a design in immense detail well beyond the wit of any man or future super-computer. A design that would transform this planet into an environment supporting an almost infinite number of life-forces and creatures who will have free rein over it and yet need guidance, motivation, controls and a plan of their own in order to be able to access and use all of the resources stored away by their creator without destroying them.

So it turns out that the key to the whole thing is not only creating mankind but ensuring that humankind does not destroy itself and in contrast thrives in its environment. So God created love and he expressed this love in his son, Jesus Christ who showed us what true love is like and gave us the means to attain it in all of its glory and compassion. God gave us Jesus Christ as our cornerstone for the development of civilisation based upon the love of each other, the love of our created environment and most of all the love of our creator.

Never forget - Christ alone is our cornerstone. Christ, the cornerstone of humankind in its billions and yet the cornerstone of you and me at a very personal and intimate level. Thus it is love of Christ that embraces and binds all of those billions of diverse peoples together to form one body of humanity. 

Amen

Let us Pray

Heavenly Father we give you thanks for the gift of Jesus Christ who is the cornerstone of the faith embodied in our communities and churches. Grant Lord that we may emulate the beauty of your creation in our ways of life and worship and the teachings and values of your Son in showing our love for each other and for you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and 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

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.


Amen

If you have any thoughts, questions or concerns, please contact us

Henley in Arden The incumbent   (Vacancy)



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