Home Worshipping
Advent 3 - 11th December 2022
The First Hymn
Welcome!
The 3rd Sunday of Advent is when we light the pink candle in our Advent wreaths. This candle signifies Joy, and it is inspired by the Psalm and Old Testament reading set for the day. The invitation to be joyful is often given when life is still challenging, but the inspiration comes from the hope on the horizon. There is no room for pessimism for the Christian – just realism that leads to optimism. The future is as bright as the promises of God.
Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Acclamation
Praise, my soul,
the King of Heaven;
To His feet
thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed,
restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Praise Him, praise Him,
alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.
The Collect Prayer
God for whom we watch and wait,
you sent John the Baptist
to prepare the way of your Son:
give us courage to speak the truth,
to hunger for justice,
and to suffer for the cause of right,
with 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
Matthew 11: 2-11 (Jesus sets out his credentials as the Saviour.)
When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.’
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I people would tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: ‘“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Thought for the Day
John the Baptist looms large in our church Services in the lead up to Christmas. This might seem odd, given that he wasn’t sure what Jesus was up to. First of all, John is confused by Jesus wanting to be baptized, and then he is further confused by Jesus’ ministry. John’s message from prison is so sad. He asks, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’ The focus of all this drama is Salvation. John had heralded Jesus as the longed for Messiah who would bring salvation to the people of God. John had a very clear picture of Messiahship and Salvation, in the same way that today many people would claim the same.
Each of us most probably knows exactly what we want of God in order for our world be to a better place. And most probably we have all had moments when we have wondered whether our salvation featured on God’s agenda. In addressing the conflict of views between John’s hopes and Jesus’ ministry, theologians have often tried to divert us away from John’s hopes for social, religious and political salvation, and towards personal spiritual salvation. And yet it is important that we remember Jesus’ response to John’s question. It may sound like Jesus is listing the things he has done to back up his claim to Messiahship.
This may be true, but also importantly he is quoting things that people would associate with the traditional view of messiahship. In other words, Jesus is telling John (and us) that although his methods might seem strange, he understands our needs, he understands our hopes, he understands our expectations, and he will deliver. He is the Messiah. Genuine salvation will transform everybody’s world, and indeed every world – social, spiritual, religious and political. But there are two things that are required of us – to let Jesus do it his way, and for us to co-operate with him. We could say that Jesus is the ‘Master Saviour’ in every sense.
Let us Pray
Eternal God, who came in Christ and is present by your Spirit, we praise you for the love that birthed creation and thank you that we can never exhaust the goodness of your gifts. Enable us to hear your call and to respond to your prompting, that our hands may be the hands of your Son, Jesus Christ, and our lives become a perfect offering through your blessed Spirit. May we flourish with your creation as we work with your grace for the good of all you have made. Amen.
God of hope, you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression to the freedom of justice, the balm of healing, and the joy of sharing. Make us strong to join you in your holy work, as friends of strangers and victims, companions of those whom others shun, and as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Who is there like you, God of mercy and grace who loves us as you do? Who knows and understands our actions as you do? Who hears the thoughts and words of our heart as you do? Who knows our joys and sorrows and shares them as you do? Who feels the pain we endure and comforts us as you do? Who hears as we confess our sins and forgives as you do? Who takes a broken heart and makes it whole as you do? Who finds a life that’s lost and welcomes it home as you do? May we, and all who reach out to you, find peace and comfort in your presence. 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
Christ the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; 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.