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January 18, 2026
See TodayEpiphany 2
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 49:1–7 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 40:1–11 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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1 Cor. 1:1–9 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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John 1:29–42a (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Epiphany 2
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
God Reveals His Glory in Christ and His Cross
“The Lord, the Redeemer of Israel,” calls forth “his Holy One” (Is. 49:7), Jesus, the Christ, “from the womb” of His mother (Is. 49:1). The incarnate Son of God is revealed as the Savior, not only for Israel but also “as a light for the nations,” whose salvation reaches “to the end of the earth” (Is. 49:6). John came “baptizing with water” (John 1:31) to reveal Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and who glorifies His God and Father by His atoning sacrifice upon the cross. When Jesus was baptized in the waters of the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended “from heaven like a dove” and “remained on him” (John 1:32). By our Baptism, we are anointed by the same Spirit, adopted by God the Father, and “called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:9). Therefore, we “are not lacking in any gift,” but we can trust Him who promises to sustain us to the end, “guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:7–8).
Source: LCMS Worship, Lectionary Summaries — Three-Year Lectionary Series A (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 Three-Year Series (A) Propers Chart (opens in a new tab). Citations only; no liturgical or Scripture text is reproduced.
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.
We praise You, O Lord, for You declared it too light a thing that Jesus should redeem only the tribes of Jacob and instead made Him a light for all the nations. Fill our hearts with joy that He is the Savior of all, and grant that our voices may help spread Your salvation to the ends of the earth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, Your Son, Jesus Christ, summoned Andrew and Peter to follow Him and would later send them to bear witness to His name. Continue to call men into the holy ministry. Bless all who hold and study for that office, that they would grow in all godly wisdom and faithfully make known Your Word. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, You faithfully watched over the tribes of Jacob, providing them both daily bread and redemption in abundant measure. Watch over the homes of Your people. Bless them with all that they need for this body and life, and preserve them in the glad confidence that Christ is their strength and their salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord, guide and give wisdom to the nation and our president, the governor of this state, and all judges and magistrates. Protect those who serve us as firefighters, police, disaster workers and medical personnel. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy God, Your Son became the Lamb of God to take away all of our sins and infirmities by His death and resurrection. Remember all who are in need of Your help and healing [especially _____________]. Deliver them according to Your merciful will, and preserve them in the certainty that their sins are taken away. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, You give us the precious body and blood of Your beloved Son for the forgiveness of our sins. Grant us faith as we approach the Lamb of God in this Sacrament. Enable us to keep in holy hearts what we receive upon our lips. Send Your Holy Spirit to keep us in this faith until Christ comes in His glory. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, our God, through Your Holy Spirit You work in us to bring forth fruits of righteousness. Grant us a steadfast heart in times of duress, strength amid temptation and the grace of humility, that we may not fall victim to pride and arrogance. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, heavenly Father, grant that we who have celebrated the incarnation of our Lord, Jesus Christ, may die to sin and rise to new life, that we may treasure up and ponder in our hearts the Christ announced by Your forerunner; 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 — Series A 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 spread of the Gospel, that the Lord who made Jesus a light to all nations would fill our hearts with joy and use our voices to spread His salvation to the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For pastors, that the Lord who called Andrew and Peter to follow Him might continue to summon men into the holy ministry and strengthen them to faithfully make known His Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the households of God’s people, that the Lord who watched over the tribes of Jacob would provide both daily bread and redemption in abundant measure to His people, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the nation and our president; for the governor of this state; for all judges and magistrates; and for those who serve us as firefighters, police, disaster workers and medical personnel, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For healing and deliverance, that the Lamb of God who takes away our sins and infirmities would be merciful to those who are in need of His care, [especially _____________,] granting them rescue and confidence in His grace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For faith as we approach the Lamb of God to eat His body and drink His blood in this Sacrament; for grace to keep in holy hearts what we receive upon our lips; and for the Spirit to keep us in this faith until Christ comes in His glory, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For a steadfast heart in times of duress, strength amid temptation and the grace of humility, that we may not fall victim to pride and arrogance, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Almighty God, heavenly Father, grant that we who have celebrated the incarnation of our Lord, Jesus Christ, may die to sin and rise to new life, that we may treasure up and ponder in our hearts the Christ announced by Your forerunner; 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 — Series A 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 434 Lamb of God, Pure and Holy
- Distribution LSB 547 The Lamb
- Distribution LSB 633 At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
- Closing LSB 534 Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn Suggestions — Three-Year Lectionary Series A 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.