Call of God: General and Particular

 5 Epiphany C February 6, 2022
Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13] Psalm 138
1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11

 Lectionary Link

Sanctus is the Latin word for "holy."  Sanctus is also the short name for the part of the Eucharist prayer, when we sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts or Lord God of power and might..."  And for trivia, the little bells that are rung during the Mass are called "Sanctus" bells, because they are first rung during the Sanctus.  And why?  When lay reception of communion was but once a year and when the Mass was said by the priest in Latin on behalf of the lay people, the way that lay people participated in the Mass was by being spectators.  Their attendance was required when the celebrant said the words of consecration over the bread and then elevated the bread as a moment of blessing for the lay people who would not generally receive communion.  So, lay people would be on the streets and how would they know to get into the church in time for the elevation of the Eucharistic host by the celebrant?  The church bells would ring at the Sanctus, that that was the signal to people on the street that the elevation of the Eucharist Bread was about to happen so they best get themselves into the church.  And in Eucharistic piety, we've kept the little bells around for aesthetic effect, even while their original purpose is no longer relevant, since lay people fully participate in Holy Eucharist in common language and receiving the sacrament.

And I am not against Sanctus Bells even if their purposes are obsolete;  in fact what we are trying to do in a liturgy in sacred space is to simulate the event of the Call of God in Christ to us.  We may not be able to get the six winged Seraphs to appear but we can have smells, bells, colors, chant, iconography; not because we think they replace God and the holy, but because we believe that in our gathering there are festive ways of acknowledging what we value the most, namely, the presence of Christ and the call of Christ to us.

And there are people who say that we don't need sacred space for worship of Christ.  There are people who think church buildings should be multi-purpose space and instead of paying money for iconography and appearance, we should spend any extra money on Outreach.  They are both correct and wrong; since it does not need to be either/or, it can be both/and.  Beauty as response to the holy can truly inspire generosity.

Isaiah had quite a call from God, wouldn't you say?  His experience with God as the Holy Other, coupled with the heavenly lips singing the holy, holy, holy song, left him feeling rather impure.  "God, after hearing that lovely heavenly singing, I feel like I have a potty mouth, and the people I live with have potty mouths too."  We are fortunate that at ordinations today we don't brand the lips of preachers with hot coals, even if would make them shut up for awhile during the healing process.  Yes our speech needs to heated up and sanctified by the Holy Spirit so that it can become a telling message for the people who need to hear what God is trying to tell them.  It is good that God's calls potty mouthed people and gives them a message because it is an indication that God and the message is what makes things worthy, not the very limited personal perfection of the people who deliver the message.

The Epiphany season topic for this day is the Call of God.  And we are given descriptions of the calls of Isaiah, Paul and Peter and the disciples.

I would offer this in a discussion regarding the call of God.  The Call of God is very general and to everyone, but the call of God is very particular, specific, intermittent, even serendipitous because it occurs in individual ways, at specific times, to individual persons in very specific contexts.

The call of God is general and to all.  Why do I believe that?  Because Christ is presented as the Eternal Word.  And everyone is born into the entire linguistic universe.  The essence of Word is communication and communication is about call and answer.  And because Word as language is inside of everyone, everyone has a call to that Eternal Word.  But we don't perceive this significance.  We get our worded lives in a tangle and we act out in harmful ways and we speak in unedifying ways.  In short, we don't understand the great call of the Eternal Word, because we use the words and the body language deeds of our lives wrongly.

The events of Epiphany and theophany are given to us to bring about a script rewrite and correction in how we are living our scripted lives on the stage of life.  Isaiah's life was interrupted by a profound experience of the holy which changed his direction, his speech and give him a new script to live out.  The same thing happened to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus.  He had his life interrupted by a blinding epiphany of the Risen Christ.  And his life script was changed forever and St. Paul became the architect of Gentile Christianity.

The call of Christ can come in many ways, in dramatic ways but also in very ordinary ways as well.  Some of the disciples were ordinary fishermen, and Jesus of Nazareth interrupted their fishing vocations in a rather impressive way.  And what did Jesus say their new calling would do?  It would transform their "fishing knowledge" into people knowledge so that they might become those who would deliver good and hopeful news to people and build communities of people to be a repository where the call of God in Christ could happen, over and over again.

