Voices Found: WLWC Epiphany IIC: Declare his glory, VF 150, 26

Voices Found # 150

Declare his glory among all nations; and his wonders among all people

Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to ghe Lord all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

proclaim the good news of his salvation day by day.

Declare his glory among all nations; and his wonders among all people

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;

let the whole earth tremble before him.

Tell it out among the nations: the Lord is King;

he will judge the people with equity.

Declare his glory among all nations; and his wonders among all people

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad;

let the sea roar and all that is in it.

let the fields be joyful,

and all that is therein.

Declare his glory among all nations; and his wonders among all people

Then shall all the trees of the wood

shout for joy when he comes.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with the truth.

Declare his glory among all nations; and his wonders among all people

Words: Carol Gallagher and Michael Plunkett, para Psalm 96 of the Book of Common Prayer (1979) of the Episcopal Church USA

Music: Carol Gallagher and Michael Plunkett

A powerful Native American chant, this paraphrase of Psalm 96 by  Bishop Carol Gallagher  celebrates God's glory among all nations and his wonders among all peoples. (For performance suggestions see The Leader's Guide to Voices Found cited below)

 

1 Kings 17:8-16; 1-11; and Luke 4:16-27 are appointed for Epiphany II Year C in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church

Reflection:

The word of the Holy One to Elijah was,"Get up, go to Zarephath, which is a part of Sidon, and settle there; watch now, I have commanded a widow woman there to provide for you." (1 Kings 1:17, tr. Gafney)

 Israelites thought of the people of Sidon as foreigners and Elijah didn't want to goto the land of these ancient enemies.   Nevertheless, Elijah obeyed   and went to  find the widow.  She was gathering sticks to make supper for herself and her son.  The Prophet asked for a little food saying, "Fear not." In spite of her own hunger,   she baked  bread for him and  her family.   The jar of flour did not empty.   The jug of oil did not decrease. Elija, the  widow, and her son, ate throughout the three years and six months of famine. 

And Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in their hometown.  But I speak truth to you all, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were closed three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land. Yet Elijah  was sent to none of them, rather to Zarephath in Sidon, to a widow woman.  And there were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian."  Luke 4:24-27, tr. Gafney

Meditation: 

Voices Found #26

Women of faith, loving and kind,

gift from the father, bold and free. Sent to the needy,

worship the majesty,

Alleluia! Amen.

Savior of all, now we recall,

"Fear not!" with favor, come to us.  Lord, we believe you,

Lord, we receive you. 

Alleluia! Amen.

Words and Music: Carol E. Peterson

 She had no name.  The nameless Widow of Zarephath shared what she had.  Like many un-named women in Scripture, the widow embodies unconditional love and radical hospitality.  Peterson's text  celebrates  women of faith who loved and served.

Prayer:

Though I am poor and needy,

may the Sovereign take thought for me.

My help and my deliverer are you;

my God, do not delay.

Psalm 40:17 tr. Gafney

                                                   

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For background and performance suggestions please see The Leader's Guide to Voices Found