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I want to begin this morning with expressing my sincere thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, cards and emails, rides to doctor appointments and physical therapy … and all the other ways that you have communicated your concerns for me … and Caren … following my knee replacement surgery in early January.

​Sermon by The Rev. Deena M. Galantowicz
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In today’s Gospel, that we just heard, the crowds gather around Jesus, and he presents them with a vision of reality that overturns every assumption they have… about human life and the society in which they live.  His message has come to be known as “The Beatitudes”  a word that means “the blessings.” It is probably very familiar to most of us.   His vision is very challenging, and it pushes beyond the usual limits of understanding. We may wonder, perhaps explore, but I don’t think we can fully understand what it is Jesus is saying in these statements of Blessedness. They couldn’t fully understand then.  We can’t now./// But, this is the Gospel appointed for  this morning, and hopefully we will benefit from our focus.

Sermon by The Rev. Deena M. Galantowicz
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We are now in the midst of our Epiphany Season, the season of light, or enlightenment, the season which began on the 12th day of Christmas, or Epiphany, the day when the Bible story says the wise men found Jesus, they had an epiphany; they were awakened, enlightened. And now in each of today’s scripture readings, people have their eyes opened to something they had not seen before. 

Sermon by The Rev. Deena M. Galantowicz
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There is a thread connecting our readings this morning.  All through today’s scripture readings, people are being called to further, deeper spiritual maturity.  In the First Reading, Isaiah discerns an even greater vocation for his people than that of their own recovery.  And then in the psalm, the writer expresses how his vision of God and of what God requires, becomes more mature, deeper.  In the Second reading, Paul is making every effort to help the people of the Corinthian Community realize their spiritual potential. 

Sermon by The Rev. Deena M. Galantowicz
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If you ever want to have a preview of what the theme of a particular Sunday will be all about, just look at The Collect of the Day, which is found on the first page after the opening hymn, towards the bottom of the page.  Today’s Collect is all about The Baptism of Jesus and our own Baptisms.  So, once that is recognized, it is no surprise that TODAY’s sermon is going to be all about Baptism …because this is the day designated in the church Calendar to focus on the Baptism of Jesus and the beginning of his public ministry.