Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
The fifth Sunday after Epiphany continues to highlight unlikely instruments and circumstances appointed to reveal God’s glory. “Who will go for us?” God asks. A person of unclean lips, a former persecutor of the Church of God, and three fishermen who couldn’t catch a thing. More surprising still, perhaps, is that we are also called.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 6: 1-13
Through a vision in the temple, the eighth-century prophet Isaiah is called by God to announce judgment against Israel. Aware of his sinfulness and shortcomings, Isaiah is initially resistant. But when God calls, Isaiah responds. “Here am I; send me!”
PSALM: Psalm 138
SECOND READING: 1st Corinthians 15: 1-11
Paul delivers in a nutshell the story of the gospel that was given to him. In the lineage of the Ghristian faith, we have received the good news of God’s love from generations of believers before us and we continue to tell this story to the world.
GOSPEL: Luke 5: 1-11
Jesus’ teaching of God’s word has begun to draw great crowds. For Simon, James, and John, the teachings of Jesus inspire hospitality, then obedience, and then risk. After the creative power of Jesus is revealed, fear and amazement leads these three fishermen to leave everything behind to become apostles.
Announcements!
CHURCH EVENTS
SUNDAY DISCUSSIONS BEFORE CHURCH We meet at 9:40 on Sunday mornings to have discussions before the service each week.
CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY 16th will be the day before Presidents’ Day and the Sunday after Valentines’ Day. Everybody get your love on for each other and for the Lord. Maybe we can have a cherry dessert festival after church. (In honor of George.)
MARCH 5TH is Ash Wednesday. We will still have our annual Ash Wednesday service at 7 that night.
MARCH Midweek services will be held around the area. A rundown will be published soon.
MARCH 16th is the day before St. Patrick’s Day. Look for green punch or something after church.
MARCH 30th is a fifth Sunday which means we will be at First English.
PRAYERS
We are praying for Michael Koch; Nicole Biler Robinette is on the transplant list for a new heart. We pray that this will happen soon. Keep her; her husband, Stephen; and her parents and family in your prayers. We are also praising God for Braxton as he is recovering from his surgery.
Please keep these people in your prayers as well: Mike and Donna Toy, and all of those who are suffering from diseases or other health issues and their families. Please remember all of our shut-ins and sick. Maybe send a card or something to let them know they are being remembered.
FUNDS FOR ZION
Please check the bulletin board behind the office door for all of the sign-up sheets for this year. Communion, birthday Sundays, and Worship Assistants/helpers. Thank you so much!
You can also remember special occasions or special people by contributing money that would normally be used for altar flowers. Instead the donation goes to our local food pantry.