Epiphany Service for July 14, 2024

 

The flowers in the Sanctuary today are to the Glory of God in loving memory of my wife Deborah, and in Thanksgiving: for our daughters Michelle, Mary-Ann and Enza. Given by Rev. Peter Leonard.

The Flowers in the church today are given by Linda and Brian in memory of Edna and George Garrett and Allan Garrett.

*We take a break from services for August until September 8.  The board gently reminds us that expenses go on even while we have a break.

*Mint smoothies Sandra $3

*Sept. 22. Bishop Todd visits.

*Meat and Veggie Pies.  5$ for a great meal.

*Our food cupboard needs help.  Looking for: Microwave rice or pasta. Pancakes & syrup.  Cereal.  Juice. Crackers.  Jam.  Peanut butter.  Pasta and sauce. Butch  519-615-9106.

*Come for lunch. We share delicious offerings after the 11 o’clock service. If you would like to bring something, there is a sign up sheet available.  

*Craft Club. Third Saturday at 10 a.m.  All welcome.  

*Jeremy Smith.  Sun. July 28.  Afternoon.  

*Cancelled stamps. Gloria Thompson.

*Rinsed empty drink containers Dan Davies

*There are three ways to support our church.  Volunteering at events.  Generosity.  Prayer.  Our church is a team

 

 

*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 July 14

• 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 and Psalm 24  

• Amos 7:7-15 and Psalm 85:8-13 

• Ephesians 1:3-14 

• Mark 6:14-29

 

Audio Service for July 14

 

Opening:

Steadfast God,

your prophets set the plumb line

of your righteousness and truth

in the midst of your people.

Grant us the courage to judge ourselves against it.

Straighten all that is crooked or warped within us

until our hearts and souls stretch upright,

blameless and holy,

to meet the glory of Christ. Amen.

 

ReadingEphesians 1:3-14

1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

1:4 just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.

1:5 He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1:6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

1:7 In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace

1:8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight

1:9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,

1:10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

1:11 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will,

1:12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.

1:13 In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;

1:14 this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

Sermon 

WHAT IS THE KINDNESS REVOLUTION?

They say “Our mission is to bring back 

the sorely needed values of

dignity, respect and kindness 

to the workplace, 

schools and everyday life.

 It’s our starting point in shaping kind behavior.”

==

Kindness. 

That’s a word we don’t hear a lot these days. 

Perhaps it seems antiquated in our culture

reserved for fools and chumps, 

 

But nothing could be further from the truth. 

 

In today’s world, we need to cultivate kindness more than ever—

not only for the sake of our society,

 but for our own well-being.

 

We are wired for kindness—

it’s part of our biological heritage, 

designed to help us foster relationships, 

work together, 

and survive in groups. 

 

When we are kind to others,

 it releases neurochemicals in our bodies 

that increase trust 

and give us a warm feeling.

 

Research suggests that being kind toward others 

is associated with better and stronger 

mental and physical health, 

relationships, 

life satisfaction, 

communities,

and even economies. 

==

 

Because let’s face it:

 It can be hard to be kind, 

So here are some helpful ideas.

==

Reset your stress

When you are feeling stressed, 

your body is flooded with neurochemicals

 that prepare your internal alarm system

 for fight, flight, or freezing. 

Obviously, 

all of these act against your desire 

to reach out and be kind to others.

So it’s important to soothe yourself

 when you are feeling stress.

 

 That could mean doing some slow, easy stretching, practicing breathing meditation,

 taking a walk i, 

or spending time with your dog. 

It could mean talking to a friend 

or getting a hug from a loved one. 

When you soothe your psyche 

with these self-care practices, 

you will be able to more readily 

be kind to others

Practice awareness

When we’re rushed, 

we often tune out what’s happening around us. 

 

You need only think of study

 in which divinity students 

who were trying not to be late to their next class

 passed right by someone in clear distress—

despite just having practiced 

a talk on the Good Samaritan parable

 from the Bible! 

 

They just didn’t see that person.

 

To be kind, 

we need to learn to stop, 

pay attention, 

and practice empathy for others. 

Use positive conditioning

We are naturally conditioned

 to pay attention to the negative things

 happening around us. 

Media headlines take advantage of that predisposition,

 leading with sensational stories

 bound to make us feel enraged, fearful, helpless,

 And those emotions are antithetical to kindness.

We need to counter that by purposefully creating opportunities for positive emotion.

 

That could mean something

 as simple as smiling at the people 

you pass on the street,

 or giving a warm hug to fam when you walk in the door.

 

 

We tend to see kindness toward others as part of being a good human, not a way to improve our own happiness. 

But it does make us happy

Create circles of caring and kindness

We are incredibly influenced by those around us; 

so it’s important be with kind people.

 

We can also do favors for others, 

starting small and working our way up. 

Helping out a stranger may seem too difficult, 

especially if you tend toward introversion. 

But once you’ve mastered kindness toward those close to you,

 try practicing kindness with someone a little further outside your comfort zone. 

Maybe you can smile and say hello to your local coffee shop barista, or wave through the bike rider who gets to the intersection after you, or offer up your seat on the bus, or respond kindly to an online political rant.

In fact, it can be addictive—

the more you do, the more you want to do.

Of course, kindness is not always the answer. 

Sometimes, we have to defend ourselves if we’re being attacked or abused. 

 

But it’s probably the answer more often than we think. 

=====

 

Kindness is contagious,

 

So here are a couple of stories of kindness.

 

I recently moved to New York City 

and decided to take a bike ride f

rom Hudson Yards to Brooklyn. 

