Worshipping at Home 5th May 2024

Home Worshipping 
5th May 2024

Welcome to Home Worshipping 5th May 2024!
Sixth Sunday of Easter

Bible Reading

Bible Readings

Acts 10: 44-end Holy Spirit given to the gentiles



44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.


Christ commands we love - John15:9-17

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Thought for the Day

In two weeks, we will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. We will recall again the story in Acts 2 V 1-21 when the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had promised his disciples a “baptism in the Holy Spirit”, that he would send them a “Helper” who would “teach them all things” and that he would not leave the disciples “as orphans”. His Spirit would continually be present as their guide, teacher, comforter, and friend—no longer externally but in their hearts.

The disciples were all together in Jerusalem when they suddenly were in the middle of an indoor windstorm which came from heaven, filled the house. All the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. This event didn’t happen in a special temple but in a place where the followers of Jesus were assembled.

This story marks the beginning of a new world. The disciples who have witnessed Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and have been commissioned to share this message throughout all nations, are now equipped with the necessary power and authority to do so. So that “Salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 46 v 9) and Jesus will be a light of every nation.

Our reading from Acts Chapter 10 this week, occurs after the earlier event above which we will consider in 2 weeks. Since the events of Pentecost, Peter has been a dominant voice in the spread of Jesus' message to his fellow Jews. Now he brings the gospel to Gentiles. Peter is in Caesarea, sharing the story of Jesus with a household of Gentiles. Before he finishes speaking the gospel, the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles present. The Jews that were present were amazed that God had poured his Holy Spirit on the Gentiles as well as Jews.

Jesus called Peter the ROCK, on which he would build his church. Here this work of Peter is validated by the Holy Spirit. As the spirit is poured out on all those present, causing those present to speak in other languages. Then Peter ordered them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.

These verses are reassuring for us. The Holy Spirit is available to all of us. Each week in church we say that the “Lord is here” and that “His spirit is with us.” The Holy Spirit comes to us anytime, anywhere and not just when we are in church. Living by the spirit means that as followers of Jesus we live the life God intended for us, by submitting to the presence, power and purpose of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This message this week is that the gift of the Holy Spirit is not limited to a few but is available to everyone if us as believers and disciples of Jesus Christ. And to those in every land, every culture, and every place on the face of the earth. Hallelujah!

Let us Pray

Heavenly Father we give you thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit who through the love of God and the grace of our lord Jesus Christ is the source of our life and faith; may we discern and enjoy the fruits of your Spirit and employ them in all that we do in our daily lives. 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 our Father, whose Son Jesus Christ gives the water of eternal life: may we thirst for you,

the spring of life and source of goodness, through him who is alive and reigns, 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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