Sunday Worship Service - January 23, 2022

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

3rd SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY / STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY 1  

January 23, 2022

Theme: “Celebrate our Many Gifts / Give thanks for our Life as Good Stewards” 

The video recording of this service can be found here.
You can also dial-in by phone to listen to the audio recording at 613-820-8104

Gathering Music: Beside Thy Cradle - Violin:Leslie Wade    recorded Sunday Jan 7th, 2018

Beside thy cradle here I stand
O Thou that ever livest
Accept me, 'tis my mind and heart
My soul, my strength, my ev'ry part
That thou from me requirest.

Gerhardt/Luther, translation - Troutbeck,  harmonization - Bach 

Welcome & Announcements         Rev. Kim Vidal

Good day everyone! On behalf of BCUC, I welcome and greet you in the name of Jesus Christ on this 3rd Sunday after Epiphany. Whether you’re at home or elsewhere, we are glad that you have joined us in our worship service today.

• Due to the rising COVID variant cases in Ontario, we will not be offering in-person worship service until further notice. The worship service will be offered online via Youtube and through telephone. Check our website for the link, Sunday school resources and other announcements at bcuc.org.

• While the church building is not open for in-person gatherings, the work of the church carries on. Please continue to reach out by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls, prayers or via online.

• And for those of you who are able to join us, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11:00 am. Check your email for the link.

We are again on our annual stewardship campaign until Feb 6th. Here now is Bill McGee for the..  

Stewardship Moment     Bill McGee, Chair – Stewardship Team

Good Morning. My name is Bill McGee of the Stewardship Committee.  You should have received the Stewardship Material for 2022 by now electronically, or any day now by Canada Post. If you have not, please notify the office.

The package is generally the same as last year. In the package is:

• A colourful brochure describing the work of the church, with photos of the Church and the new Portico.

• There is a message from our acting Board Chair Jordan Berard about the current trends in our church that you will find interesting.  And our staff.

• There a message about the projects of the Property Management people , which I always find interesting.

• There is the budget for 2021 for your reference; the 2022 Budget will be available at the AGM in early March. There is a message from minister Rev Kim Vidal and me and other information.

• As well, the package has a two-page pink form describing the many opportunities for volunteering.

• There is another page that we would like you to return to the Church; one half to indicate your interests in volunteering, and a half-page for you to indicate your financial commitment to the Church for 2022. Instructions are on the reverse.

If you received the Stewardship information electronically, you will need to provide an envelope to return your intentions to the Church, by mailing, or placing in the letter slot by the kitchen. Please mark STEWARDSHIP on the envelope so that we may keep the information confidential as needed.

As background information I have sent you an email individually detailing your present Time and Talent entries in the church database. This will come from my personal email account.

We hope that you will be able to return the completed forms in two weeks, by 6 Feb, as this will allow planning for the virtual AGM 2022 on Sunday March 6.

There is no Committee Fair this year. Instead, we are sending you, electronically, information about the good work of the Service, Outreach and Social Action committee and the other church committees.

Thank you on behalf of the Stewardship team of Bob Boynton, Barb and Bob Noyes, Ron Prince, whose exemplary work has now been relinquished to Larry Ryan, and Rev Kim Vidal. We also express our thanks and appreciation to our ever-helpful Office Administrators, Ruth Timms and Ellen Boynton.

Centering for Worship

Friends, as we as we reflect on our call to stewardship, remember these words from Thomas Merton: “To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything that we receive…. Every breath we draw is a gift of God’s love; every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from God.” Let us gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle      Acolytes: Jan & Norm Pound

(Bill Perry, Gathering, ACE 2018-2019, Year C. Used with Permission)

Light is a wonderful gift.
It illuminates the space we are in.
The action of light we describe in a variety of ways:
light that clarifies;
light that warns us of danger;
light that guides our footsteps;
light that calms our fears;
light that offers insights.
As we gather in worship, we light this Christ candle,
A symbol of God’s presence with us.

Call to Gather    Rev. Lorrie Lowes 

(Catherine Tovell, Gathering, ACE 2018-2019, Year C, Used with permission.)  

Come to worship, each and every one of you.
Come as individuals to be spiritually nourished.
Come as families and neighbours,
friends and acquaintances,
each one an important part of the community of faith.
Come to worship with one another,
with strangers and with all God would send among us.
We come as the body of Christ
rejoicing with each other in our joys
and suffering with one another in our sorrow.
Come, let us worship!

Prayer of Approach

(Jeanne Wilson, Gathering, ACE 2021-2022, Year C. Used with permission.)   

Creator, Timeless, Loving God,
We gather to worship knowing that you are with us.
During this season of Epiphany,
we journey the path that Jesus travelled between
his birth and the start of his ministry.
We come to learn as he learned, with open hearts and minds.
We come to understand our place in your world
as Jesus learned to understand his place in this world.
Give us the courage to take our place
and to travel the path with Jesus. Amen. 

Hymn: I, the Lord of Sea and Sky – Voices United #509 - BCUC Choir, Leslie-violin

1.I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in deepest 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? R

Refrain:
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 for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send? R

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 hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?  R

Words & Music © 1981 Daniel L. Schutte    New Dawn Music      
Song#80670 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Storytime      Rev. Lorrie Lowes

This is the first Sunday of our Stewardship Campaign. I have a feeling that when you heard that, you stopped paying attention because you think it is all about money and it doesn’t have anything to do with you… and, I also have a feeling that this happened with some of the adults in the congregation too because talk about money makes people uncomfortable. Well… I’m not going to talk about money and I’m not going to talk just to the adults. I want you to think about stewardship in a different way.

We actually talk about stewardship a lot in church and in school and even just in our everyday life. It’s not a program, it’s a way of living – of living with gratitude and care for the world around us. Stewardship is the way we take care of the things that are important to us. It doesn’t have to be something big and flashy, in fact, the best kind of stewardship happens in the little things you do every day. Every time you sort your trash into recycle or compost or re-usable items, you are being a good steward of the environment. Each time you help someone, or share a smile or a hug, you are being a good steward of relationships. Stewardship is all about taking care of the blessings and gifts that we have in our lives and sharing those blessings and gifts with others. Stewardship is all about making the world a better place.

Know what? I think the children and youth in our congregation are already practicing good stewardship! Every time the CGs or Bell Canto sing, it makes the congregation smile. It makes the church service better; it makes us feel proud of all of you. That’s stewardship – sharing your gift of music. Every time you take part in lighting the candle or reading scripture, every time you bring a donation for the food bank or help set up tables for the Christmas Fair, each time you help hand out bulletins or greet someone as they arrive at church – all of those things are part of being a good steward in the church – and every time you take what you learned in church about kindness and sharing and loving your neighbour out into the world, you are practising stewardship. And the bonus is that every time you do one of these things, you not only make the world a better place, you feel good too!

So, you might think that we really don’t need a stewardship campaign then, since we are all being good stewards anyway – but this campaign is about showing you more opportunities for sharing your gifts. I was looking through the Time and Talents pages that get sent out at this time of year. It’s more than two pages of things people can do to share their gifts in the church, things that help us be the best we can be at being church – things that don’t mean just giving money. So, when I read through it this week, I was looking for ways that kids, youth, and young adults can help…

Here are some things that children can help with – greeting and handing out bulletins, lighting the Christ Candle, reading scripture, taking part in skits or special presentations, singing in the choir, playing an instrument in the band or offering a solo sometimes, taking part in Sacred Dance, sharing your artwork for the hallway, saying prayers or making cards for people who are sick or sad or lonely, sharing some of the work you do in Sunday School online or in the Main Hall…

And there are other opportunities for our older youth and young adults to take part too: serving communion, helping with the nursery or Sunday School classes, and I know there are some youth and young adults out there that could be a big help with some of the technology involved in creating our online presence – making Powerpoint slides or videos, working on social media, helping with our website, or helping with our audio-visual system.

I also know that young voices are welcome - and needed - in some of the work we do as a church.  For example, the Service, Outreach, and Social Action committee always needs extra hands to help with the work of taking church out into the world, and certainly wants to hear your ideas for other places we could help in the community. Think of the ways children and youth of BCUC have already taken part in this important work: when you brought a donation for the food bank, or helped with the “Fill the Bus” food drive, when you raised awareness and funds by launching the Sleeping Children Around the World project, or took part in a partnership visit to Nicaragua or El Salvador or Zambia. There is certainly a place for young people on our SOSA committee. Don’t just come and ask if the committee will help you with your project – come and be a part of the committee that makes those decisions!

Other committees would value your ideas and your enthusiasm too. Committees like Family Ministry, or Two Men and a Stove, or the committees that plan and organize the Christmas Fair and Garage Sale. Maybe you’d like to help at the Board level by being a youth representative. We need your voices there for sure.

Maybe you are someone who prefers to work with your hands. Setting up tables and chairs and taking them down again is a job that we often ask young folks to do when there is an event – but maybe you are really good at painting or gardening, or cooking or sewing. The Property committee or the UCW would be more than happy to hear from you!

We are surely a blessed bunch of people here at BCUC! God wants us to enjoy those blessings for sure. The Stewardship Campaign is a time to think about the good things we enjoy in our lives and to find ways to share those blessings with others. It’s a time to consider how we can use our time, our talents, and yes, our money, to take care of things that help us grow, to do the things that make us proud and happy, and to make the world a better place for everyone.

Hymn:  Living Christ, Bring Us Love – Voices United #599          CGS/BellCanto/Erin Berard

1 Living Christ, bring us love,
love for every stranger;
Living Christ, bring us love, 
love from cross and manger.

2 Living Christ, bring us joy,
joy of earth and heaven;
Living Christ, bring us joy, 
joy of sin forgiven.

3 Living Christ, bring us peace,
peace with God and neighbour;
Living Christ, bring us peace, 
peace in all our labour.

4 Living Christ, bring us love,
love shared at your table;
Living Christ, bring us love,
love from cross and stable.

5 Living Christ, lead us out,
out to tell the story;
Living Christ, lead us out,
out to show your glory.

Words & Music © Daniel Charles Damon, 1992                  Hope Publishing                       
Song # 76605 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved.

Prayer for Illumination          Reader: Mary Schmieder

God of Epiphany, open our ears to the call of your voice.
Open our eyes to see the wonders of your love.
Bless us as we hear your holy Word in fresh ways. Amen. 

The Gospel Reading:  Luke 4: 14-21 (NRSV)       The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry

14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 

15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 

17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
        to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
    and recovery of sight to the blind,
        to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 

21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

May the Light of Christ dwell where the Word is spoken. Thanks be to God!

Anthem: A Tapestry of Love – Chappell (UCW 50th anniversary song in 2010) in honour of UCW, Ruth and turkey pies!     Grace Notes – recorded Jan 27, 2019

These are the threads of our common lives
These are the threads soft and strong
Joining together women near and far
In a tapestry of love.

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Sermon: “Today, The Word Has Been Fulfilled”    Rev. Kim Vidal

Prayer: Loving God, as we ponder on your Word, help us to hear your call to be good stewards, as we follow the teachings and the example of Jesus. Amen.

There are three timelines that inform our existence: past, present and future, also known as yesterday, today and tomorrow. Eleanor Roosevelt in her prime years of writing once said: “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why we call it the present.” “Today” is one of my favourite words. You see, I have embraced the philosophy of living one day at a time. To seize the day. To make the most of it. To embrace each day as if new opportunities come knocking at my door. And that is truly a gift!

