South Stormont Pastoral Charge

Today is the fourth Sunday after Epiphany. We're going to reflect on the story of Jesus Christ revealing himself to people and a demonic spirit in the synagogue on the sabbath through today’s Gospel reading.  After calling the first four disciples from the sea of Galilee, Jesus went with them to a town called Capernaum. On the sabbath day, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught the people. Those who listened to him were amazed because his teachings had authority. Unlike scribes who were biblical scholars at that time, Jesus reminded them about the true meaning of the Law, which is all about freedom, peace, and compassion. The Greek word translated as "authority" (ἐξουσία) also means freedom, right, and capability. This reflects the time of ancient society when only those with authority and power had the freedom of choice and action. According to the Bible, the sabbath is a day of liberation when everyone is supposed to take a break from work and meditate on God's grac...

  *Gathering Hymn Arise, Your Light Is Come (#79 VU) Welcome Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: God created light in the beginning.   All: God calls us to be the light of the world. One: Christ reveals God’s light to us   All: God calls us to be the light of the world. One: The Spirit reveals God’s light in others. All: God calls us to be the light of the world. One: Come you who are light for the world, let us worship God. *Sandy Ferguson, . Gathering ACE 2022-2023 , page 43. Opening Prayer (Unison) Holy One, as we gather together before you, help us focus on celebrating your presence, not ours. Turn our attention to you, your word, and your people. Everything depends on you. Praise to you forever! Amen. *Opening Hymn We Praise You, O God (#218 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) It is intimidating, O God, to open our hearts completely to you. We feel vulnerable, with no defenses, with no explanation. Yet, in trust...

Today's Gospel reading is about the story of the first time Jesus publicly revealed himself. At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus spoke these words: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news" (1:15).  In the New Testament, the main Greek words for time are καιρός (kairos) and χρόνος (chronos). Although their meanings sometimes overlap, they also have different uses. Chronos is more about quantity and refers to the "span of time," such as three days or 24 hours. On the other hand, kairos is used more qualitatively and refers to a “decisive point of time.” For instance, kairos can be the time in the sentence "It is the time to harvest."  When Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled," the word kairos is used, which indicates that he began his ministry at a very important and meaningful moment. This was because it was the moment when "the kingdom of God has come near." However, we s...

  *Gathering Hymn Arise, Your Light Is Come (#79 VU) Welcome Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Let us give thanks to God.   All: Let us join our whole selves in songs of praise. ONE: Let us bring our hurts and concerns to God’s gentle love.   All: Let us receive God’s word for our lives. One: Let us commit our lives to live for God’s kingdom.   All: Thanks be to God! We gather to worship. *Frances Flook, . Gathering ACE 2023-2024 , page 42. Opening Prayer (Unison) In a world filled with noise, you are a place of quiet, God. In a world filled with complexity, you are wisdom. In a world filled with brokenness and loss, you are the sturdy ground of our being. Through this time together, through the love of Christ, may the world be changed, and may all be made whole. Amen. *Richard Bott, . Gathering ACE 2023-2024 , page 43. *Opening Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus (#341 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Gracious God, yo...

Now, we are in the season of Epiphany. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, epiphany means "a moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or suddenly become conscious of, something that is very important to you". It comes from the Greek word ‘epiphainein’ meaning "to reveal".  Today's Scripture readings tell stories about experiences of epiphany when God revealed Herself. The first reading is from 1 Samuel. Samuel is a young and inexperienced kid with little knowledge of the Bible or religious matters. He serves the priest Eli at the temple. One day, he hears someone calling him and goes to see Eli, but the voice doesn't belong to Eli. This happens a few times until Eli realizes that the voice is God's. After Eli teaches Samuel how to hear God's voice, Samuel finally experiences a revelation from God. This experience transforms Samuel into a highly respected prophet and judge for his people. Today's Gospel reading shares the story of Nat...

*Gathering Hymn Arise, Your Light Is Come (#79 VU) Welcome Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: Come and see.   All: We receive the Jesus words in times of great joy. One: Come and see.   All: We receive the Jesus words in times of stress and difficulty. One: Come and see.   All: We receive the Jesus words when they are the last words we want to welcome. One: Come and see.   All: We receive the Jesus words addressed to our church. One: Come and see.   All: We receive the Jesus words, worshiping God with them. *David Sparks . Gathering ACE 2023-2024 , page 42. Opening Prayer (Unison) Loving God, you’ve called us and we’ve come. It is good to be together in this place. We come, bearing the marks and scars of our living, and offer them to your healing presence. Bless us as we gather—each one of us—that we may know your Spirit moving among us as we share our calling of discipleship. Bless us and bless our time together, so ...