Worship on the Second Sunday after the Epiphany
10:00 am January 19, 2025
Minister: Rev. Brad Childs Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalists: Peter and Cheryl Sheridan Reader: Martin Sawdon
Welcoming Elder: Sam Malayang Children’s time presenter: Vivian Houg
We gather to worship God
Music Prelude
Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
P: and also with you
Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship
Call to worship:
L: God of the feast and abundance,
P: you constantly turn water into fine wine.
L: Though the wine has run out,
P: you work miracles among us.
L: Though the work feels impossible,
P: you accomplish wonders through us.
L: Though many fail to perceive it,
P: you reveal your glory among us.
L: Please help us receive your good gifts today,
P: so we might learn to put our faith in you. Amen
Opening praise: Here I am to worship
Prayers of approach and confession
Loving God, we come to You today with open hearts, asking for Your forgiveness and help. We know we have made mistakes and haven’t , done the right thing. In our thoughts, words, and actions, we haven’t lived the way You want us to.
We admit that we haven’t always put You first in our lives or loved other people as much as we love ourselves. Sometimes we think more about what we want instead of what others need. And of course we do. But we want to do both. Please forgive us for being selfish and not caring for those around us as much as we might.
We know we have been quick to speak and slow to listen, missing chances to understand others. We sometimes use words that hurt instead of heal, and we don’t always say the kind things we should. Forgive us for this and for the moments we stayed quiet when we could have offered hope and love.
In our busy lives, we haven’t always made time for You, God. We let the noise around us distract us from listening to Your voice and following Your guidance. We ask for Your forgiveness and help to make time to connect with You.
We also confess that we haven’t cared for the earth, Your marvellous creation. We’ve used its resources without thinking about how it affects the future. Please forgive us and help us to protect and care for the world around us.
We know we’ve ignored injustice and suffering, sometimes choosing comfort over doing what’s right. We’ve stayed silent when we should have spoken up. Forgive us for looking away and show us how to love mercy and act justly.
In our friendships and communities, we’ve let differences divide us when we should be united. Forgive us for judging others and help us to see everyone with love and understanding. Teach us to build bridges and break down barriers.
Gracious God, we’re sorry for our failures, but we trust in Your love and mercy. Clean our hearts and renew our spirits so we can walk in Your light and truth. Give us the strength to live as true followers of Jesus, sharing hope and joy everywhere we go.
Thank You for always offering us forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. We trust in His love and peace. Amen.
Response: We come to ask your forgiveness
Assurance of God’s pardon
God’s love for us is endless, and His mercy knows no bounds. When we come to God with a sincere heart, asking for forgiveness, He welcomes us with open arms and wipes our slate clean.
We are forgiven and made new through Jesus Christ, God’s own Son. Jesus came to show us the way of love and peace, and through His sacrifice, we are set free from our mistakes and given a fresh start. Thanks be to God!
Musical offering by the Dayspring Singers: Little drummer boy/Peace on earth
We listen for the voice of God
Song: Jesus loves me (373)
Children’s time
Theme: Jesus performs miracles — not magic tricks.
Object: Two pitchers, one clear and one opaque, a package of grape Kool-Aid, a spoon, and a glass. (Ahead of time, put the package of Kool-Aid in the opaque pitcher.)
Scripture: This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. John 2:11 (NIV)
This morning you are going to see an amazing feat of magic. I am going to take the plain, ordinary water in this glass pitcher and turn it into wine. Would anyone like to taste this water to make sure that it is just plain water? (Someone will surely take you up on your offer.)
OK, now that we know that this is just a pitcher of plain water, I will perform my magic. (Pour the water into the opaque pitcher with Kool-Aid in the bottom.) Now, I will take my magic spoon and stir the water. Now, watch this! (Pour the Kool-Aid into the glass.) Isn’t that the most amazing thing you have ever seen? How did I do that? (Allow time for them to guess how it was done.) The truth is, there was nothing magical about what happened. In the bottom of this pitcher was a package of grape Kool-Aid. I didn’t turn water into wine…all I did was turn water into Kool-Aid. Anyone can do that!
