Hybrid ChurchThird Sunday After Epiphany, January 22, 2023,  Rev. Sally Bullas

Hybrid ChurchThird Sunday After Epiphany, January 22, 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 9)

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”                                                                                        

(invitation to sit in silence)

Introit: Wait for The Lord (x3)                                                                         VU #22

Wait for the Lord, God’s day is near.
Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart!

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                                                                                                  (Claralice Wolf)

Come to us, God of peace.

Come with your healing and your reconciling power.

Come, that fear may be cast out by love;

that weapons may be replaced by trust;

that violence may give way to gentleness.

Come to us, God of peace.

Hymn:  Bathe Me in Your Light                                                                         MV #82

1Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator,
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace,
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life’s wounding,
Showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace. 

2Bathe me in your light, O Source of Awe and Wonder,
Help me walk the sacred path of harmony and peace,
May I be attentive to the musings of your presence,
Drinking from the well of hope that brings the heart release. 

3Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing;
Teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.

Opening Prayer                                                                                         (https://stfranciswgc.org.uk) 

One:  Transforming God, whose light always penetrates the darkness and whose love always overcomes hate, we ask that you sustain us as we struggle to make your light visible in an angry and frightened world. 

All:    Nurture us daily as we work for your justice in unjust places             and your peace in places where no peace is to be found. 

One:  Give us courage and strength when we are fearful and weak. 

All:    Give us hope and forgiveness when we feel hopeless and             angry. And guide us every step of the way as we walk               toward the light. 

(a time of reflection)

Words of Assurance                                                    (https://stfranciswgc.org.uk, adapted)

One:  Creating One, your light is the commencement and culmination of creation. From now until forever you are the light of life. You invite us to walk in your light and become lights to the world. Bless us that we may become a blessing.  Amen.

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 9:1-4 (NRSV)                                         Reader: Don Moser 

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

 

Psalm 27 (VU #754)                                                                         Reader: Don Moser

Refrain:  “God is my light and saving health, I shall not be afraid”

God is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear?

       God is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked close in to devour me,

       it is they, my enemies and my foes, who stumble and fall.

If an army should encamp against me,

my heart shall not be afraid;

       if war should arise against me,

       even then I will not be dismayed.     R

 

One thing I have asked of God, for which I long;

that I may dwell in God’s house all the days of my life,

       to gaze on your beauty, O God,

       and to seek you in your temple.

For in the time of trouble you will give me shelter,

       you will hide me under the cover of your tent,

       you will set me high upon a rock.

And now you have raised my head

above my enemies round about me.

       Therefore I will offer in your dwelling

       a sacrifice with great gladness.     R

 

Hear my voice, O God, when I call, have mercy and answer me.

Your face, O God, I seek.

       Do not hide your face from me,

       do not reject your servant in anger,

       you who have been my helper.

Do not cast me off, or forsake me, O God my saviour.

       Though my father and mother forsake me,

       my God will take me up.     R

 

Teach me your way, O God,

       lead me on a level path, safe from those who lie in wait for me.

Do not give me up to the will of my enemies.

 

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (NRSV)                            Reader: Don Moser

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul’, or ‘I belong to Apollos’, or ‘I belong to Cephas’, or ‘I belong to Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 

I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

 

Gospel Reading:                                                                                           Reader: Don Moser

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 John

All:          Glory to you, Christ Jesus.

Matthew 4:12-23 (NRSV)

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the lake, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ‘Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,  on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles — the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.’ From that time Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called  them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

           

       Reader: This is the Gospel of Christ.   

       All:           Praise be to Jesus Christ       

 

Reflection:                  “Be Strong and Take Courage”

Silent Reflection

"You Do Not Walk Alone" by Elaine Hagenberg

(Sally played this at the end of her sermon.)

https://youtu.be/gNCj2KW-JFk

 

Hymn: Healer of Our Every Ill                                                   VU #619  

Refrain:
Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

 

1You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness;
Spirit of all comfort, fill our heart.     R

 

2In the pain and joy beholding
how your grace is still unfolding,
give us all your vision, God of love.        R

 

3Give us strength to love each other,
every sister, every brother;
Spirit of all kindness, be our guide.     R

 

4You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing;
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.  R

 

A Statement of Faith                                                                                                  (Daniel Sire)

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

 

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                                                                                                                                    (Carol Penner)

We walk by faith, we live by faith, we give by faith.
God of great gifts, you have given us so much. 

Accept these gifts from our hands, 

our faithful response to your abundant grace.  Amen.

Prayers of the People                                                          Susan Brockley                                                                                                  

One:  Our Light and Our Salvation

All:    Hear Our Prayer

The Prayer of Jesus                                                                   VU #916

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and what shall be.

Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:

the hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

now and for ever. Amen.

 

Hymn: God of Grace and God of Glory                                                          VU #686

1God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your power;
now fulfil your church’s story;
bring its bud to glorious flower.

2Lo, the hosts of evil round us
scorn your Christ, assail your ways;
fears and doubts too long have bound us;
free our hearts to work and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the living of these days.

 

3Cure your children’s warring madness,
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton selfish gladness,
rich in goods and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom's goal.

 

4Set our feet on lofty places;
gird our lives that they may be
armoured with all Christ-like graces,
pledged to set all captives free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
that we fail not them nor thee.

 

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!

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

for the facing of this hour.