Service for November 27, 2022 Advent One/ White Gift Sunday
Advent Week One
The flowers in the Sanctuary today are to the Glory of God and In loving memory of a dear husband Robert, Granddaughter Lindsey, Grandson Michael, Parents Leslie & Ethel Whittington, and sisters Linda and Dianne, given by Sharon Williams & family.
*Planning Meeting. Sunday Nov. 27 after church.
*White Gift Sunday. Nov. 27. Please Bring a donation of food
–New Years. Sat. Dec. 31. Doors open at 7:30. 8:30 show. 9:30 light lunch. Music Dance till Midnight. Denise Pelley. 50/50 draw.
*New Years Day is a Sunday. Church 1100 a.m. only Minimal service. No early service.
*Christmas Star Bazaar. Thank you to all who donated, baked, worked, and shopped. Thank you to Sandra for the crafts and great baking! $3000.
*The Manor Park Evening Post. Thank you Paul, Katie. Stephen, Adam & Kydra . A great time had by all. $1250.00. Thank you for the support.
*Stamps for Christmas Cards. Sheets available. 10 percent discount this year! Thank You! This Sunday is the last day.
*Decorate- Christmas. Thank you!
*Draws: Hilda has tickets. Hilda asks us to take some tickets to sell. Draws are New Years Eve.
*Handmade Afghan by Heather. Hockey tickets. 2$ /3 for 5$
*Carol Service. Dec. 4. 7 p.m. Tea and goodies following.
*Cookie Draw. Need 6 doz. non gooey cookies Sat. Dec. 3. Tell Sandra. Draw after Carol Service.
*A Christmas Sing a long . With Stephen. . Dec. 14 2 p.m.
*Mint smoothies Sandra $3.
*Cancelled stamps. Gloria Thompson.
*Bible Study. Tuesday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Peter. Daniel.
*Rinsed empty drink containers for Keanna.
*Food Cupboard. Thank you everyone! Butch. 519-615-9106.
*The Church Website http://www.thechurchofepiphany.com/
* Please Like Our PAGE on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/11Briscoe
*Crafts Club. The 3rd Saturday each month January to October.
*If you wish, our regular weekly donations or special donations may be sent to our Envelope Secretary:
Barb Smallman
4860 Whiteoak Road
London, Ontario
N6E 3Y8
519-680-0649
Bible Readings for November 27 2022
Audio for November 27 2022
Opening:
Invitory:
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord renews the face of the earth:
O come, let us worship
Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen
Thematic Prayer:
God of justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Reading Matthew 24:36-44
24:36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
24:37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
24:38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark,
24:39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.
24:40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.
24:41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left.
24:42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
24:43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
24:44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
Sermon
Matthew 24:36-44
Have you ever fallen asleep at the wrong time or in the wrong place?
That’s so embarrassing, but it’s a common experience.
It’s hard to fight off sleep when your body decides to shut down.
==
During the 2019 Super Bowl game,
Karisa Maxwell,
deputy editor and producer with Sporting News,
spotted a man sleeping in the stands and took a photo.
She kept an eye on the man
she reported that he slept through
the entire first quarter of the game.
She posted the photo of the Super Bowl sleeper
and by that evening it had received almost 5 million views.
To put this into perspective,
The average ticket price was between $5,000-$6,000.
And yet this fan,
who was sitting in the thick of all this excitement,
couldn’t help but fall asleep. (1)
It seems like the world can be divided between
people who have trouble falling asleep,
and people who have trouble waking up.
I’m not sure which is more annoying.
===
Jesus’ warning in our scripture lesson
can be summed up in two words: wake up!
Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 24
when
He knew he wouldn’t be with his disciples much longer.
How would this truth re-order our priorities?
What would become most important in our lives,
what would lose its importance?
Jesus gives us the best example
of what it means to live every moment
in hopeful, obedient expectation of God
working in the world.
The first lesson we learn
from Jesus’ daily life
is that he prayed regularly.
