Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Jan 23, 2022
prepared by Karen McBride

1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?

But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. 

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Something to Do

Contemplate the incredible human body

In this Epistle reading, Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to teach the Corinth community how to be “church.” Take some time this week to reflect on the interconnectedness and interdependence of our bones, organs, muscles, and nerves. In fact, is there any part of our bodies that operates independently?

Be ecumenical

Do you have a friend from a different Christian tradition? In this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, consider reaching out to that person and having a conversation. Maybe broach the topic by noting it’s the Week for Prayer for Christian Unity, asking what they value about their tradition, as well as about the ministries supported by their parish. Reflect on how a diversity of approaches may be beneficial for the church.

Attend a worldwide book launch on Jan 19! – TIME SENSITIVE

Register here https://www.oikoumene.org/events/webinar-dawn-of-ecumenism to attend a webinar on Wednesday, January 19 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am (Ottawa time) marking the launch of the book The Dawn of Ecumenicalism which traces the long-term roots of ecumenism from historical, theological, and political perspectives. Hosted by the World Council of Churches in celebration of the 2022 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the webinar will feature speakers from across Europe with simultaneous interpretation in French and English.

Alternatively, you can read more about the history of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which has been held annually since 1908, here: https://www.weekofprayer.ca/history-week-prayer-christian-unity.

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Something to Wonder

Unity

What does “unity” mean in the context of the church? According to the dictionary, in general terms unity is “the state of being united or joined as a whole.” And that was certainly part of what Paul was getting at in his letter to the Corinthians. But Paul was saying something deeper, as well, through his metaphor of the church as a “body,” something more along the lines of “integration,” or “mutual dependence.”

To what extent are we comfortable with this notion as followers of Christ?
To what extent might the idea make us bristle?  
Is “being united or joined as a whole” the same as being “controlled”?
How is the idea of “communion,” defined as “the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level” different from “unity”?
Are we more comfortable or less comfortable with this term?

Alternate Reality

How do you think the worldwide Christian community would be different today if the body of the church that Paul talks about had only one ecclesiastical structure and tradition, as it did at the beginning of the Christian story? 

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Something to Learn

Christians in the Middle East

In any given year, the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is proposed and developed by a designated national/regional ecumenical organization. For 2022, the Middle East Council of Churches was given that responsibility and chose the theme “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him” (Matthew 2:2), a theme with special meaning for Christians of that region for whom the celebration of Epiphany is a more significant feast than Christmas.

In her address to the Canadian Council of Churches last November (found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfll4uI49hk), The Rev. Dr. Rima Nasrallah of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut (representing The Middle East Council of Churches) reflects on the challenges that the Christians in the Middle East face today, on the main scripture text for the 2022 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Matthew 2:1-12), and on the key themes that inspired the international materials for this global ecumenical celebration.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Jan 16, 2022

John 2:2-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. 

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Something to Do

Invited to the wedding

While weddings in Jesus’ time and place and weddings in ours are certainly different, they clearly share common features of human celebration. Dig out some photos from weddings you have attended and remember the stories associated with those celebrations. If you can, contact some of the people in those photos to catch up.

You have kept the good wine until now

Add something special to a meal this week. It could be a nice bottle of wine, a favourite dessert, a fresh loaf of bread, a fancy salad dressing, salty french fries – anything that is a little out of your normal meal planning. Let it be a sign for you of God’s overflowing generosity.

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Something to Wonder

Mothers

We don’t get a lot of stories about the relationship between Jesus and his mother but Mary does appear now and then.

What does this story suggest to you about their relationship? What does it make you think of in terms of your own relationships (with mothers, mother-figures, adult children)? Why do you think the Gospel writer preserved Mary’s role in this story?

A Domestic Theophany

The miracle at Cana is the third Epiphany story, revealing the divinity of Christ to the world. The first involved heavenly portents and foreign visitors. The second involved a heavenly voice and the Spirit descending in the form of a dove. This one is much more domestic – a miracle done, in secret, in support of a local celebration.

What does this tell you about the nature of Christ’s divinity – and so about the nature of God?

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Something to Learn

Gospel according to John

The Gospel according to John does not get a whole lectionary year to itself but instead appears on a variety of Sundays in every year. The structure, content and the tone of John’s Gospel are all quite different from that of the synoptic Gospels, offering us a different perspective on the person and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.

The Bible Project videos are, as always, a fun way to get a good overview.

This short entry on Oxford Biblical Studies Online discusses the overall shape of the Gospel according to John.

This essay, “Reading the Signs”, provides a more focused look on John’s use of “signs” to reveal the nature of Jesus – the first of which was the miracle at the wedding of Cana.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for the Baptism of Jesus
Jan 9, 2022

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” 

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Something to Do

Contemplate the baptismal vows

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain, and renew the the life of the earth?

I will, with God’s help.

How do you live out these promises?

(If you or your kid(s) have not been baptized and you would like to learn more, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Rhonda)

With you I am well pleased

With whom are you well pleased? Tell them and give thanks to God for them.

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Something to Wonder

The people were filled with expectation

The people who gathered at the river thought that John might be the fulfilment of their expectations.