 

With navigation instructions playing in my ear, 

I followed the prompts 

and approached the Brooklyn Bridge. 

 

The navigation directed me to turn left onto the bridge, 

and without a second thought,

 I complied.

 

Seconds later, 

I found myself on a six-lane highway,

 surrounded by cars speeding past at over 60 miles per hour. 

 

Fear gripped me as I realized the gravity of my mistake. 

 

There was no shoulder to stop on, 

no way to turn around, 

and the mere thought of falling was terrifying,

 given the risk of being hit by a car. 

 

The only option was to continue going straight

 and avoid falling over.

 

Terrified, 

I peddled as fast as possible on the highway. 

 

Cars started swerving around me, 

honking, 

with people yelling abuses out of their window.

 

 I started hitting potholes, 

and gripped the handles of the bike 

praying that I didn’t fall.

 

About a quarter of the way across the bridge, 

a man pulled up beside me in his car.

 

“What are you doing!?”

 he shouted through his window, 

seemingly frustrated. 

 

I responded.

 

“I made a mistake!

 I have to keep going!”

 I shouted back,

 struggling to keep my concentration on the road.

 

Seeing the panic on my face, 

he quickly understood my predicament.

 

 “I’m going to make sure you get across”

 he reassured me.

 

True to his word, 

he swerved behind me, 

turned on his hazard lights, 

and followed me at 30 miles per hour 

all the way across the bridge. 

 

What should have been a five-minute journey 

felt like an eternity. 

 

Finally, as I reached the end of the bridge, 

I glanced back to see him taking an exit. 

I never saw that stranger again.

 

This harrowing experience 

was a powerful reminder 

of the inherent goodness in people. 

 

To the person who risked their own safety

 to protect mine, 

I am profoundly grateful.

 

 

Here is another story:

 

I was in a cafe, 

a server accidentally spilled hot coffee on my lap,

 causing a scene. 

 

Instead of berating the server 

I calmly reassured her that it was an accident. 

 

Touched by the kindness 

the server apologized profusely and I graciously accepted , 

diffusing the tension 

with understanding and empathy.

 

In that moment of chaos, 

compassion prevailed. 

 

God hardwired us for kindness.

 

Life works when we are kind 

 

Church is where we meet other kind folks.

 

We were the original kindness revolution.

 

Lets be kind,

It is good for us

And for everyone.  (end)

 

 

Hymn:  Amazing Grace

 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found;
Was blind, but now I see.

T’was grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fear relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
We have already come.
T’was grace that brought us safe thus far,
And grace will lead us home.

When we’ve been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.

 

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:

God of mercy and healing,

you who hear the cries of those in need,

receive these petitions of your people

that all who are troubled

may know peace, comfort, and courage.

 

.Prayers:  Jamie; Jackie M (Gloria); Suzanne; Peter (Ron and Jan);  Kenny;  Jim T.; Norma A,;Dave F.; Peter T.;  Dan B.;. (Garfield & Diane Mike J.; Scott H.; Lisa (Keeling), Roger & Maxine M.; Wendy; Eric P,; Beverley P.;, Sarah-Jane P.; Linda H.; Jacquie and Cam .; Janice  & Darrin R;  .(Suzie D.)

 

Life-giving God,

heal our lives,

that we may acknowledge your wonderful deeds

and offer you thanks from generation to generation

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

 

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 based on Scripture:

God of hosts, before whom David danced and sang,

Mother of mercy and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

in whom all things cohere;

whenever we are confronted by

lust, hate, or fear,

give us the faith of John the baptizer

that we may trust in the redemption of your Messiah. 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.

 

What is Ramadan

Ramadan Fasting and Traditions

ICNA Sisters

Mary Bosley

 

Bosley, Mary Ellen

It is with deep sadness that we share that Mary Ellen Bosley passed away peacefully on February 19, 2022 in her 82nd year at Victoria Hospital in London, ON.

Mary was born on August 15, 1940 to Herbert and Beatrice Bosley in London, ON. Mary graduated from Western University while she pursued a career at London Life which she enjoyed for 35 years. Mary was an avid investor who enjoyed the occasional night out at the symphony.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Beatrice. She is survived by her brother, Alex, and sister-in-law, Shirley; her nephews, Keith (Beverly), Kevin (late Gloria), David (Pamela) and Darren; her great-nieces and nephews, Kayla, Rachel, Olivia, Philip and Brandon; and her cousin Barbara (late Steve) Clarke and her family.

Mary’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thank-you to Patty, Jean and the various PSW staff for their dedicated help.

Visitation is to be held Tuesday, February 22 from 1-2 p.m. at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St. at Richmond in London with the funeral service to follow at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated by the family.

 

Shine a Blue Light – In honour of Alexandra Stemp

 

Shine a Blue Light

 

It’s not what you want to think about

this time of year

It’s not what you want to think about

ever

but here it is, an exquisite young life

cut short

by unimaginable tragedy

This beautiful young girl,

lost

the result of a terrible accident.

 

What could be better for a young girl

than a Girl Guide Brownie meeting

with friends, teachers, leaders?

Who could have known a safe

supervised walk home would result

in such tragedy?

 

Light up a blue candle.

Shine a blue spotlight on your porch.

Tie a blue ribbon on your lamp post.

Say a prayer for little Alexandra;

and another for her family;

and another for the emergency crews

that attended and gave such loving care

to little Alexandra.

And, find it in your heart

to say another for the driver of the car

that ended a bright young life

in such a tragic way.

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.