Ascension St. Matthew’s

God’s Work. Our Hands. God’s World. Our Neighborhood. All are Welcome. Come Share the Spirit

January 5th - Second Sunday of Christmas, Year C

Readings - First Reading - Jeremiah 3:7-14 , Psalm - 147:12-20

Second Reading - Ephesians 1:3-14, Gospel - John 1:(1-9) 10-18

Within the gospel reading’s profound words lies the simple message that God is revealed in a human person. Though we may try to understand how the Word existed with God from the beginning of time, the wonder we celebrate at Christmas is that the Word continues to dwell among us. Christ comes among us in the gathered assembly, the scriptures, the waters of new birth, and the bread and the wine. Through these ordinary gifts we receive the fullness of God’s grace and truth.

January 12th - Baptism of our Lord, Year C

Readings - First Reading - Isaiah 43:1-17, Psalm 29

Second Reading Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Today’s festival rejoices in God’s blessings. We recall and celebrate our adoption as God’s children, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promised company of almighty God when we “pass through the waters . . . the rivers . . . fire.” On this day the heavens open again for this assembly, and we receive the gift of God’s Beloved, Jesus, in bread and wine.

January 19th - 2nd Sunday after Epiphany , Year C

Readings - First Reading - Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Gospel - John 2:1-11

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

January 24th - 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Year C

Readings -First Reading - Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10, Psalm 19

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Gospel - Luke 4:14-21)

God’s glory is revealed in the reading of scripture. People stand at attention. People weep. People prostrate themselves in prayer. The unity of the church is another reflection of God’s glory. Most gloriously, the promises of God are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Gather round. Listen up. Glimpse the glory of God.

February 2nd - Presentation of our Lord , Year C

Readings -First Reading - Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 84

Second Reading - Hebrews 2:14-18, Gospel - Luke 2:22-40

The Presentation of Our Lord is referred to in some corners of the church as Candlemas because of an ancient tradition of blessing all the candles to be used in the church in the coming year at the mass celebrated on that day. It was a way of underscoring the truth of Simeon’s confession that this baby Jesus was “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” and a light for glory to Israel. Let the light of every candle in church be a little epiphany of the love of God for all people in the person of God’s son, Jesus, the light of the world.

February 9th - 5th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C

Readings -First Reading - Isaiah 6:2-28(9-13), Psalm 138

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Gospel - Luke 5:1-11

The fifth Sunday after Epiphany continues to highlight unlikely instruments and circumstances appointed to reveal God’s glory. “Who will go for us?” God asks. A person of unclean lips, a former persecutor of the church of God, and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising still, perhaps, is that we are also called.

February 16th - 6th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C

Readings -First Reading - Jeremiah 17:5-10, Psalm 1

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Gospel - Luke 6:17-26

Blessings and curses abound on the sixth Sunday after Epiphany. We would do well to listen closely to whom the “blessed ares” and the “woe tos” are directed and to find our place in the crowd among those who desire to touch Jesus. The risen Christ stands among us in the mystery of the holy supper with an invitation to live in him, and offers power to heal us all.

February 23rd - 7th Sunday after Epiphany, Year C

Readings -First Reading - Genesis 45:3-11,15, Psalm 37:1-11,39-40

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50,

Gospel - Luke 6:27-38

Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. Joseph lives it in Egypt. Jesus preaches it in the gospel. The Spirit guides us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided. Such merciful living is the baptismal blessing of having put on Christ. It is the gift of the life-giving Spirit. It is a reflection of God’s glory revealed in Christ.