Hymns and Prayers, 2nd Sunday after Christmas OR
The Epiphany of Our Lord, Transferred, Cycle A – January 4, 2026
January 4, 2026: 2nd Sunday after Christmas
SOLA/LSB: 1 Kings 3:4-15 (God grants Solomon great wisdom)
RCL/ELW: Jeremiah 31:7-14 (God will gather his people; shout for joy!)
SOLA/LSB: Psalm 119:97-104 (I love your Law, haven’t departed from your precepts)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 147: 12-20 (Praise God for deliverance, nature’s bounty, peace)
ALL: Ephesians 1:3-14 (The mystery of salvation for all ages has been revealed to all!)
SOLA/LSB: Luke 2:40-52 (12-year-old Jesus in Temple in Jerusalem)
RCL/ELW: John 1:1-18 (In the beginning was the Word; the Light shines in the darkness; grace and truth came through Jesus)
*******
Opening Hymn: The Bells of Christmas: LBW #62, ELW #298
OR O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright!: LBW #76, ELW #308, LSB #395
Hymn of Praise: Let Our Gladness Have No End: LBW #57, ELW #291, LSB #381
Gradual Hymn: Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing: LBW #499, ELW #807, LSB #686
Hymn of the Day: O God, My Faithful God (ties Sola/LSB OT and Gospel together):
LBW #504, ELW #806, LSB #696
OR Come, Your Hearts and Voices Raising: LSB #375 (Really nice carol, not unfamiliar tune)
OR Thine the Amen (For RCL/ELW, this is unifying theme): WOV #801, ELW #826, LSB #680
OR The Only Son From Heaven (ditto. Wonderful words! Wish the tune was more familiar, as there aren’t any alternatives!): LBW #86, ELW #309, LSB #402
Offertory Hymn: As With Gladness Men of Old: LBW #82, ELW #302, LSB #397
Communion Hymn #1: Go Tell it On the Mountain: LBW #70, ELW #290, LSB #388
Communion Hymn #2: Joy to the World: LBW #39, ELW #267, LSB #387
Closing Hymn: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light: WOV #649, ELW #815, LSB #411
******
January 6, 2026: The Epiphany of Our Lord
ALL: Isaiah 60:1-6 (Arise, shine, your light has come; nations stream to Israel, bringing gifts)
SOLA/LSB: Psalm 72:1-11 (Prayer for guidance and support for the King)
RCL/ELW: Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (Adds visitors from Sheba will bring gifts)
ALL: Ephesians 3:1-12 (The mystery of salvation revealed to Gentiles; Paul has become steward of God’s mysteries so that through the Church, nations may know God’s wisdom)
ALL: Matthew 2:1-12 (The magi adore Jesus, bringing gifts, departing by another way)
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Opening Hymn: O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright, v. 1-3: LBW #76, ELW #308, LSB #395
Hymn of the Day: As With Gladness Men of Old: LBW #82, ELW #302, LSB #397
Communion 1: Bright and Glorious is the Sky: LBW #75, ELW #301
Communion 2: We Three Kings of Orient Are: WOV #646
OR Songs of Thankfulness and Praise: LBW #90, ELW #310, LSB #394
Closing Hymn: O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright, v. 4-6: LBW #76, ELW #308, LSB #395
OR We Are Marching in the Light of God: WOV 650, ELW #866
*******
Let us pray that the light of Christ may shine upon the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.
A brief silence
Heavenly Father, thank you for the Light of the World, your dear Son Jesus! Thank you for revealing your mercy and loving-kindness to all people. Thank you that he reveals you as the God of every kindred, nation, and tribe, until the world ends and Christ is all in all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make your Church a faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ. Fill your pastors with wisdom, holiness, and faithfulness. May the Church’s worship, fellowship, and acts of charity be as frankincense, gold, and myrrh offered to her infant Redeemer.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make this congregation a place where even sinners, strangers, and Gentiles encounter the living Christ. Shape us into “magi” who eagerly seek, study, and worship Jesus. And send us home “by a different way” – as his disciples, and as his sisters and brothers.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Protect and bless your Church wherever it suffers from malice, persecution, and scorn. Give even to its enemies a teachable heart and questioning mind, so your goodness, holiness, justice, and mercy may touch and transform them.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray on behalf of scholars, teachers, scientists, philosophers, and especially seminary professors and students. Increase their numbers and their zeal for seeking your truth! Give them grace to adore you, the source of truth and wisdom. And give them generous hearts, to freely share their wisdom, knowledge, curiosity, and faith.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Put your Spirit upon the leaders of this and every nation, that they may faithfully bring forth and establish justice throughout the world. Give them the wisdom and the will to rightly protect and provide for their people. And grant peace and blessing to all in this new year.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We lift before you everyone charged with protecting life and liberty. Grant them such integrity and courage that those whose lives are most in danger may call on them with confidence. Bring them safely home to their loved ones, and heal those who are wounded in body, mind or soul.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bring the light of Christ to everyone who dwells in the shadows of suffering, sin or sorrow, especially those we lift before you now, including: {list}. Give competence, compassion, and patience to everyone charged with their care; and grant health and hope according to your merciful wisdom.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We thank you for the lives of all your faithful servants who through word and example have been stewards of your Gospel. Give to us wisdom and devotion, so that we seek your will throughout our earthly life; and give us the strength and the means to do it. And, in your good time, lead us “by another way” to the eternal home and inheritance you have prepared for all who are redeemed by your beloved Son. For there, we will adore your glorious wisdom and delight in your merciful love in the power of your Holy Spirit forever.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
All these things, and whatever else you see that we need, grant to us, dear Father, for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