===
like
Pastor and author Bruce Larson
was talking to a pilot friend
about a recent plane crash in his area.
The pilot had been flying through fog
when he crashed into the side of a mountain.
Larson’s pilot friend
told him that it was a standard part of their training
to fly up higher in a fog.
They were supposed to rise high enough
to see over the fog.
As he said,
“They keep going up until they CAN see.”
==
Larson says that this is the point of prayer too.
The Bible tells us that our thoughts
are not God’s thoughts,
and God’s ways are higher than our ways .
When we pray and align our hearts and minds
with the heart and mind of God,
we are rising above
our current circumstances
to see life as God sees it.
====
The second lesson we learn from Jesus’ daily life
is that he paid attention
to the needs right in front of him.
He viewed every moment of life
as an opportunity from God
to change people’s lives.
This was Jesus’ nature and his calling.
How can we make it our nature and calling?
That goes back to praying
in such a way that we align our heart and mind
with the heart and mind of God.
“What needs has God
put right in front of me that I can meet?”
==
like
When a natural disaster hits,
there are plenty of agencies
that provide emergency supplies
and food and healthcare.
But who is there to provide emotional support to survivors?
A man named Dave Graham
is spending his retirement years traveling across the country
to provide a listening ear
for survivors of natural disasters.
He quickly realized that he could do good
if he just listened to people
who needed to process their emotions
in a stressful time.
He carries around signs that read “Need to talk?”
and he looks for people
who need a listening ear.
He says that he generally keeps his mouth shut.
but will pray for anyone of any faith who asks him for it.
Beyond that, he just listens.
===
And the final lesson we learn from Jesus’ daily life
is he never missed an opportunity
to express love.
It takes boldness to live a lifestyle of love
in our culture.
encourages us to put our needs first.
But read through the life of Jesus,
and you’ll see that he never missed an opportunity
to give love,
even when it cost him time and energy
and his reputation..
====
Jesus’ love is still changing the world today.
A few years ago,
Heather Thompson Day was teaching at a college in Michigan.
One of her students, named Shatina,
didn’t seem interested in the course.
She avoided eye contact with her professor;
some days she even put her head down on the desk
and napped a little in class.
One morning when Shatina
walked into class,
Thompson Day felt a sudden strong urge
to give Shatina the money in her wallet.
But Thompson Day brushed it off,
Professors don’t just give their students money for no reason.
So Thompson Day didn’t follow through with the urge.
The following Monday morning,
Thompson Day asked Shatina to stay after class
to talk to her.
She pulled $40 from her wallet
and handed it to the girl., she said,
she felt she should give her the money
and she hoped she would accept it.
Shatina began to cry.
She said,
“Before I stepped in this class,
I did something I haven’t done in several years.
I prayed.”
Shatina,
it turns out,
was a single mother who had grown up
in foster care.
She had no family support for raising her child
and had a desperate need for diapers..
Shatina didn’t even believe in God,
but she didn’t have any other options.
Just before class,
she had prayed that God
would provide Shatina with enough money
to buy diapers for her baby.
And now her professor,
as answering the prayer
she prayed to a God
she didn’t believe in.
===
Jesus has to go away!
And he has challenges us to stay awake,
to be ready.
The best way
to be ready is to live our daily lives
as Jesus lived his:
praying to align our heart and mind with God’s,
taking care of the needs right in front of us,
and never missing an opportunity
to share God’s love with others.
Hymn: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;From our fears and sins release us,Let us find our rest in Thee.Israel’s strength and consolation,Hope of all the earth Thou art;Dear desire of every nation,Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,Born a child and yet a King,Born to reign in us forever,Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.By Thine own eternal SpiritRule in all our hearts alone;By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers:
We seek the mighty God
in the most unlikely places
as a child in a stable,
and in an empty tomb.
May God hear these prayers,
which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.