I did this silly little “magic” trick this morning to start us to thinking about the miracles that Jesus performed. Notice that I said, “Miracles” not “Magic.” During his time on earth, Jesus performed many miracles. He healed the sick, he raised the dead, he walked on water, and he fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. These miracles could not be explained by a simple trick. They were things that only God could do. Our Bible lesson today tells of the very first miracle of Jesus — turning water into wine.
There was a great wedding celebration in the village of Cana. Almost everyone in town was there. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited. Everyone was having a good time until a very unfortunate thing happened. They ran out of wine. Jesus’ mother went looking for her son. When she found Jesus, she said to him, “There is no more wine.” Even though Jesus wasn’t ready to reveal that he was the Messiah, he quietly took on the responsibility of helping the host out of his predicament.
His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you to do.”
There were six stone water jars nearby. Each one could hold twenty or thirty gallons. “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told the servants. When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies.” The servants did as they were told, and I am sure you probably know what happened. The water had been turned into wine. Not only that, it was the best wine they had had all evening.
This was the first miracle that Jesus performed. The Bible tells us that after they saw Jesus perform this miracle, the disciples believed in him. That was always the reason that Jesus performed a miracle. He didn’t do it so that he would become popular or well-liked. He did it so that all would believe that he was God’s Son who had come to save them.
I believe…do you?
Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your Son and for the miracle of salvation. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (535)
Song: Speak, Lord in the stillness (442)
Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11
Response: Glory to the Father
Message: The First Miracle
This first miracle of Jesus took place in a village called, Cana of Galilee. Cana was an inconspicuous little town just outside of Nazareth (another inconspicuous little town). Cana had no social significance in its day at all but it was about to become the sight of something huge. God, it seems, loves doing big things with so called “little people”. Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as Jesus and his disciples had all been invited to the wedding there. Most likely the whole town was invited as well as relatives and friends from all over the Galilean community. Cultural norms would have us to understand that this was a “peasant” wedding from some of the information we see. But that wouldn’t affect the guests much. These types of weddings just worked a little more like potlucks than the wealthy weddings did. And the “ceremony” would be completely unaffected. In fact, there weren’t really ceremonies to be affected. The actual “wedding ceremony” was just two groups of people escorting the couple into a tent. But what happened afterwords was a sight to behold. You see, for 3 days and ending on the day before the Sabbath the town would party… and the wine would flow.
Now, before we move on I want to delve into the story just a bit in order to explain a few things about it.
In Verse1-3 it says, On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
Because at the time Jesus was seen as Rabbani (a rabbinic teacher) and the disciples were seen as Talmudiyyim (a special class of students), Jesus would not be responsible to bring food or other preparations for himself, but he would normally be responsible for the contribution of the disciples. However, Jesus and the disciples were also publicly known to be involved in a mendicant (Men-D-Cant) ministry (dependent upon others for funds). Because of this, Jesus and the disciples would have been one of those rare groups of invites who came to the party but didn’t actually contribute anything – as they would be unable to provide for the feast.
In any case, the couple runs out of wine and so Mary goes to Jesus; probably a bit uncomfortably; and to suggest to him that certain people would be looking at him and at his friends (and her by extension) as freeloaders.
Now if you know the story you may assume that Mary goes to Jesus expecting him to do something. But that’s not the case. Nothing in the story indicates that she expected anything of him at all. In fact, what is almost certain is that she was simply informing him because in this culture of honor and shame, they all might be wearing out their welcome. But notice this… there is nothing in her words which in any way that suggest she asked anything of him or expects anything from him. She only informs him of the problem stating, “They have no more wine”. And that’s all she says. (Derrett, Law in the NT 228–38).