An that is still our purpose today; to be welcoming people and a gathering where the call of God in Christ can continually happen for us and where it can happen for others  through us.  Amen.

Sunday School, February 6, 2022: The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany C

Sunday School, February 6, 2022: The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany C

Themes

Theme:  Speaking the language of fishermen

When Jesus taught people he used language that they could understand.  With farmers he spoke about sowing seeds and about grapevines.  With shepherds he spoke about raising sheep. With fishermen, he spoke about fishing.  Jesus told them that he was a fisherman and he did not fish for fish, he fished for people.  Fishing might be fun to do for recreation but if it is your every day job, it might not always be so fun, especially if the fish are not biting.  Jesus told Peter, Andrew, James and John that he could teach them how to fish for people.  What did he mean by this?  It meant that he would teach them how to make friends in a special way by teaching them how to bring good news to the lives of other people.  Jesus told people God love them and forgave them.  He told them they did not have to fear death because God would preserve their lives after death.  He taught people.  Teaching people makes their lives better.  When we learn new things, we can do new things and it is like light comes on.  Jesus was a teacher and he brought light to James, John, Peter and Andrew.  They saw that Jesus was such a good teacher for them, they wanted to learn how to teach and help others.  So that is how Jesus taught them to fish for other people.

How can you fish for other people?  How can you make friends?  How can you help other people learn about God?

Learning how to be friends with others is learning how we can share good news about God’s love and care.

Sermon

What is the biggest light in our life?  We see it every day unless it is covered by clouds.  What do we call that big light in the sky?  It is the sun.  The sun is really a star that is just close to us than the other stars.  What do we need the sun for?  Many things: heat, light, growing our plants.  If we did not have the sunlight, we could not live. So it is very important.

  Today we have read from the Psalm that God, the Lord is our Light.  And we read in our Gospel story how people called Jesus as great light.

  How can God and How can people be like a light?

  A light allows us to see things that we cannot see if we don’t have a light.  A light allows us to see things differently.

  When it is dark in your bedroom sometimes a shadow can look like a big tree or something else?  But when you turn on the light you find out it was just a shadow of the curtain.

   God helps us to see things differently.  God’s light is shared with people.  God’s light was in Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is light because he showed us how to live better lives.  His life was like a light because he taught people and he healed people and he helped people.

   So you have people who are like lights in your life?  When you lose your toys, your mom says, did you look under your bed?  And her words are like a light shining to help you find your toys.  Your parents are like lights for you because they care for you and teach you new things.  Your teachers are like lights for you because they teach you new things.

  Do you know what Jesus said to his friends?  He said, “You are the lights of this world.”  What did he mean by that?

  He meant that we all have to live in a way to show others how to live better lives.  How do we live our lives to be like lights?  By loving and caring for one another and by making friends.  Jesus told his friends who were fishermen that they should fish for people.  What does that mean?  Does it mean we should try to catch people with a net or try to get them to swallow a fish hook?  No.  Jesus liked to speak in riddles; to fish for people was his way of saying, they needed to become very good at making friends.  How do we make friends?  By loving and caring for them, by helping them,

  Today we have learned how our lives can be like a light.  By teaching others.  And we’ve learn how to fish for people.  By learning how to make friends.

  Okay let turn on our lights now.  Let me see you shine.  And lets go fishing.  Let go and make some friends.

Intergenerational Family Service with Holy Eucharist

February 6, 2022 The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Gathering Songs: Holy, Holy, Holy; Here I Am Lord; Eat This Bread, I Will Make You Good Fisher Folk

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Song: Holy, Holy, Holy  (Renew # 204)

1.      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.

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:            And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Litany of Praise: Chant: Alleluia

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

Liturgist: A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:  "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 138

I will give thanks to you O LORD with my whole heart; * before the gods I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name, * because of your love and faithfulness.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

People:            Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen were washing their nets. Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us 

     by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy.

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Youth Liturgist:          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:                       And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Offertory Hymn: Here I Am, Lord (Renew!, # 149)

1        I, the Lord of seas and sky, I have heard my people cry.  All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.  I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright, Who will bear my light to them?  Whom shall I send?   Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard You calling in the night.  I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold Your people in my heart.

