​Today is the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany. The Gospel reading takes us to the Presentation of Christ in the temple. In Luke’s account, Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem for the ceremony of the purification of the mother forty days after the birth.  In the temple the Holy Spirit inspires Simeon and Anna to prophesy about the infant Jesus’ future.  In verse 32 Simeon speaks of Jesus as a light bringing God’s salvation to the Gentiles as well as to the Jewish people. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of lights. In today’s picture from their book, Light, Aled and Sian are playing ‘I spy’ and looking for different kinds of light. 




Lord Jesus Christ, 
you bring light in darkness 
and hope in despair. 
Send your light into our lives, 
so we may live to praise your name; 
through time and through eternity. 
Amen. 


Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday before Lent. The Gospel reading is Luke’s account of the great catch of fish that preceded the call of the first disciples. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is fish. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. 

Today is the Third Sunday of Epiphany. The Gospel reading in Luke’s account of how Jesus began his ministry. Luke begins not with the call of the first disciples, but with Jesus returning to his hometown of Nazareth and teaching in the synagogue there.  In this passage Luke is concerned to show that Jesus’ ministry was clearly foretold in the Old Testament.  The very same Holy Spirit who inspired God's people in the Old Testament is now anointing Jesus to do the work of God.  The message of continuity with the past is symbolised by the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of scrolls. In today’s picture from their book, Exploring Judaism, Dan takes his friend Rees to his synagogue to meet the Rabbi and to learn about the scrolls. 
Lord God, 
you speak with your people 
through the words of scripture. 
Help us to hear your word, 
and to heed your voice; 
today and always. 
Amen. 


Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany, takes us to the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, when Jesus is greeted by Simeon as ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles’. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is lights. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  

Today is the Second Sunday of Epiphany. The Gospel reading takes us to John’s account of the wedding at Cana that is placed immediately after the first disciples follow Jesus.  When wine runs out, Jesus replenishes the supply.  In verse 11 John explains why he starts with this story: it ‘is the first of the signs by which Jesus revealed his glory and led his disciples to believe in him’.  It is no accident that the first sign takes place at a wedding feast.  In Jewish thought the wedding feast is a way of speaking about God's kingdom, when the Messiah will preside at the banquet. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of wedding reception. In today’s picture from their book, Celebrations, Aled and Sian bring presents and cards to join in the celebration. 


Lord Jesus Christ, 
you were welcomed to the wedding at Cana. 
Make us ready to be welcomed 
to the feast in your kingdom; 
for you are our God. 
Amen. 


Next Sunday, the Third Sunday of Epiphany, takes us to Luke’s account of how Jesus began his ministry in his hometown of Nazareth within the synagogue. The image to help us stimulate reflection on the synagogue is scrolls. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.  

Today the Church is celebrating the Baptism of Christ. The Gospel reading is Luke’s account of the baptism of Jesus.  More than the other evangelists, Luke emphasises the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ baptism.  In Luke’s account, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in bodily form like a dove.  The words spoken by the voice from heaven, ‘You are my Son’ echo Psalm 2, a psalm used to celebrate the anointing of kings. 


For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of dove. In today’s picture from his book, Water, Teddy Horsley looks at the stained glass window, where he sees the dove descending at Jesus’ baptism. 


Lord Jesus Christ, 
the holy dove came down at your baptism. 
Let that same dove 
bring the Spirit of peace to our lives; 
now and always. 
Amen. 


Next Sunday, the Second Sunday of Epiphany, takes us to John’s account of the Wedding at Cana, where the wine ran out. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is wedding reception. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.