However, the word “today” could also be dangerous and risky. It provokes one to act here and now. It calls for an urgent response to a situation. It pushes one to decide at the moment. If someone tells me to pack my bags today and only today for a free trip to somewhere warm and cozy, will I take the bite? Today? Right now? In this situation? I don’t think I’ll go. Not when Omicron is scaring many people all over the world. Not when the hospitals and health care facilities are over capacity and the number of deaths is soaring. Not when I know I’d be alone in my travel and certainly not when I would risk myself to being possibly exposed to the virus. Not today, thanks.

Currently, the world, in general, is not in a good shape, despite the many blessings that we receive day by day. The COVID pandemic is not the only current issue that’s instilling fear and uncertainty in people’s heart and mind, but also, other global issues that need our urgent attention. There is the ongoing violence and wars in many parts of the world; the ongoing challenges of climate change; the devastating aftermath of natural catastrophes and the social and religious issues confronting many societies. Add to that, the never-ending homelessness and poverty and economic recessions. On a personal level, some of us are confronted with breakdowns in relationships and the alarming cases of grief, illness, anxiety, depression, addiction, and despair. Sometimes we easily fall back into yesterday’s wonderful promises or the same-old way of thinking. There are also times when the fear of what tomorrow might bring blur us from appreciating the blessings that we receive today.

Jesus has a message for us today. Let’s travel down the memory lane of yesterday when right after his baptism and his grueling temptations in the wilderness, Jesus has come home to his hometown in Nazareth, the place where he was raised.  "Small town" hardly begins to describe Nazareth, since the entire village was perhaps about "two to four hundred people," more than enough to fill up a synagogue on a good Sabbath Day. Like one who is looking forward to a wonderful homecoming, Jesus went to synagogue on the Sabbath and was asked to read the scripture.

So there’s Jesus up in the pulpit. The attendant handed him the scroll of Isaiah. Jesus skimmed through the scroll and found what he wanted to read: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of God’s favour.” This is Jesus’ supposed-to-be first sermon and one can only imagine how his family and friends and the whole community might react to him. When he reads Isaiah's words, Jesus places himself inside a tradition that is alive today…that of prophetic ministry and witness. This passage in Isaiah lays the foundation on which communities of justice and peace will be built. The social gospel is born in that moment and millions of people have followed Jesus down the path. When Jesus finished reading, he gave the scroll back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of all in the congregation were fixed on him. Then Jesus gave his one-line sermon: "Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

“Today” is Jesus' first public word - the first word remembered in the synagogue. Today, God’s word is fulfilled. The word “fulfilled” when translated means exactly that, “filled to the full”. It is a word that describes complete accomplishment. This word changes things. Dramatically. Nothing will ever be the same again. Borrowing words from the prophet Isaiah, the Lukan Jesus is setting forth his ministry’s agenda: bring good news to the poor and the downtrodden; to liberate the captives and the slaves; to recover the sight of those who are physically, morally and spiritually blind; to question the oppressive empire and free the oppressed; and to proclaim God's jubilee year-when debts are cancelled and land is returned to its rightful owner.

"Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Debbie Thomas (journeywithjesus.net) interprets this one-line sermon this way: “God’s Word lives, here and now.  It is organic, it breathes, it moves in fresh and revolutionary ways.  The Word of God is neither dull nor dead.  It is alive.” These are earth-shaking, life-changing words. The irony of this story, however, lies in the fact that the very people who need liberation, who need Good News, find Jesus’ words offensive. Jesus reminds them that the time for change, for transformation, for renewal is right now. Right at this very moment! It's no wonder that some people in the synagogue had a hard time listening to what Jesus was saying. His sermon caused a stir among the hearers because to my knowledge, Jesus was saying that what they hoped for did not happen in the past nor is happening in the distant future. Their hope is already in their midst. This word of good news from Isaiah is being fulfilled even as they listen.

Jesus proclaims in his message that today is God's day. God is to be encountered here and now in this real world. God is present in the human mess of intrigues, failure, betrayal, misunderstanding, selfishness and doubts. God is also present in moments of blessings and celebration. God is in the present moment whether it is a moment of joy or of pain. Whether we notice it or not, God is in every event and happenings in our lives. That is what makes this one-liner sermon of Jesus so powerful.

Sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the things we think we already know, and the hometown crowd didn’t appreciate the one-line sermon Jesus offered. Did his sermon scare the folks in Nazareth? Did they afflict them of bringing good news to the poor, the oppressed, the captive, the blind and those who need God’s year of jubilee? Truly, Jesus’ sermon is an invitation to change and transformation. It disturbs the status quo. It challenges the existing culture and tradition; it changes neighborhoods, workplaces, the most cherished institutions, and how an individual or a community will make decisions. Surely, it is difficult to hear an inconvenient truth without getting defensive and angry.

But if the words from the prophet Isaiah were the clarion call for Jesus, a summary of his mission statement, his plan of action, as Jesus’ followers, we need to follow Jesus’ leading. What is the good news for us today? Is there good news for those who are affected by this ongoing pandemic? Is there good news for the homeless, the poor, the unemployed?  Is there good news for the world where people are struggling to make ends meet? Is there any good news for the most vulnerable in our society? The children, the women, the elderly, the homeless?  Is there good news for the displaced, the uprooted, the marginalized? Is there good news for the world today? Diana Butler Bass challenges me in her sermon:[1] “Today is a deeply dangerous spiritual reality – because today insists that we lay aside both our memories and our dreams to embrace fully the moment of now.  The past romanticizes the work of our ancestors; the future scans the horizons of our descendants and depends upon them to fix everything.  But today places us in the midst of the sacred drama, reminding us that we are actors and agents in God’s desire for the world.”

Friends, we are God’s actors and agents in transforming the world! Starting today and in the next two weeks, our faith community at BCUC, is embarking on an annual stewardship campaign. Are we ready to pledge our time, talents and treasures? Are we prepared to be co-creators and stewards of God? We do not know what the outcome of this campaign would be. We looked at the past years’ results and we cannot help but compare that those pre-pandemic years gave us better results. We do not know where this campaign will lead us, but I truly believe that today and each day, God makes all things possible! I truly believe that the ministry of this congregation, our vision and mission statements, promise a new way of being in the community. The time to take Jesus’ challenge seriously is here and now. The time to commit to action is today. Let us not dwell what happened yesterday. Let us not simply wait for tomorrow to come. Let us do what we should need to do in the name of love and justice TODAY. Hand in hand together, God will be with us. Let me close with these words by an unknown author:

There are two days in every week
about which we should not worry,
Two days which should be kept free of fear and apprehension. 

One of these days is YESTERDAY,
With its mistakes and cares,
Its faults and blunders,
Its aches and pains.
YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond our control.  

All the money in the world cannot bring back YESTERDAY.
We cannot undo a single act we performed;
We cannot erase a single word we said.
YESTERDAY is gone. 

The other day we should not worry about is TOMORROW
With its possible adversities, its burdens, its larger promise.
TOMORROW is also beyond our immediate control.  

TOMORROW, the sun will rise,
Either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds,
But it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in TOMORROW
For it is as yet unborn.  

This leaves only one day – TODAY.
Anyone can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two eternities
– YESTERDAY and TOMORROW –That we sometimes break down.  

It is not the experience of TODAY that drives people mad.
It is remorse or bitterness for something which happened YESTERDAY
And the dread of what TOMORROW may bring. 

Let us, therefore, live but ONE day at a time.

Today, God’s word has been fulfilled in our hearing!
For this good news, let us give thanks. Amen. 

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer       Rev. Kim Vidal

Holy One, source of love and compassion, you call us today as your followers. You call us to be good stewards entrusted with gifts of your abundance so we can share these gifts with others. You have given us the ability to make incredible things happen. Remind us again to listen to your call, to experience your holy presence in our lives. Help us to see You in the moment-by-moment possibilities - to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak from the wisdom of our hearts.

Strengthen us in our calling. Where there is injustice, help us to offer healing and reconciliation. Where there is poverty, help us to reach out. Where there is grief, help us to give comfort. Where there is hopelessness, help us to bring hope. Where there is hunger, help us to provide. Where there is violence, help us to be advocates of truth and peace.

God of healing and comfort, you have called us to give a word of encouragement to those overcome with illness and grief and to those who face diverse trials in life. Through us, touch them with your healing love. Through our prayers, embrace them in your gentle love. We continue to pray for our essential and health workers, for our leaders, as they continue to work hard in this pandemic time. We also pray for those families and individuals affected by COVID and other health issues. We pray for those grieving the death of loved ones here and elsewhere.

Compassionate God, we pray that you might speak to the hearts of your people in many places. We continue to pray for the world… May your light shine for those who are full of fear; for those who experience conflict, prejudice, hatred, persecution, and poverty. Through the warmth of your light may they sense justice, feel your love, and know peace.

May we follow Jesus as our leader.  Speak to us, Spirit of Grace: of that hope which is our anchor; of that peace which is our rock; of that grace which is our refuge. Remind us to touch the lives of others by offering a kind word, a helping hand, a listening heart and a welcoming touch today and always. All these we ask in Jesus’ name who calls us from where we are and taught us this prayer we now recite together in the language of your choice…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kin-dom, the power and the glory, Forever and ever, Amen. 

Invitation to Offer         Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Jesus calls us from the margins into a great feast; he calls us out of a crowd, to healing;

he calls us from our old self to new life. Each day, we are called to minister to others in warm hospitality, healing mercies, and the promise of new beginnings. We respond to these calls through our giving this day. I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings.  If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer

Generous God, for the gifts of time, talents and treasures delightfully given to us, we bring you our offering. May we use them to spread your love and hope for the world. Amen.  

Sending Forth  Rev. Kim Vidal

(Beth W Johnston, Gathering, ACE 2018-2019, Year C. Used with permission)

Today, let us go from this place of worship
to lives of prayer and action.
May we be ready to proclaim the Good News,
despite the obstacles in our way.
May our lives set free those who are captive
and grant vision to those with failing imaginations.
May we stand firm and have courage
as we live the Good News into reality
Today, tomorrow and always. Amen.

Hymn: Who is My Mother?  More Voices #178    Kim - guitar, Erin – flute, Abe

1 Who is my mother, who is my brother?
All those who gather round Jesus Christ:
Spirit blown people born from the Gospel
sit at the table, round Jesus Christ. 

2 Differently abled, differently labelled,
widen the circle round Jesus Christ:
crutches and stigmas, culture’s enigmas,
all come together round Jesus Christ. 

3 Love will relate us, colour or status
can’t segregate us round Jesus Christ:
family failings, human derailings
all are accepted round Jesus Christ. 

4 Bound by one vision, met for one mission
we claim each other, round Jesus Christ:
here is my mother, here is my brother,
kindred in Spirit, through Jesus Christ.

Words © 1992 Shirley Erena Murray, Hope Pub; Music © 2002 Ron Klusmeier, musiklus         
Song # 49045 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Departing Music: What a Friend We Have in Jesus – Converse arr. Hyzer     Abe:piano

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

(over announcements)

Join us for Zoom Fellowship at 11:00 am

[1] Diana Butler-Bass sermon on January 24, 2016, “the Power of Today.

Sunday school activities - January 23, 2022

Theme Discussion

In our church service today, we began our annual Stewardship Campaign. This is a time when we find ways to thank God for all the blessings in our lives by giving back a portion of those blessings to God by being a blessing to others.

