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The Season of Epiphany 2017 (Year A)

Notable Feast Days this Week:

January 9 - Baptism of Our Lord (Roman Catholic, USA)
January 9 - Adrian of Canterbury, 710
January 10 - Gregory of Nyssa, 395 (Eastern Calendars)
January 13 - Hilary of Poitiers, 367
January 14 - Nina of Georgia, 325 (Eastern Calendars)

Liturgical Color - White

Revised Common Lectionary

Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 40:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
John 1:29-42

Daily Readings (RCL)

Forward

-The Second Sunday after Epiphany - January 15, 2017 (Year A)

Light to the Nations
"God promises us that his salvation will reach to the end of the earth (Is 49:1-7); he sent his only son Jesus, to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29-42). Because of God's grace and mercy toward us, we put our trust in him (Psalm 40:1-11) and look to the second coming of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:1-9). "
- Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

Epiphanytide

The Epiphany of our Lord was celebrated on January 6 but is extended by some churches into a season that includes the weeks preceding Lent (Epiphanytide). The season of Epiphany celebrates the revelation of light and knowledge finally revealed through Christ for the sake of the whole world (Ephesians 3).

Epiphanytide starts on January 6th and ends the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. From Christmastide to the beginning of Lent worshipers grow in an awareness of the significance of the entire life of Jesus and prepare for the call to discipleship that will happen in Lent.

Inspiration for Epiphany

T.S. Eliot reads his poem "The Journey of the Magi." Read the poem here.

Light Masonry: Beautiful footage from a recent light installation in York Minster Cathedral. It was accompanied by a live performance of Arvo Pärt’s Pari intervallo on the organ. More images and videos can be found at the artist's website. HT the Art and Theology blog.

Public domain art depicting the Adoration of the Magi, and a collection of Japanese art for Epiphany from the Global Christian Worship blog.

"Reclaiming Epiphany" An article by Dianne Deming with ideas for celebrating Epiphany with the young and old.

Psalm of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 40:1-11

"I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside
to false gods..."

Isaiah 49:1-7
The servant brings light to the nations
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Paul tells Corinth that God is faithful
John 1:29-42
Christ is revealed as the Lamb of God

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Practicing Prayer

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. -from The Book of Common Prayer

Contemplative Prayer (View and Download)

Daily Prayer (View and Download)

Audio Prayer Meditation - Pray As You Go

Psalm 40 Spotify Playlist

More Spotify Psalms Playlists...

Singing Psalms and Hymns

The Lord is King | Words by Josiah Conder, 1824. Music by Nathan Partain, 2003, arr. Bruce Benedict, 2008| Leadsheet | Chord Chart

Arise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come | by Jered McKenna | Leadsheet

Brightest and Best (Star of the East) | Sacred Harp | Leadsheet | Capo

Songs for Epiphany: A list of songs to shape Epiphany from The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

A list of c ontemporary Epiphany music compiled by Bruce Benedict from Cardiphonia. Charts and recordings included!

"Epiphany Resource Guide for Planning Worship" from The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Psalm 40 | by Sarah Majorins | Leadsheet | Score with Piano + Recorder

Psalm 40 Metrical Options

Resources for Pointed Chant

Resources for Plainchant

Read about "Singing the Psalms: A Guide for Modern Worship"

Commentary on John 1:29-42

"No one who came to the Jordan was as laden and as afflicted as He. No one was as needy. No one so utterly human, because so fellow-human. No one confessed his sins so sincerely, so truly as his own, without side-glances at others. He stands alone in this, He who was elected and ordained from all eternity to partake of the sin of all in His own person, to bear its shame and curse in the place of all, to be the man responsible for all, and as such, wholly theirs, to live and act and suffer. This is what Jesus began to do when He had Himself baptized by John with all the others. This was the opening of His history as the salvation history of all the others."

-Karl Barth, CD IV.2.2

More Historical Commentary (View and Download)

Music for Listening (Epiphanytide)

Evensong for the Feast of Epiphany from Grace Cathedral

Choral Anthems for Epiphany - A Youtube Playlist

A Contemporary Epiphany Playlist from Wes Crawford

"Epiphany EP" from The Calendar Years (Just Released!)

Thematic Art

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