Epiphany 2
2nd SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY Hymns 55, 50, 57, 393
First reading Isaiah 49:3,5-6 ————— —————–
The Lord said to me, ‘You are my servant, Israel, in whom I shall be glorified’;
I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength.
And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him:
‘It is not enough for you to be my servant,
to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel;
I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 39(40):2,4,7-10 ——————————————
Response: Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
I waited, I waited for the Lord, and he stooped down to me; he heard my cry.
He put a new song into my mouth, praise of our God.
Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings, but an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim. Instead, here am I.
Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
In the scroll of the book it stands written that I should do your will.
My God, I delight in your law in the depth of my heart.
Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
Your justice I have proclaimed in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed; you know it, O Lord.
Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.
Second reading 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 ————————————
I, Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle, together with brother Sosthenes, send greetings to the church of God in Corinth, to the holy people of Jesus Christ, who are called to take their place among all the saints everywhere who pray to our Lord Jesus Christ; for he is their Lord no less than ours. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace.
Gospel John 1:29-34 ——– ————–
Seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, ‘Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptising with water.’ John also declared, ‘I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.’
Could you pass this sheet on to someone else who might like to see it?
NEWS FROM ST MICHAEL'S
A warm welcome to any new readers, and to visitors and newcomers to St Michael's, as we keep this second Sunday of Epiphany. A special welcome and many thanks to our celebrant Fr Derek, who has kindly stepped in to celebrate Mass for us today, as Fr Paul is convalescing after a chest infection. If you are new to St Michael's, please join us for tea or coffee in the Vestry Hall after Mass, so that we can welcome you properly.
Watch this space… At their meeting on Thursday, the PCC considered ways in which we at St Michael's could recharge our batteries in this new year, particularly with Lent in mind. While some of the things we have done in the past (for example a residential pilgrimage to Walsingham) would be difficult to arrange in the available time, we think many of us would benefit from a Quiet Day with minimal travelling involved. We are therefore working towards a Quiet Day at The Friars, probably on a Saturday in March - details to be announced shortly. Everyone will be welcome to join in this; a Quiet Day is a wonderful opportunity to recharge one's batteries, and at a time when we are concerned about so many things, including the future of the parish, time to be still together in the presence of God will be of value to us, and not only to us. More information very soon.
Sidespersons – we need them! The PCC also noted the importance of welcoming worshippers (particularly newcomers and visitors), and also of managing the collection appropriately (it was clear at Christmas that not everyone spotted the collection plate, and it's not something one necessarily wants to point out to a visitor who has just come through the door). We do need more people who are willing to welcome new arrivals and to circulate the plate during the Offertory. Could you do this worthwhile job, perhaps once a month? Please have a word with Paul, who can give you further information.
Parish Giving Scheme: As we have previously noted, this new scheme promises well, both for church finances and for the sanity of parish Treasurers. The PCC has approved our participating in the PGS (as the diocese is withdrawing much of the administrative support that has hitherto been available to parish Treasurers, non-participation would not be sensible) and we shall hear more from Treasurer Nelly shortly about any changes that have to be implemented at our end.
Come to Canterbury on February 2nd for the Consecration of the new Bishop of Oswestry! This will be a memorable and moving way of keeping Candlemas, and an occasion at which Bishop Norman is anxious to see a good representation from the Resolution parishes in this diocese. Eleanor has 3 places in her car and would be glad to know of anyone else who can offer a lift.
Cards and packs of envelopes, in significant numbers, are still awaiting collection in the narthex. Are there any for you, or for a friend or neighbour to whom you could kindly deliver? Many have been there since before Christmas – please take a moment to check!
Work on our East Window will – at last! - be beginning shortly.
From Our Tower:
Kent County Association
St Michael and All Angels
Sunday, 8 January 2023 in 39m (6–1–24 in C)
1269 Cambridge Surprise Minor
1Jacqueline Barlow
2Stephen Coaker
3John J Proudfoot
4Mark Elvers
5Pam Thomas
6Neil Jones (C)
Rung on the first Sunday of Epiphany. Remembering Joyce Neal, 5/1/99. R.I.P.