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February 2, 2026
See TodayEpiphany 4
· Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
- First Reading
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Micah 6:1–8 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
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- Psalm
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Psalm 15 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Epistle
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1 Cor. 1:18–31 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
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- Gospel
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Matt. 5:1–12 (read in ESV on Bible Gateway, opens in a new tab)
ESV Scripture text
The Sermon on the Mount
5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(ESV)
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Epiphany 4
Three-Year Lectionary · Series A
About this service
God Manifests His Glory in the Humility and Weakness of Christ Crucified
The Lord tells His people, “I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery” (Micah 6:4). By the sacrifice of His beloved Son, He has redeemed us from our slavery of sin and death; He has forgiven our transgressions by the shedding of His blood. His great mercy and salvation lead us “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly” with our God (Micah 6:8). We boast only in the incarnate and crucified Lord Jesus. He is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). He is our life and salvation, our “wisdom” and “righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). Now He opens His mouth and teaches us His wisdom. By His cross and Passion, the kingdom of heaven is ours. We receive mercy and are satisfied; we see God and are called sons of God in Christ. “Blessed are you,” therefore, “when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely” on account of Christ (Matt. 5:11).
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 February 1, 2026 — Responsive Form
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord, You have called us to good work in our various vocations. Give us courage that we might never be ashamed of Christ and Him crucified, but be free to boast in the Lord within our callings. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all wisdom, You tell us plainly that the Word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but it is Your power to all who are being saved. Strengthen the faith of pastors and congregations, that they would not turn to man-made wisdom but boldly proclaim Christ and Him crucified. 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 Lord of lords, You rescued Your people from Egypt and confounded Balak, king of Moab, for their protection. Guide the decisions and actions of all earthly authorities, that Your people may live in peace and quietness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, when Christ returns in His glory You promise to wipe away every tear from every eye. Comfort those who mourn. Heal and deliver, according to Your good and gracious will, those troubled by sickness and affliction [including _____________]. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all righteousness, You command us to be holy as You are holy, and You sanctify us with Your Son’s body and blood. Prepare the hearts of all who partake of the Sacrament today, that they might repent of their sin, trust in Your promises and find their righteousness in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy Father, You know the way of the righteous. Preserve Your people from walking in the counsel of the wicked, from standing in the way of sinners and from sitting in the seat of scoffers. By Your grace, cause them to delight in Your Holy Word. 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 February 1, 2026 — Ektene Form
In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For Christians in their vocations, that they might never be ashamed of Christ and Him crucified, but be free to boast in the Lord within their callings, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the wisdom of God, that we would not confess the wisdom of men, but boldly proclaim Christ and Him crucified for the salvation of the world, 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.
For peace, that the Lord who led His people past pharaoh and Balak would provide wise rulers to the nations and protect us from tyranny, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who mourn and those who are troubled by sickness and affliction, [including _____________,] that the Lord would comfort, heal and deliver according to His good and gracious will, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For holiness, that God who commands us to be holy would accomplish the same in the Sacrament of the Altar, granting us penitent hearts to receive His Son’s body and blood, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the people of God, that the Lord who knows the way of the righteous would preserve them from walking in the counsel of the wicked, standing in the way of sinners and sitting in the seat of scoffers; and by His grace, cause them to delight in His Holy Word, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
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.
Hymn of the Day
LSB 842 Son of God, Eternal Savior
The LCMS Hymn of the Day list appoints this hymn as the Hymn of the Day for Epiphany 4 (Series A and B) and Proper 17 (Series C).
Source: LCMS Worship, Hymn of the Day — Arranged by Church Year, pp. 167, 169 (opens in a new tab). Appointment identity only. Lutheran Service Book text and LCMS study content are not reproduced.
Suggested hymns
- Entrance LSB 592 Dearest Jesus, We Are Here
- Distribution LSB 425/426 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- Distribution LSB 683 Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me
- Closing LSB 427 In the Cross of Christ I Glory
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.