The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, January 15, 2023 — Sunday after the Epiphany

Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

Sunday, January 15, 2023 — 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Polished Arrows

Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

How Long? Not Long!

Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery, Alabama on March 25, 1965.

Opening Statement

It’s hard to ignore a scripture passage that begins, “Listen to me . . . hear this, you distant nations!” (Isaiah 49:1). God is definitely trying to get our attention! It is clear from this text (and from the world around us) that there is plenty of work to be done in the task of building up God’s realm. In fact, a quick glance at the newspapers and TV reports could easily cause us to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task. Yet both the Isaiah and 1 Corinthians readings assure us that we are not only called to do God’s work, we are well equipped by the very One who has called us. Our faithful God strengthens us for the task and has already given us the support we need through Jesus Christ.

The Word Became Flesh

Opening Prayer (Isaiah 49, 1 Corinthians 1)

God of Isaiah, you are our God, too. You spoke to the prophets, but your message did not end with them. There is still work to be done, and we pray to hear your call afresh. Help us joyfully claim our role as your beloved servants, knowing that you provide all that we need to do our work. You walked with us before we were even born, and you continue to hold us by the hand each and every day of our lives. We pray with the confidence of those who have been filled with your light. We pray with the assurance of those who have been called into fellowship with your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession (Isaiah 49, Psalm 40, 1 Corinthians 1)

Faithful God, you call us to be saints, but we are more comfortable with the role of sinner; you call us to be your servants, but we worry that we lack the skills to do your work; you put a new song of praise in our mouths, but we stumble on unfamiliar words; you show us the work to be tackled, but we turn away defiant, insisting we have more important things to do. Put your song on our lips and in our hearts, and remind us of the joy that awaits us when we put our trust in you. Guide us into the light of your unwavering, never-ending, and grace-filled love. Amen.

Words of Assurance (1 Corinthians 1)

God is faithful and ever-present. The God who knew us before our birth loves us still and strengthens us, that we will one day be blameless. Through the gift of Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Enter into the light!

Prayer of the Day

Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, by your Spirit hold us forever, that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you, follow you and joyfully find you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

First Reading

Isaiah 49:1-7

The servant brings light to the nations

1  Listen to me, you islands;
     hear this, you distant nations:
   Before I was born the Lord called me;
     from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
2  He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
     in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
   he made me into a polished arrow
     and concealed me in his quiver.
3  He said to me, “You are my servant,
     Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
4  But I said, “I have labored in vain;
     I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
   Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,
     and my reward is with my God.”

5  And now the Lord says—
     he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
   to bring Jacob back to him
     and gather Israel to himself,
   for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord
     and my God has been my strength—
6  he says:
   “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
     to restore the tribes of Jacob
     and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
   I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
     that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

7  This is what the Lord says—
     the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—
   to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
     to the servant of rulers:
   “Kings will see you and stand up,
     princes will see and bow down,
   because of the Lord, who is faithful,
     the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions

Psalm 40:1-11
Doing the will of God
Expectans, expectavi

I waited patiently upon the LORD;
he stooped to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay;
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the LORD.

Happy are they who trust in the LORD!
they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.

Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God! how great your wonders and your plans for us!
there is none who can be compared with you.

Oh, that I could make them known and tell them!
but they are more than I can count.

In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure
(you have given me ears to hear you);

Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required,
and so I said, “Behold, I come.

In the roll of the book it is written concerning me:
‘I love to do your will, O my God; your law is deep in my heart.’”

I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation;
behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O LORD, you know.

Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance;
I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.

Heavenly Father, we glorify You as the Lord of love and faithfulness. You have proven Your faithfulness to us in the Scriptures and in our experience. We trust in Your love, which mightly movesYou to care for us. We will continue to sing songs of praise to You and proclaim Your wonderful deeds. Help us to wait patiently on You, even as we pray for You to meet our many needs. O God, we trust in You day be day, knowing that You have foreseen our every need and will help us. May others come to know You too, even as we pray in Jesus’ name:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul’s greeting to the church at Corinth

1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia. In the Word was life,and the life was the light of all people. Alleluia. (John 1:4)

The Gospel

John 1:29-42

Christ revealed as the Lamb of God

1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Here end the Lessons

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

 

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets].

