LOG Divine Worship Service 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 1/18/26

We gather in celebration of the 2nd Sunday @ Epiphany centered on Christ's call to each of us to faith, and further to be His tools to make known the Gospel to those around us. We open and close with Hymn #835 On Galilee's High Mountain. After Confession and Absolution we responsively read Psalm 40:1-11 which extols our LORD God as hearing our cries and coming in mercy to save us and put His Word in our hearts. Our Old Testament Lesson is Isaiah 49:1-7 where we hear one of the prophet's Servant Songs looking forward to the promised Messiah who was chosen from His incarnation in Mary's womb bring His people back to faith and service to their God. Our Epistle Lesson is the Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian Church of his day, as well as us today that He chose us to believe in Christ and called us to be members of Christ's body, the Church, given knowledge, wisdom to equip us for the holy purpose He set aside to have. Our Gospel Lesson is John 1:29-42a where John the Baptist points to Jesus of Nazareth as the long awaited Messiah, the Anointed One, who has come to be the Lamb of Sacrifice for all mankind. Then we see John personally point two of his disciples to follow Jesus as His disciples. In the Children's Message I explain to the kids of all ages how the "Epistle" we read in worship is actually a letter written by the Holy Spirit through Paul to not just the Church in Corinth, but to us today. He tells us what we are doing that is good, what is sinful, and assures us of our forgiveness in Christ. And He calls us to be a part of sharing that forgiveness with others. Our Sermon Hymn is #696 "O God, My Faithful God" who is faithful to sustain us and equip us to live in His kingdom. The Sermon is based on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 "Equipped to Serve". I speak of how we may face the tasks of being the Church in mission and feel that we are ill equipped to do them, or that se didn't sign on to do them. But the God who calls us to faith in Christ is the One who calls us to serve Him, not to be saved, but in loving obedience for so great a salvation. Our Offertory is #783 "Take My Life and Let It Be. Our Communion Hymns are: Video Hymn BOB #204 "Shine, Jesus Shine", #540 "Christ, the Word of God Incarnate", and #830 Spread the Reign of God the Lord"