{"id":1331,"date":"2021-01-30T19:31:29","date_gmt":"2021-01-30T19:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/?p=1331"},"modified":"2021-01-30T19:31:29","modified_gmt":"2021-01-30T19:31:29","slug":"epiphany-iv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2021\/01\/30\/epiphany-iv\/","title":{"rendered":"Epiphany IV"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/5622\/23429048871_609ed7359a_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Photo by Marcus Holland-Moritz, Sligachan Old Bridge, Isle of Skye, Scotland.  (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>Gathered through the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship God with gladness. We encourage you to pray over the words that follow, and follow the links within the liturgy. Prayers in this service are adapted from Celebrate God\u2019s Presence (UCPH). Thanks this week to Taye and Heather!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRELUDE (Scottish Traditional Tune)<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/scottishtrad.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>OPENING PRAYER:<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Wondrous God:<br \/>you touch our lives with healing and with mercy;<br \/>new life is your gift.<br \/>We praise you for the Good News<br \/>which is ours through Jesus Christ.<br \/>May this worship nourish us<br \/>with your promise of meaning and purpose.<br \/>May we be empowered to carry your goodness<br \/>into the coming week.<br \/>We pray in Jesus\u2019 name, our Source and Saviour. Amen<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN OF PRAISE: \u201cAll hail the power of Jesus&#8217; name!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/VU-334-All-Hail-the-Power-of-Jesus-Name.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>All hail the power of Jesus&#8217; name!<br \/> Let angels prostrate fall;<br \/> bring forth the royal diadem,<br \/>     and crown him, crown him, crown him,<br \/>     crown him Lord of all.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>O seed of Israel&#8217;s chosen race<br \/> now ransomed from the fall,<br \/> hail him who saves you by his grace  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Crown him, you martyrs of your God,<br \/> who from his altar call;<br \/> praise him whose way of pain you trod,  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Let every tongue and every tribe,<br \/> responsive to the call,<br \/> to him all majesty ascribe  R<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>O that, with all the sacred throng,<br \/> we at his feet may fall,<br \/> join in the everlasting song,<br \/>     and crown him, crown him, crown him,<br \/>     crown him Lord of all.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRAYER OF CONFESSION<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Almighty God,<br \/>\nto whom all hearts are open,<br \/>\nall desires, known,<br \/>\nand from whom no secrets are hid:<br \/>\ncleanse the thoughts of our hearts<br \/>\nby the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,<br \/>\nthat we may perfectly love you,<br \/>\nand worthily magnify your holy name;<br \/>\nthrough Christ our Lord. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>ASSURANCE OF PARDON<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God will give us what we need:<br \/>\nstrength for today,<br \/>\nhope for tomorrow,<br \/>\nand forgiveness<br \/>\nfor all that is past.<br \/>\nAmen.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/4720\/40055128222_6d5e5a7b70_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Photo by Leigh Garner (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>SPECIAL MUSIC: \u201cBridge Over Troubled Water\u201d (Simon)<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Bridge-Over-Troubled-Water-Simon.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>FIRST READING: Psalm 111<\/p>\n\n\n<p>I will thank you, God, with my whole heart,<br \/> in the company of the upright, in their assembly.<br \/>     <strong>Great are your works, O God,<br \/>     studied by all who delight in them.<\/strong><br \/> Honour and majesty are your work;<br \/> your righteousness endures forever.<br \/>     <strong>You have won renown for your wonders;<br \/>     you are gracious and full of compassion<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>You give food to those who fear you;<br \/> you keep your covenant always in mind.<br \/>     <strong>You have shown your power in action,<br \/>     giving your people the heritage of nations.<\/strong><br \/> The works of your hands are faithful and just;<br \/> all your precepts trustworthy.<br \/>     <strong>They stand fast forever and ever;<br \/>     grounded in justice and truth.<\/strong><br \/> You sent redemption to your people;<br \/>     <strong>you decreed your covenant forever.<br \/>     Holy and awesome is your name.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<p>The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom;<br \/>\n    those who practise it have good understanding.<br \/>\n    May your praise endure forever.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>SECOND READING: Mark 1.21-28<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Mark-1_21-28-by-Taye.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 \u201cWhat do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are\u2014the Holy One of God!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p>25 \u201cBe quiet!\u201d said Jesus sternly. \u201cCome out of him!\u201d 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, \u201cWhat is this? A new teaching\u2014and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.\u201d 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: \u201cGod, whose almighty word\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/VU-313-God-Whose-Almighty-Wod.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>God, whose almighty word<br \/> chaos and darkness heard, and took their flight,<br \/> hear us, we humbly pray, and where the gospel day<br \/> sheds not its glorious ray, let there be light.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Jesus, who came to bring<br \/> on your redeeming wing, healing and sight,<br \/> health to the troubled mind, sight to the Spirit-blind,<br \/> O now to humankind let there be light.