"INVITE JESUS EVERYWHERE" (WATER TURNED INTO WINE)
John 2:1-11 (01/19/2025)
In today’s passage, Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana of Galilee, where his mother, Mary, was also present. This wedding, like all weddings in that time, was not just a short ceremony but a week-long celebration that involved the whole community. The groom had the important responsibility of ensuring that the feast would go on smoothly, providing food and hospitality throughout the entire festival. Running out of wine, however, was a major crisis. It would bring shame upon the groom and affect his reputation for years to come in Jewish society.
Mary, noticing the situation, turns to Jesus, asking him to do something about it. Jesus' response, although brief, is both intriguing and significant: “My hour has not yet come.” Despite this, Mary simply instructs the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” This act of faith in her son, even when she doesn’t fully understand how or why, speaks volumes about her trust in Jesus.
Six large stone jars, used for Jewish rites of purification, were nearby. These jars would typically be used for ceremonial washing. Jesus told the servants to fill these jars with water, and when they drew some out and brought it to the head steward, it had miraculously transformed into wine. The steward, tasting it, marveled at the quality of the wine, remarking that it was the best wine, even though it had been served last, when typically, the best wine would have been offered first.
This moment in Cana is not just a miracle; it is the first of many signs that would reveal the glory of Jesus. It is a clear demonstration of his divine authority and power, a sign that points to a greater reality: the transformation that only Christ can bring into our lives.
What Does This Sign Teach Us?
At the heart of this story is a profound invitation: to invite Jesus into every part of our lives. When we face difficulties or crises, we are often tempted to rely on our own understanding or resources. Yet, when we invite Jesus into our situations—whether they are joyous, like a wedding, or difficult, like a crisis—we open ourselves to the transformative power of his presence.
The miracle at Cana is about more than just turning water into wine. It symbolizes how Jesus can take the ordinary—our daily lives, our struggles, and even our relationships—and transform them into something extraordinary. By his power, ordinary acts become extraordinary, and the joy we experience is far beyond what we could have imagined on our own.
Notice how Jesus performs this miracle not in a temple or a place of worship, but in a social setting—a wedding. This tells us something important: Jesus is not just for church or religious moments, but for every moment of our lives. We are called to invite him into every aspect of our daily existence. Jesus is the one who gives life to our relationships, our work, our celebrations, and even our hardships. When we invite Jesus into our lives, he breathes new life into everything, turning the ordinary into something filled with joy, abundance, and meaning.
Faith and Obedience
When Mary tells the servants, “Do whatever he tells you,” she exemplifies the essence of faith. True faith is not just believing in Jesus but trusting in his words and acting on them, even when we don’t understand how or why. The servants obeyed Jesus, filling the jars with water, and what seemed like an insignificant act became how a miracle occurred. This is a reminder to us that God often works in the most unexpected ways, through simple obedience.
What would have happened if the servants had not followed Jesus’ instructions? They would have missed the miracle. It is the same in our own lives: when we obey Christ, even in the small and seemingly mundane matters, we open ourselves to his transforming power. Jesus takes what we offer—however simple or insufficient it may seem—and transforms it into something abundant and life-giving. The water in the jars became 120 gallons of the finest wine, symbolizing how God abundantly provides for us when we trust him and obey.
A Call to Invitation
One common misunderstanding of this passage is the idea that it justifies the consumption of alcohol. But the true emphasis here is not about the wine itself, but what the wine represents: the joy, abundance, and transformation that Jesus brings. The miracle is a sign to reveal Jesus’ glory, not a lesson on alcohol. It points to the fact that Jesus, when invited into our lives, brings not only joy but also salvation, a new beginning, and a deeper understanding of God’s love.
So, when the wine runs out in your life—when the joy, strength, or hope fades—what will you do? The answer is simple: invite Jesus into your situation. Just as he turned water into wine, he can transform our lives. He brings new power, new hope, and new joy to everything he touches. When we invite Jesus into our homes, our church, our marriages, our workplaces, and our hearts, he brings a fresh perspective and a new vitality to all we do.
Christ at the Center
This story reminds us of the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of our lives. When he is at the center, we experience the fullness of life that he promises. Our relationships, our work, our leisure—everything—is transformed by his presence. When we invite Jesus into our daily lives, we experience the abundance of his grace.
