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January 20, 2008 - 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to
my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus,
for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind -
just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you - so that you are not
lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our
Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
-- 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
So, who told you about Jesus? Through whom did God work in your life that you
experienced God's love and grace? No one comes to a place of faith on their own, but God
comes to each one of us through the words and touch of others.
Paul had blessed the people of Corinth with the good news of God's presence and love
through Jesus, and now he continues to bless them with a letter of encouragement. In
the gospel of John we will hear how Jesus' first disciples come to him through the
encouragement and direction of others.
What a gift we have been given to participate in God's work of "faithing" others.
What a blessing we have that others have "faithed" us, especially when all seemed lost.
So, who has been the presence of Christ for you? To whom are you called to
encourage and love?
We pray: Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, by your Spirit hold us
forever, that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you,
follow you and joyfully find you. Amen
Lessons for the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany:
- Psalm 40:1-12
- Isaiah 49:1-7
- 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
- John 1:29-42
Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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