Epiphany Service For April 11, 2021

Image: Paul’s Hands by Dorothea Lange. 1957.

The flowers in the sanctuary today are to the honor and Glory of God and in loving memory of the Black and Whittington families given by Doris and Jack Black.

*We are in a Stay At Home Order.  But we are encouraged by the number of our folks who are qualifying for their vaccine.  

*Fundrive:  We are collecting items we normally would have collected for our Spring yard sale for delivery to Value Village. Value Village will pay us 15 cents a pound for” wearables” (clothing, purses, belts, backpacks, shoes,  etc) in large bags and 10 cents a pound for “housewares” in boxes.   (Housewares are things home-related, but NOT furniture) Ron has had to postpone the previously announced drop off days due to the stay at home order which was just issued on Thursday. Look for rescheduled dates probably early May.  Delivery to Value Village is Wednesday May 12. Thanks Jan for leading in this!

*Please remember to save your cancelled stamps.

*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.

Audio for April 11 Service

Opening:

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

May his grace and peace be with you.

May he fill our hearts with joy.

WE pray:

Mighty God,

in whom we know the power of redemption,

you stand among us in the shadows of our time.

As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,

uphold us with knowledge of the final morning

when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,

we will share in his resurrection,

redeemed and restored to the fullness of life

and forever freed to be your people. Amen. 

===

John 20:19-31

20:19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

20:20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

20:22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

20:24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

20:25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

20:26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

20:27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”

20:28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

20:29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

20:30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.

20:31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Sermon John 20:19-31

In the last year and a half during the worst pandemic of the last two centuries, doors were shut, businesses closed, and communities became ghost towns. People became shadows of their former selves, as they hid away from a virus that could kill them and their loved ones and friends. And lethargy set in. Professionals are calling it covid burnout: malaise, lethargy, low-grade stress, depression, lack of focus, lack of energy, faulty memory, lack of enthusiasm and purpose. People are less engaged, feel less successful, have suffered loss, are feeling fried. Some have become glued to a computer screen or television for days on end. 

. We are living in a groggy state of mental fog. 

This must have been the feeling Jesus’ disciples had as well after the crucifixion. Thousands felt their hope had been dashed and destroyed. Others felt disillusioned and betrayed by someone they put their trust in. He had promised change. Now everything felt just the same. Jesus’ inner circle was hit hardest. They cowered and locked themselves away in a single house, fearing for their lives. They didn’t want to be seen. They didn’t know what would happen next. Their leader had been brutally murdered. And they felt their own lives in mortal danger. Their mourning period, their shiva, had turned into a long-lasting morbidity, a paralyzing fear of going out. Overwhelmed, they were stressed, worried, petrified, and didn’t know what to do next.

Even after they had experienced the empty tomb, the signs of the graveclothes left behind, still they remained locked in. Peter and John had run to the tomb, had peeked in, and then had hurried back to their home again and locked themselves back in.

Now Jesus is appearing to them, right in the midst of their fear and pain, right in that locked room. And he was telling them to “go”! “As the Father has sent me, so I send you,” he told them. He breathed Holy Spirit power into them. And yet still, they did not go.

The scriptures tell us that a week later, the disciples were still in the house, but this time Thomas was with them.

We don’t know why Thomas was missing from the earlier appearance, or why he dared to leave the house when the others didn’t.  Perhaps, like now, Thomas was the designated shopper, Thomas took the chance and went to get food. While the others cowered in fear, Thomas had left the house and was out and about doing something. Now he came back and needed to experience the resurrected Jesus for himself.

Perhaps he felt, the disciples’ experience had been just one more crucifixion-fatigue symptom, a delusion. Or maybe he felt they had hatched a communal illusion due to prolonged stress. 

Thomas needed to experience the resurrected Jesus on his own, and then he believed, he knew Christ was with us for ever.