When you look around the congregation at BCUC, it’s pretty obvious that we have a lot of blessings! Everyone has a place to live, food to eat, and proper clothes for the weather. The children are all able to go to school and it is safe to play in our neighbourhoods. We know that this is not all the same for many people in the world. It’s not even the same for many people right here in Ottawa. So, as a faith community, we are asked to share some of the wonderful things we have to make others’ lives better.

God wants us to enjoy the blessings we have. We aren’t asked to give everything away, just to share a bit with others. Sometimes that thing we share is money, sometimes it’s time, and other times it might be our skills or talents. Taking care of the world and the people around us is part of loving creation and of loving our neighbour. To offer this kind of care takes all three things – time, talents, and treasures. During our Stewardship campaign we look at the blessings or gifts we have been given and we think about ways we can use those things to make the world a better place.

Have you ever thought about how you can make the world better by sharing your time? You might do this by helping with some chores around the house to save Mom and Dad some time for themselves… or by entertaining your little brother or sister by playing a game with them or reading a story. What are some ways you can use your time this week to help others?

What about sharing your talents? Think about the things you are good at. If you are good at drawing, you might make a card for someone who needs cheering up; if music is your talent, maybe you could sing in a choir or play your instrument for someone; if you are great at organizing, maybe you can help sort the laundry or tidy a cupboard… Think about the talents you have. How can you use them to make the world a little better?

Of course, the other thing we can share is our treasures. This might mean sharing some of your things or it can mean sharing your money. You might get an allowance, maybe you get paid for doing a job for someone, or maybe your grandparents send you money for your birthday. Remember, God doesn’t expect you to give it all away (and your grandparents want you to enjoy the gift too)! But what if you just put aside a little bit of the money you receive to donate to the church or to a special cause? What treasures do you have that you can share? Where can you share them that will make the world a little better for someone?

Sharing is caring – and that’s good stewardship!

Response Activity Ideas

My Helping Hand

Trace your hand on a piece of white paper and cut it out.  On each finger, write a helpful way you could use your hands in stewardship.  Colour and draw designs or images representing the ideas on each finger. “Helping Hands” or something similar could be written in the palm. Fill the rest of the hand in with images and words that represent your gifts and talents, and other ways you can contribute to God’s world.

Church of Many Talents

Make an envelope church and fill it with helpful craft stick people.

Materials: paper, envelope, craft sticks, colouring tools (optional: googly eyes, fabric pieces)

Use markers to colour five (or more!) sticks to look like people, adding googly eyes, and/or fabric ‘clothing’ if desired. On the back, label each stick with a strength, talent or gift of people who help do the work of our church (speaking, singing, baking, teaching, tech. support, cleaning, organizing, website designing, praying, etc.) Be sure to include a person representing YOU, labelled with your gifts to share!

Glue an envelope onto a piece of paper with the triangular flap pasted upward, and the pocket still accessible.  This is the “church”. Add a cross at the peak of the church roof and decorate. Insert the craft stick people and write a caption, such as, “It takes many talents to make a church.” Tuck your people into the church!

BCUC Time and Talents

Check out this year’s Time and Talent form (PDF). In this week’s Storytime part of the service, Rev. Lorrie made some suggestions of things on this list that would be perfect for people your age to get involved with!  Have a look on the list and see if there is something there that you could do to contribute.  Maybe you have another idea no one has thought of yet?! Write down what you want to do or circle the ideas on the form.  Encourage your family to return the form indicating your interest in participating.  Next – make a plan to follow through with your great ideas!

Sunday Worship Service - January 16, 2022

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

Second Sunday after Epiphany

January 16, 2022

The video recording of this service can be found here.
You can also dial-in by phone to listen to the audio recording at 613-820-8104

Gathering Music: Rise Up Early in the Morning – John Ray & Susan Naylor Callaway

Sung by BCUC choir – Sunday Jan 24th 2016

Song # 1001411 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Welcome & Announcements      Rev. Kim Vidal

Good day everyone! On behalf of BCUC, I welcome and greet you on this 2nd Sunday after Epiphany. Today, we join Jesus in the gospel of John as he attends a wedding party at Cana, recalling the symbolic story of how Jesus turns water into wine. Whether you’re at home or elsewhere, we are glad that you have joined us today.

Due to the rising COVID variant cases in Ontario, we will not be offering in-person worship service until further notice. The worship service will be offered online via Youtube and by telephone. Check bcuc.org for the link, Sunday school resources and other announcements.

While the church building is not open for in-person gatherings, the work of the church carries on. Please continue to reach out by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls, prayers or via online.

And for those of you who are able to join us, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11:00 am. Check your email for the link.

Friends, let us take this moment to reflect what running out of the symbolic turning of water into wine means for us in this season of Epiphany.

Come, let us worship God in spirit and in truth.

Lighting of the Christ Candle     Acolytes: Ellen & Bob Boynton

We are called together in a spirit of gladness,
for the presence of God within and among us
lifts the shadows of gloom and offers us hope.
The light of Christ shines on! 

Call to Gather       Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Come, feast in the abundance of God’s house!
Here, God invites us to drink from a fountain of life!
Here, we encounter the wedding feast in Cana,
when Jesus turns water into wine.
Here, God empowers us to find and share our own best gifts,
transforming our lives into newness.
Come, let us worship God who celebrates life with us! 

Prayer of Approach

(Richard Einerson, and posted at http://www.richardeinerson.com/)

Empower us as we worship here and then enable us to impact the world for Jesus. Change the stagnant water of our lives to wine and touch us as you touched those people in Cana. Give us the vision to shape a new world where self-interest is tempered and corrected by love and compassion and a hunger for justice. Give to us the gift of being filled with new wine and new vision. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Hymn: Many Are the Lightbeams -Voices United #588 CGS/Bell Canto Erin:flute May 2021

2. Many are the branches of the one tree.
Our one tree is Jesus.
Many are the branches of the one tree;
We are one in Christ.

3. Many are the gifts given, love is all one.
Love’s the gift of Jesus.
Many are the gifts given, love is all one;
We are one in Christ.

4. Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one,
Servant spirit of Jesus.
Many ways to serve God, the Spirit is one;
We are one in Christ.

5. Many are the members, the body is one,
Members all of Jesus.
Many are the members, the body is one;
We are one in Christ.

Words: Cyprian of Carthage, 252, Swedish para., Anders Frostenson, 1972. English trans. © David Lewis, 1983; Music © Olle Widestrand, 1974, arr. by Leonard Lythgoe , 1995.
Song # 01706 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime     Rev. Lorrie Lowes

I miss parties! Do you? So many celebrations have had to be cancelled because of this pandemic -birthday parties, graduation parties, Hallowe’en parties, Christmas parties… I know that people have found ways to celebrate anyway, but it’s just not the same somehow. Nothing beats getting a whole lot of happy people together to share the fun – and the food! Parties are an important part of our culture – and I miss them.

In our Bible story today, Jesus, his mother, and his disciples are at a party. It’s a celebration of a wedding. In Jesus’ time, a wedding reception was a huge celebration. It didn’t last just a few hours; it went on for several days! It was one of the biggest reasons to celebrate and a very important part of the culture. Just imagine it! It would take a lot of planning – and a lot of food and drink! Well, at this particular wedding, something went wrong. They ran out of wine! Now, this might not seem like a big world problem but it would have been terrible for the hosts of the party.! They would be very embarrassed. It would have ruined the party.

I wonder what might be like that for us today… maybe if you had a birthday party and there wasn’t enough cake for everybody… or maybe there weren’t enough loot bags… That might kind of ruin the party feeling. It might not be life-changing in the long run – but it would have been a catastrophe at that moment in time.

Running out of wine that day was such a catastrophe that Jesus’ mother tells him, “You’ve got to do something to fix this!” At first, he says, “Not my problem, Mom. Why should I worry about this? This isn’t the time for me to do something.”

But Mary doesn’t believe that her son won’t do something to help. She has confidence in him and she is sure that he will step up. She tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. And Jesus does come to the rescue after all. He tells the servants to fill some jugs with water, and when they do, it has turned into wine. The party is saved!

It sounds a bit like a magic trick, doesn’t it? But, I think there is something more that we are supposed to learn from this story – something more than seeing Jesus as a magician.

Just like us, living through a pandemic, I think the people of Jesus’ time were tired. They were poor, they were being governed by a cruel emperor. Their spirits were low – and, even something as happy as a wedding was about to be ruined. The party would end with everyone feeling even worse than before.

We are tired. We want this Covid virus to disappear. We want to be able to hug our friends and go to school or church. We want to have a real party. We want someone like Jesus to do the magic or perform a miracle to make the world safe and happy again.

In this story, Jesus didn’t fix the world. He didn’t make the people rich. He didn’t fight the emperor. He took something as ordinary as water and used it to lift the people’s spirits – to make them happy, and less worried. He didn’t fix the world that day, he helped make this group of people happy and comfortable for a little while longer.

Mary told the servants to do what Jesus told them to do. I think that’s an important line for us to remember about this story. When the servants did what Jesus said, the wedding celebration was saved.

What if we do what Jesus told us to do? What if we showed love to our neighbour and shared our gifts and took care of our own little part of the world? Do you think it could make that small part of the world a little happier? What if everybody did some small thing to make the people around them happier?

This was Jesus’ first miracle – something small and just important to the people at that wedding. As he goes on in his ministry, he heals the sick and feeds the thousands. He takes care of the people he meets, even when they aren’t his friends or family. This little miracle of turning ordinary water into wine was just the beginning of what can happen once we start trying to make a difference for the people right in front of us, in the place where we are right now.

What little miracle can you do today to make your small part of the world a better place? I wonder what miracles you will go on to do in your life…

Let’s finish with a prayer:

God of miracles,

Thank you for all the little miracles that happen around us every day, and for the people who make them happen – front-line workers, delivery people, friends who call or send us letters, teachers who keep us connected to our friends and our learning, families who love us and keep us safe in these strange times.

Help us see that even things that seem ordinary can make a huge difference for the people around us. Help us see that we can be miracle workers in our own small way.

Amen.

Hymn:  You Are Holy -   More Voices #45   TeGrotenhuis family  Jan 2021

1.You are holy… you show us the way. (4X)

Refrain:
You show us, you show us, you show us the way. (4X) 

2.You are freedom…

3.You are justice…

Words and Music: © traditional song, South Africa
Song reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination         Reader: Dan Lanoue

God of abundant joy and overflowing grace, open us to your Word.
Open us to trust in your spirit’s presence and to follow Jesus’ leading to amazing renewal. Amen.

The Gospel Reading: John 2: 1-11 (NRSV)   The Wedding at Cana

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.

May God’s wisdom dwell where the word is spoken. Thanks be to God!

Music Interlude: Trumpet Tune – Purcell  organ: Abe  - May 2021

Sermon: “When the Wine Runs Out”        Rev. Kim Vidal

Prayer: God of abundant joy and overflowing love, open our hearts to reflect on your words and empower us to follow Jesus’ leading. Amen

Wedding mishaps! They happen from time to time! Here are some wedding mishaps that I have experienced in my years of ministry!

• The bride was late for almost 30 minutes, during which time, the groom got nauseous and turned pale. The reason for the delay, the bride’s car had a flat tire coming to church.

• The groom and best man got to the church on time, but they forgot to bring the ring.

