The Revelation of God’s Glory,  to be revisitied on March 3, 2019

Collect:  The Last Sunday after the Epiphany

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Exodus 24:12-18  . . .  Moses encounters God on Mount Sinai

The cloud is a physical manifestation of the Lord’s presence.  Moses spent six days in the cloud before the Lord calls him.  He then spends 40 days and 40 nights on that same mountain where he encountered  the Lord and the burning bush and got his original call.

The Psalms provide the opportunity for the worshiper to put one’s self in the picture, make the psalm our personal response to situations.

Psalm 2  . . . Situation 1:  Struggle on the World’s Stage

Note these last three verses of this contemporary interpretation:

10) So listen well you rulers of the people, be wise pay heed to what you hear.

11) Learn service to the God of earth and heaven, in humility and awe draw close, come near.

12) Instead of fury, anger, fear and wrath, know blessedness, learn to live as a refuge of God.

Or

Psalm 99 . . .  Situation 2: Sovereign of the Universe

Another three verses:

7) And from the pillar to the clouds on high you shaped the words they heard and grew competent to understand and do.

8) There was no doubt  for them it was your words which spoke, and your forgiveness flowed to heal the inflicted for their evil deeds.

9) So it is your greatness God, that we proclaim, for you exist upon the sacred mountains of the transcendent being, And gathering now before that vast and mighty range, we worship, and in awe we honor you, O Holy One.

2 Peter 1:16-21 . . .  Peter testifies to the amazing events of Jesus’ glorious transfiguration. This letter is to be taken as the actual voice of the Holy Spirit speaking directly to us.

Matthew 17:1-9 . . .  Three of Jesus’ disciples witness Jesus’ radiance and hear the voice of God. Once the disciples know who he truly is,  Jesus begins to tell them of his impending death and resurrection. He then calls them to take up their cross and follow him down that road of suffering and vindication.  All this happened before the mountain top experience, where Peter, James and John can see the transfiguration first hand.

Note the cloud, the presence of God again.

Sermon for the Last Sunday After Epiphany: The Light

This sermon brings to mind the scripture verse most present for me these days: Isaiah 49: 6b — I give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

Today’s readings urge us to go beyond our obligations to the challenge of loving.

Collect: Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send Your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you.  Grant this for the sake of your only Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 . . . God’s calls the people to be holy and to live in love.

Psalm 119:33-40 . . . A request for guidance in keeping the commandments.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 . . .Paul reminds the Corinthians that all things belong to those who are in Christ

Matthew 5: 38-48 . . . Jesus declares that for his disciples unselfish love shows that we are God’s children. Followers are called to a way of life that teaches far beyond worldly standards of goodness — towards the limitless excellence of their heavenly Father.

Sermon for the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany The Rev. Gayle Hansen Browne St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Washington Court House, Ohio

Collect: The Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in your weakness we can do nothing good without you, give me the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Deuteronomy 30: 15-20, . . . Moses presents the people with their choice: love and obey the Lord and find life, or turn away to other gods and know death.

(or Sirach 15: 15-20) . . . man instruction in responsibility of human beings for their own actions.

Psalm 119:1-8 . . . a delight in the Lord’s statues, seeking to keep all the Lord’s commandments.

1 Corinthians 3: 1-9 . . . an admonishment for bickering and division

Matthew 5: 21-37 . . . a concern about the heart of human behavior.

Rev. Rachel May, Pastor of Boulevard United Methodist Church in Richmond, Virginia, preaches a sermon called “Deal with It,” based on Matthew 5:21-37. May struggles with the prohibition against “swearing falsely,” and finds in it–and in murder, adultery, and divorce–an unwillingness to deal with conflict. “So, deal with it,” Jesus says. “Just deal with it.”

A written commentary on the whole “Sermon on the Mount,” including  and explanation of each the Beatitude,  by GRACE COMMUNION INTERNATIONAL

Collect:  Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

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

Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) . . . This is a denunciation of those who only act at their religion.  There is a promise of the Lord’s favor for those who genuinely repent (strive towards a more loving mind-set — “Metanoia”)  and care for the needy.

Psalm 112

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) . . . Paul teaches the Corinthians that the wisdom of God is very different from the wisdom in which humans pride themselves. (God’s wisdom is “Metanoia” promises.)

Matthew 5:13-20 In this lesson we learn that disciples are like salt and as light to the world.  They are to live even more righteously than pious scribes and Pharisees.

“Light Up the World” A You-Tube delivery by Father Michael Renninger, Pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia,

Collect: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Micah 6:1-8 . . . God contends with the people of God, reminding them of the saving acts done for them and instructing them in the good that God expects.

Psalm 15 . . . the virtues of those worthy to worship

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 . . . God’s way of using what is weak and lowly–even what the world regards  as foolish–to accomplish the divine purposes.

Matthew 5:1-12

 . . . The Beatitudes, explained by Grace Communion International.

. . . A Fool? by William S. Bennett

Collect: Third Sunday After Epiphany

Give me  grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of my Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that I and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works;  who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Isaiah 9:1-4 . . .  a new time of restoration . . . a hymn of thanksgiving and hope offered at the birth of a new king in Jerusalem.

Psalm 27: 1, 5-13 . . . a song of trust and confidence in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1: 10-18 . . . set aside any differences for the sake of your common calling.

Matthew 4: 12-23 . . . repentance, calling for discipleship and healing the sick

Sermon: Fish-food for People  . . . Walk in the light!  Change your ways!  Become who God made you!  and:  Follow me!

My Father in heaven . . .  hollowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.  Give me today my daily bread. Forgive me my sins as I forgive those who sin against me.  Save me from the time of trial,  and deliver me from evil.  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen

Insight into the  Lord’s prayer

Collect: The Second Sunday After Epiphany

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illuminated by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen

Isaiah 49:1-7  . . . the servant of the Lord reflects movingly on his mission — its sorrows and frustrations — and God’s high calling and promise to be with him.   

Psalm 40: 1-12 . . . a prayer for forgiveness and a song of thanksgiving . . .

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 . . . a thanksgiving for the church’s growth in Christ.

John 1:29-42 . . . John’s disciples become followers of the Lamb.

Three Days with Jesus by Dan Clendenin

Behold the Lamb  from The “Preachrblog”

Collect: The Baptism of the Lord

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan proclaim him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and he Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen

Isaiah 42:1-9 . . . the mission of the Lord’s servant, the one whom God has chosen to bring forth justice and salvation.

Psalm 29 . . . The LORD shall give strength to his people;  the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Acts 10:34-43 . . . the good news that Jesus began to proclaim after his baptism.

Matthew 3:13-17 . . . After His baptism the Holy Spirit is manifest.

A Sermon For the Feast of Epiphany  by Linda Strohmier.

and/or

The  Baptism of the Lord  by James T. Batchelor

The Epiphany Collect

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested  your only Son to the people of the earth: Lead us, who know You now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.