4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”
It’s an interesting response. Some would see this as confrontation, “Don’t bother me woman”, but in truth this is just one place where accurately translating something makes for confusion. Firstly, in the first century, referring to a mother or a wife as “women” was considered an affectionate designation. In fact, “woman” is a typical address in love poems written at the time. So don’t worry. He is not belittling his mother. Secondly “Why do you involve me” or “what has this to do with me” is also confusing for modern readers. But in 2 Kings 3:13 the prophet Elijah uses the exact same words in response to a request but again he also immediately does a kind deed in response to a lack of something needed. In other words… there is no need to read something negative into this statement. In fact, although it doesn’t appear like it in English, in Aramaic there was a sort of implied intent to get involved in his response. This is why the Amplified Bible renders this “Dear woman my time is not yet”.
Mary’s response to him also makes this clear actually, because right after he says “Why do you involve me,” Mary tells the servants to do whatever he tells them to.
Now in the story it says that “6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.”
These traditional stone jars were giant. They served as hand washing stations for before the meal according to Jewish customs. The water could be scooped up with a cup and then poured over the hands of the guest by a wedding servant who was assigned to work much like a butler (no doubt these are the people Mary tells to do what Jesus asks). And “7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they fllled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” And then the story continues, “They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.” And finally it concludes with “11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
Now this is just a silly side note here, but I can’t help myself. If you’ve got 6 jars at 25 gallons, that’s 150 gallons. If you figure 4 ounces to a glass, 128 ounces to a gallon, you get 32 glasses of wine per gallon and for a grand total of 4,800 glasses of wine! That is the first recorded miracle of Jesus. He made somewhere around 4,800 glasses of wine. So even if there are 1000 people at this party that’s still nearly 5 glasses of wine per person and that’s after they already drank all the other wine before Jesus makes this. I just have one word… Baptists?
Now, remember at the beginning of this message I said of the first century Jewish wedding “for 3 days, and ending on the day before the Sabbath the town would party and the wine would flow.” You know what this means now. 150 gallons of it would flow. It’s extravagant. And that’s part of the point.
For the Evangelist John, there are a lot of illusions at play in this story and in the exact words he chooses to tell it with. The basic fact that Jesus makes wine for example, was no doubt intended to be seen by his original Greek audience as a sort of political satire on Greek society. Greeks who worshiped Dionysus (The Greek “wine-giver” god) is slighted by a Jewish Messiah from a know-nothing town out in the middle of know-where; backwoods Galilee.
In addition to this, most commentators quickly acknowledge that in the Johannine narrative there is an implicit contrast between water used for Jewish purification rites and the wine given by Jesus. In other words, John chooses his words very carefully. Water is continually used as a theme throughout his gospel and often as a symbol for the old order ceremonial laws, while wine is poured out like the gift of life. For John a story of Jesus turning water into wine is a story about Jesus tuning the ceremonial law on its head and introducing a new covenant of grace.
On top of this John’s picture of the kingdom of God is also a theme for him. Feasts are prominent in Jewish teaching. They are a stand in for the afterlife. By using a wedding feast as a setting John is also making a statement about the eschaton (the end of days). (Beasley-Murray, John: Commentary (Vol l36. Pg 36).
But of course, John’s main point is much simpler. And it’s not about symbols of the future or allegories for life. And it’s not about political commentary or claims about changing legal code. I do think he is making those points, but John’s main point is that this Jesus is the Messiah and the savior of the world who proves who he is by his deeds.
Where to take it from here
So what does this story mean to us? Well, it means that like disciples we are called to put our faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savoir of the world and to know him by his deeds and believe. But I think it’s a mistake to think about this story just in terms of who we have faith in. It is about that. But not just that:
I think for us it’s also about what happens in our lives when the wine runs out.
I submit to you that life has its empty spots, in spite of all the glitter and glamour; deep beneath the surface often lays an empty reservoir of lost dreams and hopes. Void and lack, plague our lives and prohibit our pursuits of fulfillment and satisfaction. All of us, in spite of our ages, wages, races, ethnic identities and a host of other things, have to wrestle with the issue of emptiness from time to time. The world is a feast without wine, and it’s often broken and empty. Empty marriages, lost loves, sad goodbyes, illness and death, and shirking bank accounts are the norms of our time.