Let’s also remember that Jesus invites everyone to the party. The best wine is saved for the last, pointing to the eternal salvation we have through Christ. Everyone—regardless of race, class, or background—is invited into this new life in Christ. Jesus came for all of us, to offer a joy that never runs dry, a salvation that lasts forever.
Closing Reflection
As we prepare to sing together, one of my favorite songs captures the essence of this message beautifully. The song “Our God” declares:
1. Water you turn into wine. Open the eyes of the blind. There’s no one like you, none like you. 2. Into the darkness you shine, out of the ashes we rise. There’s no one like you, none like you.
Chorus: Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God, You are higher than any other. Our God is a Healer, awesome in power, Our God, Our God--
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?
May we each bring ourselves to Jesus, inviting him into every part of our lives. Just as he transformed the water into wine, may he transform us and lead us into the kingdom where the best is yet to come. The kingdom of heaven is at hand. May it be so for you and for me. Amen.
Prayer of Intercession (01/19/2025)
Heavenly God, we come before You with open hearts, seeking Your Spirit to fill this place and guide our prayers. We trust in Your eternal care and ask for Your presence to be near to those who need it most.
Caring God, we lift before You those whom You have placed upon our hearts today, especially those whose wine has run out and whose reserves have been spent—whether in health, wealth, or relationships. We especially remember those who are sick, NNNN. We pray for Your healing touch, Your comfort, and Your provision in their time of need.
Bidding Prayer:
We pray for California, ravaged by wildfires. In the midst of overwhelming pain and loss, we lift up to You all who are affected by this disaster.
Hold close those who have lost loved ones, and wrap Your arms around those whose hearts are heavy with grief.
Grant them strength when they feel weak and hope when they are overcome with despair.
May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, rest upon them.
We pray for all those who are offering help—grant them courage, wisdom, and compassion in this time of great need.
Lord, help us to be Your hands and feet, sharing what we have with those who have lost everything.
As Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding feast, so we ask that You turn the despair of those in need into joy. Grant them daily miracles of gladness, healing, and restoration. May Your name be glorified, and may praise be sung to You in every home, town, city, and nation.
Lord, hear the silent prayers of our hearts and the words we offer in intercession.
Lord, Hear Our Prayer.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray:
Our Father… Amen.
Children Sermon “Water into Wine” (01/19/2025)
Hi, friends! I want to talk to you about something really special today. Have you ever needed help with something? Maybe you were worried or didn't know what to do? What do you do when you need help?
Well, did you know that we can always talk to Jesus when we need help? He is always ready to listen to us and help us, just like in the story I'm going to share with you.
There was a wedding one day, and Jesus and his disciples were invited. His mom, Mary, was there too. Everyone was having such a good time—lots of people, food, and music! But, uh-oh! Something went wrong. The wine ran out! Can you imagine? The drinks were all gone, and the party wasn’t over yet!
This was a big problem. There were no stores open to buy more, and the wedding host must have been so worried. But guess what? Mary, Jesus' mom, knew that Jesus could help. So she went to him and said, “Jesus, can you do something about this?”
Now, there were some big jars there, and Jesus told the helpers to fill them with water. They filled the jars all the way up, and then... guess what happened next? When they tasted the water, it wasn’t water anymore. It was wine! Jesus had turned the water into wine. Isn't that amazing?
It was a miracle, and everyone was so surprised! Because of what Jesus did, they believed in him even more.
You know, whenever we’re worried or need help, we can talk to Jesus just like Mary did. Jesus is always there for us, and he loves to help us when we ask.
So remember, friends, no matter what’s happening, we can always talk to Jesus, and he will help us!
Dear Jesus, thank you for the miracle of water into wine. Help us not be worried but ask Jesus for a miracle. In Jesus' name, Amen
Annual Meeting
Let us start the annual meeting of 2025.
1. Opening Prayer: Gracious God, another year has come and gone and we gather for the Annual Meeting of this Congregation. To this place we bring all the celebrations and hardships, the joys and the sorrows of the past 12 months. Here also we gather to look forward to what the coming years have in store. We really want to develop and improve our church. Help us to do these tasks through us. Help us to offer what we can to your service and your glory, throughout our lives. As we meet and discuss the life and work of this part of your family, we pray that you would be a part of our annual meeting. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. Quorum: The minimum number of members of a committee.
