AS WE GATHER We are sinful from birth, and our hearts are not pure. Although evil thoughts and desires come from them, we know that God creates in us pure hearts by the blood of Jesus, whose death for our sins brings forgiveness and new life.
Bible Readings
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (Moses offers a choice of life and good, or death and evil.)
EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (Paul speaks of divisions in the church.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 5:21-37 (Jesus tells us that sin is not just outward actions, but originates in the heart.)
AS WE GATHER As if the lights are being raised ever-so-gradually in a dark room, the Gospel readings for each Sunday in Epiphany shed a little more light on Jesus and on us. Today, and for the next several Sundays, we hear Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, and His words reveal Him to us, as well as teach us about ourselves. Today, Jesus tells us that we are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” Salt seasons and preserves; as followers of Jesus we are called to season the world with the gifts of the Spirit and to preserve the ways of God in an often hostile world. Light shines; as followers of Jesus we are called to let the light of our good works shine to the glory of God. In a time when we are tempted to think that Jesus came to abolish all rules and laws, Jesus reminds us that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Bible Readings
OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 58:3–9a(True and false fasting)
AS WE GATHER Although Jesus does not say “blessed are the patient” as He speaks that special list of attributes of God’s people that we know as the Beatitudes, the fruit of patience underlies the “blessed are” statements He does mention. It takes patience to be merciful and to act as peacemakers. Staying calm when being persecuted for righteousness’ sake takes patience. Enduring unfair criticism takes patience as well. There may even be a need for patience as we share with the saints in the worship life of the Church. May it be fully evident among us at all times!
Bible Readings:
OLD TESTAMENT: Micah 6:1–8 (God’s great deeds have not been reflected in His people’s lives.)
EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 (Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.)
AS WE GATHER Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17). God’s kingdom exists wherever He is. Today God’s kingdom comes to us through His Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. We experience God’s Kingdom every day as He continues to provide us with everything we need and we look forward to experiencing God’s kingdom in all of its fullness when Christ returns.
Bible Readings:
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 9:1-4 (For to us a Child is born)
EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (Divisions in the Church and the power of God to save)
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 4:12-25 (Jesus begins His ministry and calls the first disciples.)
AS WE GATHER “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” were the words John the Baptist spoke the day after he baptized his cousin, our Lord Jesus Christ. John reminds us of the global significance of Jesus’ coming to fulfill what Isaiah (49:6) wrote, “I will make you as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Jesus lowered Himself to be a human being so that through His life, death, and resurrection everyone who believes in our Lord Jesus Christ might be saved and lifted up to be with Him in heaven where the Lamb sits on the throne.
Bible Readings:
OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 49:1-7 (It is too small a thing for you to be My servant)
EPISTLE READING: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (The grace of God)
HOLY GOSPEL: John 1:29-42 (Behold, the Lamb of God)
AS WE GATHER “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) This free gift of God takes us from certain death to a life that never ends. For many of us the gift was given to us in the water and Word of Holy Baptism when we were infants. For others this gift came to us later in life after hearing God’s Word and being baptized. We remember Jesus being baptized and beginning His journey that took Him to death on the cross and a place in a grave before He came back to life on that first Easter, setting the pattern for resurrection given to all who follow Him. As the apostle Paul reminds us in our Epistle reading today, “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
Bible Readings:
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 42:1-9 (The LORD’s Chosen Servant)
EPISTLE READING: Romans 6:1-11 (The apostle Paul reminds us of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 3:13-17 (The baptism of Jesus.)
AS WE GATHER The occurrence of an appointed Festival of the Church Year on a Sunday provides the congregation a unique opportunity to reflect thoroughly on the meaning of the day as it shapes their life of faith. The two traditions of the day converge- the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus and New Year’s Day. These two combine in a complimentary way, inspiring the theme, “A Time for Beginnings.” The infant Jesus begins the suffering that will be a continuing part of His life and saving ministry as He undergoes circumcision according to the Law. The New Year begins with the assurance that we will be embraced continuously by His abiding presence, grace, and forgiveness. It is a time to “rejoice the old—and embrace the new.”
Bible Readings:
OLD TESTAMENT: Numbers 6:22-27 (Moses blessed the people of God.)
EPISTLE READING: Galatians 3:23-29(We are heirs of God’s promise in Christ Jesus.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 2:21 (Jesus’ circumcision and naming on the eighth day)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Luke 2:1-20 (NIV) The Birth of Jesus 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. The Shepherds and the Angels 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
AS WE GATHER Joseph always seems to be in the background! In many manger settings, he seems to peer over Mary’s shoulder from a distance at the wondrous Child of Bethlehem. After bringing Mary and the Child back to Galilee from Egypt, Joseph is not mentioned again. Obviously, a man of faith, Joseph’s journey to faith was not easy. After all, his intended betrothed wife, Mary, was expecting a child, and Joseph knew it was not his! He did not want to believe her “story.” It was the Word of God, spoken through the angel, which moved Joseph to faith, and moved him to function as our Lord’s earthly father. For this man of faith, we give thanks to God.
Bible Readings
OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 7:10-17 (The coming of Immanuel is foretold to Ahaz.)
EPISTLE READING: Romans 1:1-7 (Paul begins to tell the Romans about Jesus, the Son of God and descendant of David.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 1:18-25 (Joseph is told of the coming birth of Jesus.)
