3rd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026: January 25

The season of Epiphany continues as we celebrate the light of Christ spreading throughout the world. Today’s Gospel takes us to Galilee, where Jesus begins His public ministry, proclaiming the nearness of God’s kingdom and calling His first disciples. We will explore what it means to answer Christ’s call willingly and to leave everything behind to follow Him. Please join us for the 3rd Sunday after Epiphany 2026!

Join us for Morning Prayer in the way that suits you! 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 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026!

We understand that you may not always be able to join us in person; that is why we offer you several options!

Livestream and Playback

If you would like to join us via video, we offer a live stream that begins at 8:50 AM with the organ prelude, and the service starts at 9 AM. If you are unable to join us at that time, the live stream will be available as a video to watch later. Please note that we trim the prelude from the recorded version.

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 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Readings for the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4

1 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

Psalm 27:1, 5-13

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?

5 One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;

6 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.

8 Even now he lifts up my head above my enemies round about me.

9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

10 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.

11 You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” Your face, Lord, will I seek.

12 Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

13 You have been my helper; cast me not away; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.

The Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

10 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Reflection on the Readings for the 3rd Sunday after the Epiphany 2026

Join us as we discover what it means to follow Christ!

Old Testament – Isaiah 9:1-4

Isaiah’s prophecy brings hope to regions that have experienced contempt and anguish—specifically, Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee. What was once disregarded will be transformed into something glorious. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those living in deep darkness have discovered that light has shone upon them. This light brings joy, akin to the celebrations of a bountiful harvest and the freedom from oppression. The burdens, the heavy yoke, and the rod of the oppressor will all be broken. Isaiah’s messages of liberation and enlightenment find their fulfillment in Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, the very area that Isaiah mentions.

Psalm 27:1, 5-13

This psalm powerfully expresses trust in God as light, salvation, and strength. The psalmist fears nothing because the Lord is his protector. His one desire is to dwell in God’s house, to behold the Lord’s beauty, and to seek Him in His temple. In times of trouble, God provides shelter and safety, lifting the psalmist’s head above his enemies. The appropriate response is worship and song offered with gladness. The psalm becomes deeply personal when God speaks to the heart, saying, “Seek my face.” The psalmist’s reply is immediate and steadfast: “Your face, Lord, will I seek.” This is a prayer for God’s continued presence and faithfulness.

Epistle – 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Paul addresses a concerning issue in the Corinthian church: divisions and factionalism. Different groups are claiming allegiance to various leaders, such as Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and even Christ, treating each as a party label. Paul confronts this directly, asking, “Has Christ been divided?” This question highlights the absurdity of their divisions. He reminds them that he did not come to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom that might overshadow the message of the cross. To those who are perishing, the message of the cross seems foolish, but to those being saved, it represents the power of God. True unity does not come from following human leaders, but from focusing on Christ crucified.

Gospel – Matthew 4:12-23

After John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus began his public ministry in Galilee, settling in Capernaum. The Gospel of Matthew highlights that this event fulfills a prophecy from Isaiah, stating that light has dawned in Galilee of the Gentiles. Jesus’ message was both clear and urgent: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked along the Sea of Galilee, he called his first disciples. He approached Simon Peter and Andrew, who were commercial fishermen casting their nets, and said, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” They responded immediately, leaving their nets to follow him. The same pattern occurred with James and John, who also left their boat and their father to join Jesus.

The passage concludes with a summary of Jesus’ ministry, which involved teaching, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.

Readings Wrap-up

The central theme of these readings is the call to radical discipleship in response to the light of Christ. The great light prophesied by Isaiah has dawned in Jesus Christ, illuminating the darkness of Galilee and transforming despised regions into centers of divine activity. Like the psalmist, we are called to seek God’s face above all else. Similarly, like the Corinthian Christians, we must resist divisions and focus our unity on Christ crucified. We are also invited, as the first disciples were, to leave our old ways behind and follow Jesus immediately, trusting that He will transform us and use us for His kingdom purposes. The call still resonates today: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Follow me.” How will we respond?