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Spirit of truth and love,<br \/> lifegiving, holy dove, speed forth your flight;<br \/> move on the water&#8217;s face, bearing the lamp of grace,<br \/> and in earth&#8217;s darkest place let there be light.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Blessed and holy three,<br \/> glorious trinity, wisdom, love, might,<br \/> boundless as ocean&#8217;s tide rolling in fullest pride,<br \/> through the world far and wide, let there be light.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/874\/41538439482_c3c93b0f89_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Photo by Helena Bezecna (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>REFLECTION<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/jan31sermon.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>It seemed too-clever-by-half.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>In the December 2004 issue, Rolling Stone Magazine decided to announce to the world the top 500 songs of all time.  As expected, the Beatles posted the most songs.  Among Canadian artists, Neil Young was the most represented.  The 1960s was the most popular decade (203 songs) and the 2000s the least popular (with only 3).  Go ahead boomers, feel smug.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The too-clever-by-half part was Rolling Stone Magazines choice of number one and number two on the list: \u201cLike a Rolling Stone\u201d by Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones, \u201c(I Can\u2019t Get No) Satisfaction.\u201d  Yes, both fine songs, but a little too meta (self-referential) as the kids might say.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, the song I really want to talk about is not so far down the list at number 48: \u201cBridge Over Troubled Water.\u201d  Thanks first to Taye for choosing it and singing it today.  And thanks too to her talented accompanist.  We can debate whether it belongs higher or lower on the list, but there is little debate about the magic of the song.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>The story goes that in the spring of 1969 Paul Simon was reflecting on the state of the world, particularly the tumult of the previous year: riots and unrest around the world, the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Dr. King, the war in Vietnam.  A tune appeared in his mind, and a fragment of lyrics, but he didn\u2019t quite know where to go with it:<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>When you\u2019re weary<br \/> Feeling small<br \/> When tears are in your eyes<br \/> I will dry them all.  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was stuck for a while,\u201d he admitted. \u201cEverywhere I went led to somewhere I didn\u2019t want to be.\u201d  Finally, the block ended while he was listening to a gospel song by the Swan Silvertones.  One line of \u201cOh Mary Don\u2019t You Weep\u201d caught his attention: \u201cI\u2019ll be your bridge over deep water, if you trust in my name.\u201d  Simon readily admits to borrowing the line, and later in he shared some of the proceeds of the song with Claude Jeter of the Swan Silvertones.* <\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll be your bridge over deep water, if you trust in my name.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>It has echoes of scripture, particularly Psalm 18 (also 2 Samuel 22) and Psalm 69, with one important caveat: the word bridge does not appear in the Bible.  Amazing, actually, with the Roman world filled with bridges, and not a single mention in scripture.  I\u2019ll leave that for another sermon.  Meanwhile, the experience of being in deep water has some sort of universal resonance, something I think most of us can relate to.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Out of our depth<\/em> would be another way to say it, maybe out of control, or even possessed by something beyond ourselves.  I think you see where I\u2019m going here.  Demon possession, the theme of our reading, and the theme of a number of Jesus\u2019 healings, is generally problematic to the modern reader.  We tread lightly when the lesson lines up with what we would now describe as mental illness, or epilepsy, or any other disorder that the ancients might have described as demon possession.  We tend to set the whole thing aside, unsure how to proceed.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>At the same time, we are well-acquainted with the idea of being in the grip of something: an idea, a movement, a turn-of-events that draw people in.  People become possessed by the latest get-rich-quick scheme, or some counter-cultural movement, or a conspiracy theory.  All of this can be subjective, of course, thinking of the adage that \u201cone person&#8217;s terrorist is another person\u2019s freedom fighter.\u201d  Generally though, we can usually spot when someone is caught in something beyond their control.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Reflecting on our passage, and the various healings that involve demons, there are a couple of things to note.  The first is the extent to which this is personal for Jesus.  Time and time again, it is the demons who call Jesus by name, and name him for who he is: \u201cWhat do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are\u2014the Holy One of God!\u201d This tells me that Jesus has unique concern for the demon-possessed, literal or metaphorical.  His emphasis is freedom: freedom from the forces that would diminish us in some way, and freedom to love and serve God.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>The second thing to note here is the connection between healing and speaking with authority.  Like the Most High speaking creation into being, Jesus speaks (commands) the demons and they obey him.  Speaking with authority here is more than sharing the Good News of the kingdom, it\u2019s speaking new life into being, freeing those caught up in something larger than themselves, and giving them back their freedom.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>I want to return to Paul Simon for a moment and encourage you to think of \u201cBridge Over Troubled Waters\u201d as an anthem for our time.  