• A wedding ceremony was performed outdoors – under a canopy tent in the middle of a farm. As the bride and groom were exchanging their vows, the sky turned dark and heavy rains came pouring down and got us all wet. We have to run to the groom’s house with mud all over our shoes and clothes!

In today’s Gospel story, we meet Jesus and his mother, whom John did not name, but we all know it was Mary, at a wedding party in Cana and a mishap took place. In those days, weddings are celebrated through a 7-day feast at the groom’s house. Imagine that!  John did not tell us who the host was or the two people getting married. We do not have a clue – but one can assume that it might be a "family affair" or a wedding in the village where Mary, Jesus and his disciples were invited. Mary is the one who notices that the wine has run out and tells Jesus to do something about it. You can almost feel the frustration and panic in her voice: “They have no wine!” Mary knew that the party is heading towards disaster because the wine is almost gone before the party is over. In those days, they regarded running out of wine as a social failure. It was shameful to run out of wine, especially at a wedding; and it could cause family pain and humiliation in the community - a crisis for the host family who is responsible for hospitality. Even the best laid planned and most favourable of human situations can sometimes turn sideways. I hear fear and panic in Mary's voice. “They have no wine!” With those words, Mary speaks a truth about our human condition that at some point we all experience. There comes a time in our lives when the wine runs out. When emptiness and barrenness kick in. The joyful party is over and our life is back to square one with no vitality whatsoever. Nothing seems to be sparkling within us and our world becomes bland and mundane. Like Mary, sometimes we hear concerns too, that we carry deep within ourselves familiar to many of us: “We are in a shortfall. We don’t have enough.  Not safe enough. Not patient enough. Not loving enough. Not good enough.” But Jesus responds, as he always does, with a positive, radical abundance.

Jesus has an odd response to Mary: “Woman, what is your business in putting your nose into this? My time has not yet come”. For some of us listening to Jesus’ way of addressing Mary as Woman might sound disrespectful.  When we call our mothers, we use endearing words like Mom, Mommy, Mamang, Eomma or Mama. Sometimes when we are annoyed at our mothers, we sometimes call them “Mother” or worse, their first and last name. Was Jesus really disrespectful or was it a translation issue? Most NT scholars agree that the word for woman used in this context in the original Greek is in the vocative case. Woman in the first century world is used as a title of respect or endearment, which is similar to “Madam” or “Lady,” than the word “woman” as we presently use it.

I interpret Jesus’ response to Mary like this: “Lady Mary, my call to show some signs has not yet began– please let me enjoy this party first. Don’t spoil the fun! It is neither my business nor yours to meddle in the host’s affair.”  Jesus’ response also reminds us that Jesus is more than the son of Mary - that Jesus had a ministry entrusted to him by God to attend to and it will come in God’s perfect time.  But Mary did not back down – she completely ignored Jesus’ response. It was not recorded in John but I can fully hear Mary’s voice of authority as she addressed the servants: “Do whatever he tells you! Pronto!” If I was to write a script of this conversation, I could picture Jesus as being left standing where he was, scratching his head but with a smile on his face for he knows how feisty his mother could be. And feisty mothers must never be crossed or else you’ll suffer the consequence of your actions. :)

Jesus concedes to Mary’s demand, according to John, and performed his first known miracle by turning six jars of water that are used for the ritual of purification into the finest of fine wines - better than the choice wine they had served before. Water for purification at the wedding celebration or any Jewish gathering was both a practical and a symbolic reminder of the purity system that is very much part of the Jewish tradition. The best wine is now served to keep the party last for seven days or more. The servants were amazed, the chief steward was dumbfounded and his disciples gave two-thumbs up for their leader.

For modern hearers and readers like us, we find this gospel story, this miracle, a mysterious one. Why? Because most of us still interpret this story in its literal sense. That Jesus with his magic wand literally turned the water into wine. I even read a joke on facebook when someone posted: “Hey, I’m having a party this weekend, can you tell me how Jesus turned water into wine? I need at least 60 bottles of wine!” What if we move away from its literal interpretation to something symbolic, allegorical or metaphorical? What if the gospel writer John saw something about Jesus that would make the party celebratory and life-giving? To make the party going? That the party itself is about life and the human condition? That sometimes our wine of hope, of peace, of justice or of joy depletes from time to time causing us to fear the unknown and leaving us with a sense of emptiness, isolation or breakdown? What if John had every intention of portraying Jesus as God’s sign of abundance for all and uses this story to symbolize John’s intent? What if John is calling us to focus on Jesus himself as the bringer of abundance and not on the miracle that is being laid out in the story?

Interpreting the story this way gives us a lot of possibilities. It could mean that Jesus turning the water of purification into the finest wine signifies the defeat of the old religious system, of the old self, of the old world of oppression, of exclusion, of poverty, of hopelessness, of emptiness, of injustice, of lack. Now, instead of jars of water, symbolic of an oppressive, unwelcoming system, the jars of water become the jars of new wine. The good wine represents the in-breaking of God’s abundance - of a new order, of a new way of living together in community, a new way in revealing God’s grace and love to places and people in need of healing, inclusion and a hearty welcome. John to my knowledge is presenting Jesus as our new wine. This wine is an epiphany, the revelation of God's presence in the person of Jesus. The wedding guests tasted the difference; through Jesus, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. The wedding feast is symbolic of life in community. Scarcity and lack and the old order failed and the gift of abundance and inclusion paved its way to a joyous feast. How is that for a happy ending of the story?

In the next three consecutive Sundays starting Jan 23rd, we are again launching our annual stewardship campaign. Within the financial target lie our commitment to faithfully serve the community, to achieve our vision for the church of Jesus Christ in this time and place, and our desire to be present in the world as God’s agents of love and transformation. It sounds like a lot, and it is; but our financial giving is only but one reflection of our hopes and beliefs in the creation of the community of the faithful. We are also encouraged to pledge our time, our talents, our presence and our resources to our vision of hope. No amount given is too outrageous, for surely our vision for a better community is made possible by our faith in God who lavishly gives and blesses us in return.

Dear friends, the Wedding at Cana holds before us some serious questions and wonderings. Where has the wine of our life run out? What relationships have run dry? What parts of us remain empty and hopeless? The Wedding at Cana embodies the nature of God’s radical abundance through whom all things are possible. The power of this story is God’s power of love in action through Jesus Christ. The abundance of the flowing, fine wine is the fullness of wisdom and grace which Jesus offers to all of us. The ordinary becomes extraordinary; the water becomes the wine of healing; this wine binds people together in new and exciting ways. It is about the birth of a new community. Biblical scholar Paul Meyer says it beautifully, "The Cana story is not primarily about a humble Galilean village wedding, but about the Bringer of divine gifts, Jesus Christ himself.” (Gaventa, 1995).

Let this be the story of our congregation in 2022. And then our questions will change--from the concern of "will we have enough wine to sustain us?" to a new radical one: "How shall we live this new wine offered by Jesus?  how shall we live a life of radical abundance, where there is more than enough wine of welcome and grace for all to partake? Friends, please be reminded that the miracle of transformation always begins when the wine runs out.

Let me close with a prayer written by Bruce Sanguin, in his book, If Darwin Prayed:

“… And from Jesus’ heart there flows an unexpected abundance. It spills over into our own, and by the grace of Spirit, through our own extravagant offerings of love, we become living hints in a hurting world that at this wedding of hope and possibility, the dancing has just begun.” Thanks be to God. Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer     Rev. Lorrie Lowes

(Written by Ted Dodd for DUCC and DOTAC)

Incarnate One,
the wine has given out,
and the jars are empty.
We live in a time of
persistent pivoting and stretched health care,
amassing troops and blockaded aid,
environmental gloom and heavy rains,
“Me Too” and murder trials.
Please, dear Jesus, do not say to us
that your hour has not come,
that all of this is of no concern to you.
We do not need divine reluctance.
The world and your people are
weary and worn-out,
tired and tempted,
sad and sorrowful.
We do not presume that you are
a Galilean magician,
a miracle ATM,
or an ancient present-bearing Santa,
but please, dear Jesus,
fill us to the brim,
turn water into wine.
We need
to remember the extravagant abundance of creation,
to celebrate the outstanding blessing of life,
to rejoice with gratitude for the gifts you offer us.
We hope that your astonishing divine generosity will turn,
war into peace,
inequality into respect,
cruelty into compassion,
despair into justice.
Give us a sign.
Reveal your glory.
Help us to keep the party going.
Let’s have the feast be joy.
May the banquet be welcome and hospitality. 

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever, Amen.

Invitation to Offer          Rev. Kim Vidal

There are many signs we claim for our faith but ultimately it is our active love that reveals who we are, just like Jesus who revealed his abundant love for us in the Wedding at Cana. I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings.  If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the mailbox by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer

Source of Love, for the talents and gifts abundantly given to us, we bring you our offering. May we use them to spread your love and hope for the world. Amen.

Sending Forth       Rev. Kim Vidal

(Beth Johnson, Gathering, ACE 2021-2022, Year C. Used with permission.)

Just as Jesus’ presence at the wedding banquet changed water into wine,
so too, Jesus’ presence in our lives can change something ordinary
into something joy-filled and celebratory.
Let us go forth in faith-filled, joyous celebration. Amen.

Hymn: Will You Come and Follow Me? – Voices United #567   TeGrotenhuis family

1.Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

2.Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

3.Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

4.Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

5.Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Words: © 1987 John Bell, Music Scottish traditional
Song # 87129  Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Departing Music: (Over Announcements)

Entrance of the Queen of Sheba – Handel   (full version) organ/piano/strings:Abe - May 2021

Join us for Zoom Fellowship at 11:00 am

Sunday school activities - January 16, 2022

This week’s Bible Story is about the wedding at Cana. You can watch it here:

At this wedding, Jesus turned water into wine. This seems like a strange thing for Jesus to do, doesn’t it? He didn’t heal a sick person or make a blind man see. He didn’t feed thousands of people with just a few loaves and fishes. He just made sure that a party could continue and that no one would be embarrassed or upset.

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a very important thing at all. In fact, when his mother asks him to do something about the fact that the wine had run out, he tells her that he really doesn’t see it as his problem. No big deal.

But it was a big deal to the people he was with right at that moment. It was a huge problem for the people who were hosting the party. They would have been very embarrassed and it might have ruined their reputation. It would have ended the celebration and that might seem that they really weren’t happy about the marriage.

So, Jesus takes this opportunity to make a difference to the people right there in front of him. He didn’t save the world from all its problems, but he did make life happier for those people on that particular day. It was a small miracle, but one that was important at that moment.

Do you sometimes wish you had the power to change the world? What would you want to do to make it a better place? Maybe you’d like to stop all wars, or make sure everyone has clean water to drink. What other ideas do you have?

Maybe, we can’t do something big like that, but maybe we can be like Jesus in this story and do something we can, something that will make our own small world a better place right now. I remember things that happened at the beginning of the pandemic, when children drew rainbows and put them in their windows, or when everyone went outside and clapped when nurses and doctors were heading home after a hard day taking care of people – small things that made a huge difference to people who were anxious and tired.

What are some things that you can do to make the world around you better today?

• For you family

• For your classmates

• For your pets

• …

Response Activity Ideas

Spot the Difference

Visit this link https://cartoonchurch.com/content/cc/the-wedding-at-cana-spot-the-difference/ to view and print a Spot-the-difference challenge of the Wedding at Cana. Colour one of the images and retell the story once you’ve found all 20 differences!

