1st Sunday after the Epiphany 2026: January 11

Today, we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord on the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany in 2026. This feast marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and reveals the fullness of the Trinity. As Jesus rises from the waters of the Jordan, the heavens open, the Spirit descends, and the Father’s voice proclaims Him as His beloved Son. Canon Scott Leannah will celebrate Mass with us as we reflect on our baptismal identity and calling.

Join us for Mass in the way that suits you best! You can worship with us in person, via Live Stream, through Video Replay, or as a Podcast.

If You Cannot Join Us In Person for the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany 2026!

We understand that you may not always be able to join us in person. That’s why we offer a live stream of our services, which is also available as a replay afterward. The live stream begins at 8:50 AM with the organ prelude, and the service itself starts at 9:00 AM.

Livestream/Playback

Podcast

Did you know that we are available on all major platforms? Our podcast covers everything from the opening hymn to the sharing of the peace.

The Collect for the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Readings for the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Old Testament: Isaiah 42:1-9

1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

Psalm 29

The Epistle: Acts 10:34-43

34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Reflection on the Readings for the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Join us as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord!

Old Testament – Isaiah 42:1-9

Isaiah introduces the mysterious Servant of the Lord, chosen and upheld by God. This Servant is filled with the Spirit and is called to bring justice to the nations. He acts with gentleness and compassion; he will not break a bruised reed or extinguish a dimly burning wick. His mission is to establish a covenant with the people and to be a light to the nations, opening blind eyes and freeing prisoners from darkness. God proclaims that He is doing a new thing, and this prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Father anoints Jesus with the Spirit at His baptism to launch His mission of redemption and healing.

Psalm 29

This majestic psalm celebrates the powerful voice of the Lord as it thunders over the waters. God’s voice breaks cedars, shakes the wilderness, and strips forests bare—a stunning display of divine power and majesty that inspires awe. Yet, this same mighty Lord reigns eternally as King and bestows the blessing of peace upon His people. The imagery of God’s voice over the waters echoes the baptism narrative, in which the Father’s voice speaks over the waters of the Jordan, declaring Jesus His beloved Son. This revelation highlights the divine presence that brings both power and peace.

Epistle – Acts 10:34-43

Peter’s sermon to Cornelius and his household represents a crucial moment in the early Church’s understanding of God’s inclusive love. Peter emphasizes that God shows no favoritism—anyone from any nation who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to Him. He recounts the ministry of Jesus, beginning with His baptism by John, during which God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went around doing good and healing those who the devil oppressed. Although He was crucified, God raised Him on the third day, and the apostles became witnesses of His resurrection. Through Jesus, everyone who believes receives forgiveness of sins.

Gospel – Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew shares the story of Jesus’ baptism with striking simplicity and impact. When Jesus comes to John at the Jordan River, John expresses reluctance, believing Jesus should be the one baptizing him. However, Jesus insists that this baptism is necessary “to fulfill all righteousness,” signifying his identification with humanity and the formal initiation of his messianic mission. As Jesus rises from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice declares, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” This divine revelation highlights the Trinity and signifies the start of Jesus’ public ministry as the Servant foretold by Isaiah.

Wrap-up

The central theme of these readings is the revelation of Jesus’ identity and mission through baptism. In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is anointed by the Spirit as the Servant who will bring justice and light to the nations. God’s voice declares Jesus as His beloved Son, affirming His identity and commissioning His ministry. This feast invites us to remember our own baptism and the covenant we have made. Like Jesus, we are called to be servants who bring God’s light into the world. Through baptism, we share in Christ’s mission, empowered by the same Spirit, and are claimed as God’s beloved children. As Canon Scott Leannah celebrates Mass with us today, we recommit ourselves to keeping our baptismal covenant and boldly confessing Christ as our Lord and Savior.