2        I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.  I have wept for love of them.  They turn away.  I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts of love alone.  I will speak my word to them.  Whom shall I send?   Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard You calling in the night.  I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold your people in my heart.

3        I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame, I will set a feast for them.  My hand will save.  Finest bread I will provide till their heart be satisfied.  I will give my life to them.  Whom shall I send?   Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard You calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold your people in my heart.

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.

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore, with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

  the bread and drink the wine, we can know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as 

  this food and drink that becomes a part of us.

The Prayer continues with these words

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

(Children may rejoin their parents and take up their instruments)

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:       Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:           Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion Hymn: Eat This Bread   (Renew! # 228)

            Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and never be hungry.

            Eat this bread, drink this cup, trust in me and you will not thirst.

Post-Communion Prayer

 Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God

    and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     remembering that the blessing in the bread and wine spreads into each time,

place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: I Will Make You Good Fisher Folk (All the Best Songs for Kids, #131)

1.      I will make you good fisher folk, good fisher folk, good fisher folk,

I will make you good fisher folk if you follow me.

If you follow me, if you follow me,

I will make you good fisher folk if you follow me.

2.      Hear Christ calling, “Come unto me, come unto me, come unto me.”

Hear Christ calling, “Come unto me, I will give you rest.

I will give you rest, I will give you rest.”

Hear Christ calling, “Come unto me, I will give you rest.”

Dismissal:  

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God!

Epiphany, Theophany aka God's Call

5 Epiphany C February 10, 2019

Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13] Psalm 138

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11

 Lectionary Link

The season of the Epiphany is about how God's love wins us in such a way that we seek to become winsome in sharing that love with others too. How does God become manifest to us?

The readings from the Scriptures appointed for this day gives us insights into the dynamics of God's call.

Today's Gospel presents us with the well-known calling of the fishermen by Jesus. When it comes to the Gospel fishermen,  I think that we often project our notion of fishing as a relaxing recreational sport back onto these fishermen of Gospel fame. Apparently, Peter, Andrew, James and John were from families on the Sea of Galilee that shared a fishing business. Fishing as business and fishing for sport are quite different things. Peter, Andrew, James and John had to fish as a part of the family business. And they probably ate lots of fish too.

Jesus, an itinerant rabbi, knew that these four men had interests beyond fishing. How did he know this?  Some were followers of John the Baptist, a relative and friend of Jesus, so we know that these men were looking for something beyond just the fishing business.

How do you think professional athletes feel when fans and amateurs try to tell them how to play their games? People in any profession do not like outsiders messing in their business. But Jesus meddled in the fishermen's business. "Hey, guys, you're not doing too well on the Lake today; why don't you throw your net in a different place?”

Can you imagine these fishermen rolling their eyes? “Jesus, we were born and raised on this Lake and into a fishing family. We know this Lake. We know the fishing spots. So, why would you presume know more about fishing on this lake than we do? Okay, we've heard good things about you, we trust you and we'll be polite and follow your fishing advice.” And what happened? They caught a bumper crop of fish. And Peter felt all embarrassed that he had doubted Jesus and he humbled himself apologetically before Jesus. And what did Jesus do? He called them to follow him. He gave them spiritual mobility. Their family script told them they were locked into the fishing business for the rest of their lives. But Jesus knew that they were men of words and curiosity about something completely different than fishing. The call of Jesus gave them a deliverance from being locked into just earning a living. Frankly, their families were probably happy for them since there were probably other family members in the business and so if some left the business there would be more left for those who remained.

So, we should be prepared for Christ to meddle in our business. Spirituality will meddle with every human enterprise. God's Holy Spirit will tell us how we can actually do our occupations better if we will allow the insights of our faith to enter our life calling.

What we also can learn from the Gospel is that you and I can do many things at the same time. We can have occupations to earn our livelihood and we can respond to the call of the Christ and much more at the same time. So, we should not let our occupations be an excuse to avoid responding to the call of Christ to our lives.

No, matter what we are doing in our lives, the call of Christ comes to us to make us better people persons.  Jesus told the fishermen, "From now on you will be catching people."

Sometimes we can use our occupations as excuses to avoid learning people skills; the call of Jesus is the call to love. And the call to love means learning people skills. It means learning how to be winsome with others.