But they still didn’t know what to do. They didn’t understand what it meant. Or what they were supposed to accomplish next. Even after this appearance, when they left that locked room, they went back to their former lives, as fishermen. 

Jesus had to appear to them yet again on the shores of the Sea of Galilee before they really started paying attention. Jesus needed to tell them exactly what to do.

Crucifixion shock. Crucifixion fatigue. This is a real phenomenon. And the disciples were real people, just like you and me.

It’s no mistake that the aftermath of Easter lasts until Pentecost on May 23rd! That’s nearly two months. Because it took that long for the disciples to “go out” and start fulfilling their mission. For the shock to wear off. For new life and new energy to set in.

 It would take the refreshing and renewing breath of the Holy Spirit to set them on their feet again and drive them out and on their way. 

In the meantime, they loitered, they hesitated, they dragged their feet and their nets, and they waited.

To recoil in fear from that which can harm us is a normal, human reaction to stress and shock. And when something happens that turns our world upside down, It takes us some time to regroup and keep going.

It may have taken Jesus’ disciples a long time, but eventually, they did understand. And after a period of time for them to figure out how to proceed and what to do next, they began a movement that changed the world.

They couldn’t go out and preach the way they had when Jesus was with them for fear of being killed, so they formed house churches with secret passwords.

They couldn’t just rent buildings and worship Jesus in public, so they hid and worshipped in caves and private homes.

They couldn’t teach in the synagogues and in the Temple as Jesus had, because they weren’t educated. So they began to preach to small groups and individuals, a few at a time.

They couldn’t change their current religion, or its structure, or its people. So, they formed the early church, an ecclesia of Jesus’ faithful.

As their courage grew, so did their ministry, their mission, and the church. And then came the Roman Paul, adversary turned advocate, who would revolutionize evangelism and create what we now know as the church of Jesus Christ.

All this took time. Innovative thinking. Initiative. And yet caution.

Today, we too are still called and sent by Jesus to love like Christ, to forgive, to heal and spread the story of Jesus Christ. But like the early disciples, we are stumped on how to do it.

The only thing we know is that Christ is risen, and he is asking us to “go!”

And the Holy Spirit of Christ is here to guide us and strengthen us, move us, and propel us into the future and into mission.

We don’t have to have it all figured out ahead of time. The disciples didn’t.

We don’t have to know what we’re doing or how we’re going to do it. The disciples didn’t.

We don’t even need to know what will happen! The disciples didn’t.

Jesus’ resurrection appearances more than any other scriptures let us that our future, though unknown, will be filled with Love and Service. Because that is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

It’s not our job to “know.” Just to “go”! And He will do the rest.

“Go!” people of God. Love with courage, with generosity, Christ is right there guiding you when you do….Disciples go on trust…of the One…who walks ever beside us

Hymn: Thine Be the Glory

Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory over death you’ve won;

angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,

kept the folded grave-clothes, where your body lay.

Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory over death you’ve won.

See, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;

lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;

let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,

for the Lord is living, death has lost its sting. 

Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory over death you’ve won.

No more we doubt you, glorious Prince of life;

life is naught without you: aid us in our strife;

make us more than conquerors through your deathless love;

bring us safe through Jordan to your home above. 

Yours be the glory, risen, conquering Son,

endless is the victory over death you’ve won. 

A prayer:

Light of the world,

shine upon us

and disperse the clouds of our selfishness,

that we may reflect the power of the resurrection

in our life together. Amen.

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:

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

God invites us to bring our doubts and fears,

our joys and concerns, our petitions and praise,

and offer them for the earth and all its creatures.