Prayers: Jamie; Drew T. (Gloria);Maddex; Randy; Rick W.; Shelley and Martin C.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Tara; Jeff B.; Nicole; Shelley (Sandra); Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam D.; Diana, Ian, Edna, Mathew & Annika; Janice L & Darrin R; Roland; Clark & Helene.(Suzie D.) Donna Mc.; (Ron and Jan); Diane; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Marilyn; Val ; Karen T.;Bill, Sheila, Jessica, Sonya, Jamie (Peter); Joel; Melanie; Marlene H. Pam B. (Barb & George); Brooks (Kim); Brian; Linda; Allan; (Brian G.); Eunice S.; Jean N.; Marilyn B.; Connie C.; Jack B.; Jack and Julie. Keanna, Ella D.; Evelyn Mc; (Church) Debbie H (Lorenz); Dori; Belinda,; Kim; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori & Jack); Pat P; Grant K; (Jack & Julie); Jean (Bruce J.); Brian (Jeanne);
Give us ears to hear, O God,
and eyes to watch,
that we may know your presence in our midst
during this holy season of joy
as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.
As our Savior taught us, let us pray,
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.
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer:
Unexpected God,
your advent alarms us.
Wake us from drowsy worship,
from the sleep that neglects love,
and the sedative of misdirected frenzy.
Awaken us now to your coming,
and bend our angers into your peace. Amen.
Blessing from the Book of Common Prayer:
The peace of God, which passeth 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 Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Our Parting Blessing Song:
May God’s blessing surround you each day
As you trust Him and walk in His way
May His presence within guard and keep you from sin,
Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.
Food Cupboard Wish List
Here’s an updated wish list for our food cupboard
Brown Beans with or without pork,
Mushroom soup,
Vegetable soup and
Chicken noodle soup,
Canned vegetables except cream corn,
Uncle Bens Rice,
Sidekicks,
Minute Rice,
Pancake Mix (just add water kind),
Pancake Syrup,
Sugar,
Jam,
Cheese Whiz,
Canned fruit,
Any canned meat like Tuna, Flakes of Ham, Chicken or Turkey and luncheon meat.
Laundry soap,
Plus anything else you think of except tomato soup, toilet paper and instant coffee which we luckily have an abundance of.
Thank you for your generous donations.
Upcoming Raffles
Check out our raffles on our Upcoming Events page.
O Holy Night Comforter London Knights Tickets for Feb 24
Reopening our Churches
In Person Services
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Click Here for the latest on Reopening our Churches
Cans for Keanna
Don’t throw out that aluminum. Save it and bring it to Epiphany. Crush it down first if you are able.
Service for November 20, 2022
The flowers in the Sanctuary are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of our dear Vicki given by her family – The Ozard family
*The Manor Park Evening Post. Nov. 20. 3:00 pm. $25 fundraiser for the church. Paul, Katie Grambo. Stephen Adam Kydra. Call Adam for tickets or buy at the door. 519-615-2210.
*Planning Meeting. Sunday Nov. 27 after church.
*Stamps for Christmas Cards. Sheets available. 10 percent discount this year! Thank You!
*Decorate- Christmas. Sat. Nov. 26 at 10 a.m.
*White Gift Sunday. Nov. 27. Bring a donation of food
*Christmas Star Bazaar. Set up Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. Bazaar Nov. 19. 9:30 to 12:30. Grocery Draw. Bake Table. Craft Table. New Table. White Elephant Table. Donations needed. Invite folks.
–New Years. Sat. Dec. 31. Doors open at 7:30. 8:30 show. 9:30 light lunch. Music Dance till Midnight. Denise Pelley. 50/50 draw.
*New Years Day is a Sunday. Church 1100 a.m. only Minimal service. No early service.
*Draws: Hilda has tickets. Hilda asks us to take some tickets to sell. Draws are New Years Eve.
*Handmade Afghan by Heather. Hockey tickets. 2$ /3 for 5$
*Carol Service. Dec. 4. 7 p.m. Tea and goodies following.
