Our Prayers go out to our Muslim Brothers and Sisters

 

 

The Church of the Epiphany the Little Church that Cares has lowered the flag in our Cenotaph in honour of our Muslim brothers and sisters who were so senselessly attacked recently in our great city.

Our Prayers go out for you

 

 

Our prayers

Our prayers are for the young and the innocent.

Our prayers are for the souls leaving us too soon

                                                way to early.

Our prayers are for the lonely

                                    for the souls left behind.

Our prayers are for the grief, for the tears

                                    for the sadness.

Our prayers are for time

                                    time to heal

                                    time to love

                                    time to remember all that is good.

Our prayers are for you

                                    for the laughter

                                    for the happiness

                                    for the joy yet to come.

Our prayers are for you.

 

Epiphany Service For September 19, 2021

 

 

*The flowers in the Sanctuary today are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of special parents Glenn and Betty Whittington, and sister Susan, given by Mary-Liz and Joe Whalls.

*Thank you for Preaching Rev. Peter.  

*Calendars are $10 each. There are 4 themes … Best Friends (Dogs), Cats and Kittens, Streams and Lakes, Majestic Sunsets. To order, sign the list at back of church or call 226 – 378 – 1250 or write to judyandbob@rogers.com
See what they look like on the Calendar Page.

*Concert featuring  Denise Pelley, Stephen Holowitz and Adam Corrigan-Holowitz called To You With Love From Down the Street. Inspirational music from Denise and stories about Manor Park from Adam. Saturday October 2 at 7:30 pm and Sunday October 3 at 2:00 pm.  Tickets in advance.  Seats of groups.  Tickets are $25. Proceeds to the work of the church. 

*Tea and Talk postponed till the new year.

*Bible Study Monday’s 10 a.m.  In the Hall.

*FUNDrive  Load out Wed. November 17.  We are collecting Thanks Jan for leading in this! Ron (519 472 9142) Truck.

*Cancelled stamps. Gloria Thompson.

*Food Cupboard.     Butch. 519-615-9106 Thank you everyone!  

*Thank you for your generous love of Epiphany.  Our Church does much good, quietly, without fanfare.   Let’s all keep up our Good Work! Even while we are sheltering in our homes.

*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

 

*Thank you Ron for posting our service on our website, Adam for recording our service To Anusha for the music.  Also Stephen.  Thank you Dan D. for arranging for the flower dedications.  Thank you to you for being part of our church and for all you do everywhere.

Bible Readings for Sep 19

• Proverbs 31:10-31 and Psalm 1  

• Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22 or Jeremiah 11:18-20 and Psalm 54 

• James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a  

• Mark 9:30-37

 

Audio for Sep 19 Service

 

Back of the Bulletin:

The great architect Frank Lloyd Wright was fond of an incident that may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a profound influence on the rest of his life. 

The winter he was 9, he went walking across a snow-covered field with his reserved, no- nonsense uncle. As the two of them reached the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the snow, straight and true as an arrow’s flight, and then young Frank’s tracks meandering all over the field. “Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle to the woods and back again,” his uncle said. “And see how my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that.”

Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how the experience had contributed to his philosophy in life. “I determined right then,” he’d say with a twinkle in his eye, “not to miss the things in life, that my uncle had missed.

 

Opening:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,

be with you all.

 

And we respond with: And with thy spirit.

 

WE pray:

Holy Wisdom,

you granted Solomon’s request

for an understanding mind

and the knowledge to discern good from evil.

Fill us with such understanding and knowledge

that we may act as instruments

of your loving desire for creation,

working with you to transform

our conceit into concern for others,

our fear into love,

our violence into peace,

and our brokenness into wholeness. Amen.

 

Mark 9:30-37

9:30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it;

 

9:31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.”

 

9:32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

 

9:33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?”

 

9:34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.

 

9:35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”

 

9:36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them,

 

9:37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

 

Sermon Mark 9:33-37

 

Some years ago a school of Theology was seeking a new president. 

Over one hundred candidates applied for the position. 

The search committee narrowed the list to five qualified persons. 

Then somebody came up with a brilliant idea: 

let’s send a person to the institutions 

where each of the five finalists is currently employed,

Let’s interview the janitor at each place, 

asking them what they think

 of the person seeking to be our president. 

 

This was done.

One janitor gave such a glowing appraisal of 

One person

that he was selected President of the School of Theology.