Random Acts of Kindness Bingo

(From kindness.org)

How many kind acts can you do? Fill up your bingo board by doing as many kind acts as possible. Once you’ve done a kind act, put a checkmark or X over it. Compete against family members, friends, or challenge yourself!

Click to print PDF

Spread Kindness Poster

Find a quote about spreading kindness and make an illustrated poster of the phrase to post up in your home, neighbourhood, or to share on social media.

Here are some ideas:

• “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” - Dr. Seuss

• “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

• “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” - Dalai Lama

• “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.” - Jesse Jackson

• “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.” - Dolly Parton

Sunday Worship Services - January 9, 2022

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

BAPTISM OF JESUS SUNDAY

January 9, 2022

The video recording of this service can be found here.
You can also dial-in by phone to listen to the audio recording at 613-820-8104 

Gathering: More Voices 128: When They Saw That Jesus was Coming - selected verses BCUC Choir – recorded Sunday Jan 15, 2017

1.  When they heard that Jesus was coming,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
All the people went out to meet him.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one! 

Refrain   Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
sing hosanna to the chosen one! 

3.  Blest is he, like David before him…
Blest is he, God’s blessing upon him… Ref 

5.  Word of God, and first-born of people,…
Promise kept, the crown of creation… 

7.  Wondrous bread, and stream in the desert,…
Holy thirst, and God’s living water… 

9.  Rising sun, the light of the world,…
Word of life, who give us your Spirit…

Words & Music © 1999 Rory Cooney GIA Pub.
Song # 00462 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Acknowledgement of Territory         Rev. Lorrie Lowes

As we begin our worship today, we remember that in this congregation, we live and work on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin and Anishinaabe Peoples. We give thanks for their stewardship of the land and the water, the plants and the animals, through many generations. We also acknowledge their story, and our place in it, with sorrow. As we continue to live on this land with respect for it and for its people, may we commit to working toward truth, justice and reconciliation. All my relations.

Welcome & Announcements           Rev. Kim Vidal

Good day everyone! Happy New Year! On behalf of BCUC, I welcome and greet you on this Baptism of Jesus Sunday as we remember Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan River. Today, we are also reminded of the vows that we have professed at our baptism. Whether you’re at home or elsewhere, we are glad that you have joined us today.

Due to the rising COVID variant cases in Ontario, we will not be offering in-person worship service until further notice. The worship service will be offered online via Youtube and through telephone. Check our website for the link and other announcements at bcuc.org.

While the church building is not open for in-person gatherings, the work of the church carries on. Please continue to reach out by connecting with each other through emails, phone calls, prayers or via online.

And for those of you who are able to join us, there will be zoom fellowship every Sunday at 11am. Check your email for the link.

Friends, as we welcome a New Year in our midst, let us take a moment to reflect and remember what the season of Epiphany means for us: to make way for God’s light to shine in our lives. Let us now gather in worship.

Lighting of the Christ Candle      Acolytes: Sue & Rick Morrison

We light this Christ Candle to remember that day when Jesus was baptized by John at the Jordan River. This light invites us to listen to God’s voice calling us God’s beloved. This light urges us to follow Jesus’ way of love and justice. This light calls us to be immersed in the Holy Spirit’s power so we may offer the light of Christ as hope and peace for the world.

Call to Gather       Rev. Lorrie Lowes

(Inspired by the words of Rt. Rev. Richard Bott, The Gathering ACE 2012-2013, Year C. Used with permission.)

Water… to quench our thirst.
Water… to cleanse our bodies. 
Water… to refresh our souls.
Water… to remind us of new life!
Come, come and see Jesus being baptized,
who offers us the water of life,
the spring that will never run dry,
the one who quenches our thirst,
and invites us to be who we can even imagine!
Come to the water.
Come to remember.
Come to relive.
Come to worship God. Alleluia! 

Prayer of Approach

(Kate Crawford, The Gathering ACE 2012-2013, Year C. Used with permission.)

Just as Jesus went down under the water to be baptized,
so may we immerse ourselves in worship and praise.
Just as Jesus did this to fulfill all righteousness,
so may we seek to be righteous all our days.
Just as the Spirit descended on Jesus as a dove,
may we know the blessing of the Spirit’s presence
settling gently on us now and making our intentions holy. Amen. 

Hymn:    River – More Voices #3    BCUC Music team 2020 (updated with Angela)

1 River, rush-a-down to the ocean blue,
River from a mountain high.
River, as you do what rivers do,
River, draw the Spirit nigh. 

2 Spirit, come-a-down to the river-side,
Spirit, spark of wondrous thought.
Spirit, I am free for you to guide,
Spirit, pray that I be taught! 

3 Water, let me drink of your healing pow’r,
Water, strength and life you give.
Water, as I travel with each hour,
Water, help my body live. 

4 River, flow-a-down where you ran before,
River, source of clearer view.
River, as I walk your rocky shore,
River, see my journey through.
See my journey through…

Words & Music © 2003 Julian Pattison
Song # 118178 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved 

Storytime     Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Even though it is only a short time since Christmas, when we celebrated the birth of Jesus, today we are skipping way ahead to when he was baptised. If you grow up in the United Church, it’s very likely that you are baptized when you were just a baby or a small child, but that wasn’t the case for Jesus. He was baptized when he was all grown up, an adult. It didn’t happen in a church or a synagogue, it happened in a river, the River Jordan, a very important waterway for the people of that time and place. In our church, water is an important part of baptism too. It is poured into the font and then sprinkled on the head of the person being baptized. For Jesus, it was very different. He was dunked right under the water in the river!

Your baptism and Jesus’ baptism seem very different, but there is one very important thing that makes it just the same – and that thing is love.

In our Bible story today, we will hear that, when Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened up, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and a voice said, “You are my son, the beloved.”

Doesn’t that sound amazing! To be the son of God?! Well, guess what, you are also a child of God – and so am I and so are all the people in our church – and all the people in the world! Everyone, everywhere is part of God’s family. God loves each and every one of us.

Now, when someone is baptized here at BCUC, we don’t usually see a dove descend, and we don’t hear a voice from heaven – but that Holy Spirit and that love is definitely there. Everyone present expresses that love. It’s especially noticeable when a baby is being baptized – so many smiles on faces and “oohs” and “ahhs” as the baby is paraded around the sanctuary. Have you noticed that it’s not just the baby or the person and their immediate family that takes part in the baptism? The whole congregation stands up and makes vows – promises – to support, to care, and to love that person. That’s because they are now a part of our faith family, our Bells Corners United Church branch of God’s family. We aren’t just saying, “You are welcome here.” We say that to everyone who comes through our doors, of course. At baptism, we are saying, “Welcome home!”

Being dunked in a river might seem like a more exciting way to be baptized than what we do here. In our stories about John the Baptist, we heard that he shouted at the people to repent – to turn themselves around and live a better life. Being dunked in the river was like being washed clean, ready to start over as a new person.  But I like our sacrament of baptism too, where babies are held gently and blessed with warm water. It reminds me of welcoming my babies when they were born, with a warm bath and lots of love. To me, it says, “I love you, just the way you are, and I’m here to help you grow to be the best person you can be.”

You don’t have to be baptized to receive that love; this faith family will love you anyway. At baptism we are celebrating the fact that you, or someone who loves you very much, have chosen this faith family as a place where you feel safe and nurtured, as a place where you can grow to love and nurture others.

You may not remember the day you were baptized, but if you were, I bet your parents will remember that day. I hope you will ask them to tell you about it!

Let’s finish with a prayer:

Loving God, thank you for loving me just the way I am, and thank you for this faith family who will help me grow in your way. Amen.

Hymn: Behold, I Make All Things New - More Voices #115   soloist: Erin Berard

Behold, (behold,) behold, (behold,)
I make all things new,
beginning with you and starting from today.
Behold, (behold,) behold, (behold,)
I make all things new,
my promises true,
for I am Christ the way.

Repeat

Words and Music © 1995 John Bell IONA community GIA Pub
Song #00914   Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination          Reader: Monica Peck

As the blessing of the Holy Spirit is given to Jesus at his baptism, may the blessing of the same Spirit be given to us as we hear and reflect on this Gospel story. Amen. 

The Reading:   Luke 3: 15-22 (NRSV)        John the Baptist and the Baptism of Jesus

15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20added to them all by shutting up John in prison. 21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

May God’s wisdom dwell where the word is spoken. Thanks be to God!

Anthem: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day  

BCUC choir – Christmas concert 2016 (and verse 4 Sunday Jan 8, 2017)

1. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day;
I would my true love did so chance
To see the legend of my play,
To call my true love to my dance;

Chorus
Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love,
This have I done for my true love

2. Then was I born of a virgin pure,
Of her I took fleshly substance
Thus was I knit to man's nature
To call my true love to my dance. Chorus

3. In a manger laid, and wrapped I was
So very poor, this was my chance
Betwixt an ox and a silly poor ass
To call my true love to my dance. Chorus

4. Then afterwards baptized I was;
The Holy Ghost on me did glance,
My Father’s voice heard from above,
To call my true love to my dance. Chorus

Traditional English Source: William Sandys, arr. Gardner

Sermon:  “Taking Risks”            Rev. Kim Vidal

Prayer: Immerse us now, O God, in the waters of your wisdom, as we reflect on this story of faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It was a foggy morning on July 4, 1952, when a young woman named Florence May Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island in Southern California. She intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast. Long-distance swimming was not new to her; she had been the first woman in 1950 to swim the English Channel in both directions. The water was pretty cold that day. But the fog was so thick she could hardly see the boats in her party. She swam more than 15 hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer tried to encourage her to swim on since they were so close to land, but when Florence looked, all she saw was fog. So, she quit. . . only one-mile from her goal. 

Later she said, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land I might have made it." It wasn't the cold or fear or exhaustion that caused Florence Chadwick to fail. It was the fog. She couldn’t see where she’s going. She couldn’t take the risk at that point. She needs a clear view of the land. Two months after her first attempt, Florence May Chadwick walked off the same beach into the same channel and swam the distance. This time she did not hesitate.

She plunged herself into the water, took the risk, setting a new record, all because she could see the land.[1]

How would you feel when you hear the words risk-taking? Does your heart beat fast? Do you have an adrenaline rush? or butterflies in your stomach? The thought of facing a tough challenge or taking a risk could be as exciting and adventurous to some but for others it strikes fear and discomfort. Think of all the sports and activities where the primary appeal is risk: bungee jumping, skydiving, auto racing, mountain climbing or even swimming with sharks. In hockey, Wayne Gretzky at one point said, “If you don’t take risks, you’ll always miss 100% of the shots.” What about those who would invest in a start-up business or those joining a protest movement that might land them in jail?  Some people just love taking risks. In Christian parlance, we call it a leap of faith. But in reality, most of us, myself included, are not risk-takers. Most of us find it safer to remain in our comfort zones, protected and secure. We are security-seekers committed to playing it safe and I think there’s nothing wrong about this at all. So when is risk-taking necessary?

