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January 18, 2026
See TodaySecond Sunday after Epiphany
One-Year Lectionary
- First Reading
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Ex. 33:12–23 or Amos 9:11–15 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Exodus 33:12-23 in NKJV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
Scripture text is in high demand right now. Cached readings remain available; other readings can be opened on Bible Gateway. Read Amos 9:11-15 in NKJV on Bible Gateway (new tab)
- Psalm
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Psalm 67 or Psalm 111 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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Rom. 12:6–16 or Eph. 5:22–33 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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John 2:1–11 (read in NKJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Second Sunday after Epiphany
One-Year Lectionary
About this service
Jesus’ First Miracle Reveals God’s Glory
The coming of the Messianic kingdom means the restoration of creation. The sign of this restoration is that “the mountains shall drip sweet wine” (Amos 9:11–15). When the elements of a fallen creation fail and run short at a wedding feast, our Lord Jesus steps in to restore creation and miraculously changes water into an abundance of the very best wine (John 2:1–11). With this sign, Christ manifests His glory. The “back” of God (Ex. 33:12–23) is revealed to those who believe. The hour will come when Jesus will again manifest His glory by taking creation’s curse into His own body to release us from its power. The Bridegroom will give His life for the Bride (Eph. 5:22–32), and from His side will flow water and blood, the holy sacraments by which she is cleansed and made one with Him. Through this sacrificial love of Christ we are enabled to “love one another with brotherly affection . . .” and to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:6–16).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — One-Year Lectionary (opens in a new tab). Used by permission. These pages may be reproduced for congregational use only. Commercial reproduction, or reproduction for sale of this work or any portion of this work, without the written permission of the copyright holder, is prohibited. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Scripture quoted in the summary is from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Introit, Gradual and Verse
Source: LCMS One-Year Series Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
Collect
Historical Collect — Second Sunday after Epiphany
ALMIGHTY and Everlasting God, Who dost govern all things in heaven and earth; Mercifully hear the supplications of Thy people, and grant us Thy peace all the days of our life; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (Baltimore, 1893), Introits and Collects for the Church Year (opens in a new tab). Public-domain text (published 1893), transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of the Princeton Theological Seminary Library copy.
Prayers of the Church
Prayers of the Church for January 18, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Almighty God, how awesome are Your deeds, for it pleased You to send Your Son into our world to rescue us from sin, death and the devil. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we would cling in faith to Jesus Christ, our Bridegroom, and receive from Him forgiveness, life and salvation in His Holy Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, look with favor upon Matthew, our Synod president; _____________, our district president; _____________, our circuit visitor; and all pastors in Christ, that the Holy Gospel would be preached among us in its purity and the Sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, You have forged the human family in a wonderful pattern and blessed the sacred vocations of husband and wife. Inspire us to stand out in this world, faithful to this biblical institution, and so show forth the glory of Christ and His Church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, at the wedding at Cana, Your Son provided wine, which had run out for the feast. Inspire those desiring marriage among us to prepare themselves faithfully and to seek their joy in Christ alone. In this way, let them receive from Christ everything they need and every blessing for life. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, our King, You govern all things in heaven and on earth. Bless those whom You have placed in authority over us, that they would be inclined to Your will and walk according to Your commandments. Bless also those who serve in our armed forces, that they would serve with integrity and honor. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, behold with compassion all who are sick or suffering [especially _____________]. Grant that they would know the consolation of Your love in Christ Jesus and be strengthened to endure. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, grant Your Holy Spirit to those who approach the altar this day, that they would receive the Holy Sacrament of Christ’s very body and blood in faithful repentance and to their abundant blessing. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, from the dust of death through the waters of Baptism, You take from the side of Christ crucified a Bride without spot or wrinkle. Let us find comfort and peace in Him, and let us join the whole Body of Christ in the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, where the wine of joy and gladness never runs dry; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Prayers of the Church for January 18, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the faithful gathered here, that God would fill us with His Holy Spirit, through whom we cling in faith to Jesus Christ, our Bridegroom, and receive forgiveness, life and salvation in His Holy Church, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Matthew, our Synod president; _____________, our district president; _____________, our circuit visitor; and all pastors in Christ, that the Holy Gospel would be preached among us in its purity and the Sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sacred vocations of husband and wife, let us give thanks to the Lord; and for boldness to stand out in this world faithful to God’s institution of marriage, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those desiring marriage among us, that they may prepare themselves faithfully, seek their joy in Christ alone and so receive His every blessing for life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all whom God has placed in authority over us, that they would be inclined to His will and walk according to His commandments; and for those who serve in our armed forces, that God would enable them to serve with integrity and honor, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who are sick or suffering, [especially _____________,] that our heavenly Father would behold them with compassion, and that they would know the consolation of His love in Christ Jesus and be strengthened to endure, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who approach the altar this day, that by the Holy Spirit they would receive the Holy Sacrament of Christ’s very body and blood in faithful repentance and to their abundant blessing, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Lord God, heavenly Father, from the dust of death through the waters of Baptism, You take from the side of Christ crucified a Bride without spot or wrinkle. Let us find comfort and peace in Him, and let us join the whole Body of Christ in the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, where the wine of joy and gladness never runs dry; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Source: LCMS Worship, Prayers of the Church — One-Year 2025–2026 (opens in a new tab). Prepared by LCMS Worship for congregational use. Used by permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 402 The Only Son from Heaven
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Second Sunday after Epiphany (One-Year) and Epiphany 2 (Series A, B and C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, p. 167 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 395 O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
- Distribution LSB 636 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness
- Distribution LSB 409 Hail, O Source of Every Blessing
- Distribution LSB 398 Hail to the Lord’s Annointed
- Closing LSB 394 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — One-Year Lectionary Series 2025–26 (opens in a new tab). Hymn numbers and titles only; hymn texts are not reproduced. Reproduction for individual, church or school use does not require permission. © The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.