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, January 15, 2023
Sunday after the Epiphany
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

“Amazing Grace!” The Gospel Message for Sunday, January 15, 2023 — 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany

Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 1st chapter of John, beginning with the 29th verse.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

—John 1:29-42

Dear Heavenly Father, you have revealed yourself to us through your Word, recorded in the Scriptures, spoken by the prophets, but most clearly, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, your Word become flesh. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, open our hearts and minds to your Word so that we might perceive your presence among us, embrace your truth for our lives, and gain the courage to witness your redeeming grace to others. This we ask in Christ’s holy name. Amen.

“Amazing Grace!”

♫ “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

 That saved a wretch like me!

 I once was lost, but now am found;

 Was blind, but now I see.” ♫

There’s a reason the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ remains the favorite hymn for so many people. The powerful lyrics remind us that because of Jesus, we are never lost because God is with us always.

A man stood in the outer court of heaven and saw a glorious crowd marching up, singing hymns and bearing banners of victory. They passed by him through the gates into the courts of heaven. “Who are these?” he asked.

One answered, “They are the prophets who are going to see God.”

“Alas, I am not one of them. I cannot enter here.”

Soon another group of great personalities came upwards on the road’ robed in white robes. They passed through the gates of heaven, and shouts of welcome were heard from within. “And who are these?” he asked.

“They are the apostles.” came the answer.

“Alas,” said the man.

“I am not of their noble company. I cannot go in.”

Then another group came up the road, this time, the singing was even louder, and the members of this group waved palm branches. “Who are these people,” demanded the man.

The answer came, “They are the martyrs who died for their faith.”

“Alas, I belong to no such company,” said the man. He wondered if he would ever find a group to join so that he would be invited into heaven.

Then another group came up the road to the gates of heaven. The heavenly hosts within greeted this group with shouts of welcome, with songs of praise with shouts of jubilation. All of heaven seemed to rock with the excitement of this group being ready to pass through the heavenly gates. The man began to recognize some in this group.

There was the woman who had been accused of adultery and the notorious publican, and the thief on the cross and Zacchaeus, and the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil, the prodigal son, and in the midst of them was the Savior Himself, Christ Jesus, leading them through the gates of heaven. As they were welcomed through the gates of heaven, songs of praise and triumph swelled to the highest vaults: a sevenfold amen sounded from the heavenly choirs.

The man was told, “These are the sinners, saved by amazing Grace.”

As he joined the group, the man said, “Blessed be God, I can go in with this group. I have been saved by amazing grace.”

Saved by amazing grace is the key phrase associated with our gospel text this morning. In this season of Epiphany, we see Jesus Christ revealed in all of his splendor, manifested in all His glory. One of the ways He is revealed this morning is the title John the Baptist gives Jesus, as he calls him the Lamb of God. He says in our text, “Behold the Lamb Lamb of God. God who takes away the sin of the world!!” John knew that the Lamb in the Old Testament on the Day of Atonement was the sign and symbol of God’s forgiving power as the blood of a sacrificed lamb was sprinkled on another lamb, which was driven from the people into the wilderness.

John was saying that the Lamb of God came for sinners. People who knew they were in bondage to sin. People who knew they needed a transformation in their lives, and as C.S.Lewis says, “God’s purpose is not just to create nice people or to effect some moral improvement in us.” “Rather,” says Lewis, “God became man to turn creatures into sons, into daughters, not simply to produce better people of the old kind but to produce a new kind of person.” “It costs God nothing to create nice things but to convert rebellious wills cost Him crucifixion.”

At conversion, God comes to rebuild the house. At first, you can understand what he is doing. He fixes the drains, stops the leaks in the roof, etc. You knew these jobs needed to be done, so you are not surprised. But pretty soon, he starts to tear down part of the house in such a way that it hurts a lot and doesn’t seem to make any sense. “What on earth is he up to?” you think. The explanation is that. He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of putting a new wing on over here, an extra floor over there. YOU thought you were just going to be made into a decent little cottage. But he is building a palace. Indeed, He intends to come and live in it Himself. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit and dwells in you?” (I Cor. 3:16)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were no people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (I Peter 2:9, 10).

Indeed you and I are saved by amazing grace, the grace of the Lamb of God who is revealed in this season of Epiphany as the Lamb who takes away our sins so that the Father in Heaven can see us as white as snow, not the scarlet red of our sins. The purity of Christ’s AMAZING GRACE as He brings that grace of His own accord into our sinful lives by way of the cross and the resurrections is our salvation, our redemption. We are indeed changed, transformed made new people because of the Lamb of God. As we continue to see this Christ during this season of Epiphany, remember He is the New Adam, the new man, the new person, and as He comes into our YOU and I are changed, and we become not just changed-over-people but new people.

