Prepare for Epiphany 2 (January 20)

Prepare for Worship
Written By Christopher Gillespie

Within the liturgy for each Lord’s day, we receive the Word of God through uniquely appointed readings, psalms, hymns, and prayers. This week we will pray the Office of Matins (audio of this liturgy.) The following guide will help you to prepare to hear and sing the Propers, i.e. the varied texts and hymns for this week.

Jesus' First Miracle Reveals God's Glory

The coming of the Messianic kingdom means the restoration of creation. The sign of this restoration is that "the mountains shall drip sweet wine" (Amos 9:11_15). When the elements of a fallen creation fail and run short at a wedding feast, our Lord Jesus steps in to restore creation and miraculously changes water into an abundance of the very best wine (John 2:1_11). With this sign, Christ manifests His glory. The "back" of God (Ex. 33:12_23) is revealed to those who believe. The hour will come when Jesus will again manifest His glory by taking creation's curse into His own body to release us from its power. The Bridegroom will give His life for the Bride (Eph. 5:22_32), and from His side will flow water and blood, the holy sacraments by which she is cleansed and made one with Him. Through this sacrificial love of Christ we are enabled to "love one another with brotherly affection . . ." and to "outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom. 12:6_16).

Collect of the Day: Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings:

Old Testament: Ex. 33:12-23

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.%2033%3A12-23

Epistle: Rom. 12:6-16

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom.%2012%3A6-16

Holy Gospel: John 2:1-11

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%202%3A1-11

Hymns:

409 Hail, O Source of every blessing O Durchbrecher Video

402 The only Son from heaven Herr Christ, der einig Gotts Sohn Video

394 Songs of thankfulness and praise St. George's Windsor Video

Christopher Gillespie

The Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie was ordained into the Holy Ministry on July 25, A+D 2010. He and his wife, Anne, enjoy raising their family of ten children in the Lord in southwest Wisconsin. He earned a Masters of Divinity in 2009 from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Christopher also is a freelance recording and media producer. His speciality is recording of classical, choral, band and instrumental music and mastering of all genres of music. Services offered include location multi-track audio recording, live concert capture and production, mastering for CD and web, video production for web.

Also he operates a coffee roasting company, Coffee by Gillespie. Great coffee motivates and inspires. Many favorite memories are often shared over a cup. That’s why we take our coffee seriously. Select the best raw coffee. Roast it artfully. Brew it for best flavor. Coffee by Gillespie, the pride and passion of Christopher Gillespie, was founded to share his own experience in delicious coffee with you.

His many hobbies include listening to music, grilling, electronics, photography, computing, studying theology, and Christian apologetics.

https://outerrimterritories.com
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Prepare for the Sunday of the Centurion (January 27)
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Prepare for the Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6)