*Cookie Draw. Need 6 doz. non gooey cookies Sat. Dec. 3. Tell Sandra. Draw after Carol Service.
*A Christmas Sing a long . With Stephen. . Dec. 14 2 p.m.
*Bible Study. Tuesday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Peter. Daniel.
*Rinsed empty drink containers for Keanna.
*Food Cupboard. Thank you everyone! Butch. 519-615-9106.
*Mint smoothies Sandra $3.
*Cancelled stamps. Gloria Thompson.
*The Church Website http://www.thechurchofepiphany.com/
*Please Like Our PAGE on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/11Briscoe
*Crafts Club. The 3rd Saturday each month January to October.
*If you wish, our regular weekly donations or special donations may be sent to our Envelope Secretary:
Barb Smallman
4860 Whiteoak Road
London, Ontario
N6E 3Y8
519-680-0649
Bible Readings for November 20 2022
Audio for November 20 2022
Opening:
Invitory:
Alleluia! The Spirit of the Lord renews the face of the earth:
O come, let us worship
Almighty God,
to you all hearts are open,
all desires known,
and from you no secrets are hidden.
Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen
Thematic Prayer:
Almighty God,
You rescue us from our enemies,
that we may serve you without fear.
Strengthen us,
that we may share in the inheritance of the saints
in your kingdom of light. Amen.
Reading Luke 23:33-43
23:33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing.
23:35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!”
23:36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine,
23:37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
23:38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
23:39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
23:40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
23:41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
23:42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
23:43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Sermon
Luke 23:33-43
Outside of a well-known town,
an old, Victorian house
stood on the corner of a busy intersection.
It hadn’t always been a busy intersection.
When the home was built,
it was one of only a few in the area,
marked by farmland.
A small, dirt road ran nearby
but with plenty of space in the yard out front.
However, as we all know, times change.
As the years went by
and streets were built, traffic increased,
and the town grew,
the road inched closer and closer
to the front door of the home,
which had long since been abandoned.
The windows boarded shut,
the house in disrepair,
and the home precariously perched
upon the corner of the intersection,
something had to be done.
Either they would need to raze the building,
move it,
or renovate it elsewhere on the property.
It’s rare that a building is condemned.
When a home is condemned,
it is no longer livable.
It poses a safety hazard,
a fire hazard,
and is structurally no longer sound.
Even if a house has fallen into the saddest of states,
this often is more cosmetic than structural,
even if expensive.
The decision was made to restore
and move the house to another location,
to make it a historical landmark,
and to create a farming museum.
Wealthy donors contributed,
the town’s historical society got involved,
and the house was transported, repaired, and restored.
It has now entered its second life
as a gift to all who enter.
==
It is the same with people.
Like:
Justine was a young teen
when she first began to get into trouble.
Her family had experienced difficulties,
and she found herself acting out
instead of dealing with her raw emotions.
This went on into her early adulthood
until one too many offenses
landed her in prison for a time.
Lost, alone, afraid, and with no hope for a future,
she resigned herself to eventual condemnation
–by others and herself.
Then one day,
a fellow offender
invited her to take part
in a Christian Bible group.
She scoffed at first,
but one day, down and out,
she decided to give it a try,
just to relieve herself
of the monotony of the day for a while.
At that meeting,
the leader read our scripture for today:
He explained that each of the men
there with Jesus that day were guilty.
But when one saw Jesus for who he was
and asked him to keep him in mind,
Jesus immediately made the decision
to offer him restoration.
But he was given the gift of redemption,
simply because he asked Jesus for it.
Justine left that day with her life changed.
Nothing physically had changed,
but she had changed.
Hope had been restored.
She finally understood what she needed to do.
She knew she had done wrong.
She knew she had messed up her life.
And yet, someone, Jesus,
thought she was worth enough
to move her to a different place,
restore her,
and give her another chance at life.
Justine began to change.
She came at life with renewed energy.
She engaged in college prep courses
during the remainder of her time in prison.
She went to the Bible group every week.
