Worship and Devotions

Second Sunday After Epiphany

January 19, 2025

The Sundays after Epiphany continue to celebrate the revelation of God's glory to us as it was made known to the magi and to those on Jordan's banks at Jesus' baptism-today using wedding imagery. Our God rejoices over God's people as those being married rejoice over one another. By the power of the Spirit there are gifts galore for everyone. In Christ Jesus the best wine is saved for last. Taste and see.

Music

All Are Welcome

Let Us Build A House (All Are Welcome - 6vv) [With Lyrics For Congregations]

Prayer of the Day

Lord God, source of every blessing, you showed forth your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son, who brought gladness and salvation to his people. Transform us by the Spirit of his love, that we may find our life together in him, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Music

Soul, Adorn Yourself With Gladness

Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness (TUNE - CANTO AL BORINQUEN) - ELW 489

Readings

Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11

Isaiah 62:1-5

The people's return to Judah after the exile was marred by economic and political troubles. Nevertheless, the prophet declares, Jerusalem and Judah will be restored. God will rejoice over Jerusalem as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, and the people are called to the celebration.

¹ For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.² The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.³ You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.⁴ You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.⁵ For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 36:5-10

⁵ Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the clouds.

⁶ Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep; you save humankind and animals, O Lord.

⁷ How priceless is your love, O God! All people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.

⁸ They feast upon the abundance of your house; you give them drink from the river of your delights.

⁹ For with you is the well of life, and in your light we see light.

¹⁰ Continue your lovingkindness to those who know you, and your favor to those who are true of heart.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

The congregation at Corinth experienced division as people were comparing their spiritual gifts, thinking some to be superior to others. Paul invites this fractured community to trust that God's Holy Spirit has gifted them all perfectly for their mission together.

¹ Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. ³ 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.⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL - John 2:1-11

Glory to you, O Lord.

Turning water to wine at the wedding at Cana is described as the first of Jesus' signs. Through many such epiphanies, Jesus reveals that he bears God's creative power and joyful presence into the world.

¹ On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. ² Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." ⁴ And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." ⁵ His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." ⁶ Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. ⁹ 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 ¹⁰ 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." ¹¹ Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Music

Jesus, Come! For We Invite You

Jesus, Come! For We Invite You - ELW 312

Sermon

https://youtu.be/zgeD6pPWjqg?si=YdLGAbcbdKqZVeey

Prayers of Intercession

With the Spirit of Christ shining upon us, let us boldly pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.

Giver of gifts, you form each member of your church to serve. Encourage and enliven all of us to boldly use gifts of welcome and healing, service and teaching, leading and preaching, for the sake of your work in the world. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of peace and hope, as Justin Trudeau steps down as Prime Minister, we pray for all who live in Canada as we enter this time of transition. Send your spirit to support us in reflecting on the current needs in our communities. We pray for all who carry the responsibility and privilege of serving as elected leaders, and ask you to bless them with wisdom, compassion and love for all your people and for the whole creation. God of grace, hear our prayer. (From National Bishop Susan Johnson)

God, the Refuge of creatures, you place all the living under the shadow of your wings. Lead us in ways that tend to the needs of wild and domestic animals, creatures threatened by extinction, and the environment we share. God of grace, hear our prayer.

O God, as the people in California face continued wildfires and destruction, we pray for rain to come, so that fires will be dampened, and smoke and ash will be cleansed from the air, so that people can return home and firefighters be kept safe, so that towns and communities can be spared. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of the Powers, and Maker of all creation; God of justice, and Lover and Maker of peace, we are distressed by the violence and the threats of violence and destruction in the world, and especially by acts of war and brutality that people experience in Israel, Palestine, Gaza, and Lebanon; Ukraine and Russia. In solidarity with them, we pray for those who are suffering and in danger, who live in fear and anxiety, who fear what tomorrow will bring, who are anxious for their lives and the lives of those they love and care for, and who mourn the dead. We pray that those with power over war will lay down weapons, and that those who have power to accomplish peace will have wisdom and compassion. God of Grace, the Giver of Life, send your Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who is everywhere present and fills all things, to sustain the hope of all those who seek justice and peace and to inspire the leaders of nations to do what is right. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Voice of the oppressed, you call prophets throughout time. We remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a voice for racial and economic justice and for peace. Guide our nation in continuing to heed your prophetic call. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of steadfast love, as Jesus celebrated at Cana, nurture marriages and relationships in mutual care. In times of separation or divorce hold tenderly broken hearts and dreams. Be present and bring healing and comfort to all who are sick, in mourning or in any need. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God our Parent, accept our praise and thanksgiving for what already unites Christians in the confession of and witness to Jesus the Lord. Hasten the hour when all churches will recognize each other in the one communion you willed and for which your Son prayed to you in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we celebrate this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, nurture our shared commitment to embody Jesus' love, justice and healing. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Wellspring of life, in living and dying we trust in you. We give thanks for the saints. Guide us in our living until, at last, we rest in you. God of grace, hear our prayer.

We entrust our prayers to you, O God, in the sure and certain hope that your promise is revealed among the people.

Amen.

Music

We All Are One In Mission

"We All Are One In Mission" Featuring The St. Columba Singers