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January 26, 2026
See TodayEpiphany 3
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Isaiah 9:1–4 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 27:1–9 (10–14) (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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1 Cor. 1:10–18 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Matt. 4:12–25 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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Epiphany 3
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
The Lord Manifests His Glory through His Office of the Holy Ministry
By His coming in the flesh and by His preaching and miracles, the Lord Jesus shines the light of His Gospel upon “the people who walked in darkness” and “who dwelt in a land of deep darkness” (Is. 9:2). He also has “multiplied the nation” and “increased its joy” (Is. 9:3) by calling disciples to Himself from the ends of the earth. For this purpose, He calls Peter and Andrew, with James and John, to follow Him and be “fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19). As Jesus did, they also go forth “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matt. 4:23). They preach the foolishness of the cross of Christ as the very power and wisdom of God. This word and preaching of the cross divides “those who are perishing” from “us who are being saved” (1 Cor. 1:18), but it unites the Church, the one Body of Christ, “in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).
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 25, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O Lord, You gather us by the work of Your Spirit and dwell in our midst by Your Means of Grace for the sake of Your Son. Open our mouths to tell of Your name and declare Your praises to all who will hear. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Lord, graciously allow Your Church to enjoy unity of doctrine and a spirit of harmony in the work that You have given her to do. Prosper this work, and supply us with faithful pastors and church workers. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son as the Savior of the world, that all the families of the nations might worship before You. Bless the families of this congregation with Your grace and protection, that they might remember You in both joy and trouble and worship before You forevermore. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, grant peace to the nations. Give good and faithful leaders in our land. Grant them wisdom and integrity for the good of all people, that justice may be served in every place and for the protection of the unborn and the weak. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Lord, Your Son welcomed the sick, the afflicted and those oppressed by demons, and He healed them. Have mercy upon all whom we bring before You in prayer, [especially _____________,] and deliver them according to Your gracious will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, Your kingdom is at hand wherever Jesus, our King, dwells. Bless those who receive Your Holy Supper today, that they may rejoice that the King draws near with His body and blood for their salvation. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, be present with the lonely. Work through us, that they may find welcome and consolation within the fellowship of God’s people. Grant that those who sorrow may not despair but find hope in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God, heavenly Father, You raised Your Son, Jesus, from the dead as the firstfruits of the new creation. In reverence, we glorify Your name for the hope and promise of the resurrection. We give You thanks and praise for all those who have departed from this mortal life in faith. Preserve us also in Your Word and faith until we die. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God 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 25, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the Lord, who dwells in our midst by His Means of Grace, would open our mouths to tell of His name and declare His praises, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the Church of Christ may enjoy unity of doctrine and a spirit of harmony in the work that God has given her to do; and that the Lord may prosper this work by supplying her people with faithful pastors and church workers, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For families, that our Father in heaven would bless our households with grace and protection; and that we might remember Him in both joy and trouble and worship before Him forever, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the nations may enjoy peace; that we may know the gift of good and faithful leaders in our land; and that justice may be served in every place, for the good of all people and for the protection of the unborn and the weak, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those oppressed by demons, illness or any other affliction, [especially _____________,] that the Lord Jesus would heal them in body, mind and soul, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For penitent and joyful hearts, that those who partake of the Sacrament this day would rejoice that the kingdom of heaven is at hand in the body and blood of Jesus, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
That the lonely may find welcome and consolation within the fellowship of God’s people; and that those who sorrow may not despair but find hope in Christ, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
In thanksgiving for all those who have departed from this mortal life in faith, that we may remember and glorify the Lord’s name for the hope and promise of the resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Hear us, heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ Jesus, 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 839 O Christ, Our True and Only Light
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Epiphany 3 (Series A, B and C) and Proper 9 (Series B).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 168 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 826/827 Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying
- Distribution LSB 688 “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake
- Distribution LSB 856 O Christ, Who Called the Twelve
- Closing LSB 830 Spread the Reign of God the Lord
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.