By the time her sentence was up,
Justine was ready.
Today,
Justine is a lawyer for young women
who have been incarcerated for juvenile
and young adult crimes.
She not only helps them legally the best she can,
but she lets them know that they too
are worth a second chance
in the eyes of Jesus,
a ticket for a different life.
==
Not all of us need to be incarcerated in a prison
to understand the promise
that Jesus makes to us,
if only we will ask him.
The beauty of Jesus
is that he opens that door to every one of us,
no matter how guilty we feel.
Jesus is all about restoration.
Often, we can get the wrong idea about God.
We are hard on ourselves
decide to ourselves
that God must surely think the same.
God has every desire to “renovate” our spirits,
to establish in us a new lease on life.
That is God’s “paradise promise.”
And we see it in that scripture today with Jesus.
====
The word “paradise” is an unusual one.
In the Septuagint,
the Greek version of the Hebrew scriptures,
the word was used for the “Garden of Eden.”
The word “paradeisos” is a Persian loan word,
meaning pleasure garden.
Within that garden lies the Tree of Life.
We left God’s beautiful Eden,
once our garden of pleasure,
and our lives fell into disrepair.
But God’s goal throughout the entirety of scripture
has always been to return us to that garden,
that beautiful place of life, peace, pleasure, and serenity.
When that thief on the cross,
who knows what he had done,
turned to Jesus and asked him to remember him,
to keep him in mind,
when he entered into his kingdom,
Jesus replied,
“I tell you
today,
you will be with me in the “garden of life”.
In saying those words,
Jesus offered a condemned man hope,
the hope for a different, renewed,
reconstructed life,
a hope for a new tomorrow,
a hope that he might have a new chance,
the hope for eternal life.
The man had done nothing in his life to deserve it.
He had been condemned justly.
But all of that is erased away by Jesus.
Jesus has
the grace to take our weary, imperfect souls
and to transfigure them.
==
Many of us suffer in various ways in our lifetime on this earth.
Whether from things we have done
or from just trying to live on earth,
we carry hurts and disappointments.
And yet Jesus sets us free.
===
We all know the end to this story –resurrection!
Jesus’ life does not end on that cross.
Resurrection, eternal life are real,
God’s promise to us is real.
Jesus keeps every one of us in mind.
He remembers all of us,
when he enters into that kingdom,
that place of new life.
Does our spiritual house
continue to have value in the eyes of the Lord?
YES
May Jesus’ blessing of peace and promise
KEEP YOU IN PEACE
this day and always.
Hymn: Christ Whose Glory Fills the Sky
See whose glory fills the skies:
Jesus, the light of the world!
Sun of righteousness, arise:
Jesus, the light of the world!
Refrain:
We’ll walk in the light!
Beautiful light!
Shine where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Oh, shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus, the light of the world.
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief,
Jesus, the light of the world!
Scatter all my unbelief,
Jesus, the light of the world!
More and more thyself display,
Jesus, the light of the world!
Shining to the perfect day,
Jesus, the light of the world! [Refrain]
Visit, then, this soul of mine,
Jesus, light of the world!
Fill me, Radiancy divine!
Jesus, the light of the world!
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers:
As the shepherd who cares for the flock, O God,
you guide all things through Jesus
whom you have exalted over all creation as king.
Hear the prayers we offer in his name
for the creation he cherished
and that you entrust to us.