One of the most famous accounts of the call of God was to the prophet Isaiah.  And it is a rather ironic call.  His epiphany was a profound theophany.  He entered a mystical dreamy realm and he experienced something that we are told that people cannot do: He saw God and the angelic singers of the heavenly courts.  What did they sing?  Holy, Holy, Holy…..meaning uniquely different and distinct from anything human.  And God’s uniqueness and fame called glory filled heaven and earth.

From hearing such holy singing, what did Isaiah feel about his speech?  He felt like he had a potty mouth and he dwelled among people who also had potty mouths.  And so, the hot coals had to sear his lips to give him the right words to speak.

The irony of Isaiah is that he was called to be a failure.  He was told that the people would not listen to him.  Isaiah was an unrequited prophet; he preached a message that wasn’t received in his own time.

It is still the irony of the call of Christ for us today.  Sometimes we are given insights, ministry and mission even when there are no people present to accept to our insights, ministry and mission.  I’ve seen  people become all “gung ho” with insights and energy to make the parish a better place, but they haven’t always found other people to support them.  When we seem called to be irrelevant, it can be frustrating; and we can be tempted to give up and sometimes we need to remember that the greatness of the one who calls us is greater than what we are actually called to do.  Very early in ministry, like the first week, I realized that I was called to prepare my sermon with the same faithfulness whether I thought 5 people would be present or 500.  It is important to know that the greatness of God and the calling itself is greater than any seeming successful or failing results.  It is also important to know that God hides us from knowing how we are successful, especially when it comes in ministry to youth.  I had lots of mentors when I was young who probably never knew how much they did for me.

What else about the call of God?  God is unique and holy, and God made each of us in our being and in our experience unique.  No one can be called exactly in the way in which we are called.  St. Paul noted how Christ appeared to him in a unique way long after the appearances of Christ to many others before him.  When Paul was called, he quit persecuting the church and he became the one who was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentile people.  As a result, he became one who was called to suffer and be persecuted by his former religious associates.  Paul had a unique calling and so do each one of us.  The call of Christ rides upon the obvious gifts and experiences of our lives.  The call of Christ integrates our personal experience and when we offer them to the church, they are blessed and made to be winsome to other people.

The call of Christ has come to people in their life experiences; they have brought it into the parish and “peopleized” it and it becomes parish ministry.  This is what has happened in our parish in the past;  and I believe that it will continue in the future.  What we need to let people know is that God is calling them within the gifts of their lives and within their life experience; and if they offer it for ministry within the church, Christ will make us all catch people; Christ will make us people persons.

So the call of Christ upon you and me in the uniqueness of our lives; and we need to say, “Here am I send me”…..and we can learn to rejoice in the calling itself, because the calling is in fact our relationship with Christ.   We will have some success and some failures; but let us not get disheartened in our callings as we continually offer all that we have to God to be used to be winsome in enriching the lives of the people whom we are called to be with.

Consider the call of Christ on your life today.  Consider how Christ might want to bless and use your gifts in our parish today.  Amen

Sunday School, February 10, 2019, 5 Epiphany C

Sunday School, February 10, 2019: The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany C

Themes

Theme:  Speaking the language of fishermen

When Jesus taught people he used language that they could understand.  With farmers he spoke about sowing seeds and about grapevines.  With shepherds he spoke about raising sheep. With fishermen, he spoke about fishing.  Jesus told them that he was a fisherman and he did not fish for fish, he fished for people.  Fishing might be fun to do for recreation but if it is your every day job, it might not always be so fun, especially if the fish are not biting.  Jesus told Peter, Andrew, James and John that he could teach them how to fish for people.  What did he mean by this?  It meant that he would teach them how to make friends in a special way by teaching them how to bring good news to the lives of other people.  Jesus told people God love them and forgave them.  He told them they did not have to fear death because God would preserve their lives after death.  He taught people.  Teaching people makes their lives better.  When we learn new things, we can do new things and it is like light comes on.  Jesus was a teacher and he brought light to James, John, Peter and Andrew.  They saw that Jesus was such a good teacher for them, they wanted to learn how to teach and help others.  So that is how Jesus taught them to fish for other people.

How can you fish for other people?  How can you make friends?  How can you help other people learn about God?

Learning how to be friends with others is learning how we can share good news about God’s love and care.