On a warm sunny, clear day around the year 30 CE, people filled with expectation came to the banks of Jordan River. For some, it must have been a week-long journey, walking with thin sandals or barefoot on dusty, muddy trails. For some, it meant sacrificing a few days’ worth of work leaving their fields and flocks untended. They did not come to swim the river from end to end. They came for one sacred purpose: to undergo a ritual of cleansing, perhaps a bath of new beginnings. They came the way people have always come to the water, intentionally, knowing they can’t live without it. From their ancient roots, they have learned that water nourished their fields and crops, cleansed and refreshed their bodies, and satisfied their physical as well as spiritual thirst. These people who came to the river had drunk deeply of the stories of their faith. They knew about the waters of creation and the dangerous waters of the flood. They knew about their ancestors’ story of how the waters of the Red Sea parted as God’s people escaped towards freedom. They came filled with expectation that stepping into this water would wash them clean and new again, and would somehow satisfy their thirst for God.

Baptisms for the first century Jewish people were essential, according to Brian MacLaren[2], because pilgrims who came from distant lands to the Temple were understood to be unclean as a result of their contact with people of other faiths and cultures. Bath places were constructed around the Temple so that pilgrims and worshippers would be able to ceremonially wash off their contamination and present themselves to God as “clean people.” Can you imagine how shocking it must have been for Zechariah to realize that his son, John, would perform the cleansing ritual not in the baths of the Temple but out in the countryside, along the banks of Jordan River? Can you imagine the risks John took in confronting those in power by disrupting the rules of the Temple? John made a choice. Through his actions, John took a risk and made a clear political and religious statement. He introduced a new kind of baptism – a baptism of repentance and called people to rethink everything, to turn around from their ungodly ways through a symbolic immersion in the flowing waters of Jordan not in the enclosed comforts of a Temple bath. John took the risk and his subversion from the religious system of his day, his protest movement, would have cost his life in the end. But he took the risk nonetheless.

On that same day, Jesus came, among the crowds, to the waters of Jordan, filled with expectations, too. Most likely, Jesus had identified himself with John’s protest movement in the Galilean countryside. In all of the gospel accounts describing the baptism of Jesus, some questions remain unanswered. Why was Jesus baptized? After all, according to John the Baptist, baptism is for the purpose of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. What did Jesus need to repent of? And what did he need to be forgiven for? Why then did Jesus undergo baptism? Did Jesus know what he’s getting into? Is he willing to take the risk?

I think Luke has the answers. It was not about forgiveness that Jesus was baptized. It was about receiving the Holy Spirit for empowerment, to inaugurate him for the work in building God’s reign on earth. If you read the passage closely, Luke omits Mark’s and Matthew’s claim that John baptized Jesus. For Luke, Jesus was baptized by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ baptism was an awakening moment for Jesus which drove him to accept God’s call to serve people. Luke’s account of Jesus’ baptism was dramatic. As Jesus came out of the water, people heard a rumbling sound from heavens. They saw something – perhaps like a smoke descending from the sky in the form of a dove landing on Jesus’ head. Then a thunderous voice of God saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

The ritual of baptism is an awakening moment, a cleansing of one’s soul – a sacrament of new beginnings. Baptism initiates one to become a traveler in the Christian faith.  Perhaps, Jesus submits himself for baptism because in his young adult life, he must have at times questioned his call and he longed to immerse himself in the holy depths of his Abba-Father’s love. Jesus relies on the Holy Spirit to awaken him, to nudge him to acts of risk-taking - to lead him to doing works of kindness, justice and compassion; to be in solidarity with a world in need of healing and love. When Jesus stepped into the waters of the River Jordan, he was stepping into the whole flow of human story. He plunged himself into a life of servant leadership, a life of risk-taking as he acknowledges his oneness with the story of his people, the story of people who thirst for something, who thirst for God’s love.

When is risk-taking necessary? How do we respond to the challenge? As followers of Jesus Christ, we too sometimes, are called to step out of our comfort zones to leap in faith. When we do that, always remember that we are not alone. God’s Holy Spirit will journey with us. God’s presence will stretch and mould us into stronger, more empowered people. I take inspiration from John Piper’s words: “Is taking risks unwise and unloving? Maybe. But maybe not. What if the circumstances are such that not taking a risk will result in loss and injury? It may not be wise to play it safe. And what if a successful risk would bring great benefit to many people and its failure would bring harm only to yourself? It may not be loving to choose the comfort of security when something great may be achieved for the cause of God and for the good of others.”

Dear friends, wisdom and common sense will help you decide which road to take. Sometimes, we may need to take risks so that change might bring about something even better. Jesus did it and others followed him: Martin Luther King Jr., Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, Fr. Oscar Romero, Malala. Whether you decide to swim or to sink, to leap or to remain unmoved, remember, you are God’s beloved and you are not alone. Thanks be to God! Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer[3]       Rev. Kim Vidal

Let us gather our hearts in prayer through these words inspired by a prayer written by Rev. Gord Dunbar:

The sparkling lights of Christmas are gone
and the guiding light of the Magi-followed star has moved on,
so we feel left in the darkness of wintry nights.
It seems the special quality of wonder and awe has left us.
Yet, when we wander down the river’s edge, following the crowd,
We don’t expect much to change – though we seek entertainment.
Along the way we notice a world in conflict,
striving for supremacy,
eager to force the weak to submit,
the powerless to keep silent.
We see it in Kazakhstan where fuel riots have rocked the government,
resulting in a deadly crackdown on protesters.
We see it through the ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan.
We see it written on the faces of political leaders in the midst of global economic turndowns.
We see it etched in the worried faces of teachers and students fearful of another pandemic year.
We see it carved by the tears of the indigenous communities mourning the loss of loved ones.
We pause along the way,
hoping for the light of grace,
to pray for the world.
We continue along the way,
finally stopping at the river,
noticing faces in the crowd,
faces from our community,
faces showing the struggle with loneliness and isolation,
faces wearied by the ongoing strain of dealing with the COVID pandemic
and other health issues,
faces painted over with masks to hide the difficult wresting with grief and death.
We pause once more,
Feeling our connection and our interweaving,
praying for healing and hope.
We gaze at the ordinary river –
where John and Jesus engaged in a water ritual,
but nothing out of the ordinary,
yet we see grace and hope written in baptism shared,
justice practised, love profoundly proclaimed.
A leap of faith!
In Jesus’ baptism is our wholeness and we give joyful thanks!
In our journey to the river, O God,
we come to take risks,
offering ourselves, our love, our prayers.
All these we ask in the name of Jesus Christ,
baptized in the waters of Jordan, who taught us this ancient prayer.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever, Amen. 

Invitation to Offer           Rev. Lorrie Lowes

The Holy Spirit that came upon Jesus on his baptism is with us in amazing and powerful ways, bringing shining new hope into the world. As we remember our own baptism, may we participate in the ministry of our church with that great hope, trusting in the promises of God. In our offering today, our love overflows in generosity.

I now invite you to offer your gifts of time, talents and resources as expressions of your gratitude to God’s blessings.  If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to BCUC.

Offertory Prayer

(Fern Gibbard, The Gathering, ACE 2016-2017, Used with permission.)

In baptism, we have received the gift of the Spirit;
in return we offer these gifts of gratitude
that they may become a source of hope to those in need. Amen. 

Sending Forth    Rev. Kim Vidal

(Inspired by the prayers of Rev. Dawn Hutchings and Beth W. Johnson)    

Let the waters of baptism sooth you, nourish you,
and sustain you for all the possibilities yet to come!
We are the beloved children of a Creator who rejoices with us!
Listen closely.
Hear the flapping of the wings of a dove
as the Holy Spirit alights upon you.
Go forth as God’s beloved children,
knowing that the refreshing waters
will sustain you in your journey, now and always. Amen.

Hymn:  When Jesus Came to Be Baptized - Voices United #100   BCUC Sunday Jan 8, 2017

1 When Jesus comes to be baptized,
he leaves the hidden years behind,
the years of safety and of peace.
to bear the sins of humankind.

2 The Spirit of the Lord comes down,
anoints the Christ to suffering,
to preach the word, to free the bound,
and to the mourner, comfort bring.

3 He will not quench the dying flame,
and what is bruised he will not break,
but heal the wound injustice dealt,
and out of death his triumph make.

4 O Spirit help us be like Christ:
to live in love and charity,
to walk in truth and justice now,
and grow in Christian dignity.

5 We praise you, God, source of all life,
we praise you, Christ, eternal Word,
we praise you, Spirit, gracious gift,
your triune presence fills our world. 

Words v 1-3, Stanbrook Abbey, 1974, 1995; v4-5 Concacan Inc., 1989; Music Muskalisches Handbucb, 1690
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Departing Music: (Over Announcements) How Bright Appears the Morning Star - BCUC Choir recorded Sunday Jan 8, 2017

1 How bright appears the Morning Star,
with mercy beaming from afar;
the host of heav'en rejoices.
O Righteous Branch, O Jesse’s Rod,
the Son of Man and Son of God,
we too will lift our voices:
Jesus, Jesus, holy, holy, yet most lowly,
come, draw near us;
great Emmanuel, come and hear us.

3 Rejoice you heav'ns, and earth, reply;
with praise, O sinners, fill the sky
for this, His incarnation.
Incarnate God, put forth Your pow'r;
ride on, ride on, great Conqueror,
till all know Your salvation.
Amen, amen! Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise be given
evermore by earth and heaven.

Words: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern - Philipp Nicolai, Translation: William Mercer
Music: Johann Kuhnau          Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

[1] John Cochran, sermonsearch.com)

[2] Brian Maclaren, Seeking Aliveness.

[3] Gord Dunbar, the Gathering, ACE 2009-2010, Used with permission.

Sunday school activities - January 9, 2022

Baptism of Jesus

Do you remember your baptism? Most of you were probably baptized as babies and so you likely wouldn’t remember - but most of you have seen baptisms here in our church. What did you notice about the baptism? What happened? What did people say?

In our Bible story today, John holds people under the water in the river for a moment. We don’t do that in our church but we do use water. The minister sprinkles water on the baby’s head. We use warm water here for babies. Why do you think that is? What do you think would happen if the water was really cold?

Water is an important symbol in the church. It is a symbol of washing clean and starting fresh. It is also a symbol for life, because nothing can live without water.

Sometimes when people feel sleepy, they splash their faces with cold water to wake up. Have you ever done that? Or have you ever jumped into really cold water on a hot day? Does that wake you up? That’s kind of what John the Baptist was doing when he dunked the people in the cold river. He was telling them to wake up and pay attention because Jesus was coming.

Think of some of the ways we use water every day… drinking, cleaning, making plants grow, relaxing in a warm bath… Can you think of some others?

In our country, where water is plentiful, we sometimes take it for granted. In the next few days, take notice of the times you use water. How would your life be different without water?

Look again at each thing on your list. Can you think of a way that each use of water might be a symbol for living in the way God wants us to?

Sometimes we take our church family for granted too. How would your life be different without church?

Response Activity Ideas

Remembering Your Baptism

Ask your family to tell you about your baptism.  Maybe they can find pictures taken from that day, or show you the certificate or other mementos you received. Who was there to watch or participate in your baptism? How did you react to getting wet?  How was your baptism different and similar to Jesus’ baptism?

If you haven’t been baptized, you could talk about that decision with your family.

Use a doll or action figure and a small pitcher to do pretend play baptism in a sink or basin of water!

Water Pictionary or Charades

There are a LOT of stories in the Bible where water is important.  How many can you think of? 

Did you get these ones? 

Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9), Moses and the Red Sea (Exodus 14), Jonah and the Big Fish (Jonah), Jesus Walks on Water (Mark 6:45-56), Woman at the Well (John  4)…

If you have one, flip through an illustrated children’s bible and see if you can find more.