Prayers:

Connie and Henry (Katherine and Harold K); Adam P. (Joan and Mike); Sari (Betty G); 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.) ; Larry R.; Brian; Marcel De C and family; Tara; Jeff B.; Doug T.; Alex,  Gord, (Sandra);  Valerie (Carol F.); Helen, Debrah G.,and Regina G (Pat M.); Lori (Maya) Pat and Tony  (Marilyn B.); Melanie; Marlene H. Pam B. (Barb & George); Zaden; Kendra; (Gloria);  Bill, Sheila, Jessica, Sonya, Jamie (Peter);  Peter T.;  Mark Mc; Dan B.; Alanna R. (Garfield & Diane);  Lynda D . (Mary Beth & Paul); Linda; Allan; Aunt Frankie; (Brian G.); Diane (Garfield);  Jean (Bruce J.); Ola and Roman; Mildred Mc. (Jan & Ron); Brian (Jeanne); Lisa G.;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)

Receive these prayers, O God,

and transform us through them,

that we may have eyes to see and hearts to understand

not only what you do on our behalf,

but what you call us to do

so that your realm will come to fruition in glory. 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.

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.

Suspension of Services

In person Service Suspension

In Person Services Suspended

We are very sorry to have to convey this bad news, but as London moves into grey level restrictions, and based on the advice of Bishop Todd, The Church of the Epiphany is suspending in person services effective immediately. We invite everyone to join us for our online audio services, and continue to reach out to Rev. Teresa throughout the week.

In person services will remain suspended until London moves back to code orange restrictions and advice is received from the Bishop’s office to resume in person services.

On Friday Feb 12 we received the following notice from the diocese.

Reopening our Churches

Dear friends,
With the lifting of the State of Emergency in Ontario, the area covered by the Diocese of Huron will be transitioned into the Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework—or colour zones—on February 16th.  We expect to hear within a few days which zone each of the health units in our diocese will enter.  

Churches in the Diocese of Huron will remain closed for public worship until the 2nd Sunday of Lent, February 28th. At that time, parishes in the Orange, Yellow or Green zones may reopen for in-person worship according to the AMBER Stage guidelines.  Bishop Townshend recommends that parishes in the red zone suspend in-person worship.  Any parish in the red zone that wishes to hold in-person worship must receive permission from the bishop.  (Permission given previously remains valid.) Parishes in the Gray zone may not hold in-person worship and are to follow the RED Stage guidelines.  Please see the information and links below for more details.

No parish is required to hold in-person worship.  It is up to the leadership of each parish to determine if they feel comfortable doing so. You know best your people and your context.   

As always, please be in touch if you have any questions or concerns.

blessings,
Tanya+
The Ven. Tanya Phibbs
Archdeacon of Huron

The Colour Zone Chart may be found here
The AMBER Stage Guidelines may be found here
The RED Stage Guidelines may be found here

Epiphany Service for March 28 2021

Image: Peasants with Donkey

by Giuseppe Maria Crespi

The flowers in the Sanctuary today are in loving memory of Esther Holowitz given by her son Stephen.  

*Fundrive  Wednesday April 28.  We are collecting items we normally would have collected for our Spring yard sale for delivery to Value Village. Value Village will pay us 15 cents a pound for” wearables” (clothing, purses, belts, backpacks, shoes,  etc) in large bags and 10 cents a pound for “housewares” in boxes.   (Housewares are things home-related, but NOT furniture) Ron Stewart will be at Epiphany Sat. April 10 and Sat April 24 from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.  to receive your donations. Ron will also accept donations for our food cupboard at the same time. Delivery to Value Village is Wednesday May 12.  But we need to tell them how much we have by Wednesday April 28.  Thanks Jan for leading in this!

*In London we are now back in Red which is second highest.   At this point limited indoor gatherings are not recommended. So for now at Epiphany we are waiting  in order to keep each other safe.   We are looking forward to being together soon.

*Please remember to save your cancelled stamps.

*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.

*Thank you Ron for posting our service on our website, Adam for recording our service To Anusha for the music.  Also Stephen.

Audio for March 28 Service

Bible Readings for week of Mar 28 – Apr 04

• Isaiah 50:4-9a  

• Psalm 31:9-16 

• Philippians 2:5-11  

• Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)

For more Easter Readings go to              http://montreal.anglican.org/comments/

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 also with you.

