Friday, February 4, 2022

February 6, 2022 The Fifth Sunday of Epiphany

 Hymn    God Reveal Your Presence #391VU



Scripture Lessons:      Isaiah 6:1-8

                                    Psalm 138 p.860VU

                                    Luke 5:1-11

Hymn      Lord Speak to Me #589VU



Meditation



Another excerpt from A Song of Faith, (the United Church’s most recent statement of faith)

By becoming flesh in Jesus, 
God makes all things new. 
In Jesus’ life, teaching, and self-offering, 
God empowers us to live in love. 
In Jesus’ crucifixion, 
   God bears the sin, grief, and suffering of the world. 
In Jesus’ resurrection, 
   God overcomes death. 
Nothing separates us from the love of God. 

The Risen Christ lives today, 
   present to us and the source of our hope. 
In response to who Jesus was
    and to all he did and taught, 
    to his life, death, and resurrection, 
    and to his continuing presence with us through the Spirit, 
we celebrate him as
   the Word made flesh, 
   the one in whom God and humanity are perfectly joined, 
   the transformation of our lives, 
the Christ. …

Prayer: We give you thanks, Spirit of wisdom, for you speak to us in ways that often surprise us. You uncover truths that we had kept hidden from ourselves and support us in tasks we fear to undertake alone. 
     We give thanks for your invitations to growth and intimacy and fullness of life, and for the comfort you extend in our often uphill struggle to be faithful. 
     Inspire us. Encourage us. Fill us with enthusiasm for the mission of your church. “Transforming Womb of God, Conceive in us. We ask you, create life anew: 
        Faith, the confidence to bear,
        Hope, continuously expectant, 
        Love, the true beginning.”  Amen. (a prayer from More Than Words by Janet Schraffran and Pat Kozak).
 
Hymn     O Master Let Me Walk with Thee #560VU



As you have probably heard, churches are once again permitted to hold public worship after February 7th, effectively starting on Sunday, February 13th. Our Sessions have been discussing when, where, and how we will begin. Please note that masks and social distancing will continue to be required and that we will need to check vaccine passports as well. Both Howick and St Paul’s in Ormstown has chosen to wait until March, when things may have stabilized and (hopefully) the weather will be warmer for heating our churches. Franklin may begin its services on February 13th, at 9:30 am. 

February is Black History Month. Any plans to explore this? You could read a book, check out an exhibit, or maybe listen to a blog or a podcast. The United Church has its own YouTube channel with a number of resources on it and there are other resources on the United Church website as well. 

Did you know? The United Church’s national level, the General Council is meeting entirely online and the meetings begin next week, on February 13th. You can follow the decisions and discussions on the General Council website, generalcouncil44.ca to find out what is happening, who might be our new moderator, and other subjects. 






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