3. Docket (Agenda): Brief entry, a list of things to be done.
4. Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:12-13:
5. The Clerk ‘s report (minutes of the last meeting)
Any questions? Corrections? Do you have any additions? Revisions? Changes?
Are you ready to vote? Motion to approve? (I move to adopt the report or I so move, second.) Any further questions or discussion? All who are in favor of this motion, say, Yes (Aye), opposed? Say no. It is adopted. It is been carried. (All in favor? Say Yes, Opposed? Say no, carried.)
6. Next Item? The treasurer’s report
Any questions? Corrections? Additions? Revisions? Changes? Motion to approve? (I so move, second) Any further question or discussion? Are you ready to vote? All in favor, say Yes, Opposed? Say no, carried
Next Item? Committee Reports-------------
7. Any other discussion?
8. Any motion to adjourn this meeting?
(Please join me in the Lord’s prayer for closing)
Special Meeting:
This meeting is called to discuss with the newly elected officers the service they had been elected to and to ensure that they were ready and willing to serve.
Cynthia and Phillip are currently serving and agreed to continue service but they said that if anybody wants to be a session member, they will step aside anytime. Any floor nominations please. Seeing none, motion to approve the nomination of Cynthia Drew and Philip Wiley to serve as Elders (and for installation on Sunday 2/13/2015. ) (Motion was seconded by Cheryl and All in favor of this motion, say, aye and opposed say, no, it's been carried.)
I want to make sure again they are willing to be the session members of this congregation.
Are you willing to serve as session members of this congregation? Do you know how very important this job is? Every session member has 2 primary responsibilities that will affect the church. First, as session members, you should attend Sunday worship regularly. Second, you should offer your money and service, as much as you can, to keep and improve this church. Again, I believe that your primary responsibilities are attending Sunday worship and offering money and service.
Motion to adjourn?
(Cynthia made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:53 p.m. Motion was seconded by Phillip and carried).
Let us pray: Closing Prayer for Annual Meeting
Lord of beginnings and endings, as we conclude this meeting, we once again lift up our hearts to You. We have newly elected session members for 2016.
Bless them and give them your divine wisdom and courage to develop and improve the life of this church. With their dedication, let us pray for them and respect their decisions to follow in order to improve this church of yours.
We thank you for the gifts that have been present within this act of service to the church, for the gifts of fellowship and understanding, of mutual respect and shared vision. We ask your blessing upon our endeavors, and upon all present today. May your love and grace continue to guide us, in every thing that we do, today and in the future. As You have blessed our coming together, now bless our departure and journeys homeward. May Your blessing be upon us, in the name of God, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A Prayer for Australian Bushfires to Cease
Dear Lord,
Even in times of devastation and disaster, You are our God, You are sovereign, and You are good. We know that even though this world is imperfect and fallen, You care for Your children and Your creation. We ask You, Abba Father, to quench these Australian bushfires quickly - no matter how they were started we know You can put an end to them. We pray that You would equip the firefighters that are currently in the field trying to put out these fires; please give them the tools they need and the wisdom to know what to do next. May there be collaboration among all the different departments helping, the volunteers, and the government. Give them the strength and grant them encouragement to continue on in this harrowing ordeal. Please lift up new volunteers from many different places so that those currently serving would not grow weary.
Please bless the 2000 people and growing who have lost their homes, may they look to you in their hope to start over. We pray for the families that lost loved ones to this fire, may they be surrounded by your peace at this time. And we pray for the wildlife that is being devastated. This is Your creation Lord, and You have granted us stewardship over it. May we be good stewards of the earth you have given us and all the creatures in it. We pray for all of the wildlife care volunteers who are working around the clock to rescue animals and provide help to those injured.
Lord, we pray for healing in the land of Australia. We pray for an end to these fires that have taken so much. And we pray for complete restoration in this land when the fires have ceased. We pray that people would come together in Your name to help one another, their communities, and the land You have blessed them with. May we remember that even amidst dangerous and devastating fires You are with us and You care. For You are the God who is making all things new. Lord hear our prayer. Amen.