 

Somebody on that search committee understood,

 in a flash,

that those who live close to Christ

 become so secure in love 

that they no longer relate to other people 

according to rank or power or money or prestige. 

 

They treat everyone with equal dignity. 

They regard everybody as a VIP.

==== 

Now: 

In verse 32 we read a report on the disciples:

 “But they did not understand.” 

When confronted by true greatness, 

people simply do not see it.

 

Here is what happened with the disciples. 

 

One day Jesus is passing through Galilee.

 

We are told that he did not want anyone in the area 

to know where they were.

 

 Why is that?

 Because, he had something important to tell the 12.

 It was a strategic part of his plan. 

“The Son of Man” he explains, 

“is going to be betrayed into the hands of people.

 They will kill him,” 

 

Now listen to what he says next,

 “and after three days he will rise.”

There it was. 

The crucifixion and the resurrection. 

 

They should have been curious. 

They should have asked questions. 

They could have seen the significance. 

 

But the best they could muster up 

at this important moment

 was a blank stare and confused silence.

 

 They could not understand it

 because it did not meet 

what they felt was greatness, success.

 

How do we grow to the point

 that we stop measuring people

 by their successes 

and start regarding people

 for their service, 

for their sacrificial giving?

I

First, 

let’s notice that true greatness 

is hardly ever recognized.

 

 How can we know greatness when we see it?

 

There are many ways to measure greatness.

==

 Some might say that what makes for greatness 

is intellect 

and they would hold up the example of Albert Einstein.

 

 Albert Einstein developed his theory of relativity 

when he was twenty-six years old, 

and therefore, some say, by any measure he is great.

==

Others would say that what makes for greatness

is courage, 

 

Therefore Laura Secord should be held up 

as the standard. 

 

Laura Secord during the war of 1812

 saved Canada. 

 

Therefore, some would argue, she is great.

===

Still others would say that 

what makes for greatness

 is spirit. 

 

They would point to Jackie Robinson. 

The story of Jackie Robinson, 

is a story of triumph and perseverance over adversity.

 

 If you’ve heard his story 

you know the insults that were hurled at him.

 

 His story is the triumph of the human spirit.

==

Perhaps some would say that 

ones contribution to the world

 is what makes for greatness. 

 

If that were the case, 

then few would argue against calling 

Jonas Salk great. 

 

It is difficult for us to imagine today

the terror that the word polio struck

 in the hearts of parents. 

 

Many remember when they were  a child

— the vaccine was used on a mass scale

 in schools for the first time. 

 

You can not deny that Jonas Salk contributed much.

 

II

Greatness is never about self-promotion.

 One day Jesus is walking with his disciples.

As they walk

 they talk among themselves. 

 

At the time they did not realize that he overheard them, 

but he clearly did 

for when they later arrive at their destination 

he questions them about it. 

 

The topic was who was the greatest among them.

 

 Exactly what they said we don’t know, 

but we imagine that the conversation went 

something like this:

 

Simon Peter said: 

“Well, I am his right hand man.

 I am a part of the inner circle. 

I am the spokesman of the group. 

Therefore, I am the greatest.”

 

Whereupon Andrew might have spoken up,

 “Well, dear big brother,

 let me remind you of something 

which you have conveniently forgotten. 

 

I was called into discipleship first. 

 

Indeed, I was the one

who invited you to come to Jesus. 

 

I got you here. 

Therefore, I am the greatest.”

 

The brothers James and John 

at this point speak up: 

“You both miss the point.

 Greatness is measured by the amount 

that you have sacrificed. 

 

We stood to inherit our father Zebedee’s

 lucrative fishing business. 

We gave all of that up.”

At this point Matthew chimes in:

 “Well if you want to talk about giving up money, 

I can play that game.

 I was a tax collector. None of you had as much money as I did. There fir I am the greatest.”

==

When the twelve arrived at their destination, 

Jesus asked them what

 they had been talking about back on the road.

 

 Likely Jesus knew what they had been talking about. 

 

Yet with that question the disciples are strangely quiet. 

 

They are embarrassed.

It was at this point 

that Jesus told them,

 and by extension us, 

what it is that makes for true greatness 

in the eyes of God. 

 

“If you would be great,” he says, “be a servant.”

==

Someone once asked Dr. Albert Sweitzer 

who was the greatest person in the world. 

 

He answered:

 “Some unknown person, 

who is doing the work of love.” (X2)

==== 

Jesus taught that heaven 

will hold some surprises.