Now make a game out of it! Set a timer for 90 seconds, then take turns with people in your family either drawing one of the stories or acting out a story (no talking!) and see if they can guess which biblical water story you were thinking of!

Torn Paper Collage

Make a paper collage to represent Jesus’ baptism.

Materials: Jesus, John, Dove clip art; green, grey, assorted blue, and light blue paper, markers/pencil crayons

Print out the Jesus, John, and dove templates, then colour and cut them out.  Use a piece of light blue paper as the background (sky).  Rip some cloud shapes from white/grey paper and glue them near the top. 

About a third of the way down, begin adding layers of green paper torn to look like hills.  In the bottom third, change to layers of blues to make wavy water, tucking John and Jesus into the middle. Continue to the bottom of the page, using the straight edge of blue water paper along the bottom edge of the background page. Glue dove and write “You are my beloved” near the top. 

Click to print PDF

Sunday Worship Service - January 2, 2022

BELLS CORNERS UNITED CHURCH

EPIPHANY SUNDAY

January 2, 2022

The video recording of this service can be found here.
You can also dial-in by phone to listen to the audio recording at 613-820-8104

Gathering Music: In the Christmas Spirit (Hurry to Bethlehem) : spiritual tunes arr. Schram

Grace Notes – 2018 Christmas concert

Welcome & Centering for Worship        Rev. Lorrie Lowes

Good morning and Happy New Year! Welcome to this first Sunday of 2022! From wherever you are, I hope you know that we are glad that you have joined us today.

Given the recent spike in Covid 19 cases, we have put a pause on in-person worship in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings until further notice, but will continue to offer worship through YouTube and telephone as we have for the past year and more. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and, hopefully, to stop the spread of this virus that has disrupted our lives for so long. As a faith community called to love and serve others, we highly recommend getting vaccinated as one of the best precautionary measures to protect yourself and others. As well, let’s continue to be mindful of the health protocols such as masking, social distancing, hand sanitizing and staying home if you feel unwell. 

During this time of pandemic, the work of the church carries on. Please take time to keep in touch with each other through prayers, phone calls, emails or via Zoom. Check also the many announcements on our website including Sunday School resources for your children at bcuc.org.

And now, let us centre ourselves for worship…

Lighting the Christ Candle     Acolytes: Chris and Kaylee Brown

(Written by Richard Bott. Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2017-2018, page 40. Used with permission)

Like a star in the midst of the beautiful dark sky,
Like a bright window on the rainiest of days.
Like a beacon…
Like a grand “AHA!”
Christ’s light shines.
Now
Always! Amen! 

Call to Gather

(Bob Root, Gathering A/C/E, 2021-2022, p39. Used with permission)          

A new day, a new week, the beginning of a new year, and we have come to worship.

May hearts be open to all the wonders God would have us experience in this time, and when we go out from this place to serve in the world. Come, let us worship God.

Opening Prayer and Silent Reflection

(Bill Steadman, Gathering A/C/E, 2021-2022, p39. Used with permission)

Be with us, God, as we set out on the journey of a new year. Like those who have travelled through uncharted territories in the past, give us the courage to face new challenges. Like those who have known the uncertainty of what lies ahead, give us the confidence that you are there to guide us. Like those who have assumed they had all of the answers even before the questions were asked, give us the humility to be surprised by your presence and open to being upheld by your people everywhere.

(a time of Silent Reflection)

Give us the strength we need, the sensitivity others need from us, and the wisdom to respond in ways that nurture all of creation. This we pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Hymn: A Light is Gleaming - Voices United #82      Erin, Abe, Kim: guitar

Refrain:
A light is gleaming,
spreading its arms throughout the night,
living in the light.
Come share its gladness,
God’s radiant love is burning bright,
living in the light. 

1 When light comes pouring into the darkest place, it hurts our eyes to see the glow.
Sometimes a word of hope reminds us of our fears, our memories and tears. R

2 When night is round us and every shadow grows, a star is there to light our way.
It tells a story of Jesus who came near to say: “God’s light will ever stay.” R

3 And Jesus showed us a brighter path to walk. He showed us things we hadn’t seen.
Now we, like Jesus, can help creation shine,
and this will be a sign: R

4 So let us live in the brightness God has giv’n, and let us rise to see the dawn.
We trust that God is here a sparkle and a blaze, warming all our days. R

Words & Music © 1992 Linnea Good, Borealis Music
Song # 96918 Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Storytime for the Young at Heart      Erin Berard

Listen as one of the Wise Ones who visited Jesus to tell us what they remember about meeting baby Jesus in Bethlehem long ago. This story is adapted from the United Church of Canada's Advent Unwrapped resources.

I’m old, and my eyes can no longer read the stars. There are holes in my cloak and my memories. But there are some things I will never forget.

I’ll always remember that spectacular star. We hadn’t seen one like it before—and we haven’t seen one like it since. It was breathtaking, mesmerizing, and it compelled us to follow. We wanted to try to understand its meaning and the story it wished to share. 

I’ll always remember that long treacherous journey. There were 12 travellers in our caravan and 20 camels. Oh, the stink of the camels! Ha, ha…!  We carried hidden gifts with us in case we had to barter for a safe passage through a strange land. 

I’ll always remember the terror in Herod’s eyes when we came asking questions.  And the scribes’ quivering voices when they were summoned before him. They spoke of an ancient prophecy—a star, a new king, a descendant of King David. Glad to put Jerusalem behind us, we followed the star to David’s town of Bethlehem. 

I’ll always remember that little family and the peace that seemed to embrace them. Although they were living in an obscure hovel, it wasn’t difficult to find them: we stuck out like a camel’s hump in Bethlehem, and the people were eager to share the rumours with newcomers—tales told by shepherds who had been captivated by sights in the night sky and the news of a newborn king. 

And I’ll always remember that child. His family members were poor and vulnerable, yet so loving and gracious. We offered our gifts, hoping they would in some small way honour, protect, and bless the child. Watching the child, we knew that we needn’t search further or travel farther. The same compelling light that shone from the heavens shone in his eyes. That kind of light is unforgettable.  That light, that love,… that little one... they have lived in my heart all these years.

Let us pray:

Loving God, thank you for all the different viewpoints and stories that tell us about the birth of Jesus - all filled with light!

Help us look for Jesus' light and love in everyone we meet and to BE loving and full of light for those around us.

Amen                      

In the Bleak MidWinter – Voices United #55

1 In the bleak midwinter frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago. 

2 Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign;
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ.

3 Enough for him, whom cherubim worship night and day,
a breast full of milk, and a manger full of hay.
Enough for him, whom angels fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel which adore. 

4 What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him – give my heart 

Words: Christina Rosetti 1872; Music:  Gustav Holst, 1906
Song Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Prayer for Illumination         Reader: Chris Brown

(Jim McKean, Gathering A/C/E, 2021-2022, p41. Used with permission)

God of the Ages, you called wise ones to travel from afar. They came looking for a king but found a baby, a baby who had come to change the world. Today you have called us to experience the now and to seek what is just over the horizon. May we have the strength to experience this call. May we have the wisdom to discern its message, and may our hearts be uplifted as we journey. Bless your word to us this morning. Amen.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)  The Visit of the Wise Men

2 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

May the message in these words enlighten our lives. Thanks be to God!

Anthem: Born Today (Kuzaliwa Leo) Swahili : Dave & Jean Perry

BCUC choir & percussion Phoenix, Raven, Arcadie – 2018 Christmas concert

Sermon: “They Followed a Star”          Rev. Lorrie Lowes

This is Epiphany Sunday, the day when we hear the last part of the Christmas story that we began so may weeks ago in Advent.

The visit of the Wise Men, the Kings, the Magi…

It’s a small story found only in the book of Matthew and not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. Three strangers show up, make a huge fuss over the new baby, drop off expensive, rather strange gifts and then disappear, never to be heard from again. A strange little story that has captured our imaginations for centuries.

The few verses we read this morning are all there is about this visit in the Bible and yet we are sure we’ve heard so many more details

… There were three of them…
… They have names: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar…
… We can picture them, tall, riding on their camels, one with very black skin…
… They arrived at the stable after the shepherds, - didn’t they?  

All details that were never in Matthew’s story but have grown from the imaginations of artists and storytellers over the centuries and have become an important part of our story, our tradition of Christmas.

It was obviously important to Matthew too or he wouldn’t have included it here. So… why did he write it? What meaning does it have for us?

Jesus was born at a dark time in Jewish history. The people were oppressed by a greedy and powerful empire. Any peace that existed was created by violent battles - a peace built on fear.

“Keep your head down, don’t call attention to yourself, and hope the tax collectors and the centurions will pass you by.”

Not my idea of a peaceful existence. No serene and comfortable life but just the absence of war.

Into this dark and fearful time, a baby was born who would grow up to challenge that system - not through violence or mighty battles but through a message of hope, a message of love. He would become a beacon of light for these dark times.

He may have been just what the Jewish people needed - but he certainly wasn’t what they were expecting. Surely, if God was to save them from the violent oppression of Rome, He would send a powerful army led by a mighty warrior - someone who could crush the empire.

A baby?

And this was not even a baby born to rich and powerful parents but a baby born among the poorest and most oppressed, in the lowest of circumstances. A baby born to young peasant parents, under suspicious circumstances, in an insignificant small town.

It was such a small event that no one in the area noticed. In his book, Luke tells us that a whole host of angels had to light up the sky to get the attention of the only other people awake - some shepherds out in a field. No need to wake up the whole town. There would be no miraculous coup that night. What was born in that stable was not an immediate solution to all their troubles.

What was born was Hope.

A glimmer, barely noticed at first but a light that would grow over time to conquer the darkness.

Well, the Jews and the Romans may not have noticed but someone did. A star appeared in the sky. Now this in itself is an curious choice of sign. It’s not a usual symbol for either Jews or Christians. Where else have we ever seen God use a star to send a message?

In the east - the direction from where dawn comes to end the darkness of night - some wise men noticed that star and they knew that something amazing was taking place, a birth so significant that they were certain it must be the birth of a great king. And they set out to find him and to pay homage.

That’s interesting, isn’t it? These wealthy, educated men left home to travel to another country to pay their respects to a king who would rule over people they had no attachment to. These men were not Jews but the birth of this king of the Jews was important enough to make them set out on this journey and to not give up until they had seen him with their own eyes and delivered their gifts.

They were foreigners

•    they were of a different faith
•    and they had no doubt that they would be welcome. 

They went first to the palace in Jerusalem. It only made sense that a new king would be born there. They had no hesitation in telling Herod that they were coming to meet the newborn King of the Jews. This was good news! A baby who was destined to great works! A baby whose birth was so significant to the world that God himself sent a bright star as a birth announcement. An announcement that was important to the whole world. Surely, everyone would be rejoicing!

Imagine their surprise when King Herod had no idea what they were talking about.

Imagine their confusion when they saw the fear in the king’s eyes.

Not at all the reception they expected.

In one short sentence, Matthew tells us quite a bit about Herod’s reaction to the news of the learned strangers from the east. “He was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.”

Yes, I imagine that was a scary time in the palace! Not only would Herod be upset by news of a king who would take his throne - but to hear it from strangers! The meeting he called with his own scribes and wise men would not have been a cordial one. They were supposed to know these things. They were supposed to keep him informed. He was not supposed to be surprised by foreigners who seemed to know more about the happenings in his kingdom than he did himself! They would have been scrambling to get him the information he needed. They would have been desperate to find a “fix” that would calm the king’s anger - an anger that put fear in all of Jerusalem. Just find that baby and get rid of him quickly.