Prayers: Jamie; Drew T. (Gloria);Maddex; Randy; Rick W.; Shelley and Martin C.; Sharon; Anne F.; Marcel D.; Tara; Jeff B.; Nicole; Shelley (Sandra); Linda H.; Sharon D.; Philip D; Jacquie and Cam D.; Diana, Ian, Edna, Mathew & Annika; Janice L & Darrin R; Roland; Clark & Helene.(Suzie D.) Donna Mc.; (Ron and Jan); Diane; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Marilyn; Val ; Karen T.;Bill, Sheila, Jessica, Sonya, Jamie (Peter); Joel; Melanie; Marlene H. Pam B. (Barb & George); Brooks (Kim); Brian; Linda; Allan; (Brian G.); Eunice S.; Jean N.; Marilyn B.; Connie C.; Jack B.; Jack and Julie. Keanna, Ella D.; Evelyn Mc; (Church) Debbie H (Lorenz); Dori; Belinda,; Kim; Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori & Jack); Pat P; Grant K; (Jack & Julie); Jean (Bruce J.); Brian (Jeanne);
Look upon your people who rejoice in your justice and mercy,
and grant that the prayers we make
may reveal Christ’s reign in our time. Amen.
As our Savior taught us, let us pray,
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.
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer:
O Wellspring of salvation,
we come to you in joy,
for you have heard the prayers of the poor
and raised up the lowly.
Pour out your Spirit
on young and old alike,
that our dreams and visions may bring
justice and peace to the world. Amen.
Blessing from the Book of Common Prayer:
The peace of God, which passeth 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 Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Our Parting Blessing Song:
May God’s blessing surround you each day
As you trust Him and walk in His way
May His presence within guard and keep you from sin,
Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.
Go in peace, go in joy, go in love.
“John Denver” concert a great success
Jeremy Smith sings John Denver
On Sunday July 31st at 2 pm our friend Jeremy Smith – world’s greatest John Denver tribute artist – gave a concert at our little church. The concert was well attended and everyone thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon full of music, something that has been missing from Epiphany since the start of the pandemic.
Jeremy started off the concert with songs made famous by the likes of Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and Frankie Valli. This was followed by a gospel tune, a country ballad and a weird by wonderful rendition of Homegrown Tomatoes made famous by Guy Clark. After that Jeremy moved into his strength as a performer, John Denver songs.
It was a great afternoon of music, One we will remember for a long time.
Thanks Jeremy.
Helen Johnson
JOHNSON, Helen
Peacefully on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Helen Eileen Johnson (nee Walker) in her 91st year, passed away surrounded by family. Beloved wife of the late Leonard Johnson and mother of the late Pam Johnson. Survived by her daughter Janet (Scott), her grandchildren Matthew, Andrew and Renee (Jeff), great-grandchildren Dominic and Natalie, her sisters Sheila, Gerrie, Carole and many nieces and nephews. Also remembered by her son-in-law Dave and close family friends Anne, Declan (Phyllis) and Liz. Helen found great joy in her family, friends and spending time at the family’s cottage in Port Bruce.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 28, 2022 from 1:00-1:45 p.m. at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London where the memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Private inurnment at a later date at Woodland Cemetery, London. In memory of Helen, donations may be made to Church of the Epiphany, 11 Briscoe Street West, London, ON N6J 1L9. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
Intro to Ramadan
Above is a picture of our friend and neighbour, Nazia along with Rev. Teresa and Judy
A few weeks ago our Muslim neighbours Nazia & Humaira (Members of ICNA Sisters London) contacted Epiphany through our website with the following beautiful words.
Rev. Teresa responded and the result was a small informal get together last week. I have added a couple of links at the bottom of this post for those of us who wish to know more about our Muslim neighbours and the celebration of Ramadan.
Greetings of Peace and everlasting Health!
I am writing to you today to express my wish to extend a small symbol of my respect and neighborly love for you and your Church community. I am a Muslim neighbor of yours and a member of a Muslim women’s organization called ICNA Sisters Canada, and we are reaching out to you in friendship and goodwill.
This year as we celebrate Eid, which is a celebration at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, we want to share our happiness with you. Islam teaches us, as I believe Christianity does too, to spread love and peace and instructs us to begin with those nearest to us. Moreover, not only are we neighbors but brothers and sisters in the Abrahamic tradition. As Muslims, we honor and recognize the immense love for God the Creator that you, as Christians, have in your hearts and see your dedication to all things good as an example for humanity. If you would like, we would love to drop by and hand you a small Eid gift some time/date to your preference.