Epiphany 3 | Ordinary Time 3 - A
C. David Mckirachan
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"Ordinary Time" by C. David McKirachan
"Who's the Fool?" by C. David McKirachan
"Sharing the Light" by Sandra Herrmann
* * * * * * *
Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4
I like the liturgical calendar. It gives the year rhythm. It drags us through the scriptures in ways that we, in our horrific, grinding normality could never pull off. We're too busy paying attention to the normality of staff issues, the church's corporate business, deadlines, pastoral emergencies, the list we have on the kitchen table that keeps the house from falling down. The Sunday's after Epiphany and before Ash Wednesday are known as the Sunday's after Epiphany. I use themes of being a light to the world, evangelism, arising and shining. We use white as its color, and we hang a big fat gold star from the chandelier in the sanctuary.
"Ordinary Time" by C. David McKirachan
"Who's the Fool?" by C. David McKirachan
"Sharing the Light" by Sandra Herrmann
* * * * * * *
Ordinary Time
by C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 9:1-4
I like the liturgical calendar. It gives the year rhythm. It drags us through the scriptures in ways that we, in our horrific, grinding normality could never pull off. We're too busy paying attention to the normality of staff issues, the church's corporate business, deadlines, pastoral emergencies, the list we have on the kitchen table that keeps the house from falling down. The Sunday's after Epiphany and before Ash Wednesday are known as the Sunday's after Epiphany. I use themes of being a light to the world, evangelism, arising and shining. We use white as its color, and we hang a big fat gold star from the chandelier in the sanctuary.
John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Angel of Mercy"
Shining Moments: "A Dog's Life" by David Michael Smith
Good Stories: "God's Call" by Stephen Groves
Scrap Pile: "The Way Less Taken" by Garry Deverell
What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt
The tsunami is still very much on our minds as the death toll keeps on rising and the utter horror of the devastation wrought on that terrible day continues to give us pause. Check out the story of Jessie Maulder in this week's Story to Live By. She is the young Australian medical student who cut short her vacation to help survivors. Jessie said, "You can't go sightseeing, looking at Buddhas in northern Thailand, when you see something like this."
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Angel of Mercy"
Shining Moments: "A Dog's Life" by David Michael Smith
Good Stories: "God's Call" by Stephen Groves
Scrap Pile: "The Way Less Taken" by Garry Deverell
What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt
The tsunami is still very much on our minds as the death toll keeps on rising and the utter horror of the devastation wrought on that terrible day continues to give us pause. Check out the story of Jessie Maulder in this week's Story to Live By. She is the young Australian medical student who cut short her vacation to help survivors. Jessie said, "You can't go sightseeing, looking at Buddhas in northern Thailand, when you see something like this."
Frank Ramirez
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)
(Jesus) made his home in Capernaum…so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “…the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:13-14, 16)
The discovery of the planet Neptune is a story of the triumph of pure science. During the nineteenth century, the planet Uranus displayed enough oddities in its orbit that it became clear that there was some large body further out in the solar system that was dragging it away from its carefully predicted path around the sun.
(Jesus) made his home in Capernaum…so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “…the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:13-14, 16)
The discovery of the planet Neptune is a story of the triumph of pure science. During the nineteenth century, the planet Uranus displayed enough oddities in its orbit that it became clear that there was some large body further out in the solar system that was dragging it away from its carefully predicted path around the sun.
Peter Andrew Smith
“Well that should do it for out here.” Paul shoveled the last of the snow on the walkway. “Do you suppose there’s much to be done inside?”
“Does it really matter? I don’t think anyone is going to show up.” Luke looked at the sky. “The storm coming is supposed to be a bad one.”
“It won’t start for a few hours. When it gets underway, we can close up.”
“No seriously man, why are we opening the food bank this morning? I doubt that anyone will show up and most of the town is closed because of the weather.”
“But what if there is someone?”
“I suppose.” Luke sighed. “Last time I was in, the donations from before Christmas were still being sorted and of course the boxes for today need to be prepared.”
“Then let’s get on with that.”
Inside with their coats off, Paul put the unsorted donations on the counter. “Don’t you just love this time of year?”
“Does it really matter? I don’t think anyone is going to show up.” Luke looked at the sky. “The storm coming is supposed to be a bad one.”
“It won’t start for a few hours. When it gets underway, we can close up.”
“No seriously man, why are we opening the food bank this morning? I doubt that anyone will show up and most of the town is closed because of the weather.”
“But what if there is someone?”
“I suppose.” Luke sighed. “Last time I was in, the donations from before Christmas were still being sorted and of course the boxes for today need to be prepared.”
“Then let’s get on with that.”
Inside with their coats off, Paul put the unsorted donations on the counter. “Don’t you just love this time of year?”
