Lessons, Hymns, and Prayers, January 18, 2026: Confession of St. Peter
OR 2nd Sunday After Epiphany, Proper 1/Lectionary 2
Confession of Peter Hymns, Lessons, and Prayers
ALL: Acts 4:8-13 (After healing lame man, Peter proclaims, “There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved!”)
SOLA/LSB: Psalm 118:19-29 (The One whom builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone; this is the Lord’s doing, it’s marvelous in our eyes)
RCL/ELW: 18:1-6, 16-19 (God delivered me out of many waters, saved me from calamity)
SOLA/LSB: 2 Peter 1:1-15 (In Christ, we become partakers of the divine nature. Now add virtue and understanding to God’s grace and your faith.
RCL/ELW: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 (Christ was the Rock in the wilderness from which Israelites drank)
SOLA/LSB: Mark 8:27-35 (The confession of Peter)
RCL/ELW: Matthew 16:13-19 (Confession of Peter, especially good in Year of Matthew!)
+++++++
Opening Hymn: Christ is Made the Sure Foundation: LBW #367 (If possible, use the one from WOV, ELW, or LSB, which use a better tune), WOV #747, ELW #645, LSB #909
OR Christ is Our Cornerstone: LSB #912 (tune is “Rise Up, O Saints of God)
Hymn of the Day: By All Your Saints in Warfare: LBW #177, v. 1, 10, 3; ELW #420, v. 1, 7, 2, last; LSB #517, v. 1,10, 3)
OR All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name: LBW #328/329, ELW #634, LSB #549
OR Holy God, We Praise Your/Thy Name: LBW #535, ELW #414, LSB #940
Communion 1: How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds: LBW #345, ELW #620, LSB #524
Communion 2: Great is Thy Faithfulness: WOV #771, ELW #733, LSB #809
Closing Hymn: Built on A/The Rock The Church Shall Stand: LBW #365, ELW #652, LSB #645
*******
2nd Sunday after the Epiphany, Proper 1/Lectionary 2 Lessons and Hymns
ALL: Isaiah 49:1-7 (God’s Servant given as light to all nations)
ALL: Psalm 40:1-11 (Happy are they who make the Lord their trust; he does not require burnt
offerings but a willing heart)
ALL: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (Thanksgiving that Corinthians are enriched with every spiritual gift)
ALL: John 1:29-42a (John says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!”
2 of his disciples become Jesus’ disciples)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Opening Hymn: O God, My Faithful God: LBW #504, ELW #806, LSB #696
OR Christ, the Word of God Incarnate, v.1-3: LSB #540 (GREAT hymn, singable early American tune! This is worth getting copyright permissions for if you don’t have LSB)
Hymn of the Day: O Christ, Thou Lamb of God: LBW #103
OR Jesus, Lamb of God: ELW #199
OR Lamb of God (Your only Son, no sin to hide): ELW #336, LSB #550
Communion 1: I Lay My Sins on Jesus: LBW #305, LSB #606
Communion 2: Great is Thy Faithfulness: WOV #771, ELW #733, LSB #809
Closing Hymn: Hail to the Lord’s Anointed: LBW #87, ELW #311, LSB #398
OR Christ, the Word of God Incarnate, v. 4-6: LSB #540
*******
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
(COP) Thank you, Father, for granting such faith to Peter that he could boldly confess your Son as the Christ. Thank you for promising that the gates of hell cannot withstand the gracious battering-ram of your faith-filled Church. Thank you for the forgiveness of sin that the Church pronounces in Jesus’ name and at his command.
(2 Epiph) Thank you, Father, for Jesus. Thank you for making him our doorway into your heart. Thank you for making him your dear Lamb, the sacrifice for our sin. Thank you for making him the light of the world, and of our lives.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(COP) Lord, make your Church confess Jesus as your Son, the Savior and Messiah of the world. Teach it to discern sin and preach repentance. Strengthen it to generously forgive the repentant sinner, and to be pastoral in withholding forgiveness from the persistently unrepentant. Use the Church to be the means by which Jesus draws new disciples to himself and shapes them into his likeness.
(2 Epiph) Lord, cause your Church to preach like John the Baptist. May it always point to Jesus, and say, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Prune away every program or teaching that does not serve that end. Let Jesus use the Church to draw new disciples to himself, and to shape them into his likeness.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make disciples of everyone in this congregation. Give us willing and trust-filled hearts. Help us to use our spiritual gifts to glorify you and build up our community of faith. Make us bold to tell others, “This is the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bless the Church wherever it is persecuted on account of Jesus. By its patient witness, turn its enemies from hatred to repentance. For missionaries throughout the world, for our seminaries, church colleges, and schools, and for all who seek to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed, we also lift our hands, hearts and voices in fervent supplication.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
This weekend, we celebrate the confession of St. Peter, and commemorate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Thank you for this double witness. Teach us to value one another not based on race, creed, or gender, but because you have created all people in your image, and have given your Son as the sacrifice for all our sin. By your Holy Spirit, make the content of our character reflect your will, so that we treat each other with respect, justice, and charity.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Enlighten the minds and purify the hearts of those who take counsel for the nations. Turn them away from the false gods of power, prestige, and ideology, and teach them your ways. Bestow your favor upon our country. Make it a beacon of righteousness, justice and freedom for all.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Stoop down, O Lord, and hear the cry of all who are afflicted by suffering or sorrow, including: {List}. Lift them out of their desolation, make their footing sure, and put a new song into their mouths. Restore them to their loved ones, so they may joyfully proclaim your deliverance.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, thank you for your servants who have died to us but rest safely in your hand. Sustain us with that same strong and merciful hand. Help us trust and follow Jesus, and to bear his saving love to the world. Keep us close to him, so we are declared guiltless on that day when he is revealed to the world. Make us fit to dwell with him in the glory he shares with you and the 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.
