January 29, 2021 - Epiphany Devotion - The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany
Join us this Sunday, as we celebrate The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany!
Plan to join us in-person or via live stream, this Sunday, January 31, 9:30 a.m. Live stream will now begin around 9:25am.
Plan to join us February 28, at 10:15 a.m. for our Annual Meeting! On Feb. 28, you can join us in-person or via a virtual alternative. Details to come soon!
This Sunday, January 31 – 9:30 a.m.
The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany - "The Bright New Teacher!"
As we follow the latest information and recommendations regarding gatherings, please join us in doing everything possible for the health of one and all! Please stay home, if you do not feel well, if you or someone close to you has been exposed, if you or someone close to you has been tested. We will keep you informed with further updates!
Thanks be to God for those who have given their time and leadership as we worship in our sanctuary, and as we together do everything possible to honor, serve, & care for one and all!
You will find more details below, including signing up for worship, signing up to volunteer, what to expect, and children's activity sheets. You can also access these details on our website and on our Facebook page!
Worship each Sunday will be a 30-minute service including live music by our worship leaders, a children's message, and a message from Pastor Jamie. Holy Communion will be offered as the service ends. If you prefer, if your timing is better, from 10:15-10:30 a.m., you are invited to drive up to the curb of the sidewalk in front of the building, and receive Holy Communion in your vehicle.
Each Sunday we will make every attempt to live stream the service for you at 9:30 a.m. Live Stream opens at 9:25am and announcements begin at 9:28am.
We hope you join us for worship! We look forward to seeing you soon!
You can access the bulletin for this Sunday, January 31, here.
You can access children's activity sheets for this Sunday, January 31, here.
You can sign up to attend worship in January here.
You can access details and what to expect as we share worship here.
You can access the signupgenius and ways to assist our January services here.
You can give online to share your generosity and support here.
Access the bulletin for this week here, on our website, or on our Facebook page!
Join us next Sunday, February 7,
The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
"The Bright New Finding!"
vs. 1
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until You come and sit a while with me.
refrain:
You raise me up so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on Your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
“They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching – with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. ”
All kinds of things around us can break us down, tear us down, and wear us down. From the day to day, to the life changing; circumstances and situations can beat us down.
How do we get back up? How do you keep going? What raises your spirit, your hope, your energy, your purpose?
God raises up Jesus Christ in our midst to raise us up. Even God's people cannot do enough on their own, that is why we needed Christmas, Emmanuel, God with us. God raises us up in Jesus to find heart and spirit, when we thought none was possible.
Jesus is God's Bright New Light, our Bright New Teacher, a new authority giving renewed power and hope and grace, to raise us up, to go raise up others, and to raise up the name of Jesus.
How are you longing to be raised up at this time?
What do you need, that you cannot do on your own?
Who do you know, who needs raising up these days?
Do you have a teacher or two, who raised you up, inspired you, in new ways?
Are you open to, ready for, a new teaching, with authority; for Jesus?
Do you believe Emmanuel is here, that Jesus came so you can stand on mountains, walk on stormy seas, stand on His shoulders, so you can be even more?
Jesus, as you came into the synagogue to teach, come into our lives and hearts again, and teach us, too! As you raised up the man with the unclean spirit, raise us up, to be even more!
The best teachers open their students to new epiphanies. The Bright New Teacher is forever opening our heart and soul to the best epiphanies of all, with new authority, raising us up, to raise up others, to make God and our neighbors first, to be all that we can be!
Let us pray: Almighty and loving God, you know how much we cannot do on our own; you know how much we needed Christmas, how much we need you. Make known again the light of your glory and grace. Give us a new epiphany today. Do for us what we cannot do on our own, raise us up to be all that we can be, and increase in us your Holy Spirit, to see the bright new teaching before us, to believe all you reveal, to see all you fulfill, to call on your wisdom and authority, to go into the world, to stand on your shoulders alone, trusting in your Light and the very Kingdom of God. In The Bright New Light of Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.