Keith Wagner
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
"Light for the Darkness" by Keith Wagner
"Different but Together" by Keith Wagner
"Waiting in Line" by C. David McKirachan
Light for the Darkness
by Keith Wagner
Isaiah 9:1-4
Several years ago I wanted a good flashlight for Christmas. So my wife gave me a Magna Flashlight. It is extremely bright. It is small enough to carry in your pocket. It even has an extra bulb in the end of the cylinder. One evening I was reading the directions to make sure I was operating it properly. I noticed that it said something about turning the flashlight into a candle. I thought, that would be really helpful for our Christmas eve service. I wasn’t sure how to transform it into a candle so I had to read additional instructions. Voila! I now have a really cool flashlight that is also a candle. My flashlight not only has great power, it has multiple uses. There is no limit to the power of light.
"Light for the Darkness" by Keith Wagner
"Different but Together" by Keith Wagner
"Waiting in Line" by C. David McKirachan
Light for the Darkness
by Keith Wagner
Isaiah 9:1-4
Several years ago I wanted a good flashlight for Christmas. So my wife gave me a Magna Flashlight. It is extremely bright. It is small enough to carry in your pocket. It even has an extra bulb in the end of the cylinder. One evening I was reading the directions to make sure I was operating it properly. I noticed that it said something about turning the flashlight into a candle. I thought, that would be really helpful for our Christmas eve service. I wasn’t sure how to transform it into a candle so I had to read additional instructions. Voila! I now have a really cool flashlight that is also a candle. My flashlight not only has great power, it has multiple uses. There is no limit to the power of light.
John E. Sumwalt
Craig Kelly
Contents
"Found in Darkness" by John Sumwalt
"Sold Out" by Craig Kelly
* * * * * * * *
Found in Darkness
John Sumwalt
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined.
-- Isaiah 9:2
Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
-- Exodus 20:21
Darkness descended on Eleanor's life the moment the semi-trailer crossed the centerline hitting the mini-van head on. All that Eleanor could remember, when she regained consciousness was the headlights coming straight at them. Then nothing. Darkness. The nursing staff waited a few hours before they told her that Jim had been killed instantly. He had been driving and his side of the van had taken the full brunt of the impact.
"Found in Darkness" by John Sumwalt
"Sold Out" by Craig Kelly
* * * * * * * *
Found in Darkness
John Sumwalt
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined.
-- Isaiah 9:2
Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
-- Exodus 20:21
Darkness descended on Eleanor's life the moment the semi-trailer crossed the centerline hitting the mini-van head on. All that Eleanor could remember, when she regained consciousness was the headlights coming straight at them. Then nothing. Darkness. The nursing staff waited a few hours before they told her that Jim had been killed instantly. He had been driving and his side of the van had taken the full brunt of the impact.
Keith Hewitt
Frank Ramirez
Contents
What's Up This Week
"God Time" by Keith Hewitt
"One Bright Light" by Frank Ramirez
What's Up This Week
So often in our walk with God, it seems as though we and God are not always on the same page. We go along with our ideas of how things are supposed to be, while God often has his own agenda. One major area where this becomes apparent is timing. We think things are supposed to happen at a certain time and when that time comes and goes, we can think God has missed the picture. Keith Hewitt explores this in "God Time." On the other side, there have been many times that God has tried to communicate something to us and we have missed the message. Frank Ramirez offers us an example in nature in "One Bright Light."
* * * * * * * * *
God Time
By Keith Hewitt
Isaiah 9:1-4
What's Up This Week
"God Time" by Keith Hewitt
"One Bright Light" by Frank Ramirez
What's Up This Week
So often in our walk with God, it seems as though we and God are not always on the same page. We go along with our ideas of how things are supposed to be, while God often has his own agenda. One major area where this becomes apparent is timing. We think things are supposed to happen at a certain time and when that time comes and goes, we can think God has missed the picture. Keith Hewitt explores this in "God Time." On the other side, there have been many times that God has tried to communicate something to us and we have missed the message. Frank Ramirez offers us an example in nature in "One Bright Light."
* * * * * * * * *
God Time
By Keith Hewitt
Isaiah 9:1-4
What is StoryShare?
StoryShare is a treasure house with hundreds of good stories to share, stories which relate authentic, life-changing experiences that demonstrate the Lord's power and presence. Many are intensely personal accounts that concern visions, healing, or answers to prayers, but all bear witness to the indescribable joy, comfort and peace that come from a personal encounter with the divine. Our "Good Stories" section includes short fiction, parables much like those Jesus told.
Can I share stories that I have?
Yes, you can. You have good stories to share too, probably more than you know: personal stories, and stories from others that you have used over the years. StoryShare is always looking for stories involving personal experiences of the presence of God. Have you or someone you know heard the voice of God or been healed as a direct answer to prayer? If you have a story that you can share send it to StoryShare for review. Simply click here (storyshare@sermonsuite.com) and email your story to us.
