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.

 

Epiphany Service for Sunday January 17 2021

Epiphany Service For January 17, 2021.

 

The flowers in the church today are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of our daughter and sister Lisa Aldington, given by Bob, Linda and Christine Aldington. The flowers in the church today are to the Glory of God and in loving memory of a dear husband Roland Rees given by his wife Gail Rees and family. 

 

*Please remember to save your cancelled stamps.

 

*Meat/Veg Pies Thank You!  Some still available.  Only 4$ call Barb. 519-680-0649.

 

*Food Cupboard.     Butch. 519-615-9106. Many have been kept from being hungry this year.  The need continues.  We can arrange to receive your donations.  Your heart would be warmed by all the good we do.  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.  

 

Audio Service for Jan 17 2021

 

Bible Readings for week of Jan 17-24

• 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20)   

• Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 

• 1 Corinthians 6:12-20  

• John 1:43-51

 

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.

 

Before the scripture, let us hear a little aside about the Gospel.

 

It is about a Fig Tree that we hear Nathanael was underneath.

 

A fig tree is about fifteen feet tall and its branches spread out about 25 feet in width like an umbrella, creating a space that is almost like a private room. If someone wanted to get away from the chaos of a one-room house, he or she would sit under the fig tree. They would sit there to read scripture or to reflect or to pray. Sitting under a fig tree was a sign of seeking and praying for God’s living presence. Now, I realize that this church looks nothing like a fig tree. But isn’t that why we’re love church? We have come together with the yearning to know the touch of the living God. We come to “retreat” from the chaos of the world around us so we can read scripture, reflect, and pray. So we see that we do have much in common with Nathaniel in this Gospel reading..

 

_____________________

John 1:43-51

1:43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”

1:44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

1:47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”

1:48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

1:49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

1:50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.”

1:51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Sermon:

 

John 1:43-51 

 

Jesus and Moses go golfing one day. 

Jesus is about to hit a shot.

He says, 

“Hey Moses, watch this! “Just like Arnold Palmer!” 

Moses says, “Jesus, you can do anything 

but don’t try to be like Arnold Palmer.” 

Jesus says, “No, watch this — just like Arnold Palmer!”

 

Jesus hits the ball in the water 

so Jesus asked Moses to get the ball. 

Moses parts the water 

gets the ball.

 

This continued for about fifteen minutes. 

 

Finally, Jesus hit the ball in the water for the seventh time. 

“Please get my ball for me,” Jesus asked Moses.

 

 Moses says, 

“No, I told you to quit trying to be like Arnold Palmer 

so I’m not getting it this time.”

 

Jesus walked across the water,

reached down, and got his ball. 

 

While he was doing this,

a couple ride by in a cart.

 

They ask, “Who does he think he is, Jesus?”

 Moses says, “No! He thinks he’s Arnold Palmer!”

========

Well, the nugget of truth here is

 

All of us can’t be like Arnold Palmer, 

                     but all of us can be like Jesus!

 

 In fact, we have been called to be like Jesus — 

            to love like Jesus — 

                  to make a difference like Jesus — 

                                      to change the world like Jesus. 

 

What is more

            The Bible says we have been 

                                enabled to be like Jesus.

 

Most likely this is what compelled Philip

        and the rest of the disciples

             to drop everything 

                to follow him.

 

 Jesus simply says to Philip,

              “Follow me” 

                 Phillip does,  right on the spot. 

 

There was a great call of adventure 

             A call of meaning in those two simple words of Jesus. 

 

Philip and the disciples couldn’t resist.

 

Jesus’ says later

 “You will do greater works than me 

            because I am going to the Father”.

 

 How is it possible 

that we can do greater works than Jesus? 

Maybe it is that

   when Jesus was on earth in human form 

         his influence was limited. 

 

He could only helpl one person at a time.

 

 But when Jesus went back to the Father, 

his Holy Spirit came to live with each of his followers. 

 

In this way, 

Jesus’ influence is multiplied through us.

 

We can reach the whole world together! 

 

Maybe this is what Jesus means

 by doing greater works than him. 

 We go with Christ

       When we do good

          Like the Loaves and the fishes,

                   Jesus makes it enough for the needs…

 

Jesus really does call us to work with Him.

 

That is why you are part of the church,

        Part of the Mission for good in the world.

  

Christ still seeks out workers,

    Like he did with Phillip in today’s story.

 

Like  a story called the Man with two umbrellas.

      

 

The story tells of, 

a Baptist pastor in who was  was crossing the Atlantic by ship

 some years ago.

 

 He noticed on several occasions a man 

sitting in a deck chair reading a Bible. 

 

One day the minister sat down beside him.

 

 and said, “Forgive my curiosity. 

I’m a Baptist minister.

I notice you are a faithful Bible reader. 

I’d like to meet you.” 

 

After introductions, the man said, 

“I am from the Phillipines. 