===

God of wilderness and water,

your Son was baptized and tempted as we are.

Guide us through this season,

that we may not avoid struggle,

but open ourselves to blessing,

through the cleansing depths of repentance

and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit. Amen.

===

Mark 11:1-11

11:1 When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples

11:2 and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it.

11:3 If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'”

11:4 They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it,

11:5 some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?”

11:6 They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it.

11:7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it.

11:8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields.

11:9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!

11:10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

11:11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

John 12:12-16

12:12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.

12:13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord– the King of Israel!”

12:14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written:

12:15 “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

12:16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him.

Sermon: 

Today we hear how Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem.

People were so happy, hoping he would free them from terrible leaders.

They throw palm branches and coats on the ground to make a soft path for Jesus.

Jesus is quite specific about the donkey.

He wants a donkey, and serendipitously one is provided.

So why a donkey?

What can we understand from the donkey?

====

People often speak of donkeys in belittling terms.

 You may have heard the expression,

 “I’m just someone who has to do all the donkey work.”

 Or “So-and-so is as stubborn as a mule” (a mule is part donkey).

—

These sayings overlook the contributions of a truly valuable animal.

 Donkeys have served the human race for thousands of years. 

They are symbols of humility, gentleness, and peace.

—

In Bible days,

donkeys that had never been ridden were regarded as especially suitable for religious purposes. 

So it was most fitting that Jesus sent for a young donkey to perform the royal task of carrying Him into Jerusalem. 

How valuable is that donkey’s work!

When we work for Christ, are we not like the donkey?

====

Corrie Ten Boom was a famous Christian 

whose testimony of suffering in Nazi concentration camps

and God’s grace through it all touched millions of lives.

Once, in a press conference following a ceremony 

in which Corrie Ten Boom was given an honorary degree,

one of the reporters asked her if it was difficult

remaining humble while hearing so much acclaim. 

She replied immediately, 

“Young man, 

when Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, everyone was waving palm branches 

throwing garments in the road 

singing praises,

do you think that for one moment 

it ever entered the head of that donkey 

that any of that was for him?” 

==

She continued,

“If I can be the donkey on which Jesus Christ rides in his glory, 

I give him all the praise 

all the honor.”

=

So we may ask:

How are we, you and I donkeys for Christ, 

carrying Christ’s love in our world?

 Maybe in ways that just seem just natural at the time.

===

The story is told of an soldier who had drawn remote duty.

He  had written home to his wife,

telling her of his seven new friends 

with whom he had developed a close friendship.

 “I am so grateful,” he said,

 “because in this isolated and barren land

 a person could easily be driven to despair.” 

When his next birthday rolled around, 

there was a large package in the mail from the Home. 

When he opened it, 

he discovered not one gift, 

but eight gifts. 

One for him and one for each of his seven friends. 

The soldier looked at the eight presents.

Then they looked at the husband.

With tears rolling down his cheeks, 

He exclaimed,

“That’s my wife for you! 

For sure, that’s my wife!”

====

For the woman, it seemed natural.

It was what she would do.

She was the donkey on which Christ rode,

Christ who would also do something like that.

That is how Christ is.

Like the husband,

 we exclaim, 

“That’s our God for you!

 Yes, that’s what our God is like!

====

No wonder Jesus needed the donkey.

Here is an example of a different kind of power:

Jesus, a young carpenter,

riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

His disciples vie for the best seats.

He takes a towel and basin 

to wash their feet. 

On the cross he meets evil with a prayer of forgiveness.

He is not like everyone else, 

He is love incarnate.

===

People who are love incarnate stand out.

Like:

A wonderful story of an incident that occurred during the Special Olympics. 

Nine children lined up for the 100 yard dash. 

The gun sounded and the race was off.

 But only a few yards into the race, 

one of the children fell

They began to cry.

These children who were love incarnate

did not live the world’s concept of competition.

Getting ahead

taking advantage when a competitor was down

made no sense to them.

Like Christ they saw the world differently.

So of course the other eight children 

stopped running 

came back to their fallen comrade. 

A young girl with kissed him and brushed him off.

The children lifted him up together, 

arm in arm, 

they ran over the finish line. 

The audience rose to their feet in applause. 

There was not one winner, 

there were nine winners.

For a fleeting moment these children

showed us what the Kingdom of God is like. 

They challenged the world’s concept that first place is everything.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus challenged the world’s concept of power.

When we love others, even against the wisdom of the world.

We still carry Christ into the world…

===

Christ believe it or not still makes a huge difference in the world.

When we carry him into the world…like the donkey did…

Like a story:

While Dr. Samuel M. Shoemaker

was rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in New York City,

he had an old building fixed up

He began an outreach to the stuggling folks of the Bowery. 

A famous cartoonist became interested in the Work. 

The cartoonist  drew for Dr. Shoemaker 

a moving poster, 

with a person standing against a wall, 

The caption,

 “There’s a place nearby,

 where a Carpenter still mends broken men.”

That’s carrying Christ! 

The need for to move our world in the direction of peace and oneness.

===

All we can do is be the donkey.

It is not about us, It has always been about Christ.

Christ chose the donkey that day, 

As a kind of parable.

We may not feel we do enough,

Only carrying Christ’s love the best we can.

We may feel inadequate.

But somehow Christ makes it enough, if we have love.

==

Christ was quite specific about needing a donkey.

Like much of what Christ taught, it is perhaps a parable.

An easy way for us to remember a profound truth about life.

We are the donkey,

We don’t need to do it all, Christ is the one.

But if we act with love, if we are the donkey,

If we naturally love others

Christ will use for good  in the world.

Hymn: All Glory Laud and Honor

All glory, laud, and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring

Thou art the King of Israel
Thou David’s royal Son
Who in the Lord’s name comest
The King and Blessed One

All glory, laud, and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring

The company of angels
are praising thee on
And we with all creation
In chorus make reply

All glory, laud, and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring

A prayer:

God of suffering and glory,

in Jesus Christ you reveal the way of life

through the path of obedience.

Inscribe your law in our hearts,

that in life we may not stray from you,

but may be your people. Amen.

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:

Caught between joy and despair,

we yearn for the fulfillment of God’s desire

beyond the brokenness and neediness of this life.

We offer thanksgiving for God’s presence with us

and petitions for the transformation

of the church and the world.

Prayers 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.) ; Larry R.; Brian; Marcel De C and family; Tara; Jeff B.; Doug T.; Alex,  Gord, (Sandra);  Valerie (Carol F.); Helen, Debrah G.,and Regina G (Pat M.); Lori (Maya) Pat and Tony  (Marilyn B.); Henry (Katherine and Harold K); Melanie; Marlene H. Pam B. (Barb & George); Zaden; Kendra; (Gloria);  Bill, Sheila, Jessica, Sonya, Jamie (Peter);  Peter T.;  Mark Mc; Dan B.; Alanna R. (Garfield & Diane);  Lynda D . (Mary Beth & Paul); Linda; Allan; Aunt Frankie; (Brian G.); Diane (Garfield);  Jean (Bruce J.); Ola and Roman; Mildred Mc. (Jan & Ron); Brian (Jeanne); Lisa G.;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)

Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Loving-creator,

day by day you sustain the weary with your word

and gently encourage us to place our trust in you.

Awaken us to the suffering of those around us;

save us from hiding in denials or taunts that deepen the hurt;

give us grace to share one another’s burdens in humble service. 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.

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.

Cans for Keanna

Don’t throw out that aluminum. Save it and bring it to Epiphany. Crush it down first if you are able.