Think of all we have endured since March of last year and listen to the poet:<\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>When you\u2019re weary<br \/> Feeling small<br \/> When tears are in your eyes<br \/> I will dry them all.  <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Maybe you are out of your depth, maybe you feel out of control, or maybe even possessed by something beyond yourself.  It doesn\u2019t need to be something dramatic, it can be something as simple as feeling sad.  Whatever it is, recall that for Jesus this is personal: he knows what we face, and he seeks to free us from it, whatever it may be.  He seeks our freedom\u2014freedom from the things that oppress us, and then freedom to love him and everyone we meet.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>It was no accident that Paul Simon found inspiration in a gospel song.  In Old English, \u201cgodspel\u201d means good news, or a good story\u2014words to convey the message needed to find new life.  The Spirit moves in us and around us to convey the message we need to find our way out of deep waters.  The Spirit will form a bridge for us to pass over.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>May God bless us and grant us freedom in Christ Jesus.  May we be free to love and serve others, now and always, Amen. <\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">*https:\/\/www.loudersound.com\/features\/story-behind-the-song-bridge-over-troubled-water-by-simon-garfunkel<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/7020\/6479028311_5dc537700b_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Photo by Jes\u00fas Belzunce G\u00f3mez (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Blessed are you, gracious God:<br \/>\nyou have given us life and freedom<br \/>\nto be your people in the world.<br \/>\nEmpower us with your Spirit,<br \/>\nto be an example to others.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Blessed are you, gracious God:<br \/>\nyou have called us into the church,<br \/>\nand into this community of faith,<br \/>\npilgrims together on the journey to new creation.<br \/>\nStrengthen our mission,<br \/>\nand increase our longing for your kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Blessed are you, gracious God:<br \/>\nyou have touched our hearts with hope,<br \/>\nso that we long to see the day of your salvation.<br \/>\nComfort those who mourn,<br \/>\nCare for those who are wounded or ill,<br \/>\nAnd touch the live of those given to anxiety or despair.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Blessed are you, gracious God:<br \/>\nyou have called us to live in the world,<br \/>\na world beset by trouble and trial.<br \/>\nHelp us to seek your justice,<br \/>\nand call to account those who lead us,<br \/>\nthat they may live with love and mercy.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Blessed are you, gracious God:<br \/>\nyou have blessed us with your Word,<br \/>\nto teach and inspire us,<br \/>\nand fill us with hope.<br \/>\nHelp us remain your faithful ones,<br \/>\nwalking with Christ on the road back to you.<br \/>\nAmen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>THE LORD\u2019S PRAYER<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Our Father who art in heaven,<br \/>\nhallowed be thy name.<br \/>\nThy kingdom come,<br \/>\nThy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.<br \/>\nGive us this day our daily bread;<br \/>\nand forgive us our trespasses<br \/>\nas we forgive those who trespass against us;<br \/>\nand lead us not into temptation<br \/>\nbut deliver us from evil.<br \/>\nFor thine is the kingdom,<br \/>\nand the power, and the glory,<br \/>\nfor ever and ever. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: \u201cAll beautiful the march of days\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/VU-530-All-Beautiful-the-March-of-Days.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>All beautiful the march of days,<br \/>     as seasons come and go;<br \/> the hand that shaped the rose has wrought<br \/>     the crystal of the snow,<br \/> has sent the silvery frost of heaven,<br \/>     the flowing waters sealed,<br \/> and laid a silent loveliness<br \/>     on hill and wood and field.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>O&#8217;er white expanses sparkling pure <br \/>     the radiant morns unfold;<br \/> the solemn splendours of the night<br \/>     burn brighter through the cold;<br \/> life mounts in every throbbing vein,<br \/>     love deepens round the hearth,<br \/> and clearer sounds the angel hymn,<br \/>     good will to all on earth.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>O God, from whose unfathomed law<br \/>     the year in beauty flows,<br \/> yourself the vision passing by<br \/>     in crystal and in rose;<br \/> day unto day declare thro&#8217; speech,<br \/>     and night to night proclaim<br \/> in everchanging words of light<br \/>     the wonder of your name.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>BLESSING<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,<br \/>\nand may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless<br \/>\nuntil our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. Amen.<br \/>\n\u20141 Thessalonians 5:23<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/meetagainredux.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>God be with you till we meet again;<br \/> loving counsels guide, uphold you,<br \/> with a shepherd\u2019s care enfold you;<br \/> God be with you till we meet again.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/4558\/38241988012_683ac2567a_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Photo by Colin Wilkinson (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gathered through the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship God with gladness. We encourage you to pray over the words that follow, and follow the links within the liturgy. Prayers in this service are adapted from Celebrate God\u2019s Presence (UCPH). Thanks this week to Taye and Heather! PRELUDE (Scottish Traditional Tune) OPENING PRAYER: Wondrous &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2021\/01\/30\/epiphany-iv\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Epiphany IV<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1331"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1331\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}