Collect, Readings and Prayers. 4th Sunday of the Epiphany and Candlemas
4th Sunday of the Epiphany
Collect
God our creator,
who in the beginning
commanded the light to shine out of darkness:
we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
may dispel the darkness of ignorance and unbelief,
shine into the hearts of all your people,
and reveal the knowledge of your glory
in the face of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Readings
1 Kings 17: 8-16
The Widow of Zarephath
8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 ‘Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’ 10 So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.’ 11 As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, ‘Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.’ 12 But she said, ‘As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.’ 13 Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ 15 She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Christ the Power and Wisdom of God
18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.’
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’
John 2:1-11
The Wedding at Cana
2 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ 4 And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.’ 5 His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ 6 Now standing there were six stone water-jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, ‘Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.’ So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, ‘Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.’ 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple – Candlemas
Collect
Almighty and ever-living God,
clothed in majesty,
whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple,
in substance of our flesh:
grant that we may be presented to you
with pure and clean hearts,
by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Readings
Malachi 3:1-5
The Coming Messenger
3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.[a] 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
5 Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
Hebrews 2:14-18
14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16 For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters[a] in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Luke 2:22-40
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.’
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon[f] blessed them and said to his mother Mary, ‘This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
Prayers
Lord, after the Flood you put your rainbow in the skies to remind us of the promises you made to your people. Now we claim those promises as we pray to you.
Prayers for Candlemas
1. Christ, who brought light to the world; shine your light in areas of darkness.
- Mary and Joseph brought doves to be sacrificed in the temple, the sacrifice that was demanded of those too poor to afford a lamb. Christ, you knew poverty on earth and understand the pain and suffering that it brings.
Shine your light in situations of poverty.
- Simeon prophesied and told Mary in the temple: ‘‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.’
Christ, you knew conflict on earth and experienced the violence and the hurt that it brings
Shine your light in situations of conflict
- Simeon praised the Father as he met the Christ child, he prayed “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations.” Christ, you saw on earth how in need of salvation humanity was, and still is, and you wept.
Shine your light in situations of spiritual darkness
- Thank you Father God, for the light and the salvation brought through Christ, enabling me to join in the prayer of Simeon:
Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Amen.
2. Lord, with the Feast of Candlemas we reach the end of the beginning of your great story that has no ending, and now begin to turn our faces towards Lent, and the time of reflection that follows from it. Help us with the passing of time to grow in wisdom and simplicity, like Simeon and Anna, through listening attentively to your word. As we seek to be faithful followers of the essence of your message, may the whole Church submit to the fire that refines and purifies as it turns back to the single truth that you were made man in Palestine, and live today by the breath of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, on this feast of meeting may we receive you afresh into our lives in all your glory. Amen
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General Prayers of Intercesssion
- Lord, you have sent us a light to enlighten the nations, and yet still there are people who dwell in darkness. We pray for all the darkness in this world, and for those places where conflict makes it almost impossible to live in love with neighbours, even though without such love, there seems no peaceful end in sight. We hold before the places and situations which come to mind…Israel and Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Iran etc etc ……………… Deliver your people from every evil, we pray. Amen
- Following Holocaust Memorial Day on the 27th January, Loving God, we come to you with heavy hearts, remembering the six million Jewish souls murdered during the Holocaust. In the horrors of that history, when so many groups were targeted because of their identity, and in genocides which followed, and which tragically, still occur, we recognise destructive prejudices that drive people apart.
Forgive us when we give space to fear, negativity and hatred of others, simply because they are different from us.
In the light of God, we see everyone as equally precious manifestations of the Divine, and can know the courage to face the darkness.
Through our prayers and actions, help us to stand together with those who are suffering, so that light may banish all darkness, love will prevail over hate and good will triumph over evil, love will prevail over hate and good will triumph over evil. Amen.
- Let us pray for all people everywhere according to their needs. We think first, this week, of those whose lives have been touched by genocide and war. Every death touches many people with grief and sorrow. We cannot comprehend the evil that brings people to try to destroy another race or people who are different. We pray that such acts, such hatred, such bigotry may be overwhelmed by love and empathy – love shown by Jesus to all who hated and tried to destroy Him. Amen
- God of Peace,
We hold the people of Iran in this time of deep distress.
Where there is fear – grant Your peace.
Where there is violence – bring Your protection.
Where hearts are hurting – pour out Your comfort.
Loving God, we pray especially for those mourning the loss of loved ones,
for those who are injured, imprisoned, or afraid,
and for those seeking justice, freedom, and dignity.
Surround them with Your love.
We pray for leaders and those in authority –
grant wisdom, restraint, and compassion.
Turn the hearts of those with power toward healing,
not harm; toward reconciliation and peace
In our prayers, we remember our sisters and brothers
who worship with us in our churches here in Britain
We thank you, God, for the blessing they bring to our church communities.
God of mercy, we ask for Your Spirit to move in Iran –
to bring peace, hope, and a future of justice.
May Your love be known by every person affected by these events. Amen.
- We long for our young people to come to know the saving love of our Lord Jesus Christ and in this connection we give thanks for the continuing dedicated work of Ashby Youth for Christ which has faced many obstacles and challenges over the years but has continued to share the Good News with young people. Father, we thank You that at this time they are seeing a movement of the Holy Spirit in young people and we ask that those who have given their lives to you in recent months will continue to be strengthened in their faith. We thank You for the growing spiritual awareness and help them to grow as disciples. In all the challenges of today we ask that You, the God of all hope will, fill all those who work with young people with wisdom, joy and peace and will direct and guide them as they build up relationships with young people and support and encourage them in their journey of faith. Amen
- Our God, forgive us for failing to understand and accept the great demands placed upon us by your love. We enlist in your causes, but find ourselves losing interest. We promise to be courageous, but find ourselves afraid. We want to be sensitive, but find ourselves hard and callous. Forgive us; take our limitations and turn them into possibilities for service. Have mercy on us and grant us your peace. Amen.
- We pray for those who work to help those who suffer. Guide their work and give them the strength and resources to do their work. Jesus taught all of us to help and empathise with those who are poorer and less fortunate than ourselves. We pray that you will guide us, in the affluent West, to continue to help those who suffer poverty, ill health, and starvation in many countries overseas. We pray too for those who struggle to make ends meet in our own country and who have to choose between eating and heating. Lord, we pray that politicians of all colours may unite to find solutions to the seemingly intractable problems of homelessness and child poverty, and to tackle the problems of alcohol, drug and gambling abuse which are so often causal factors in the mental health problems and destitution which too many in our so called civilised society experience. Amen
- Lord give us the eyes of faith,
to see your presence in the world.
Where fear closes our eyes, help us.
Where tears blind us, heal us.
Where busyness keeps us from noticing, slow us.
Where pride gets in the way, release us
Set us free to see your love at work in the world. Amen
- Let the flame of your love never be quenched in our hearts, O Lord. Waking or sleeping, living or dying, let us delight in your presence. Let the flame of your love brighten our souls and illumine our path, and let the majesty of your glory be our joy, our life and our strength now and for ever. Amen Johann Arndt, 1555-1621
- The Grail Prayer Lord Jesus, I give you my hands to do your work. I give you my feet to go your way. I give you my eyes to see as you do.I give you my tongue to speak your words. I give you my mind that you may think in me. I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me your Father and all mankind. I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me. Amen