“There is a light shining here in the darkness of your kingdom that will change this world forever!” the strangers had told him. “It shines so brightly that we have noticed it from as far away as our home. Such great news!”

Herod didn’t see it the same way. All light must shine on him alone. That is what makes him so powerful. And what do you do with something that threatens your power, your view of the world? You snuff it out. And just to be sure, you get rid of any others who might resemble it in any way. Restore the status quo with violence and fear. Show them who’s boss!

How wise were these strangers to pretend to play along with Herod’s game! Otherwise, they might not have escaped with their lives. But then they were wise men after all. I would have been surprised if they had fallen for Herod’s lies. So, off they went, continuing on their journey to find where this spark of light might lead.

And they found it in a small, humble home. Hope for the future of the world, manifest in a young peasant child.

Matthew tells us that they acknowledged the power of this child with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold for a king, frankincense for the sacred life of the temple, and myrrh to anoint his body at death. These gifts would have been lost on a child but Mary would have understood. These men were telling her that the power to change the world - the light that would lead the people out of the darkness - was here in her little son. He would rule - not by fierce battle but by teaching the Word of God and would be revered even in death.

These strange visitors saw so much hope in this small peasant child! Hope for the future of the world!

This story from Matthew would have been pretty powerful to his listeners. So many messages here! It told them -

…  that others might see the hope in us before we recognize it ourselves
…  that Jesus’ life and ministry was significant to the whole world - not just the Jewish people.
… that hope for the future must be nurtured in the children of the present
… that what seems like good news for humanity may not be well received by those addicted to power and greed
… that those hungry for power will stop at nothing to snuff out anything that might threaten that power - including (or maybe especially) the hope for justice and freedom
… that hope, help, and encouragement may come from unexpected places 

Are these messages not still relevant today?
Where are our wise men?
Where are our Herods?

I am reminded of a young girl named Malala, who was shot in the head for daring to stand up for the right of girls to education. There must have been wise people who nurtured this in her as she grew - and the reaction of the Taliban was certainly worthy of Herod.

Are there other lights in this world being snuffed out by those in power?
Are we watching for them?
Are we nurturing them?

Or are we letting the Herods of this world crush them to maintain or grow their powerful hold?

I believe that hope is something more than a dream for a better future. Hope is born when that dream is put into action. It is not enough to dream of a better world, a more just society, peace and freedom. You have to take that dream and mount your camel. You need to risk the journey into unknown places and bear the gifts and resources that will turn that dream into hope.

Sometimes I have wondered why these powerful men didn’t stay to help raise this child. They seemed to have the resources and the knowledge to be able to help.

What trust they put in Mary and Joseph to nurture him and prepare him for his role!

But, they didn’t stay. Perhaps they knew that they would draw attention from the wrong quarter and would put the little family in danger. Or perhaps they could see that they were leaving things in good hands. Whatever the reason, they simply left their gifts and disappeared  - back to their own country by another road. We never hear of them again.

They saw that star and they took the risk to follow it, to leave the comfort and familiarity of home and set out on a long and difficult journey. It wasn’t enough to dream about what that star could mean, they went into action. They took their resources - wisdom and riches - to Jesus. Then they left, knowing that they were leaving things safely in his hands. They took the kind of action that sets a dream onto the course of hope.

So, perhaps it was important that they didn’t stay. They didn’t set out to save the Jewish people from the Romans. They made the journey to ensure that the process would begin. They gave what they could but the real work belonged to Jesus.

Just as good mentors nurture proteges,
or good parents raise children,
or good teachers inspire students,  

The wise men gave up some of their resources - and time out of their lives - to resource the work of Jesus in the world - the work of turning the dream of justice and freedom into real hope for the future.

They were watching the skies carefully and recognized the sign when it appeared. They sprang into action to make sure the dream it represented had the encouragement and resources it needed to grow into Hope - hope not just for the Jewish people but hope for a world in darkness.

On this Epiphany Sunday, may we be wise enough to watch for, and recognize, the signs of that hope in our world today. May we be brave enough to take the risk to leave our comfort zones long enough to nurture that hope. May we be selfless enough to share our resources to allow that hope to grow - not just here at home but anywhere in the world the signs may appear.

I believe it is what those wise men, and Jesus himself, would want us to do.

Thanks be to God

Amen

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer       Rev. Lorrie

Holy Mystery,

With the story of the magi in our ears, we come to you, seeking their wisdom, their courage, and their generosity, as we pray for our world today. We give thanks for the wise ones from the past and for those among us now, who inspire us with their insight, their words, and their actions.

In yet another Christmas season, where the spectre of the pandemic continues to restrict our celebrating and dampen our spirits, help us to be like those wise men of old who found reason for hope and celebration in the light of a star in the darkness. Enable us to see the lights that offer hope for a brighter future for all who inhabit this creation. Let us see the reasons for celebration even in small lights, no matter how far away they seem.

Give us the courage of those wise men to not only celebrate the light we see, but to take action, to leave our comfort zones and risk what might be a long and difficult journey into the unknown to offer what we can - without asking for a background check first, or with expectations of immediate miracles or outpouring of gratitude.

Each week, we pray for those in need, those suffering from pain, loneliness, illness, and grief. We pray for those experiencing fear and violence. We pray for all who are oppressed by those in power, and for those oppressed by the attitudes and beliefs of those who surround them every day. Help us to see where we might be the oppressor. Help us to see where we can offer safety, healing, dignity and hope. Give us the courage to act on what we see.

As we pray for those who lead us, help us to watch and listen with discerning minds. Help us to support where we see merit, and to speak truth to power when we see injustice. Help us to be more than followers; give us the will to be part of the solution.

As we pray for all those who we love and keep close, help us to realize that even small acts of kindness can add a great deal of light to a world that seems dark. Help us see the gifts we have and give us the strength to offer them freely.

All this we ask in the words of Jesus, the baby in whom the wise ones saw hope for the future of the world…

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kin-dom, the power and the glory,
Forever and ever, Amen. 

Invitation to Offer                    

As, long ago, magi offered their time, their wisdom, and their riches to acknowledge a small peasant child they had never met, let us gather our time, talents and treasures together and present them as an offering to move the dreams of God forward in our world today. If you are not on PAR and wish to send in your offering and donations, you can drop them in the slot by the kitchen door of the church or mail them to BCUC. You can also send in your support through e-transfer. Thank you for your continued love and support to the ministry of BCUC.

Offertory Prayer

Holy One,

Although we may not come bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, what we offer today is given in love and in hope that all of our small offerings can help transform the world. Amen.

Sending Forth          Rev. Lorrie

This week, the world lost a modern-day wise man with the passing of Desmond Tutu. Let me share some of the wise words he left us:

“God’s dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion.”

And with these words, go now into the world, ready to use your gifts, ready to bless all those who make up this human family, ready to transform the world in all the ways you can. Go, with the strength and courage that comes from knowing that God accompanies you on your journey and that Jesus lights your way. Go, ready to follow the light. Go, ready to be the light. Amen.

Hymn:  I Am the Light of the World – Voices United #87    guitar: Heidi

Refrain:
I am the light of the world! 
You people come and follow me!
If you follow and love
you’ll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be.   

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and the shepherds
have found their way home,
the work of Christmas is begun. R 

To find the lost and lonely one,
to heal the broken soul with love,
to feed the hungry children
with warmth and good food,
to feel the earth below, the sky above! R. 

To free the prisoner from all chains,
to make the powerful care,
to rebuild the nations with strength of good will, to see God’s children everywhere! R 

To bring hope to every task you do,
to dance at a baby’s new birth,
to make music in an old person’s heart,
and sing to the colours of the earth! R

Words and Music: © 1967 Jim Strathdee
Song # 59955  Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-733214. All rights reserved

Departing Musics:  A Christmas Gloria (Navidad gloriosa) Trad. Spanish: Larter

BCUC choir – 2018 Christmas concert

and   

Holiday Blessing: Joyce Eilers

Grace Notes with CGS singing Jingle Bells – 2018 Christmas concert

Announcements

Sunday school activities - January 2, 2022

This week we are hearing the last part of our Christmas story, the visit of the Magi. These wise men saw a star and knew that it was a sign of a very important birth. Assuming it was the birth of a king, they gathered expensive gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh, - and set out on a long journey to find this newborn king and pay him homage.

This story is familiar to us as part of the pageants and readings we do at Christmas. It is only told in the book of Matthew. We combine it with Luke’s stories of angels and shepherds and of the young family staying in a stable to make the beautiful story that we tell of the birth of Jesus.

Discussion Questions

What do you think of the gifts that these men offered to the child?

What gifts would you give to a baby?

Jesus isn’t a baby anymore but we can still give Him gifts. When we use our skills, our talents, and our treasures to help others, we are giving gifts to Jesus. What gifts can you give to Jesus? (kindness, love, caring for the earth, being happy…)

And some more things for Intermediate & UP to think about:

In this story, the author of Matthew wanted to show the people that the birth of Jesus was important to the whole world, not just to the Jewish people - so important that wise men from far away were told about it by signs in the night sky. Notice that the reading doesn’t say that they found the baby in a stable but that they found the child in a house with his mother. It also doesn’t say there were just three of them! Many scholars believe that it would have taken the visitors a long time to travel there and that Jesus could have been two years old before they arrived. Isn’t it interesting how we have changed the story over the last 2000 years? No matter what, it is still a beautiful and important story in our faith.

Although the birth of Jesus was seen as good news by the wise men, the shepherds, and the people of the time, King Herod was not so pleased to hear about it! The text tells us that he was terrified and so were many of the people in Jerusalem. What were they so afraid of?

Response Activity Ideas

Gifts for Jesus

Materials – envelope, tape/glue, strips of paper

Make a treasure chest of your own gifts for Jesus.  Print out the Magi colouring page.  At the bottom of the page, glue or tape on the envelope face down (flap facing up so it can still open).  Decorate the envelope to look like a fancy chest or box or present and write “My Gifts for Jesus” on it.  Write or draw your ideas for things you could do to be a gift for Jesus on slips of paper and tuck them inside the fancy envelope.  Finish by colouring the Magi!

Click to print PDF

The Three Wise Women

Listen to this story and take note of the special gifts the women bring.  How are they related to Jesus’ work and ministry when he grows up?  Draw an example of how he used each of those imagined three gifts as an adult.

Art Appreciation

(from Advent Unwrapped: Story and Activity Cards, available https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/story_and_activity_cards.pdf)

Search online for images of the “Adoration of the Magi” and discover paintings by European masters, such as Botticelli, Da Vinci, De Bray, Durer, Giotto, and Rubens. Look carefully at these famous paintings and discuss the following questions.

How would you describe each of the Magi? What are they doing in each painting and how do their appearances (nationality, expressions, clothing, head covering, stances) differ from one painting to the next?

• How is the Christ child portrayed in each painting? What is he doing?

• How many other characters are included in each painting? Can you identify them? What are their facial expressions? What do you think they are feeling or thinking?

• What symbols do you notice in each painting (e.g. lily, lamb, chalice, star)?

If you have time, create your own painting of the nativity scene, including yourself in the picture.  Where would you be?  What would you be doing?  What facial expressions would you and the other characters have?