We think we’ve done the calculations, we think we understand the numbers, we think we know what we need, and we’ve measured things out so carefully in life… but only to find that all are plans have turned to naught. Sooner or later we all have that moment. The wine runs out.
Our own culture is far removed from Jesus and Mary’s and their culture of Honor and Shame but there is still a stigma to sadness, and we are generally less far removed from them, then at first thought. People put on masks of happiness and play the part when truly they suffer. Sometimes the wine runs out and it happens to us all.
The question that confronts us all today is how do we deal with those empty spots in our lives? How do we deal with failing and faulty finances, bankrupt relationships, broken homes and hopes? How do we deal with the things that leave us feeling as if we are stranded on an island by ourselves?
I suggest two things from today’s gospel: 1) nobody is alone in their pain – and pain is normal. & 2) When the wine runs out, we should turn to the Miracle worker who makes water into wine and provides more than we could ever need.
Nobody is alone in their pain – pain is normal.
Max Lucado tells this great story. In it he says, I was flying home to San Antonio one evening and as the wheels of the plane hit the runway, all through the plane you could hear the unfastening of seatbelts. A voice came over the intercom saying, “Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened until the plane comes to a complete stop”. No one paid the slightest attention to it. People were opening overhead compartments, getting their stuff out. I asked myself, why are they so anxious to get off this plane – and the answer came to me very quickly: They were so anxious to get off the plane because they were home. They were home and they wanted to get off that plane because it’s not where they belonged. Then I asked myself, Why do we Christians, hold so fast to our seats in this world? Why aren’t we as anxious as these people, to get off this crazy world when in fact were not home here either?
The truth is, pain and emptiness exist here for good reason. We all suffer together for a reason. And yes, we will have Great times and bad times alike… but that’s why the wine runs out… Because we aren’t home yet. Life isn’t perfect here. And life doesn’t need to be perfect here because we are not home yet.
When the wine runs out, we should turn to Jesus who turns water into wine.
Ultimately Jesus Christ is the one that brings us home. But before we get there, even this side of heaven we have someone to turn to. When the wine runs out the best thing to do is to go to the winemaker. Have you any rivers that you can’t cross or any mountains that you can’t tunnel through? Jesus specializes in the impossible and he can do what no other power can do… because when you turn everything over to him, one way or another, in this life or the next…
the wine will flow.
Amen.
Song: Great is thy faithfulness (324)
We respond to serve God
Our time of giving
Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves
Loving and Compassionate God,
We come before You today, deeply aware of the pain and suffering in our world. We lift up to You all those who are hurting, whether in body, mind, or spirit. Our hearts break for those affected by illness, conflict, and injustice.
We pray for healing where there is disease. Pour out Your strength and comfort on those in hospitals, homes, and places of care. Be with their families and caregivers and grant them the endurance and resilience they need each day.
In places torn by conflict and violence, we plead for Your peace. Soften hearts that are hardened by hatred and fear and inspire leaders to choose dialogue and reconciliation over division and strife. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard the hearts of those in despair.
We remember those who feel isolated and lonely. Surround them with community and love, reminding them that they are never alone. Stir in us the compassion to reach out, offering friendship and support to those in need of connection.
For those struggling with grief and loss, Lord, bring comfort and hope. Let them feel Your presence and give them the courage to face each new day. May Your promise of eternal life bring solace to their mourning hearts.
Guide us, Holy Spirit, to be agents of Your healing and love in the world. Empower us to act with kindness and mercy, advocating for justice and serving selflessly. Show us how to care for Your creation and foster a spirit of peace and harmony.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. We trust in Your loving-kindness and believe that You are making all things new. We ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our savior and healer. Amen.
Song: Oh sing to our God (453)
Sending out with God’s blessing
As we leave this place of worship, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with each of you.
Go forth in peace, knowing that you are deeply loved and blessed by God. May your hearts be filled with hope and joy as you carry His light into the world.
Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. In every moment, may you be a witness to His boundless grace and compassion.
Let this community be a beacon of love and understanding, reaching out to all with open hearts.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.
Response: Gloria in excelsis deo
Music postlude
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Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).
The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2024) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.