Lutheran Sunday Eucharist Lessons & Prayers - Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 23

Lutheran Book of Worship | 1978 | Lutheran Book of Worship

[lightman]

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Almighty God, you send your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authorityu: Anoint us with the power of your Spirit, that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

FIRST LESSON • Isaiah 9:1b-4

In the former time the LORD brought into contempt the land of Zebulum and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them has light shined! You have multiplied the nation, ;you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

PSALM 27:1-9

SECOND LESSON • 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, by brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apolos,” or “I belong to Cephas, or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Staphanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.

GOSPEL • Matthew 4:12-23

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulum and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulum, land of Naphtah, on the road by the sea across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles-- the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” As he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard version of the Bible, ©1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, used by permission, all rights reserved.

Let us call with faith upon God our Father through Jesus Christ, his beloved Son, in the Holy Spirit, who inspires our prayer.

For the spotless Church of Jesus Christ, that she may show forth into the world the glory of the Lord, let us ask for the riches of divine goodness; Lord, in your mercy...

For those who faithfully dispense the word of truth, for those who exercise authority, in the service of their sisters and brothers, let us ask for the infinite wisdom of the Word of God, Lord, in your mercy...

For those who direct the people, that they may govern according to right and justice, let us call upon the Kings of kings and Master of nations Lord, in your mercy...

For those who are beginning to know the name of Jesus Christ and ardently desire divine mercy let us call upon him who is the way, the truth, and the life, Lord, in your mercy...

For those held captive by human weakness and frailty, by the spirit of envy and hatred, by the many error of the world, let us implore the mercy of the Redeemer, Lord, in your mercy...

For those who suffer in their flesh or in their spirit, those oppressed, slandered, or hopeless, let us call upon the Lord who is close to despondent hearts Lord, in your mercy...

For those who have been victims of error or lies, those who do not know the light of the Gospel, for those who despise it, let us call upon the Lord of truth. Lord, in your mercy...

For those whose love comes to the aid of the poor, those who share their bread with their less fortunate sisters and brothers, let us pray to the Lord, the friend of the poor, Lord, in your mercy...

For all of us gathered here, that we may receive our daily bread and pardon for our sins, let us call upon our Father in heaven, Lord, in your mercy...

For our brothers and sisters who have left this world that they may enjoy eternal light and peace, let us pray to Jesus Christ, the first-born of the dead, Lord, in your mercy...

Lord Jesus Christ, your resurrection has gathered together the multitude of believers into a single community.

May your Church of today, like that of old, have but one heart, have but one soul.

Perfect our conversation as believers that our discourse may reflect the unity you share with the Father and the Holy Spirit as you live and reign, one God, now and forever.

[lightman]

Many are snowbound in the Northeast. Here are the Prayer of the Day and Lessons for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany, followed by a prayer appropriate for this Sunday in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The prayer is attributed to Pope Gelasius, 5th Century.

[sassbox]

we've already achieved some unity - those readings are the same ones that the Catholic Church uses today. That's really interesting; I never knew Lutherans were on the same readings schedule as us. what branch of Lutheranism (ELCA, LCMS, etc) is this from?

[lightman]

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has used the same Sunday lectionary as the Catholic Church (with a few minor variations) since 1978 and the same weekday lectionary as the Episcopal Church since that same year.

There are a good many Lutherans who believe that their ecumenical destiny is to be in full communion with the Bishop of Rome. They view the 1999 Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification as a very positive step in that direction.

[redgolum]

The LCMS also uses about the same readings. I have noticed it tends to be a week ahead or behind at some points, but then catches up at Lent and other major festivals.

[Mr. Lucky]

There are a good many Lutherans who believe that their ecumenical destiny is to be in full communion with the Bishop of Rome.

Aren't the modern practices of the ELCA antithetical to the teachings of the Catholic Church (and conservative Protestant churches as well)?

[redgolum]

Yes, although not all in the ELCA are as bad.

There is more common bonds with the LCMS theology than the ELCA, but the current situation in the LCMS makes ecumenical talks problematic. Some of the uber conservatives view the papacy as THE anti christ.

[lightman]

Aren't the modern practices of the ELCA antithetical to the teachings of the Catholic Church
Aye, and that is why many conservative ELCA folk would like that ecumenical destiny to be reached sooner rather than later; perhaps through a parallel to the "Anglican Use Rite".