Sermon

What is the biggest light in our life?  We see it every day unless it is covered by clouds.  What do we call that big light in the sky?  It is the sun.  The sun is really a star that is just close to us than the other stars.  What do we need the sun for?  Many things: heat, light, growing our plants.  If we did not have the sunlight, we could not live. So it is very important.

  Today we have read from the Psalm that God, the Lord is our Light.  And we read in our Gospel story how people called Jesus as great light.

  How can God and How can people be like a light?

  A light allows us to see things that we cannot see if we don’t have a light.  A light allows us to see things differently.

  When it is dark in your bedroom sometimes a shadow can look like a big tree or something else?  But when you turn on the light you find out it was just a shadow of the curtain.

   God helps us to see things differently.  God’s light is shared with people.  God’s light was in Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is light because he showed us how to live better lives.  His life was like a light because he taught people and he healed people and he helped people.

   So you have people who are like lights in your life?  When you lose your toys, your mom says, did you look under your bed?  And her words are like a light shining to help you find your toys.  Your parents are like lights for you because they care for you and teach you new things.  Your teachers are like lights for you because they teach you new things.

  Do you know what Jesus said to his friends?  He said, “You are the lights of this world.”  What did he mean by that?

  He meant that we all have to live in a way to show others how to live better lives.  How do we live our lives to be like lights?  By loving and caring for one another and by making friends.  Jesus told his friends who were fishermen that they should fish for people.  What does that mean?  Does it mean we should try to catch people with a net or try to get them to swallow a fish hook?  No.  Jesus liked to speak in riddles; to fish for people was his way of saying, they needed to become very good at making friends.  How do we make friends?  By loving and caring for them, by helping them,

  Today we have learned how our lives can be like a light.  By teaching others.  And we’ve learn how to fish for people.  By learning how to make friends.

  Okay let turn on our lights now.  Let me see you shine.  And lets go fishing.  Let go and make some friends.

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church

17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Family Service with Holy Eucharist

February 10, 2019 The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Gathering Songs: Holy, Holy, Holy; Here I Am Lord; Eat This Bread, I Will Make You Good Fisher Folk

Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Song: Holy, Holy, Holy  (Renew # 204)

1.      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.

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:            And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Litany of Praise: Chant: Alleluia

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

Liturgist: A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:  "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 138

I will give thanks to you O LORD with my whole heart; * before the gods I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name, * because of your love and faithfulness.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

People:            Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen were washing their nets. Jesus got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us 

     by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy.

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Youth Liturgist:          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:                       And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Offertory Hymn: Here I Am, Lord (Renew!, # 149)

1        I, the Lord of seas and sky, I have heard my people cry.  All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.  I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright, Who will bear my light to them?  Whom shall I send?   Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard You calling in the night.  I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold Your people in my heart.

2        I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.  I have wept for love of them.  They turn away.  I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts of love alone.  I will speak my word to them.  Whom shall I send?   Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard You calling in the night.  I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold your people in my heart.

3        I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame, I will set a feast for them.  My hand will save.  Finest bread I will provide till their heart be satisfied.  I will give my life to them.  Whom shall I send?   Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?  I have heard You calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me.  I will hold your people in my heart.

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.

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore, with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

All may gather around the altar

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat

  the bread and drink the wine, we can know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as 

  this food and drink that becomes a part of us.

The Prayer continues with these words

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,

(Children may rejoin their parents and take up their instruments)

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:       Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:           Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion Hymn: Eat This Bread   (Renew! # 228)

            Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and never be hungry.

            Eat this bread, drink this cup, trust in me and you will not thirst.

Post-Communion Prayer

 Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God

    and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     remembering that the blessing in the bread and wine spreads into each time,

place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: I Will Make You Good Fisher Folk (All the Best Songs for Kids, #131)

1.      I will make you good fisher folk, good fisher folk, good fisher folk,

I will make you good fisher folk if you follow me.

If you follow me, if you follow me,

I will make you good fisher folk if you follow me.

2.      Hear Christ calling, “Come unto me, come unto me, come unto me.”

Hear Christ calling, “Come unto me, I will give you rest.

I will give you rest, I will give you rest.”

Hear Christ calling, “Come unto me, I will give you rest.”

Dismissal:  

Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.

People: Thanks be to God!