Fifth Sunday After Epiphany February 5, 2023 Rev. Sally Bullas

 

 

Hybrid Church

Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

February 5, 2023

Rev. Sally Bullas

Musician: Dorothy Dittrich

We acknowledge these lands upon which we worship are the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Welcome & Announcements

Whether you are gathering in person, on zoom or worshipping at home with the bulletin, welcome! We are one community, one in the body of Christ. 

Centering & Stillness                                                                                                (From Isaiah 58)

“Then your light shall break forth like the dawn and your healing shall spring up quickly.”

                                                            (invitation to sit in silence)

Introit: God of Still Waiting                                                             MV #20 (vs 4) 

Word true and faithful, hope bringing Spirit, 
God of enfolding love:  come in your fullness and grace; 
work through our lives for your praise.

The Christ Candle is Lit 

Greeting
One:  The grace of Christ Jesus, the love of God, 

          and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All:     And also with you

Opening Words                                                                                                        Enfleshed)

One:  We breathe out and the forest breathes in. 
All:    We reach out for help and a friend picks up our call. 
One:  We feel low when the months are long and the winter sun warms  our faces. 
All:    We grapple for purpose and mutual care grounds us in the             everyday holy. 

One:  God, you are a Web of Love. 
          You are the Swirl of Seasons Changing. 
          You are Inhale and Exhale. 
All:    And we all belong in your Cosmic Care.

Hymn:  Breathe on Me, Breath of God                                                            VU #382

1Breathe on me, breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou wouldst do.

2Breathe on me, breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with thine,
to do and to endure.

3Breathe on me, Breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
until this earthly part of me
glows with thy fire divine.

4Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die;
but live with thee the perfect life
of thine eternity.

 

Opening Prayer                                                                                             (Enfleshed, adapted) 

God of Mutuality, we long to be in right relationship. We yearn to honor the interdependence of our human, animal, plant, and mineral siblings. We are weary of legalism, perfectionism, and misrepresentations of “personal salvation."  We long to thrive together—for Compassionate Relationship to be the law of the land.  Connect us to the dream, Living God. Loosen our hearts for the determined work of Love. Amen.                                                            (a time of reflection)

Passing of the Peace

One:    The peace of Christ be with you! 

All:      And also with you!

You are invited to turn to those directly around you and share Christ’s peace. Those on zoom, please unmute and share with one another.

Reader: By the gift of your Spirit, calm and quiet our souls that we may               hear your Word today and be lifted up to walk with you. In Christ’s                        name we pray. Amen

First Reading: Isaiah 58:3-9 (NRSV)                            Reader: Angela Nutter

‘Why do we fast, but you do not see?
   Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day,
   and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
   and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
   will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose,
   a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
   and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
   a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is not this the fast that I choose:
   to loose the bonds of injustice,
   to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
   and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
   and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
   and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
   and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
   the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
   you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

Psalm 112 (VU #834)                                                                  Reader: Angela Nutter

Refrain: The just shall trust in God alone.

Blessed are those who fear God,

          who greatly delight in God’s commandments.

Their descendants will be mighty in the land,

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

          Riches and plenty shall be in their house,

          their righteousness enduring forever.

They are a light in the darkness for the upright,

being gracious, compassionate and just.

          It goes well with those who lend generously,

          who conduct their affairs with justice.   R

For the righteous will never be shaken,

they will be kept in remembrance for ever.

          They will not live in fear of bad news,

          with resolute heart they trust in God.

Their heart is steady, they do not fear,

in the end they will see their enemies’ downfall.

          They distribute freely to the poor,

          their righteousness enduring forever,

          they will hold up their heads in honour.   R

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12                                     Reader: Angela Nutter

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him’ — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.

Gospel Reading                                                                            Reader: Angela Nutter

As is your custom, please stand or sit for the reading of the gospel. 

Reader: God be with you.  
All:      And also with you

Reader:           The Good News of Jesus the Christ according to Matthew

All:          Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)

‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these 

commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

       Reader: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

       All:           Praise be to Jesus Christ       

Reflection:                               “Just Rewards”

Silent Reflection

Hymn: Creator God You Gave Us Life                            MV #27  

Creator God you gave us life

your image formed within our souls,

yet through the mist of time and space

we search for that which makes us whole

Refrain: Through hands that paint majestic skies,

and voices chanting melody,

with words that reach beyond the page,

we comprehend your mystery.

In ev’ry flow’r and ev’ry tree,

we see your great diversity,

yet greater still we see your love,

expressed in our humanity.   R

When with our hearts, our hands our minds,

we share our gifts with all the world,

our spirits soar beyond the veil,

to touch the very face of God.   R

A Statement of Faith                                    (Daniel Sire, progressivechristianity.org)

I believe in God, the source of all life, wholeness, and love.

I believe that God is revealed in Jesus Christ.

I believe that in his life, Jesus reveals God in grace, mercy,    

   forgiveness, and justice.

I believe that in his death, Jesus reveals God’s determined 

   presence in the world even in the face of hatred, violence, 

   and pain.

I believe that in his resurrection, Jesus reveals God calling us 

   to abundant life both now and forever; life beyond our fearful 

   and fragile imaginations.

I believe that God lives among us, within us, and through us 

   by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I believe that God moves us to be together in communities of faith, 

   hope, and love.

I believe these things not out of certainty but out of faith; 

   as one who trusts in the reality of God revealed in Jesus Christ    

   through the Holy Spirit.

Offering Invitation

Doxology                                                                                                                                         CP #669

Praise God the Source of life and birth,

Praise God the Word, who came to earth.

Praise God the Spirit, holy flame.

All Glory, honour to God’s name.

Offering Prayer (in unison)                             (Ana Gobledale, worshipwords.co.uk)

Generous God, thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed upon us, for your persistence, your mercy and your inclusivity.  We have responded with the generous outpouring of our gratitude.  May our gifts shared today, gifts of money and our lives, be dedicated to your work and mission in our world.

Prayers of the People                                                           Betty Schultze                                                                                               

One:  Gracious God,

All:    Hear Our Prayers

The Prayer of Jesus (sung)                                                                                        VU #959

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil,
for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and for ever.

Benediction                                                                                                                   (Enfleshed, adapted)

You are the salt of the earth— salt cannot lose its flavour, 
and you, beloved, cannot lose your inherent Sacred Worth.
You are a Holy part of the Cosmic Whole —
go and be one with the Creator.

Hymn: You, God, Are My Firmament                                                                    VU #279

1You, God, are my firmament,

Roof for my head,

Shelter from storm,

Nourishing bread,

Tender and warm.

2You, God, are a tower of strength.

I shall not fear,

I shall not fall,

Knowing you’re near,

Guardian of all.

3You, God, are my guiding light,

Beacon from birth,

Helping to see,

Lighting the earth,

Enlightening me.

4I will give thanks,

I will sing praise

With all of my heart,

All of my days.

 

Thank You

 

Blessing                                                                                                                         (Iona Community)

If you are with another person, you’re invited to bless each other, taking every other line.

One:    The Creator’s blessing be yours on your road, on your journey      

            guiding you, cherishing you.

Right   The Son’s blessing be yours, wine and water, bread and stories,

Zoom  feeding you, challenging you.

Left:    The Spirit’s blessing be yours, wind and fire, joy and wisdom,             comforting you, disturbing you.

All:      The Angel’s blessing be yours, on your house, on your living, guarding you, encouraging you. Let us walk together, a community on a journey, sustained in God’s blessing. Amen!

One:    Let us go now in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All:      Thanks be to God! Alleluia!