2nd Sunday After Epiphany – The Gospel and Sermon Preview

Second Sunday after Epiphany-January19, 2025

Themes for the season and today: The word epiphany literally means “to shine upon”. The season reveals who Jesus is in both his humanity and in his divinity-and in today’s Gospel Jesus turns water to wine and we learn that impressive as that feat is, it is a sign pointing beyond itself!

Prayer of the Day
Lord God, source of every blessing, you showed forth your glory and led many to faith by the works of your Son, who brought gladness and salvation to his people. Transform us by the Spirit of his love, that we may find our life together in him, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Gospel: John 2:1-11 Turning water to wine at the wedding at Cana is described as the first of Jesus’ signs. Through many such epiphanies, Jesus reveals that he bears God’s creative power and joyful presence into the world. 1 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. continued…

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CLWR News about the ceasefire in Gaza

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The Baptism of Our Lord – January 12, 2025

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Baptism of Our Lord Sunday – Gospel and Sermon Preview

BAPTISM OF OUR LORD January 12, 2025 THEMES FOR THE DAY AND SEASON Today’s festival rejoices in God’s blessings. We recall and celebrate our adoption as God’s children, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promised company of almighty God when we “pass through the waters . . . the rivers . . . fire.”   MORE…

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2nd Sunday After Christmas – January 5, 2025

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Updated Death of Church Member – Morley Yungblut – Obituary

A faithful servant of God, Morley Yungblut, 87, passed away peacefully at Telfer Place Long Term Care, Paris, ON, on Dec 30, 2024.  He was born and raised on the family farm in west St. Catharines and attended St. Catharines Collegiate before moving to Welland, where he attended Niagara College, was employed by Atlas Steels for 31 years, and raised his family.

Morley is survived by the love of his life, wife of 62 years Dianne (nee Fuzzen), and treasured children Barry (Kelly) Yungblut, Lori (Rick) Vantfoort, Christopher Yungblut, Karen (Kevin) Murray, and Susan (Brent) Scott.  He will be dearly missed by grandchildren Jayme (Tim), Thomas (Becca), Katie, Nik (Daria), Matt, Sarah (Ben), Mariah, Caleb, Khaya, and Kole, great-grandchildren Noah, Hudson, Audrey and Elise and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.  Morley is survived by his sister Evelyn Parry and was predeceased by his parents Theodore and Susannah Yungblut, brothers Leonard, David, Don, Dennis, and Paul, and sisters Shirley, Marion, and Carolyn.

Morley was a devoted husband, loving father, Poppa, and great-grandfather (aka Great Big Poppa).  He was also a caring neighbour and friend who was endlessly generous with his time and talents. Morley was a long-time, active member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Welland, where he faithfully served as a council member, ministry assistant as well as sharing his skills refinishing floors, pews and painting the exterior. In his spare time, before and after retirement, Morley was an enthusiastic square dancer, world traveler, Toastmaster, gardener, woodworker, handyman, and fan of all generations of Star Trek.  Although he never studied music, Morley masterfully refinished many pianos for the enjoyment of all.  He also took great joy in sharing the crops of his unrivaled raspberry and cucumber patches with his neighbours, friends and family.

Morley’s family is extremely grateful for the care and support provided by numerous volunteers and home care providers in their Welland home, and most recently the staff at Telfer Place Long Term Care

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Dwayne D. Budgell Funeral Home.  Friends will be received at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 57 Griffith St, Welland, Ontario on Thursday January 9, 2025 between 6:30 – 8:30 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church on Friday January 10, 2025 at 11 am. The Reverend Barton Coleman will officiate. A Private Family Interment will follow at St. John’s Public Cemetery, Jordan, ON.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Welland or the Niagara Alzheimer’s Society.

Online condolences and donations may be made at www.budgellfuneralhome.ca

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Death of Church Member – Morley Yungblut

A faithful servant of God, Morley Yungblut, 87, passed away peacefully at Telfer Place Long Term Care, Paris, ON, on Dec 30, 2024.  He was born and raised on the family farm in west St. Catharines and attended St. Catharines Collegiate before moving to Welland, where he attended Niagara College, was employed by Atlas Steels for 31 years, and raised his family.