 

 Honor and glory will be granted 

for behavior that was so natural,

 so undistinguished, 

and so noncompetitive. 

==

Take the simple illustration 

that Jesus gives of receiving a child. 

 

From somewhere Jesus finds

 a small child who he stands in front of them. 

 

He says to them, 

“Whoever welcomes on of these little ones 

in my name

 welcomes me; 

 

and whoever welcomes me 

does not welcome me 

but the one who sent me.”

 

 He is talking about having a humble servant attitude,

 being willing to reach out

to help the ones considered 

of no account by the world.  

 

Such simple acts mean much.

Yes, many of God’s children 

will be surprised to find that their faithful simple service 

has been the goal all along. 

 

The servant will be honored;

 the last shall be first.

 

Hymn – Sing a New Song 

Sing a new song unto the Lord
let your song be sung from mountains high.
Sing a new song unto the Lord,
singing alleluia.

Yahweh’s people dance for joy.
O come before the Lord.
And play for him on glad tambourines,
and let your trumpet sound.

Sing a new song unto the Lord
let your song be sung from mountains high.
Sing a new song unto the Lord,
singing alleluia.

Rise, O children, from your sleep
your Savior now has come.
He has turned your sorrow to joy,
and filled your soul with song.

Sing a new song unto the Lord
let your song be sung from mountains high.
Sing a new song unto the Lord,
singing alleluia.

Glad my soul for I have seen
the glory of the Lord.
The trumpet sounds the dead shall be raised.
I know my Savior lives.

Sing a new song unto the Lord
let your song be sung from mountains high.
Sing a new song unto the Lord,

singing alleluia. 

 

Our Creed: All together.

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,

and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified

under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father.

With the Father and the Son

he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic

and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism

for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen

 

Prayers:

ord God, friend of those in need,

your Son Jesus has untied our burdens

and healed our spirits.

We lift up the prayers of our hearts for those still burdened,

those seeking healing,

those in need within the church and the world.

 

Prayers: Velma H.; Zaden; Kendra; (Gloria); Shirley P.; Helen, Debrah G.,and Regina G (Pat M.);  Zac; Peter T.;  Mark Mc; Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane); Linda; Dean; Allan; Aunt Frankie; (Brian G.); Brian; Marcel D.; Tara; Jeff B.; Nicole; Shelley (Sandra); Connie C.;  Jim P. Jack B.; Jack and Julie.  Jim M; Mary B.;  Keanna,  Ella D.; Evelyn Mc; Marion R.; (Church)  Jade (Carol R.); Dori;  Belinda,;  Kim; Edie K., Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori & Jack); Michelle P.;(Jim P.)  Pat P; Grant K; Kathy W. (Jack & Julie); Hope (Marilyn B.) ;  Valerie (Carol F.); Pat and Tony  (Marilyn B.); Melanie; Marlene H. Pam B. (Barb & George); Bill, Sheila, Jessica, Sonya, Jamie (Peter);    Lynda D . (Mary Beth & Paul); Jean (Bruce J.); Brian (Jeanne); Diana, Ian, Edna, Matthew & Annika;   David & Lyla & Joanna Mac;   Janice L & Darrin R;  Roland & Pansy V;  Rob P;  Pat B & her family;)Clark & Helene (Suzie D)

 

 

Hear our prayers

that we may love you with our whole being

and willingly share the concerns of our neighbors. 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.

 

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.

Hearts and Roses

Valentine’s Day 2020

First performance of a new song Lyrics by Ron Stewart and Music by Stephen Holowitz vocals by Laurraine Sigouin.

 

 

Junne Boucher

BOUCHER, Junne

At University Hospital, London on Monday, March 15, 2021, Junne (Winslow) Boucher in her 98th year. Beloved wife of the late Bill Boucher (1981). Dear mother-in-law of Wayne Parker (Connie). Cherished grandmother of Janice Wiersma (Jim), Bob Parker (Sue), and great-grandmother of Laryssa Parker and Michelle Wiersma. Dearly missed by Allan Cross (Barbara). Predeceased by her stepdaughter Dorothy Parker, her parents William and Clara Winslow, her sisters Clara, Audrey and Phyllis. A private graveside service was held at Woodland Cemetery, London. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Humane Society of London & Middlesex, 624 Clarke Road, London, ON N5V 3K5. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com

Esther Holowitz