Order of Worship – 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
2Nd Sunday after Epiphany
REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
01-18-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ GATHERING +
THE OPENING RITE:
L I need help. I need healing. I need hope. I need a financial blessing.
Where can I go to get some answers to my burdens?
C John the Baptist points and shouts,
“Look! Here is the LAMB OF GOD!”
L I really want other people to notice me.
I really want to have the comfort and the pleasure of the “good life”.
I want a big car, a huge house, and an expensive vacation.
How can I get my desires fulfilled?
C John the Baptist points and shouts,
“Look! Here is the LAMB OF GOD!”
L But I said that I need some strong sturdy help, not a weak little lamb!
C The LAMB OF GOD offers you hope that sustains.
L But I want stuff and satisfaction, not a shy and soft lamb!
C The LAMB OF GOD offers you truly authentic living.
L Now really, be honest, what can this “LAMB OF GOD” do for me?
C Come and see!
OPENING SONG: “NOW BEHOLD THE LAMB” Brown #128
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Father in heaven, it’s personal.
The LIGHT OF THE WORLD is calling out to us to follow.
The LAMB OF GOD, who takes away the sin of the world, is inviting us into discipleship.
Jesus is the BEST and the MOST for real living on this earth.
We pray that we may always see, hear, believe and hold on to Him.
We also pray that we will not keep silent or rest easy until the Good News is excitedly passed on.
Lord, keep me thirsty in my heart and busy in my witness. Amen.
+ THE HOLY WORD +
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 49:1-7
[Called to be a servant of God’s light to the entire world.]
SECOND READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9
[Called to be an apostle and saints together in God’s love.]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Always remember Jesus, Jesus.
Always remember Jesus, Jesus.
Always keep Him on your mind.”
THE GOSPEL: JOHN 1:29-42
[Called to come and see and called to go and tell.]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: The Rev. Dr. Mark Bethala, a servant leader of God’s love
SONG RESPONSE: “SEND ME, JESUS” Brown #244
IN THE SPIRIT OF THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
L This is the time of the year when we again remember the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sample
his speeches, hear about his passion, and declare his dream. Now what? Dr. King fought for righteousness and justice for all people. He believed that all people are created equal in the eyes of God. He turned a spotlight on America’s conscience, a spotlight that certainly shines on us in today’s America. Listen! Don’t you hear it? The spotlight is asking us a question. Do you love God enough to live faithfully and to love fervently? Is Martin’s dream your dream?
God created all the races and nations of the world and willed that we live together in peace and harmony.
C We were made to be family. We can’t just dream it. We must make it a part of our daily life.
Only love can overcome hatred, bitterness, and fear.
L There is strife in the human family. Injustice abounds in the form of racism, classism, sexism, cultural imperialism and other isms. We are a divided people, a fractured global community, human beings hating and hurting one another. And the consequences are painful, destructive, and ungodly.
C We have been called to let justice roll down like waters.
We can’t be innocent bystanders. We can’t become apathetic or discouraged.
We must speak up and act out. Injustice will not stop unless we stop it.
L We must work passionately to bridge the gulf that is between us, overcome the injustices that oppress us,
and restore true community among us.
C We must be determined enough to change what we can.
We must have the courage to accept what we cannot change.
Above all, we must have the guidance of God’s Spirit to know the difference. Amen.
THE PRAYERS… We pray that the joy and light of JESUS CHRIST will touch all lives!
+ THE HOLY MEAL +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS… We have been blessed by GRACE to be a blessing of GRATEFUL GENEROSITY!
We know what is right and what God requires. It is that we do justice, love kindness, and walk
depending on God. Will we do it? Some people – including leaders in government, business, society, and even religion – worship money and power, and they use people to get both. But
there are still people who worship God through Christ Jesus, and they use money to express gratitude and to extend God’s grace.Here in the Sanctuary you can place your offering in the offering plate to share your gratitude and generosity in response to Christ’s love. If you are farther away, you might: mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138…or contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation or recurring weekly gift to selected categories…or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions to register and record your contribution. Inside the Sanctuary
or farther away, don’t ignore the love and call of our Lord Jesus or your responsibility
to think, say, and do right in 2026!
SONG SELECTION:ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE”
(1) This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
(2) Ev’rywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
(3) Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine… (3X)
OFFERING PRAYER by the Communion Assistant:
O Lord our God, You have anointed us to bring good news and to proclaim liberty, to bind up the
brokenhearted and to liberate the oppressed. Help us to shine forth always and in all ways with the
bright glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE PREFACE:
L The Lord be with you. C AND ALSO WITH YOU!
L Lift up your hearts! C WE LIFT THEM UP IN LOVE FOR GOD!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God! C IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE GOD THANKS AND PRAISE!
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! We will have “continuous distribution” with wafers and either wine or grape juice. CHRIST COMES TO US IN BREAD AND WINE AND BLESSING, BRINGING US PEACE, UNITY, STRENGTH, AND HOPE!
COMMUNION SONGS: “IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST” Brown #214
“WE SHALL OVERCOME” Brown #213
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ SENDING +
BENEDICTION by the Pastor… God sends us TO SHINE with the Light of Jesus Christ in a shadowy world!
CLOSING SONG: “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING” Brown #296