The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 19th, 2025

Call to Worship
The Lord be with you.
and also with you.

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Opening Sentences
from the Northumbria Community

One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek God in God’s temple.

Who is it that you seek?
We seek the Lord our God.

Do you seek God with all your heart?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek God with all your soul?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek God with all your mind?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek God with all your strength?
Amen. Christ, have mercy.

The Processional
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee (Henry Van Dyke)

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All thy works with joy surround thee,
Earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around thee,
Center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!

Thou our God, O Christ our brother,
All who live in love are thine:
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God's own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.

Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.

Song of Praise
You Are With Me (Leslie Jordan, Sandra McCracken)

My heart is heavy and tired in this valley
Mountains grow higher and higher, but I can't find you
I'll keep lifting my eyes, I know you're with me

I hear your voice when you cry: comfort, comfort
Sorrow may last for a night, but in the morning
Your joy breaks in with the light, I know you're with me

I know you're with me, and you are for me
You've been behind me, you go before
You walk beside me, through darkest valleys
I know you are with me

You led me here where it's dry, out in the desert
You bring these bones back to life, you put together
You sing a song of delight, I know you're with me

You will be praised
I will, I will wait
You will be praised
I will, I will wait

The Collect of the Day from the Book of Common Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The First Lesson Isaiah 62:1-4

For Zion’s sake I won’t keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I won’t sit still until her righteousness shines out like a light, and her salvation blazes like a torch. Nations will see your righteousness, all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which the Lord’s own mouth will determine. You will be a splendid garland in the Lord’s hand, a royal turban in the palm of God’s hand. You will no longer be called Abandoned, and your land will no longer be called Deserted.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 36
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the *heavens,
your faithfulness to the *clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty *mountains;
your judgments are like the great *deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O *Lord.

How precious is your steadfast love, O *God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your *wings.
They feast on the abundance of your *house,
and you give them drink from the river of your *delights.

For with you is the fountain of *life;
in your light we see *light.
O continue your steadfast love to those who *know you
and your salvation to the upright of *heart!

Glory be to the Father, and to the *Son,
and to the Holy *Spirit.
As it was in the be*ginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end. A*men.

The Second Lesson 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were gentiles you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of powerful deeds, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Acclamation         
All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly (Sylvia Dunstan)
Instrumental

The Gospel Reading         John 2:1-11

+ This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.


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 me and to you? 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 person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it. When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person 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.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Gospel Acclamation         
All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly (Sylvia Dunstan)
Instrumental

Homily

A Creed from the United Church of Canada

We are not alone,
    we live in God’s world.

 We believe in God:
    who has created and is creating,
    who has come in Jesus,
       the Word made flesh,
       to reconcile and make new,
    who works in us and others
       by the Spirit.

We trust in God. 

We are called to be the Church:
    to celebrate God’s presence,
    to live with respect in Creation,
    to love and serve others,
    to seek justice and resist evil,
    to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
       our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
    God is with us.
We are not alone.

    Thanks be to God.

The Prayers of the People
from the St. Francis Mission

With all our heart and with all our mind and with all our strength, let us pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.

For this good earth, this holy creation, and for the wisdom and will to cherish, understand, reverence, rightly use, and conserve it, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.

For all in danger, hunger, or sorrow, for the aged and infirm, the widowed and orphaned, the sick and suffering in body or mind, for prisoners and refugees, the poor and oppressed, the unemployed and destitute, the bereaved and alone, the war-torn and wounded, and for all who care for them, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.

For all who hold positions of trust in the worlds of religion, education, government, business, community, culture, and family, that they may promote the well-being of all creation, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.

For any who have caused us pain, for those we struggle to understand and strain to love, for all who do not love us or who consider themselves our enemies, that they may be truly blessed and that we may be fully reconciled, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.

Please add your own prayers, silently or aloud.

All these things, we pray to the living God:
Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, we have hurt others, and we have been hurt. We have presumed upon others, and we have been presumed upon. We have taken others for granted, and we have been taken for granted. We have dishonored others, and we have been dishonored. As we receive your forgiveness for our wrongs, we extend forgiveness to others who have wronged us. Have mercy upon us all. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon
Be reminded my friends: as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. So, let us heed his admonitions that we need not be afraid and that he has not come to condemn the world but to redeem it! Amen.

