Join us for the Celebrate the Presentation of Our Lord on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
We invite you to the service celebrating the Presentation of Our Lord 2025. This feast commemorates the moment Jesus was presented in the temple, fulfilling Jewish law and foreshadowing His role as the light of the world.
Whether you are new to our community or a long-time member, this is a fantastic opportunity to worship and reflect on the promises of God fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Worship Online or In Person
Our service uses Rite II, found in the Book of Common Prayer. You can attend in person at 116 E Chandler Blvd in Burlington or participate online.
- Live Stream: Watch the service live on our YouTube channel.
- Replay: The service will be available for replay shortly after the live broadcast.
- Podcast: The sermon will also be available as a podcast for those who prefer to listen on the go.
Live stream/Replay
Podcast
The podcast will be available soon after the service has ended. Look for us and subscribe to your favorite podcast provider to receive alerts when it drops.
You can also check out our past podcast to worship on the go or at home.
The Collect of the Day for the Presentation of Our Lord 2025
Almighty and ever-living God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Scripture Readings for The Presentation of Our Lord 2025
Old Testament: Malachi 3:1-4
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Psalm
Psalm 84
1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
they will always be praising you.
4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.
5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6 They will climb from height to height, *
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
7 LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
8 Behold our defender, O God; *
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
10 For the LORD God is both sun and shield; *
he will give grace and glory;
11 No good thing will the LORD withhold *
from those who walk with integrity.
12 O LORD of hosts, *
happy are they who put their trust in you!
Psalm 24:7-10
7 Lift up your heads, O gates;
lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
and the King of glory shall come in.
8 “Who is this King of glory?” *
“The LORD, strong and mighty,
the LORD, mighty in battle.”
9 Lift up your heads, O gates;
lift them high, O everlasting doors; *
and the King of glory shall come in.
10 “Who is he, this King of glory?” *
“The LORD of hosts,
he is the King of glory.”
Epistle: Hebrews 2:14-18
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
22When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36There was 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 her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At 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. 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Summary of the Readings
This week’s readings focus on the beautiful themes of purification, dedication, and revelation.
Malachi foretells the Lord’s coming as a refiner and purifier, preparing His people for righteousness. Psalm 84 echoes the longing for God’s presence and the joy of dwelling in His courts.
Hebrews reminds us that Jesus shared in our humanity to overcome death and help those tested. In the Gospel,
Luke recounts Jesus’s presentation in the temple, where Simeon and Anna recognize Him as the promised Messiah, the light for revelation to all nations.
Hymns
- Opening Hymn: 324 Let all mortal flesh keep silent
- Closing Hymn: 517 How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place
Please join us for the Presentation of Our Lord 2025
We hope you’ll join us for this service celebrating the Presentation of Our Lord. Whether you attend in person, watch online, or listen later, we pray that this time of worship deepens your faith and illuminates your journey with Christ, the light of the world.
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