I was raised in a church going home.

 I went to the United States as a young man

 to study in one of your fine universities, 

intending to become a lawyer.

 

 On my first day on campus, 

a student dropped by to visit.

 

 He welcomed me

He offered to help in any way he could.

 

 Then he asked me where I went to church. 

I told him I was Catholic.

 

 He explained that the Catholic church was quite a distance away, 

but he sat down 

He drew me a map.

 I thanked him and he left.

 

“On the following Sunday morning

 it was raining. 

I decided to just skip church.

 

 But then there was a knock on my door. 

 

There stood my new friend

He was holding two umbrellas. 

 

He said that he worried

that I might not be able to read his map. 

 

So, he said he would escort me

 to the Catholic church. 

 

I hurriedly dressed, 

thinking all the while what an unusually thoughtful person 

he was. 

 

I wondered what church he belonged to.

 

“As we walked along

 I asked him about his church. 

He said that his church was just around the corner. 

 

So, I suggested that we go to his church this Sunday, 

then to mine the following Sunday. 

 

He agreed. 

 

But somehow I felt so much at home in his church 

that I never got around to finding mine. 

 

After four years I felt that God was leading me 

into the ordained ministry

 rather than into law. 

 

I went to Drew University Seminary.

 

I  was ordained a Methodist minister. 

 

Then I returned to the Philippines 

to serve in a Methodist parish. 

 

My name is Valencius, Bishop Valencius, 

Bishop of the Methodist Church in the Philippines.”

 

The main point of the story is not the Bishop, 

important though he is.

 

The main person is that young man with two umbrellas.

 

 Whether they ended up 

at the Methodist or Catholic churches 

doesn’t really matter. 

 

Go all the way back to the beginning of Christian history.

 

You’ll always find him.

 

He is behind almost every Christian convert…

that unnamed man or woman with two umbrellas…

that person with a winsome faith 

who builds a bridge of friendship with another person.

 

Across that bridge walks the living Christ. 

Christ says I can use a hand

Doing some good. 

We say yes.

Sometimes even

You can be the person with two umbrellas. 

 

You can be like Andrew in today’s Story.

==

It is all about goodness in the world.

 

Like 

One day St. Francis of Assisi, invited a young monk

to join him on a trip into town to preach. 

 

The young monk was so honored 

to get such an invitation from St. Francis 

that he quickly accepted. 

 

All day long he and St. Francis 

walked through the streets and byways,

 alleys and suburbs,

They rubbed shoulders with hundreds of people.

 

At the end of the day, 

the two headed back home, 

however, 

not even once had St. Francis addressed a crowd, 

nor had he talked to anyone about the gospel. 

 

The young monk was greatly disappointed, 

he said to St. Francis,

 “I thought we were going into town to preach?”

 

 St. Francis responded,

 “My son, we have preached. 

We were preaching while we were walking. 

We were seen by many 

our behavior was closely watched. 

 

It is of no use to walk anywhere to preach 

unless we preach everywhere 

as we walk!” (X2)

It is all about Love,

Doing good as we walk our path in life.

 

So many already know that,

sermons of Love and generosity are many

Goodness is leaven that changes the world…

It is Christ making it all happen.

 

Hymn: Lord the Light of Your Love Is Shinning

 

Lord, the light of your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light

 

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:

 

(In peace let us pray to the Lord, saying, “Lord, have mercy.”)

For peace from on high and for our salvation, let us pray to the

Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the holy

Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For our bishop Todd and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to

the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For Elizabeth our Queen, for the leaders of the nations, and for

all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For our city or town,  for every city and community,

and for those who live in them in faith, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For good weather, and for abundant harvests for all to share,

let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For those who travel by land, water, or air, for the sick and the suffering 

Prayers  Dori;  Belinda,;  Kim; Edie K., Ross B., Francis & Bill W.; Jeff G. (Dori & Jack);  Jim P. Jack B.; Jack and Julie.  Jim M; Mary B.;  Keanna,  Ella D.; Evelyn Mc; Marion R.; (Church) Pat P; Grant K; Kathy W. (Jack & Julie); Hope (Marilyn B.) ; 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); 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)

 

for prisoners and captives, and for

their safety, health, and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For our deliverance from all affliction, strife, and need, especially for the world’s deliverance from Covid, let us

pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For the absolution and remission of our sins and offences, let

us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

For all who have died (especially those of our own family and friends ), let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

 

Remembering all the saints, we commit ourselves, one

another, and our whole life to Christ our God.

To you, O Lord.

 

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one

accord to make our common supplications to you, and you

have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two

or three are gathered together you will hear their requests.

Fulfil now our desires and petitions, as may be best for us,

granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the

age to come eternal life; for you, Father, are good and loving,

and we glorify you through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, in

the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Lord Hear our Prayer

 

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.

 

 

Closing:

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.