The Peace
The peace of God be with you all.
And also with you.

Announcements

Song of Preparation
Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

Holy, Holy, Holy! Heavenly and earthy,
Creator comes to dwell with man in dirt reclaimed, now free;
Holy, Holy, Holy! Love’s desire receives thee—
God dwells here with humankind, our hearts his Holy See.

Presentation Hymn
Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
+Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

About Communion
On the night Jesus washed his disciples feet and promised to overcome the troubles of this world, he gave his friends a meal to remember their belonging to him and to one another. Friends of Jesus have continued to celebrate this communion meal since that night, and this table is open to all who desire the belonging and peace of Christ.

Gluten free wafers and grape juice are available if you have those health needs. An usher will invite you to approach the kneelers to receive the meal. If for any reason you’re not prepared to join us, you’re welcome to remain in your seat. If coming to the front is physically difficult for you, please let an usher know and the elements will be brought to you. If you’d like to come up and simply receive a blessing, you can put your arms across your chest and a prayer of peace will be prayed over you.

The Great Thanksgiving
from St. Francis Mission (adapted)

The Living God is with us!
And with all creation!

Lift up your hearts!
We lift them to the Living God.

Let us give thanks to the Creator of all.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

For this reason, we join with all creation to proclaim your glory:
Holy, Holy, Holy One, God of power, God of love.
Earth, sea, and sky are full of your glory.
With joy we praise you! With joy we praise you! Amen!

On the night before he showed us the full extent of his love, Jesus took a loaf of bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, he took a cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks and gave it to his friends, saying, “Drink from this, all of you, for this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink this cup, remember me.”

Now, gathered as one people around this table of joyful reconciliation and fellowship, united in your spirit, we receive these gifts, and we gratefully offer you our lives as a living sacrifice. As Christ stretched out his arms upon the cross to welcome the whole world into your gracious embrace, we rejoice to enter that embrace and with you, extend it to all.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to the living God be honor, glory, and praise, forever and ever. Amen.

As Christ teaches us, so we pray:

The Lord’s Prayer
You are welcome to pray in any language. 

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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. 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.

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén.

The Breaking of the Bread
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. 
We being many are one body, for we all share in one bread.

The Invitation
The gifts of God for the people of God. 
Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Communion Music
Here is Love (Robert Lowry, ed. Joseph Bradshaw)

Here is love, vast as the ocean, lovingkindness long foretold.
When the Prince of Life, our ransom, gave a love that can't be sold.
Who his love will not remember? Who can cease to sing his praise?
He can never be forgotten, throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion, fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above,
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.

Here is love, vast as the ocean, lovingkindness long foretold.
When the Prince of Life, our ransom, gave a love that can't be sold.
Who his love will not remember? Who can cease to sing his praise?
He can never be forgotten, throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

Grace and love, like mighty rivers, poured incessant from above,
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.
Heaven’s peace and perfect justice kissed a broken world in love.

All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly (Sylvia Dunstan)

All who hunger, gather gladly
Holy manna is our bread
Come from wilderness and wand'ring
Here in truth we will be fed

You that yearn for days of fullness
All around us is our food
Taste and see the grace eternal
Taste and see that God is good

All who hunger, never strangers
Seeker, be a welcome guest
Come from restlessness and roaming
Here in joy we keep the feast

We that once were lost and scattered
In communion's love have stood
Taste and see the grace eternal
Taste and see that God is good

All who hunger, sing together
Jesus Christ is living bread
Come from loneliness and longing
Here in peace we have been fed

Blest are those who from this table
Live their days in gratitude
Taste and see the grace eternal
Taste and see that God is good

Prayer after Communion the Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console, to be understood, as to understand. to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, and it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

The Blessing

The Recessional         
Instrument of Peace (St. Francis, arr. The Porter’s Gate)

Lord, make me an instrument of peace,
An instrument of peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of peace,
An instrument of peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is darkness, let me sow light.
For in the giving, we shall receive,
And in the dying, we're given life.

Where there is sorrow, let me sow hope.
Where there is doubt, let me sow faith.
Where there is injury, your pardon give,
Your consolation to those in pain.

Amen, amen.

The Dismissal
Now let us go forth, living in the light and love of Christ.
Thanks be to God.