Have you ever thought you had found what you were looking for only to discover you hadn’t? How did you feel?

Not everyone at the river shifted their expectations away from John, at least not right away.
Were you able to redirect your expectations? If not, what happened?

The heaven was opened

What do you think it looked like when the heaven was opened?

What does it feel like when the heaven opens?
Have you ever experienced the heaven opening and the Spirit descending?

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Something to Learn

Gospel according to Luke

We are a few weeks into lectionary Year C so it’s time to learn a little about the Gospel according to Luke.

The Bible Project videos are, as always, a fun way to get a good overview. You may also want to spend quality time with the gospel by treating yourself to a self-guided retreat, following the outline provided in the Advent materials.

Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of John

Bible Project Videos

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for the Feast of the Epiphany
Jan 6, 2022

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel. ‘”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

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Something to Do

Chalking the Doors – An Epiphany Home Blessing

This year seems like a particular good year to ask God’s blessing on our homes and the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) has been, since the Middle Ages, the traditional occasion for such a blessing. Perhaps it comes from the idea of hosting holy pilgrims such as the Magi or perhaps we are the Magi, seeking the new king, and the blessing reminds us that Jesus is to be found in our own homes.

We will mark the Feast as a church community on Sunday, January 2nd and have the opportunity to mark our doorframes during the service. We won’t be blessing chalk to use this year but, as a gift of God’s creation, chalk is already sacred anyway…and I know from experience that a tums tablet can be pressed into service in a pinch!

The prayer in below (and in the Epiphany order of service). Mark your own door on Sunday or save it and do it on the 6th.

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Standing on your doorstep

The Lord be with you (or, if alone) In the name of the Holy Trinity:
And also with you

The wise ones followed God’s star to Bethlehem, seeking the saviour.
I will follow the star.
They found Jesus in Bethlehem and knew they had found the one they were seeking. 
I will seek to recognize Jesus.
They fell down and worshipped him, offering him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
I will offer our gifts to the Lord.

The door is marked 20+C+M+B+22 while you say:

Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s son who became human two thousand and twenty-two years ago.  May Christ bless this home and each person who lives or visits here.

Holy God, watch over my/our going out and my/our coming in throughout this year.  Fill me/us with the light of Christ that I/we may grow in love, in wisdom, and in faith.  Amen.

The Wandering Wisemen

If you have a magi for your nativity scene, set them up across the room (or across the house) and move them a little closer to the Christ child each day until Jan. 6th.

And/or follow the charming journey of the Wandering Wisemen on Facebook or Instagram.

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Something to Wonder

Herod was frightened and all Jerusalem with him

Herod was afraid of losing his power and his fear made everyone else afraid – because a frightened tyrant is an especially dangerous tyrant.

When has your fear made you more dangerous, either to yourself or to those around you?

When has someone else’s fear put you in danger?

Overwhelmed with Joy

The magi were overwhelmed with joy when they found Jesus, even in the dangerous context they must have realized they were in (or, for that matter, had created!)

What does being “overwhelmed with joy” mean? What does is feel like? Have you ever experienced it?

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Something to Learn

Desmond Tutu – A God of Surprises

In 2010, Desmond Tutu was interviewed by Krista Tippet for On Being. You can listen to the whole program or read the transcript here.

May we all learn to see God in the world as clearly as Desmond Tutu did.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

The Story for the Feast of the Nativity
Dec 24/25, 2021

Luke 2:1-20

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.’ So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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Something to Do

Do Not Be Afraid: The Christmas Story

Watch (or rewatch) last year’s Christmas pageant, Do Not Be Afraid and be amazed once again by what you can accomplish with willing spirits and the wonder of Zoom!

Message from the Angels: a thrilling tale of the coming Messiah

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Something to Wonder

I wonder…

It can be hard to really listen to this story. On the one hand, we feel like we just know it by rote and, on the other hand, we actually know it mostly through the lens of Christmas pageants, carols, and traditions (notice, for instance, the absence of the donkey in the Biblical text).

Take some time to read it again, slowly and carefully. Then ask yourself some I wonder questions:

I wonder…

• … which part of this story I like best
• … which part I like the least
• … which character I am the most like
• … what part of the story I would like more of
• …what God wants me to hear in this story today

Good news of great joy

This is the joy we have been waiting for throughout Advent – the joy of the incarnation, God’s coming to us in the person of a baby.

How would you explain the significance of this point of Christian faith to someone who had never heard of it before? What does it mean to you?

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Something to Learn

Feast of the Nativity – origins

We are all familiar with the claim that Christmas is essentially a repurposed pagan celebration but the real story is rather more complicated. This long but easily skimmable article by Andrew McGowan, Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, offers the bigger picture.

How December 25 Became Christmas

We are also all familiar with the nativity story – but that’s more complicated, too! Early Christians had a host of traditions about the birth of Jesus that differ from ours in various ways, partly because they drew on apocryphal texts (accounts of Jesus’ life that, for various reasons, did not end up in the Bible). Learn about some of those stories in this article by Tony Burke, associate professor in the Department of the Humanities at York University.

Christmas Stories in Christian Apocrypha

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.