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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 KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. 2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; 3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. 6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
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- Psalm
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Psalm 40:1–11 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
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- Epistle
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1 Cor. 1:1–9 (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
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- Gospel
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John 1:29–42a (read in KJV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
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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.