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The Season of Epiphany 2017 (Year A)

Notable Feast Days this Week:

January 17 - Anthony the Great, Egypt, 356
January 18 - The Confession of Peter (Anglican/Lutheran)
January 18 - Athanasius and Cyril (Eastern Calendars)
January 20 - Fabian, 250 (Western Calendars)
January 21 - Agnes, 304

Liturgical Color - White

Revised Common Lectionary

Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1,4-9
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23

Daily Readings (RCL)

Forward

-The Third Sunday after the Epiphany - January 22, 2017 (Year A)

Hope and Unity Through Christ the Light
We used to walk in darkness, but God has sent Jesus to be the light of the world. He is our light and our salvation (Isaiah 9:1-4). God cares for us in times of trouble and asks us to seek his face (Psalm 27:1, 4-9). With this in mind, we need to seek unity with others (1 Corinthians 1:10-18) and wholeheartedly follow Christ, repenting of our sins and turning again to follow Christ (Matthew 4:12-23). Like the first disciples Christ reveals himself to us in the midst of our ordinary lives and ask us to "Come follow me."

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.

Resources

- The Bible Project overview of Matthew 1-13, Matthew 14-28, and 1 Corinthians.

- Contemporary Scripture songs and artwork for Psalm 27 from The Verses Project

- 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.

- Remember to pray for the light of Christ to illumine situations in which Christians are persecuted worldwide. Open Doors Ministry recently published its annual World Watch List ranking areas of persecution around the globe.

Psalm of the Week

Scripture Readings

Psalm 27:1,4-9

"The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid? One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple...Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek...."

Isaiah 9:1-4
Light shines for those in darkness
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
An appeal for unity in the Gospel
Matthew 4:12-23
Christ is revealed as a prophet

Daily Readings
Revised Common Lectionary

Daily Readings
Book of Common Prayer

The Entire Bible in One Year

Chronological

Practicing Prayer

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 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 27 Spotify Playlist

More Spotify Psalms Playlists...

Singing Psalms and Hymns

O Lord, You are My Light | by Emerald Hymns | Leadsheet

The Lord is My Light | Taize Melody | Leadsheet

The Lord is My Light (Psalm 27) | by Lilian Bouknight | Leadsheet (transcribed by Sarah Majorins)

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!

Psalm 27 Metrical Options

Resources for Pointed Chant

Resources for Plainchant

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

Commentary on Matthew 4:12-23

"That person has left behind a lot who keeps nothing for himself, who, though he has little, gives up everything. We tend to be attached to those things we own, and those things we scarcely own, we carefully hold on to. Therefore Peter and Andrew left much behind when they left behind covetousness and the very desire to own. That person has left much behind who renounces with the thing owned the very coveting of that thing."

-Gregory the Great

More Historical Commentary (View and Download)

Music for Listening (Epiphanytide)

"The Lord is My Light" The New Jerusalem Baptist Church Choir (Flint, MI)

"Songs, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs" Emerald Hymns (Seattle, WA)

"Epiphany EP" The Calendar Years

Psalm 27:1-3 - by Joel Limpic and Aaron Strumpel

Psalm 27:4 - by Joel Limpic and Aaron Strumpel

Psalm 27:13-14 - by Joel Limpic and Aaron Strumpel

Choral Anthems for Epiphany - A Youtube Playlist

Thematic Art

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