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Image: "Sunday Morning in Virgina" (1877), Winslow Homer, 1836-1910, painting. Cincinnati, OH, United States. Depicts a family in a slave cabin with children being taught how to read from the Bible.

Theme of the Day

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.

The Collect for Sunday

God of all mercy, your Son proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed:  anoint us with your Holy Spirit, so that all people may be free to praise you in Christ our Lord, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Prayer Intentions

The prayers of the church are offered especially:

  • for the needs of the world, especially at this time global pandemic;
  • for all medical personnel and caregivers, especially for those who work with those who are most ill;
  • for those who are sick and those awaiting surgeries postponed;
  • for research workers and scientists and medical personnel who are working to protect us, provide adequate testing, and to develop, deliver and administer vaccines;
  • for the safety of front line workers;
  • for those who are particularly vulnerable to this virus;
  • for those who are isolated and anxious;
  • for the healing of racial inequality, prejudice, bigotry, systemic racism, injustice, and hatred;
  • for the First Peoples of this land and for the work of healing and reconcilation; 
  • for all who grieve for lost children, for the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and for generational healing;
  • for those who are hungry and homeless;
  • for those who are unemployed or underemployed;
  • for all those who mourn, who are lonely, or suffer from depression;
  • for Elizabeth our Queen and all those set in authority under her, for Justin, the Prime Minister of Canada and all members of parliament; Doug, the Premier of Ontario and all members of the legislature; Fred, the mayor of Hamilton and those who serve city council; for the First Nations of this land, for elders, chiefs, and band councils; for all in civil authority and for all citizens that we might work together for the common good;
  • for the whole church: for Susan, our Diocesan Bishop; for David and Brian, our priests; for Tom, our intern; for all bish­ops, priests and dea­cons; and for all the bap­tized: that God may accomplish God's work in and through us for the sake of the world;
  • for all for whom we have been asked to pray, (especially Betty, Mary, Alistair, Olga), and for the many we know who are infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, that God will bring them healing and wholeness;
  • for those who are dying and all those who have departed from this life and are at rest.

In our cycles of prayer:

  • In the Worldwide Anglican Com­mun­ion: for the Anglican Church in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui), and the people of that province of the church.
  • In the Diocese of Niagara: All Saints, (Dain City), Welland, the Reverend Nirmal Mendis, Rector, and the people of thatparish.
  • In our neighbourhood: Blessings Christian Church, Pastors Bill DeJong, Ian Wildeboer, Greg Davidson, and the people of that congregation.
  • For one another, especially for Jim, Beth, Lyall, Debbie, Brian, Barbara, Gayle, and Jean.

Prayer requests to be included on the following Sunday can be submitted here by the Thursday morning before.

The Readings for Sunday

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

The exiles have returned and rebuilt Jerusalem. Now Ezra, the priest, reads the law of Moses to them in the public square. When they hear it, they weep for their sins and for the long years in exile, but Ezra reminds them that “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

1All the people [of Israel] gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. 2Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. 3He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 5And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 8So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
  9And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Psalm: Psalm 19

The teaching of the Lord revives the soul. (Ps. 19:7)

 1The heavens declare the glo- | ry of God,
  and the sky proclaims its | maker’s handiwork.
 2One day tells its tale | to another,
  and one night imparts knowledge | to another.
 3Although they have no | words or language,
  and their voices | are not heard,
 4their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends | of the world,
  where God has pitched a tent | for the sun.
 5It comes forth like a bridegroom out | of his chamber;
  it rejoices like a champion to | run its course.
 6It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of | it again;
  nothing is hidden from its | burning heat. R
 7The teaching of the Lord is perfect and re- | vives the soul;
  the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom | to the simple.
 8The statutes of the Lord are just and re- | joice the heart;
  the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light | to the eyes.
 9The fear of the Lord is clean and en- | dures forever;
  the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous | altogether.
 10More to be desired are they than gold, more than | much fine gold,
  sweeter far than honey, than honey | in the comb. R
 11By them also is your ser- | vant enlightened,
  and in keeping them there is | great reward.
 12Who can detect one’s | own offenses?
  Cleanse me from my | secret faults.
 13Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion | over me;
  then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a | great offense.
 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable | in your sight,
  O Lord, my strength and | my redeemer. R

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

The apostle and pastor Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to describe how intimately connected we are in the church. For this struggling congregation in Corinth, Paul delivers a vital message of unity that is a mark of the church today.

12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
  14Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; 24whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, 25that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
  27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31aBut strive for the greater gifts.

Gospel: Luke 4:14-21

Near the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, he visits his hometown of Nazareth. In the words of Isaiah, he states and claims his identity, purpose, and mission.

14Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

  16When 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, 17and 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,
 19to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20And 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. 21Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

This Week

  • Sunday (23): The Third Sunday after the Epiphany (The Lord's Day).
  • Monday (24): Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622 (Commemoration).
  • Tuesday (25): The Converstion of Saint Paul the Apostle (Holy Day). Week of Prayer for Christian Unity concludes.
  • Wednesday (26): Timothy and Titus, Companions of Saint Paul (Memorial).
  • Thursday (27): John Shrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, Teacher of the Faith, 407 (Memorial).
  • Friday (28): Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Friar, Teacher of the Faith, 1274 (Memorial). Day of discipline and self-denial.
  • Saturday (29): Feria. Eve of Sunday
  • Sunday (30): The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (The Lord's Day).

For readings appropriate to the day visit here.

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