Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

God's Promise of Freedom

Deuteronomy 30: 15– 20; Psalm 119: 1– 8

Theme: The choice is ours: life or death?

Key Passage: Deuteronomy 3-:15-16

“See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.”

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

God's Promise of Guidance

Psalm 112: 1– 10; Matthew 5: 13– 20

Theme: How do we live in response to the gift of grace?

Key Passage: Matthew 5:17-18

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.”

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

God's Promise of Blessing

Psalm 15; Matthew 5: 1– 12

Theme: The promise of the Beatitudes is for something good to emerge from the dust of something not so good.

Key Passage: Matthew 5:3-9

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Third Sunday after Epiphany

God's Promise of Ministry

Psalm 27: 1, 4– 9; Matthew 4: 12– 23

Theme: God calls and equips us to serve the kingdom.

Key Passage: Matthew 4:18-20

“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. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

Second Sunday after Epiphany

God's Promise of Faithfulness

Psalm 40: 1– 11; 1 Corinthians 1: 1– 9

Theme: God is faithful, even when we are not.

Key Passage: Psalm 40:10-11

“I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. Do not, O LORD, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.”

First Sunday after Epiphany

God's Promise of New Life

Psalm 29; Matthew 3: 13– 17

Theme: Through the waters of baptism, we are given new life.

Key Passage: Matthew 3:16-17

“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. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Epiphany Sunday: Arise, Shine!

Isaiah 60:1-6

Theme: Immanuel, God with us, is here.

Key Passage: Again, the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7: 10– 14)

Advent 4: Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell

Isaiah 7:10–16

Theme: Immanuel, God with us, is here.

Key Passage: Again, the LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. Then Isaiah said: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7: 10– 14)

Advent 3: A Desert in Bloom

Isaiah 35:1–10; James 5:7-10

Theme: Advent isn’t only about God’s movement toward us. Advent is also about our movement toward God.

Key Passage: “A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.” (Isaiah 35: 8– 9)

Advent 2: A Tangible Hope

Isaiah 11:1– 10

Theme: Even amid a broken creation, signs of hope emerge.

Key Passage: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11: 1– 2)