2nd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026: January 18

The season of Epiphany continues as we celebrate the manifestation of Christ’s glory to the world. On the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany in 2026, we will hear John the Baptist’s testimony as he proclaims Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Rev. Matthew Buterbaugh will celebrate Mass with us as we explore themes of divine calling, faithful witness, and the invitation to “come and see.”

Join us for Mass in the way that suits you best! You can worship with us in person at 9 am, via livestream, through video replay, or as a podcast.

If You Cannot Join Us In Person for the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026!

We understand that you cannot always join us in person; that is why we offer ways to participate wherever and whenever you can.

Livestream and Playback

Our livestream will begin shortly before 9 am, and it will be available for replay immediately after the service concludes.

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 podcast will be available as soon as possible, likely on Monday.

The Collect for the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Readings for the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Old Testament: Isaiah 49:1-7

1 Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. 3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” 4 But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.” 5 And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— 6 he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

7 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, “Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Psalm 40:1-12

The Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Gospel: John 1:29-42

29 The next day, he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day, John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon, son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Reflection on the Readings for the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Join us as we explore the call to witness and follow!

Old Testament – Isaiah 49:1-7

In the second Servant Song from Isaiah, the Servant addresses the nations directly. Called from the womb and named by God, the Servant is shaped into a sharp sword and a polished arrow to accomplish God’s purposes. Although he feels that his efforts have been in vain, the Servant continues to trust that his mission and reward are in God’s hands. Remarkably, God responds that the Servant’s mission is too limited if it aims only to restore Israel. Therefore, God appoints him as a light to the nations, ensuring that salvation reaches the ends of the earth. Despite being despised and rejected, the Servant will ultimately receive honor from kings and princes because of God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 40:1-12

This psalm serves as a testimony of deliverance and dedication. The psalmist patiently waited for the Lord, who lifted him from the pit and established his feet on solid ground. God instilled a new song of praise in his mouth, encouraging others to trust in the Lord. The psalm celebrates God’s marvelous deeds and countless plans. Notably, the psalmist emphasizes that God desires not just sacrifices and offerings, but obedience and a willing heart. The appropriate response is a commitment: “Here I am, I come to do your will.” The psalmist has faithfully proclaimed God’s righteousness and love to the congregation, relying on God’s enduring compassion and faithfulness.

Epistle – 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul begins his letter to the Corinthian church by establishing his authority as an apostle and emphasizing that God’s will calls him. He affirms their identity as those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. Paul expresses his gratitude for the grace given to them, which has enriched them in both speech and knowledge and strengthened the testimony of Christ among them. He notes that they lack no spiritual gift as they await Christ’s return.

Paul assures them that God will strengthen them until the end, keeping them blameless. The foundation of this confidence lies in God’s faithfulness, the same God who called them into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Gospel – John 1:29-42

John the Baptist provides essential testimony about the identity and mission of Jesus. When he sees Jesus approaching, he proclaims, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John explains that he was baptizing with water specifically to reveal Jesus to Israel. He testifies that he witnessed the Spirit descend and remain on Jesus, confirming that Jesus is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and is the Son of God.

The next day, when John again identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, two of his disciples begin to follow Jesus. When Jesus asks them what they are seeking, they inquire about where He is staying. His response is simple yet profound: “Come and see.” They spend the day with Him, and Andrew immediately finds his brother, Simon, and declares, “We have found the Messiah.” Jesus then gives Simon a new name: Peter, meaning “the rock,” which foreshadows his future role.

Wrap-up

The central theme of these readings is our call to witness and respond. Like the Servant in Isaiah, we are called to be lights to the nations, bringing God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. Like the psalmist, we are lifted from despair and given a new song to proclaim God’s faithfulness. Like Paul’s community in Corinth, we are sanctified and enriched with spiritual gifts as we await Christ’s return. And like John’s disciples, we are invited by Jesus to “come and see,” to enter into a relationship with Him, and then to share that discovery with others. As Rev. Matthew Buterbaugh celebrates Mass with us today, we are reminded that our lives are meant to shine with Christ’s radiance, bearing witness to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.