BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//https://messiahofthemountains.org///NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.10.15// METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20260519T012400UTC-97995IvobI@https://messiahofthemountains.org/ DTSTAMP:20260519T012400Z DESCRIPTION:Introduction\nThe Presentation of Our Lord is referred to in so me corners of the church as Candlemas because of an ancient tradition of b lessing all the candles to be used in the church in the coming year at the mass celebrated on that day. It was a way of underscoring the truth of Si meon’s confession that this baby Jesus was “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” and a light for glory to Israel. Let the light of every candle i n church be a little epiphany of the love of God for all people in the per son of God’s son\, Jesus\, the light of the world.\n \n \nPrayer of the Da y\nAlmighty and ever-living God\, your only-begotten Son was presented thi s day in the temple. May we be presented to you with clean and pure hearts by the same Jesus Christ\, our great high priest\, who lives and reigns w ith you and the Holy Spirit\, one God\, now and forever.\nAmen.\nFirst Rea ding: \nMalachi 3:1-4 This reading concludes a larger section (2:17—3:5) i n which the prophet speaks of the coming of the God of justice. Malachi lo oks for that day when the wondrous power of God will purify the priestly d escendents of Levi who minister in the temple at Jerusalem.\n \nPsalm:\nPs alm 84 How dear to me is your dwelling\, O Lord. (Ps. 84:1)\nSecond Readin g:  \nHebrews 2:14-18\nJesus shared human nature fully so that his death m ight be for all humans a liberation from slavery to death’s power. Here th e writer uses the image of priestly service in the temple as a way of desc ribing the life and saving death of the Lord Jesus. He is the high priest who offers his life on behalf of his brothers and sisters.\n \nGospel:  \n  Luke 2:22-40\nThis story is a study in contrasts: the infant Jesus with t he aged prophets\; the joy of birth with the ominous words of Simeon to Ma ry\; the faithful fulfilling of the law with the presentation of the one w ho will release its hold over us. Through it all\, we see the light of God ’s salvation revealed to the world.\n22  When the time came for their puri fication according to the law of Moses\, [Mary and Joseph] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord\n23  (as it is written in the law of the Lord\, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”)\,\n24  and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord\, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”   \n2 5  Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon\; this man was r ighteous and devout\, looking forward to the consolation of Israel\, and t he Holy Spirit rested on him. \n26  It had been revealed to him by the Hol y Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah .\n 27  Guided by the Spirit\, Simeon came into the temple\; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus\, to do for him what was customary unde r the law\,\n28  Simeon took him in his arms and praised God\, saying\,   \n29  “Master\, now you are dismissing your servant in peace\,   according to your word\;  \n30  for my eyes have seen your salvation\,   \n31  whic h you have prepared in the presence of all peoples\,  \n32  a light for re velation to the Gentiles   and for glory to your people Israel.”   \n33  A nd the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. \n34  Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary\, “This ch ild is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel\, and to be a sign that will be opposed \n35  so that the inner thoughts of many wi ll be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”   \n36  There w as also a prophet\, Anna the daughter of Phanuel\, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age\, having lived with her husband seven years after h er marriage\, \n37  then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never l eft the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.  \n38  At that moment she came\, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.  \n39  When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord\, they returned to Galilee\, to their own town of Nazareth. \n40  The child grew and became strong\, filled with wisdom\; and the favor of God was upon him .\n  https://messiahofthemountains.org/events/event/527-presentation-of-ou r-lord-year-c-worship-service-11-00-am-service-pastor-naomi-carriker DTSTART:20250202T160000Z DTEND:20250202T170000Z LOCATION:Messiah Of The Mountains Lutheran Church (3690 US-19E\, Burnsville \, NC 28714\, USA) SUMMARY:Presentation of Our Lord - Year C - Worship Service - 11:00 AM Serv ice -- Pastor Naomi Carriker URL:https://messiahofthemountains.org/events/event/527-presentation-of-our- lord-year-c-worship-service-11-00-am-service-pastor-naomi-carriker END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR