Epiphany 2 Yr B
The Call
Introduction:
Consider Samuel, who was possibly 11 years old. His life is an interesting narrative. Born to Hannah, who had been barren, Samuel served Eli, during which this lesson is taken. Under God's guidance, Samuel named Saul as king. After Saul turned from God (and after Samuel's death), Saul asked the medium Witch of Endor to ask Samuel what he (Saul) should do. But mostly we remember Samuel for his availability to the Lord's call: Here I am, Lord. Your servant is listening. May we hear God's voice.
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1 Samuel 3:1-20
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. . . . Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he [Eli] said, “I did not call; . . . Go, lie down; and . . . say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”
From sermon4kids.com: “God knows your name just as he knew the name of Samuel and God still calls boys and girls today saying, “Come, follow me.” So, listen for God’s call and answer just as Samuel did, “Here I am!””
Scripture: January 174, 2023—Second Sunday after the Epiphany—1 Samuel 3:1–10 (11–20) (image); 1 Corinthians 6:12–20 (image); Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18 (image); and John 1:43–51 (image). A visual and oral journey through the scripture.
Collect: 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, worshipped, 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.
Reflection: Where, in what place, and through what person or persons do you hear the call of the Lord? Consider it each day this week. Who has awakened in you a new prayer, a hope, an insight? Give thanks for those persons and moments as signs of God’s love for you.
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 1 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Eye Candy: “Calling of disciples” by He Qi; “The Voice of the Lord” by James Tissot; “Nathaniel under the fig tree” by James Tissot
Ear Worm: “I’ll be somewhere listening“, sung by Merle Haggard (easy for young ones to learn); “Jesus calls us“, sung by Koine, a must listen but turn your volume down; “Here I am, Lord“, congregation of Hexham Abbey—watch the commitment on the faces of the parishioners
Brain Food: INVOCATION: Something made the hairs stand up on our necks. Was it you, O God? / Was it you that we saw blowing over the water? / Was it you that we heard moving through those feet? / Was it you that we felt in the beating of our own hearts? / Was it you that called our names? / Come, O God. Come to search us. Come to know us again. / We were knit in your womb. We have tried to count your works. / Come, O God, so that we can hear you calling our names. Here and now. ~United Church of Christ
“To know and be known“, self-guided retreat by Susan Guthrie; “Known”, poem by Jan Richardson (scroll down)
Parables: “Glory Road” (2006), calling of disciples similar to basketball team; “Keeping the faith” (2000), meeting of a priest & a rabbi; “The Green Mile” (1999), Tom Hanks’ character is “called” from his accepted/acceptable role to the cause of grace
For families: Study guide, group activity, snacks, kid video
For children: activity, craft; bulletin games
For middlers: activity; craft; bulletin games
For youth: You accepted God’s call to you by your baptism and confirmation. Part of your responsibility is to invite others into the Christian community. But, what would that look like? If you invite a friend to church, what will they see? Take a tour of the church building and grounds—from the perspective of a guest. What stands out, both positively and negatively? Take time to share your thoughts with your priest or a member of the Vestry. They will be interested, and you are valued by them. (excerpted from “Come and see Jesus—for Real” from the Stewardship of Life website)
In the depth of silence
no words are needed,
no language required.
In the depth of silence
I am called to listen.
Listen to the beating of your heart.
Listen to the blowing of the wind,
the movement of the Spirit.
Be silent, said the Lord,
and know that I am God.
And listen to the cry of the voiceless.
Listening to the groaning of the hungry.
Listen to the pain of the landless.
Listen to the sign of the oppressed
and to the laughter of children.
For that is authentic communication;
listening to people
living with people
dying for people.
~An Indonesian author, 1983
From Imaging the Word: An Arts and Lectionary Resource. Copyright © 1996 by United Church Press, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, page 123.
On the Sundays after Epiphany, the scriptures explore some of the ways in which Jesus was shown to be God’s Son. Today we focus on the beginning of his ministry, when he called his disciples. In the passage before today’s reading, he called Andrew, who went and brought his brother Peter. Today he calls Philip, who brings Nathaniel.
The first reading is the account of the call of Samuel, the first great prophet of the Hebrew scriptures, after Moses. In the calls both of Nathaniel and of Samuel, the person called is not at first impressed by the call.
In the second reading, Paul deals with a problem of sexual misbehavior in the church of Corinth by reminding his readers that they are a newborn people by Baptism. How they use their lives, including their bodies, must be put in the context of having been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ and the Holy Spirit.
As we gather in Eucharist, our new life in Christ is manifested in our response: “Speak, Lord, your servant hears,” and in following him who calls us into lives of faith and ministry in his name.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 1998 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.