It begins slowly, then gradually, a change comes so that we don’t even know ourselves. We realize we are powerless to overcome sin in our lives by ourselves; we need His amazing grace.

We come to believe and trust in the Lamb of God, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as the only great power which can restore and rebuild our lives.

Finally, we realize each day, we must turn our lives over to His power so that He can restore, rebuild, change, and forgive us our sins daily.

♫ “When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

 Bright shining as the sun,

 We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

 Than when we’d first begun.” ♫

Let us pray: Lord, through Your amazing grace and incredible love, I am who I am—a sinner saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

Thank You that I have been set free from the law of sin and death by the Spirit of life, Who indwells my heart and Who teaches all those who walk in newness of life… Your truth and knowledge—for You are a faithful and gracious God Who is rich in mercy and love.

Thank You that I have been redeemed by Christ and am fully justified in Your eyes because He was made sin on my account… and paid the full price for my sin—and how I praise You that by God’s grace, I have been brought back into fellowship with God.

Thank You that Christ is raised from the dead and has become the first-fruit of those that rise… and that I am a partaker of His eternal life, through time and into eternity… and thank You that there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus—thank You in Jesus’ precious name for Your amazing grace, Amen.

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Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Sermon contributed by Rev. Tim Zingale.
Saved by amazing grace is the key phrase associated with our gospel text this morning. In this season of Epiphany, we see Jesus Christ revealed in all of his splendor, manifested in all of His glory.

The Morning Prayer for Sunday, January 15, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Sunday, January 15, 2023

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26, NIV

Lord God, send your Spirit, we pray, over us and over the whole world. Let your light dawn on earth among humankind. Reveal your power and let your reign begin. May your will be done, O Lord. We kneel before your throne and plead to you. We are weak. Lord, help us. Bless us. Establish your kingdom in the hearts of those who are willing to follow you, who are willing to accept your grace in Jesus Christ. Help us through your strength. Reign over us. Be with us with your Holy Spirit, O Lord God, our Father. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Sunday, January 15, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Sunday, January 15, 2023

John 8:31-32

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

How does the truth set us free? Because through it, the Lord breaks the bonds of enslavement that sin has over us (John 8:36; Rom. 7:14–25; 8:2, 20, 21). He shows us how to become everything we were created to be and to embrace every blessing that is ours because of our position in Him (Eph. 1). He also guides us in living the very best life possible—one that gives us joy and glorifies Him (John 16:13–15; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:1).

Read all of John Chapter 8

Listen to John Chapter 8

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Travel the World from Home — The Doorstep to Israel: The Coastal Plains

 

The Holy Land:
Connecting the Land with Its Stories
The Doorstep to Israel: The Coastal Plains
Season 2 — Episode 4

You might think you're watching a commercial for some exotic destination when you push play.  And in some ways you are. Now is your opportunity to venture with Jack Beck into a part of the Holy Land that we normally don't think of when we read Bible stories. This captivating space offers miles of beautiful beaches, tasty food, and big city fun. The vibrancy and allure of the Coastal Plain which features the larger cities of Ashkelon and Tel Aviv might have you wondering, why did God choose the more rugged interior of Israel to begin His salvation story? And what is the significance of the Coastal Plain?

In Episode 4, walk with Jack as he explores the beaches, ruins, and ramparts of Ashkelon, one of the biggest cities in the Holy Land. You'll gain an insightful lesson in history and economics as Jack explains how this coveted land was conquered many times over the years as rulers desired its advantageous location. Travel north up the coast to another major city, Tel Aviv, where you'll walk through a colorful market and get a feel for the vibe of the streets and people. You'll even begin to understand the popular phrase, "Play in Tel Aviv, and pray in Jerusalem." This is one more insight into the Holy Land: God may have tucked His people safely away in the smaller, rural areas, but He used the location of the Coastal Plain to start the spread of the gospel. As Jack said, "When we read the Bible, it's not about the absence of stories in the Coastal Plain. If we focus there we won't get it. It's about the access that the Coastal Plain gives to the people of God that allows them to reach the rest of the world."

So come along on this exciting ride and see how God uses both the land and His people to spread the gospel.

Season 2 — Episode 4 | The Doorstep to Israel: The Coastal Plains