Morley is survived by the love of his life, wife of 62 years Dianne (nee Fuzzen), and treasured children Barry (Kelly) Yungblut, Lori (Rick) Vantfoort, Christopher Yungblut, Karen (Kevin) Murray, and Susan (Brent) Scott. He will be dearly missed by grandchildren Jayme (Tim), Thomas (Becca), Katie, Nik (Daria), Matt, Sarah (Ben), Mariah, Caleb, Khaya, and Kole, great-grandchildren Noah, Hudson, Audrey and Elise and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.  Morley is survived by his sister Evelyn Parry and was predeceased by his parents Theodore and Susannah Yungblut, brothers Leonard, David, Don, Dennis, and Paul, and sisters Shirley, Marion, and Carolyn.

Morley was a devoted husband, loving father, Poppa, and great-grandfather (aka Great Big Poppa).  He was also a caring neighbour and friend who was endlessly generous with his time and talents. Morley was a long-time, active member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Welland, where he faithfully served as a council member, ministry assistant as well as sharing his skills refinishing floors, pews and painting the exterior. In his spare time, before and after retirement, Morley was an enthusiastic square dancer, world traveler, Toastmaster, gardener, woodworker, handyman, and fan of all generations of Star Trek.  Although he never studied music, Morley masterfully refinished many pianos for the enjoyment of all.  He also took great joy in sharing the crops of his unrivaled raspberry and cucumber patches with his neighbours, friends and family.

Morley’s family is extremely grateful for the care and support provided by numerous volunteers and home care providers in their Welland home, and most recently the staff at Telfer Place Long Term Care

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Dwayne D. Budgell Funeral Home.  Friends will be received at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 57 Griffith St, Welland, Ontario on Thursday January 9, 2025 between 6:30 – 8:30 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church on Friday January 10, 2025 at 11 am. The Reverend Barton Coleman will officiate. A Private Family Interment will follow at St. John’s Public Cemetery, Jordan, ON.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Welland or the Niagara Alzheimer’s Society.   A Private Family Interment will follow at St. John’s Public Cemetery, Jordan, ON.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Welland, or the Niagara Alzheimer’s Society.

Online condolences and donations may be made at www.budgellfuneralhome.ca

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1st Sunday After Christmas – December 29, 2024

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Christmas Day – December 25, 2024

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Joint Christmas Message From The Archbishop Anne Germond, Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Bishop Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Archbishop Anne Germond, Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and Bishop Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, encourage Anglicans and Lutherans to share the joy of Jesus’ birth and hope for the world, within and beyond their congregations and parishes.



Transcript of Video:

Archbishop Anne Germond: I’ve been thinking about the shepherds lately. Not just any shepherds, but the ones to whom the angels announced the good news of Jesus’ birth. “…I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Bishop Susan Johnson: What did they do with that glorious good news? They went to find the child, to check out the sign that the angels had given them. We often see pictures of the shepherds surrounding Jesus, Mary and Joseph with adoration in their eyes.

Archbishop Anne Germond: And then what happened? As we read in Luke 2:17-18 “When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.”

Bishop Susan Johnson: In other words, they told others about what they had seen and heard. They shared this message of hope for all people.

Archbishop Anne Germond: The fact that God came to earth in the form of a baby, Immanuel, God with us, is indeed a message of hope for all people.

Bishop Susan Johnson: Our world needs this word of hope more than ever. So why are we so reticent to share it? The Christmas hymn calls us to “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev’rywhere,” but we have a hard time talking about the good news of Jesus with our families, friends and neighbours.

Archbishop Anne Germond: This Christmas, let’s change that. Let’s share the joy of Jesus’ birth and the hope for the world both within and beyond our congregations and parishes.

Bishop Susan Johnson: May the joy of the angels…

Archbishop Anne Germond: …the faith of the shepherds…

Bishop Susan Johnson: …and the perseverance of the wise ones be with you this Christmas and always.

Together: God bless you!

Bishop Susan Johnson: God bless you, Anne.

Archbishop Anne Germond: And God bless you, Susan.

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